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 issue pop up. When it pops up it will happen during that entire drive. The next time it is driven even that same day…
2006 Nissan Maxima engine problems
severe 27 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100 · see engine across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
27
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$3,100
1crash
1fire
When does it fail?
Of the 27 engine complaints filed for the 2006 Nissan Maxima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 75,000-100,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Owners have filed 27 engine complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Among the 10 model years of Nissan Maxima in our records for engine problems, this one ranks #2 by owner-complaint volume.
The failure pattern owners describe
Buyer takeaway: A 2006 Maxima is a high-risk buy due to systemic transmission and timing chain tensioner failures clustering around 70,000–80,000 miles, typically just after warranty expires, with repair bills running $1,200–$5,000. Engine stalling, motor mount breakage, and other driveability issues compound the problem; expect significant out-of-pocket costs regardless of maintenance history.
The 2006 Maxima emerges from these complaints with multiple critical failure patterns. Transmission breakdown tops the list—owners report jerking, slipping between gears, delayed shifts, and complete failure clustering near 74,000–80,000 miles, well out of warranty. Costs run $3,000–$5,000 for replacement. Nissan has denied coverage when maintenance wasn't done at its dealerships, though a few owners claim the manufacturer eventually covered repairs.
Timing chain tensioner failure is the second major issue. Owners hear whining or rattling around 56,000–115,000 miles, and dealers confirm plastic tensioners are defective. Repair bills hit $1,200–$2,400. One owner cites a Nissan Technical Service Bulletin on this problem; the manufacturer has not issued a recall.
Engine stalling without warning occurs across a wide mileage range (108,000–174,000 miles), sometimes multiple times in a single drive. Motor mounts break, causing violent jerking during gear shifts. Catalytic converter issues trigger hesitation on acceleration, and one persistent complaint documents a rotten-egg smell the dealer and Nissan refused to address. One incident involved a dime falling through a gap in the recessed instrument cluster and shorting the circuit board, causing smoke—a design flaw the replacement part corrects.
Same Nissan Maxima engine reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Timing Chain Tensioner Failure
Plastic timing chain tensioner degrades prematurely, typically between 56,000–115,000 miles. Owners report whining/rattling noises and dealer assessments confirming the tensioner is defective. One narrative mentions Nissan issued a Technical Service Bulletin on this issue. Dealer recommendations warn that failure can result in major engine damage and vehicle inoperability.
When: 56,000–115,000 miles; commonly shortly after warranty expiration
Symptoms owners cite: Whining noise similar to low power steering fluid; Rattling noise from inside cabin or front of vehicle; Loud knocking from engine compartment
Repairs/costs cited: Repair costs range $1,200–$2,400 in labor; parts range $200–$2,000. One narrative states $2,000 in labor alone to remove engine and components.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan issued a Technical Service Bulletin per one narrative; no recalls mentioned by owners.
Transmission Failure and Shifting Problems
Owners report transmission failure requiring replacement at 74,000–80,000 miles, well before engine life expectancy. Common symptoms include hard jerking, slipping between gears, difficulty shifting, and sudden stalling. Owners claim thousands of similar complaints exist. Nissan has reportedly denied warranty coverage when maintenance not performed at dealership.
When: 74,000–80,000 miles; some shifting issues reported up to 93,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hard jerking when shifting gears or accelerating; Transmission slips and jumps out of gear; Difficult shifting; takes up to ten seconds to shift into gear; Vehicle hesitates then jerks forward during acceleration; Random slipping that recurs during single drive; Back-kick around 20 mph during deceleration
Repairs/costs cited: Replacement costs reported as $3,000–$5,000 out of pocket. One narrative mentions Nissan told customer sensors are the issue but entire transmission must be purchased.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan refuses assistance when maintenance not performed at dealership; some owners report Nissan paid all or most costs despite expired warranty, but this is inconsistent.
