Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Nissan Maxima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I had adequate clearance to back into a parking space in front of a building. I put my car in reverse, gently pressed on the accelerator, and without warning my vehicle took off like a missile. Within seconds the rear of my car was against the building and my front end was against the car parked in the next space. To say I was stunned is an understatement. Weather conditions were not an issue and I was of sound mind and body. I firmly believe some kind of mechanical defect (possibly with my vehicle's accelerator) caused the accident. I am 100% confident I did not press too hard on the accelerator. I am the original owner of this vehicle which I have driven for over 8 years (I'm also a repeat owner of this make/model) so I am very familiar with how it handles. It accelerated inappropriately resulting in over $7,400 of damages to my car alone.
My car began jerking and shifting unexpectedly. It accelerated unexpectedly which caused me to lose control of the vehicle. My car crashed into my friend's home. After doing research I found that many people are having shifting problems. This is a definite safety issue.
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. …
Although the car looks beautiful, it's quickly becoming one of my least favorite vehicles I've owned. When I start going forward, I have to wait and be very patient on the gas pedal to make sure it shifts properly or it will jerk myself and small children in the back forward. I park in a ramp at work and on more than one occassion the car was downshifting as I turned a corner going up the ramp and I was slowing for a pedestrian and the car jerked forward and the pedestrian jumped and gave me a scared look. Not only is that entirely embarassing as an executive but it is a huge safety hazard on multiple levels. The car seems to jerk the most from 1-2 and 2-3 and visa versa. I noted electrical as an affected part because no matter how many times I set the mirror and seats, every time I use reverse, the mirrors move and click until I adjust them to where I need them.
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 report was taken, property damage was incurred and the contact was injured and taken to the hospital. The vehicle was towed to the police impound, the contacts insurer was notified and pictures were taken. The service dealer and manufacturer were not notified.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving through a car wash with the gear in drive, the vehicle accelerated independently and crashed into a cement pole, and a parked vehicle. The contact sustained injuries to the neck and wrist. The police reported to the scene and a report was filed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that an engineer would be sent to inspect the failure however, the engineer was unable to diagnose the cause of the failure. The vehicle was destroyed and towed to a salvage yard. The approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
Driving down the interstate, merging into the exit lane, I pressed the brake pedal to slow down to the light, as soon as I tap the gas pedal the car jumps out of gear and revs to approximately 6,000 RPM. Car then violently kicks back into gear, more than likely damaging all motor mounts and transmission mounts. It does the same thing when driving around small bends and taking turns. It put my car into limp mode in the middle of the street. This has been occurring for roughly the past 6 months
My Maxima has been jerking and hesitating at low speeds. It is only when the car has been running for a bit and is warmed up. A few times it has slammed into gear so hard I thought I had been rear ended. It is so bad that I have to drive with my hazard light on. I'm afraid for my life and other drivers on the road. This problem shouldn't be taken lightly and I believe Nissan should be held accountable.
ABS, trc,brake, stability light on, car jumps when braking and loud noise when breaking 25mph and lower. Dealer refuse to do the repair under warranty, this is a large problem for nisan owners. Cost of repair 2-3000.00
Unintended acceleration 3 times, each more violent then the first time, of a new 2006 Nissan Maxima, only 26,000 miles on it, this is the 3rd. Time it has happened, on sept. 18, kahului, maui. Terrifying, I could not stop the car at the stop sign of intersection, this was the worse of the past two accelerations that I had with this car. My husband was with me on the passenger side of car. It took off like a "race car" I could not break it or stop car from going. Had to pull the keys out and put in neutral, then reverse to get it to stop.! Took it to the dealer, jimfalk, the service dept. Could not find what is wrong, kept car for a week, driving it to "recreate" the problem, but it seems to do it after so many months, not back to back, something triggers it off it seems. We are stuck with his car now, it is dangerous to drive, as the problem cannot be found. …
Acceleration complaints in other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2006 Nissan Maxima?
NHTSA has 35 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2006 Nissan Maxima, 6% of the model year's 576 complaints. The component named most often is accelerator pedal (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Nissan Maxima acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2006 Nissan Maxima, though it has 2 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Nissan Maxima acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 3% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.