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ProblemsByVinFile / 2006-NISSAN-MAXIMANHTSA data synced 1 day ago
Nissan
2006 Nissan Maxima problems
The 2006 Nissan Maxima has 576 NHTSA owner complaints on file — not a small number. 2 active recall campaigns.
The 2006 Nissan Maxima has 576 NHTSA owner complaints and 2 recalls on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). The most-reported system is powertrain at 372 complaints, typically surfacing around 91,627 miles (~$2,500 to repair). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
Average for the segment. Some recurring trouble spots worth knowing about.
0
Critical
2
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2006 Maxima?
Acceptable — with caveats
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
Engine: 27 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 74,075–115,000 mi
Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average
2 recall campaigns on file
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model —
not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Buying a used 2006 Nissan Maxima? Check these first
Here's what this model is known to do — so you can inspect for it, price it in, or
make the seller fix it before you sign.
What to inspect on this specific car
powertrain — 372 owner reports
· tends to show around 91,627 mi · ~$2,500 to fix
brakes — 50 owner reports
· tends to show around 69,342 mi · ~$450 to fix
engine — 27 owner reports
· tends to show around 92,447 mi · ~$3,100 to fix
electrical — 19 owner reports
· tends to show around 84,302 mi · ~$850 to fix
⚠ The one to take seriously: engine is flagged
severe on this model
, showing up around 92,447 mi.
Inspect it closely on a test drive.
Recalls to confirm are done
Run the VIN from the listing — 2 active recalls on this model. Recall repairs are always free.
Verdict for buyers: 6.6/10 model. The priciest documented failure is
engine (~$3,100) — get the
seller's service records for it or inspect closely. Otherwise an average-risk used buy at a fair price.
We tell you what this model is known for and what to inspect — a vehicle-history report
tells you what this exact car has been through. Smart buyers get both.
A noise, a warning light, a repair quote, "should I buy this?" — get an answer grounded in
this vehicle's actual NHTSA record, not generic advice.
Dash light, leak, worn part — snap it and we'll read it against this car's record.
Photo attached — type a question or just hit Ask.
Answers use this vehicle's NHTSA complaint & recall record — owner-reported and unverified, not a diagnosis. Verify anything safety-critical with a mechanic.
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When owners report each system failing, in actual miles — so you can see what's likely behind you,
what's due around now, and what to budget for next. Enter your mileage to mark where you are.
"Typical" = median owner-reported failure mileage from the NHTSA complaint record for this exact
year and model. Not a maintenance schedule — a heads-up on where this model's failures cluster.
What owners are saying
recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
2006 Maxima· powertrain
After 65000 miles transmission started to show problems. Mostly from 1 to 2 gear it jumps like a mule. Almost undriveable. I have spoken to the dealer but warranty is no longer active so most spend 3500 dollars. I would never buy Nissan again. *kb
I purchased a 2006 Nissan maxima with approx. 16,000 miles in september 2006. In 2009 with appox. 50,000-60,000 miles on the car, the transmission started to slip. It jerks when I put the car in reverse and drive, it shifts up and down hard and it jerks when I am at a complete…
The transmission slips, jumps out of gear between gears. Often it will go to shift then it revs up not in gear instead of shifting then after a few seconds it slams hard into gear. This is not a daily constant issue it is random and sometimes will go weeks between having the…
Purchased 2006 maxima. Transmission slips and knocks!! The car only had approx 80k miles when this started!! We have replaced motor mounts but the problem still occurs. It is becoming more frequent as well. I did some research and this apparently is a problem for many owners…
Had a problem with your 2006 Nissan Maxima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
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.
Fix: 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.
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.
Fix: 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.
Common questions
Is the 2006 Nissan Maxima reliable?
It's got known weak points. With a reliability score of 6.6 out of 10 based on 576 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2006 Nissan Maxima has a higher-than-average rate of reported issues. The areas to watch are listed above. Whether it's worth owning depends on price, condition, and how much repair exposure you can absorb.
Should you avoid the 2006 Nissan Maxima?
The 2006 Nissan Maxima is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Engine: 27 complaints, classified severe, failures cluster 74,075–115,000 mi; Reliability score 6.6/10 — around the segment average; 2 recall campaigns on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2006 Nissan Maxima?
Inspect the powertrain first — it's the most-reported issue on this model, with 372 owner complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 91,627 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Also confirm any open recalls have been completed by running the VIN, and ask for service records covering the problem areas listed above.
Is the 2006 Nissan Maxima a good used car to buy?
It scores 6.6 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 576 owner complaints. The main thing to watch is powertrain. Typical failure occurs around 91,627 miles. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2006 Nissan Maxima?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is powertrain, with 372 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 91,627 miles. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The powertrain is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $2,500 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 91,627 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Maxima has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2006 Nissan Maxima?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 576 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $2,500, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.
Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database, last synced 1 day ago. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Nissan/Maxima.
Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics.
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