Is the 2006 Nissan Maxima a bad year?
576 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 393, 39× a quiet Maxima year.
Consider selling
Half of all transmission complaints about the 2006 Nissan Maxima were filed between 75k and 102k miles. You're at 86,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Maxima owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 86,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and drivetrainSTANDS OUT | 393 (68%) | 75k–102k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| BrakesSTANDS OUT | 59 (10%) | 46k–89k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Engine | 69 (12%) | 70k–115k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Speed control | 35 (6%) | 74k–108k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Electrical system | 26 (5%) | 61k–113k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Body structure | 20 (3%) | 67k–115k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Steering | 17 (3%) | 35k–102k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Air bags | 13 (2%) | 63k–116k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Stability control | 17 (3%) | 91k–137k miles · ahead | — |
| Suspension | 19 (3%) | 36k–78k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 12 (2%) | 18k–62k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 6 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 5 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 86,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 576 complaints: 21 mention a crash · 4 mention a fire · 12 report an injury · 5 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in May 2024.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
My 2006 Nissan maxima has been experiencing a slip in the transmission. The other day I tried to cross a street and it slipped almost causing a crash with a semi truck that could not have stopped in time.
Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (Foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(B)(6) Nissan maxima transmissions are failing a an incredible rate.
After my car warms up if I go from neutral to drive it does not change immediately. It takes about 3 to 5 seconds then it slams into gear.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 86,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Nissan Maxima: 2
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. If the bracket is cracked, the stability of the vehicle may be affected under severe driving conditions. This could lead to a loss of control of the vehicle which could result in a crash.
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. A pinched harness, in combination with driving vibration, may result in a short circuit in the harness that could lead to a fire in the seat.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 43
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Nissan Maxima. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if…
Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
Nissan; fuel tank is extremely difficult to fill
The Service Procedure provided in this bulletin is for the installation of Repair Plates on vehicles that have rust in the floor pan area
Neighbouring years
2005 Maxima: 947 complaints, consider selling · 2007 Maxima: 129 complaints, keep it.
Every Nissan Maxima year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · All Maxima years side by side
Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Altima · Nissan Armada · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Murano · Nissan Pathfinder · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note · Nissan Xterra. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Nissan Maxima a bad year?
576 owner complaints to NHTSA. Transmission complaints: 393, 39× a quiet Maxima year. At 86,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all transmission complaints about the 2006 Nissan Maxima were filed between 75k and 102k miles. You're at 86,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Nissan Maxima?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: transmission and drivetrain (393), brakes (59), engine (69), speed control (35), electrical system (26). Half of the transmission complaints were filed between 75k–102k miles.
How many recalls does the 2006 Nissan Maxima have?
2 recall campaigns list this model year: Suspension (NHTSA 06V-046), Seats (NHTSA 05V-512). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.