Most common 2006 Nissan Maxima problems
Share of the 576 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Nissan Maxima complaints by model year
Best Maxima years: 2022, 2019, 2020. Years to avoid: 2009, 2010, 2004, 2005, 2006. Compare all years →
2006 Nissan Maxima recalls (2)
Suspension › Rear
On certain vehicles, the rear subframe May have been manufactured incorrectly, which could result in a crack in a bracket which holds part of the rear suspension.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe to determine if it was manufactured incorrectly and replace it, if necessary. The recall began on February 27, 2006. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Seats › Front assembly › Power adjust
On certain passenger vehicles equipped with the driver preferred package, the wire harness from the driver's seat power lumbar support switch May be routed incorrectly and could be pinched under the driver seat.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the wire harness and route it correctly. The recall began on January 16, 2006. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
What 2006 Nissan Maxima owners say
Transmission & drivetrain all 393 →
My 2006 Nissan Maxima began hard shifting while driving, reversing, and shifting into drive. I took it in to have it serviced over the summer and the Nissan dealership recommended a transmission flush and said nothing was wrong. Of course that did not fix anything. The problem has gotten progressively worse to the point where it can take up to 5 seconds for the car to shift into gear when I am putting it into drive. I contacted the Nissan corporation and they advised me to go to the dealership and have it diagnosed. Well of course now the dealership says we need to have the transmission replaced...to the tune of $3,000. When I contacted the Nissan corporation they informed me there was nothing they could do to help me and that my car didn't fall within the parameters of the CVT transmission extended warranty. …
I just recently purchased a used 2006 Nissan Maxima sl 5spd automatic for my wife in excellent condition with 144,000 miles. It had been kept up with a good car fax. When I test drove it I made sure to pay special attention to the transmission & how it shifted from 1st to 2nd & downshift from those gears since I heard nothing but bad stories about these cars from 2004-06' it shifted smoothly. Seemed to have no issues of what I've read in reviews. I thought great! This is the car my wife likes a lot & how it drive! We take it home.. Registered & insured then a few days later it starts! My wife says it shifted/downshifted hard a few times on here way to work which is only 8miles away on back roads. We bought it from a private seller so I don't know if lemon law applies? I came across a site that had simalar complaints & that Nissan hasn't addressed the issue nor sent out any recalls. …
Engine & cooling all 71 →
This Vehicle is Severely Defective. This Vehicle is not safe to be on the road. This Vehicle has had several repairs for the same repair issue but the problem still exists. I have spent thousands on this Vehicle and this vehicle is still inoperative and not drivable. This Vehicle is a hazard for the road. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE! VEHICLE has still not been Repaired. Please I like to be Compensated and Reimbursed for the Loss I have suffered. Please compensate and/or reimbursed me for the $10,000.00 I lost in a Defective, Inoperable, and Unsafe Vehicle. Thank God My Child and I did not get seriously hurt while I was driving this vehicle. I remember one incident while I was driving this vehicle: Right in the middle of me driving this vehicle I was going about 40-45 mph on the highway, the vehicle just shut down all of a sudden. The entire Electrical System just Shutdown. …
I own a 2006 Nissan Maxima worst car I ever owned and will never again buy another Nissan product. I think Nissan knows about the issue of the car jerking and suddenly revs for no apparent reason after about 90K or so miles the car is fairly useless I can't even drive mines anymore until I shell out 4K to get it fixed. Whenever I put it in drive it just jerks real hard to the point where I feel afraid to drive it. My wife actually got into an accident because just suddenly revs forward. I don't know why it does this but all owners that I have spoken to said the same thing.
Brakes all 59 →
My brakes dont work unless my 3 dashboard lights come on. Slip, tcs and abs. Sometimes I forget and drive off. When I brake at the light you could here the wires buzzing as if there was a short circuit. Finally on my passenger side in the 'back, the tire was wiggling and noticed some lugs were missing plus the hubs lugs were loose. I haven' t taken to go get it inspected because I dont have money at the moment.
While casually driving, hands on steering wheel, foot on accelerator, asphalt road slightly damp but not wet, on a two way street with no reason to expect a sudden crisis, the aba brakes on my 2006 Maxima suddenly locked throwing the rear end of the vehicle into a slide facing oncoming traffic which at this time there happened to be none. When I felt the sudden action, which was like I had run into an invisible wall, I then hit the brakes attempting to stop the vehicle. The steering wheel seemed to float with no control of the direction headed. The car continued to accelerate instead of braking. This sent the vehicle back across to the right side of the road into a concrete curb and over into a grassy area before the car came to a stop. Only exterior minor damage from hitting a small sign post. …
2006 Nissan Maxima engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 6-speed manual | FWD | 18 / 27 / 21 |
| 3.5L 6-cyl | 5-speed automatic | FWD | 18 / 26 / 21 |
EPA ratings. Class: Midsize car.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2006 Nissan Maxima a good car?
Based on 576 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Maxima rates avoid: 4.0× as many complaints as a typical year of the Maxima at the same age. It is one of the Maxima years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2006 Nissan Maxima?
The transmission & drivetrain — 393 complaints, 68% of all complaints for this model year, most often about automatic transmission. Next are the engine & cooling (71) and brakes (59).
How many recalls does the 2006 Nissan Maxima have?
There are 2 recalls for the 2006 Nissan Maxima, the most recent from February 13, 2006 (rear). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Nissan Maxima?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2022, 2019 and 2020. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2009, 2010, 2004, 2005 and 2006. See the full Nissan Maxima years comparison.
At what mileage do 2006 Nissan Maxima problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 84,000 miles; 13% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.