2006 Nissan MAXIMA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
576 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
84,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 511 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 266 of 576 complaints (46.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 353 | 61.3% |
| Braking behavior | 84 | 14.6% |
| Engine operation | 41 | 7.1% |
| Steering behavior | 18 | 3.1% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 2.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 266 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 127 |
| Engine | 47 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 34 |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic | 31 |
| Electrical System | 24 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 18 |
| Unknown Or Other | 18 |
Power Train: 266; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 127; Engine: 47; Vehicle Speed Control: 34; Service Brakes, Hydraulic: 31; Electrical System: 24; Engine And Engine Cooling: 18; Unknown Or Other: 18
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 26 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 38 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 111 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 184 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 125 |
| 150,000 and above | 27 |
Under 25,000: 26; 25,000 to 49,999: 38; 50,000 to 74,999: 111; 75,000 to 99,999: 184; 100,000 to 149,999: 125; 150,000 and above: 27
75,000 to 99,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (184). 65 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 10 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 16 |
| 2009 | 16 |
| 2010 | 88 |
| 2011 | 120 |
| 2012 | 63 |
| 2013 | 77 |
| 2014 | 62 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 41 |
| 2017 | 19 |
| 2018 | 9 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
| 2024 | 1 |
2006: 10; 2007: 9; 2008: 16; 2009: 16; 2010: 88; 2011: 120; 2012: 63; 2013: 77; 2014: 62; 2015: 33; 2016: 41; 2017: 19; 2018: 9; 2019: 6; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2023: 2; 2024: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 353 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 84 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 41 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10169112 · 2006-09-20 (September 20, 2006)
DEFECTIVE 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. *KB *NM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT ON 06/19/2006 HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE TO WORK. SHE CAME TO A STOP SIGN AND WHEN SHE WENT TO PULL OUT, THE VEHICLE WOULD BARELY MOVE . IT SEEMED LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT AND SHE COULD ONLY GO 20 MPH AFTER TAKING OFF. THE SAME PROBLEM RECURRED OFTEN. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A HONDA DEALER, WHO HOOKED IT UP TO COMPUTER TO LOOK AT DIAGNOSTIC CODES. HOWEVER, THE COMPUTER DID NOT SHOW ANYTHING WRONG. THUS, OUT OF THE FIRST 35 DAYS SINCE THE PURCHASE OF THE CAR, IT…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10169112 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10252236 · 2008-12-18 (December 18, 2008)
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN MAXIMA AND THE CAR IS JERKING AND JUMPING WHILE DRIVING AND UPON STOPPING. IT OCCURS EVERYTIME I DRIVE THE CAR AND I'VE TOOK IT TO THE SHOP AND IT WAS PUT ON A DIAGNOSTIC AND THEY STATED THAT ITS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THEIR SHOULD BE A MANDATORY RECALL FOR THESE CARS BECAUSE I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP US AND LOOK INTO THIS. NISSAN IS NOT TRYING TO HELP US AT ALL. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10252236 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10152737 · 2006-03-15 (March 15, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE AT 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SWERVES TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION. THE DEALER STATED THIS WAS NORMAL FOR A VEHICLE WITH 18 INCH TIRES. THE DEALERSHIP TOLD THE CONSUMER THE REASON HE EXPERIENCED THE JERKING OF THE VEHICLE WAS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE HAS 18 INCH WHEELS AND THE WHEELS WANT TO FOLLOW THE ROAD IRREGULARITIES. UPDATED 04/06/06
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10152737 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10235491 · 2008-07-23 (July 23, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. IN RAINY WEATHER, THE CONTACT HEARS A CLUCKING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL IS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO IDENTIFY THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. AFTER THE VEHICLE HAS WARMED UP, THE CLUCKING SOUND STOPS. THE DEALER REPAIRED THE ROTORS, BUT THE FAILURE STILL PERSISTS. THERE WERE NO WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,000. UPDATED 11/17/08 *CN UPDATED 11/21/08. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10235491 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10258197 · 2009-02-10 (February 10, 2009)
I DID NOT HAVE A CRASH. I HAVE HAD TWO VEHICLES WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I HAD A 2003 NISSAN ALTIMA AND I CURRENTLY HAVE A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THEY BOTH EXPERIENCE A JERKING MOTION UPON SHIFTING, WILL SOMETIMES STALL TO SHIFT. I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND OUT THAT MANY MANY PEOPLE HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. PLEASE HELP ME OUT. THIS NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 69,832 miles reported. Look up ODI 10258197 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10276502 · 2009-07-13 (July 13, 2009)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY PULLED TO THE RIGHT AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE VEHICLE NEXT TO HIM. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE FLIPPED OVER SEVERAL TIMES. SHE SUSTAINED INJURIES TO HER LEFT ARM. NO ONE ELSE WAS INJURED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE CONTACT'S INSURANCE COMPANY. PRIOR TO THE CRASH, SHE NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 38,500.