Engine Stalling
Multiple narratives report sudden engine stalling while driving at various speeds. Vehicle may or may not restart. Stalls occur without warning and sometimes recur multiple times during the same drive. One narrative mentions an oxygen sensor and turbine revolution sensor replacement that did not resolve the issue; another mentions a cam shaft position sensor diagnosed by an independent mechanic.
When: 108,000–174,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Sudden stalling at 25–55 mph with or without warning; Multiple stalls during single drive session; Vehicle may require several restart attempts
Repairs/costs cited: One narrative mentions oxygen sensor and turbine revolution sensor replacement that failed to resolve jerking; another independent mechanic identified cam shaft position sensor. No costs provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One narrative cites recall 03V455000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) but manufacturer stated owner's VIN was not included. No other manufacturer response documented.
Engine Knock/Mechanical Noise and Suspected Oil Pump Failure
Two narratives report sudden loud engine noise and failure at highway speeds. One describes oil pump believed defective by Nissan dealer; vehicle began with oil light illumination followed by terrible noise within 60 seconds, then complete engine shutdown. Another narrative reports loud knocking at various speeds. Both occurred around 70,000 miles, out of warranty.
When: 70,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Oil warning light illumination; Horrible/loud knocking noise from engine; Complete engine shutdown
Repairs/costs cited: Nissan dealer suspected defective oil pump but no repair completed. No cost provided.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan declined to take responsibility for engine failure; no recall or warranty extension mentioned.
Motor Mount Failure
One narrative explicitly mentions broken engine mounts as a high problem area for this generation of Maxima. Another narrative of excessive jerking at low speed was diagnosed by a second dealer as motor mount failure.
When: 78,000–80,000 miles reported
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive jerking during gear shifts; Vehicle jolts forward when switching gears
Repairs/costs cited: No repair costs provided in narratives.
Catalytic Converter Issues and Excessive Oil Consumption
Owners report catalytic converter requiring replacement due to hesitation on acceleration or suspected oil storage. One narrative from an Altima (not Maxima, but included in cluster) mentions large abnormal oil consumption with dealer diagnosis that catalytic converter stores oil, potentially causing fire or engine damage.
When: 84,000–113,300 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Hesitation or loss of power when accelerating; Abnormal oil consumption; Rotten egg/sulfur smell from vehicle (persistent, reported 8 out of 10 drives)
Repairs/costs cited: Catalytic converter replacement recommended; no costs provided. One narrative reports persistent sulfur smell despite two dealer visits.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Manufacturer declined to include vehicle in recall 06V223000; dealer and Nissan customer affairs refused to address sulfur smell complaint.
Instrument Cluster/Gauge Malfunction
Speedometer, fuel gauge, and tachometer read erratically, drifting between zero and maximum. Dashboard background lighting flickers. In one case, a dime fell through a design gap and shorted the printed circuit board below the recessed instrument display, causing smoke. Gap measured 0.114 inches; display recessed 3.125 inches at 18-degree angle.
When: Mileage not specified; single incident on 5/26/2011
Symptoms owners cite: Speedometer, fuel gauge, and tachometer erratic readings; Dashboard background lighting flickers; Smoke from instrument display area
Repairs/costs cited: Design flaw allowed small objects to migrate into display screen gap and short printed circuit. Part number cited: 277607Y00A/UPR/5804. Replacement part does not have the slot. Dealer repair completed.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Replacement part redesigned to eliminate the slot that allowed coin entry.
Synthesized from 27 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
Had engine trouble with your 2006 Nissan Maxima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the engine problem on the 2006 Nissan Maxima?
It's a meaningful issue. 27 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.
At what mileage does the engine typically fail?
Across the 20 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most engine failures cluster between 74,075 and 115,000 miles, with the median around 84,500. A quarter of owners report trouble before 74,075; a quarter make it past 115,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to engine?
No active recalls currently cover engine issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Nissan/Maxima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.