STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Nissan Maxima suspension problems
severe 18 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
18
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
3crashes
3injuries
When does it fail?
Of the 18 suspension complaints filed for the 2006 Nissan Maxima, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 50,000-75,000 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
Among the 9 model years of Nissan Maxima in our records for suspension problems, this one ranks #3 by owner-complaint volume.
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 12 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item listed, if any should occur. - Most brake incidents fall into the following categories: a. Brake Noise: A squeak, squeal, clunk, or groan that occurs when the brakes are applied or released. b. Brake Judder: A vibration that can be felt in the vehicle, steering wheel or brake pedal when the brakes are applied. c. Pedal Feel: The effort needed to operate the brakes is too high or too low. SERVICE PROCEDURE 1. Verify the condition by road testing the vehicle with the customer. 2. Determine the specific brake incident based
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a shock absorber that qualifies for replacement under warranty. - A strut or shock absorber that has slight oil seepage, a condition which is considered normal, does not affect strut/shock absorber operation or performance, and does not require replacement. - A strut or shock absorber that should be replaced due to rod resistance/noise issues. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN: AXLE BOLT AND TORQUE INFORMATION.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners describe multiple distinct suspension failures on 2006 Maximas. Front coil springs fracture without warning, sometimes accompanied by flat tires—one owner heard a snapping sound at 30 mph and found both front springs broken by 68k miles. Front wheel bearings fail and partially seize as early as 71k–73k miles, making rubbing noises and stopping wheel rotation intermittently before dealers replace them.
Corrosion is severe in salt-climate states: one owner in Ohio found front suspension cradle mounting studs rotted 25% through, making them non-replaceable short of major work. The rear suspension has documented cracks, loss-of-control events, and unfinished recalls—one owner discovered a recall repair never completed on a used purchase, while another lost vehicle control at 45 mph after a popping sound and crashed into another car, sustaining chest and neck injuries.
Persistent suspension noise—rattling or rubbing—goes undiagnosed through multiple dealer visits. Some owners report swerving during braking that dealers dismiss as tire-related, and squeaking from shocks that technicians cannot reproduce. One purchased-used 2006 Maxima had rear suspension noise that never went away despite attempts at repair.
Same Nissan Maxima suspension reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Front coil spring fracture
Front coil springs fracture without obvious cause, sometimes accompanied by flat tire from the impact. Owner heard loud snapping sound from front end.
When: 68,743 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud snapping sound from front end; Flat tire on front passenger side; Visual inspection shows fractured coil springs
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced struts, stabilizer bar, and tire
Front wheel bearing failure
Front wheel bearings deteriorate and partially seize, causing rubbing sound and intermittent wheel rotation stoppage. Occurs well before typical service life.
When: 71,000–73,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Rubbing sound from wheel area; Wheel stops rotating then continues; Bearing seizure risk if not caught early
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced wheel bearings
Corrosion of front suspension mounting studs
Front suspension cradle mounting studs corrode severely in salt/snow climates, with up to 25% material loss. Studs are not easily replaceable and failure could cause cradle to drop.
When: Unknown; discovered during routine engine mount replacement
Symptoms owners cite: Extreme corrosion on front mounting studs; Approximately 25% of stud material rotted away; Rear studs unaffected
Repairs/costs cited: No repair performed; owner reassembled cradle with corroded studs intact
Suspension noise/rattling
Persistent rattling or rubbing noise originates from suspension area. Multiple dealer visits failed to isolate or repair the problem.
When: Early ownership; reported as early as purchase date
Symptoms owners cite: Rattling noise from underneath car; Noise persists despite multiple dealer repairs; Exact location difficult to pinpoint
Repairs/costs cited: Multiple attempted repairs by dealers; issue unresolved
Rear suspension failure with loss of vehicle control
Popping sound from rear suspension followed by complete loss of control. Owner crashed into another vehicle and sustained injuries.
When: 136,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Loud popping sound from rear; Immediate loss of vehicle control; Crash into another vehicle
Repairs/costs cited: Vehicle destroyed; no repairs documented
Rear suspension recall not performed on used vehicle
Used Maxima purchased with known rear suspension recall not completed. Owner later found evidence of prior rear suspension replacement but original recall work missing.
When: Discovered during routine service
Symptoms owners cite: Noise from suspension (front or rear); Recall work not performed by previous owner
Repairs/costs cited: Rear suspension previously replaced by Goodyear service; recall not documented as completed
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA recall for power seats and rear suspension (ID mentioned but not specified)
Rear suspension issue causing loss of stability in wet conditions
Vehicle loses grip and stability in rain or wet conditions; owner spun and hit wall. References a recall on rear suspension with noted safety effects.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Loss of grip in wet/rainy conditions; Vehicle spins out of control; Instability during braking in hazardous weather
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Recall on rear suspension referenced but not specified
Swerving during braking
Vehicle swerves left and right when attempting to brake. Dealer dismissed as normal behavior for 18-inch tires, claiming wheels follow road irregularities.
When: Early ownership (first update 04/06/06)
Symptoms owners cite: Swerves left and right during braking; Occurs at 20 mph
Repairs/costs cited: No repair; dealer attributed to tire design
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealer stated this was normal for vehicle with 18-inch tires
Squeaking from front driver-side shock
Squeaking noise emanates from front driver-side shock. Dealer unable to reproduce or identify the cause despite inspection.
When: Unknown mileage
Symptoms owners cite: Squeaking from front driver-side shock
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer unable to reconstruct or identify noise source
Rear suspension subframe crack
Crack discovered in rear suspension subframe during routine tire balancing. Owner noticed no symptoms prior to discovery.
When: 45,676 miles (failure and current mileage same)
Symptoms owners cite: Visual crack in rear suspension subframe
Repairs/costs cited: No diagnosis or repair performed at time of report
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NHTSA Campaign ID 06V046000 (Suspension: Rear) referenced
Synthesized from 18 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
I was a proud owner of a 2006 maxima but now I am very disappointed. About two months ago, my car started jerking when switching gears, accelerating, parking, and slowing down. I went to Nissan and they told me that my transmission had internal failures and needed to be replaced at $4200.00!!! My car only has 73,000 miles should not need a new transmission. I looked on the internet and discovered…
Had suspension 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 suspension problem on the 2006 Nissan Maxima?
It's a meaningful issue. 18 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $900.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 14 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 45,676 and 73,000 miles, with the median around 68,743. A quarter of owners report trouble before 45,676; a quarter make it past 73,000. 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 $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.