Owner-reported narrative. 38,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10276502 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10156615 · 2006-05-02 (May 2, 2006)
SHIMMY IN STEERING WHEEL FROM THE DAY I GOT THE CAR. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 45 miles reported. Look up ODI 10156615 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10166753 · 2006-08-28 (August 28, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED ON REVERSING THE VEHICLE OUT OF A PARKING SPACE, THE FRONT END WAS NOT CLEAR OF THE CURB. WHEN DRIVE WAS ENGAGED AND THE ACCELERATOR WAS DEPRESSED, THE FRONT LEFT BOUNCED OVER THE CURB. AS THIS HAPPENED, A METALLIC BANG WAS HEARD, THEN THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD OUT OF CONTROL. THE STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND AND THE VEHICLE DROVE OVER ANOTHER CURB KNOCKED DOWN A SIGN POST AND THEN ON IMPACT OF A STONE PILLAR, CAUSING ALL AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. THE WEATHER WAS DRY AND CLEAR AND THE PARKING LOT WAS ASPHALT. A POLICE …
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166753 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10242109 · 2008-09-14 (September 14, 2008)
AS I TURNED ON THE IGNITION THE BATTERY EXPLODED. THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING APROX. 5 MINUTES BEFORE THE INCIDENT. I HAD DRIVEN APROX. 15 MILES BEFORE STOPPING. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION AND WAITED A MINUTE OR SO TO LET THE SMALL AMOUNT OF SMOKE TO CLEAR. I OPENED THE HOOD AND OBSERVED THE BATTERY. I WAS SPLIT IN SEVERAL PLACES. THE TWO CELL COVERS WERE OFF THE BATTERY. THE IMPRINT OF THE BATTERY CAP TOP WAS LEFT ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE HOOD. THE HOOD HAD A SMALL DENT UP FROM THE UNDER SIDE. IT LOOKS AS IF THE OTHER CAP HIT THE UNDERSIDE OF THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 41,876 miles reported. Look up ODI 10242109 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10257370 · 2009-02-03 (February 3, 2009)
NISSAN OF MIDDLETOWN REPLACED DRIVE BELTS, AIR FILTER, & CHANGED OIL 12/1/08. (I REQUESTED THE ORIGINAL DRIVE BELTS TO SHOW MY HUSBAND AS I NEVER RECALLED HAVING THIS SERVICE DONE ON ANY OF THE CARS I OWNED AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE.) ON 12/5/08, MY 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA (APPROX. 37,900 MI) JUST STOPPED ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY. I WAS PUSHED OFF THE HIGHWAY, OPENED THE HOOD, CHECKED THE BELTS (WHICH WERE FINE) & NOTICED FRESH BATTERY ACID SPEWING FROM THE BATTERY. TOWED TO MECHANIC IN TOWN WHO HAD THE CAR FOR 10 DAYS IN WHICH TIME HE CHANGED THE BATTERY AN…
Owner-reported narrative. 37,750 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257370 at NHTSA ↗