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2006 Nissan Maxima Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Nissan Maxima has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 7 recurring issue clusters, led by “Automatic transmission jerking and slipping.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 Nissan Maxima.

Reported to NHTSA

Automatic transmission jerking and slipping

POWER TRAIN

135 NHTSA complaints · 2013-08 → 2020-12

“TRANSMISSION SLIPPING FROM 2ND TO 3RD AND 3RD TO 4TH WITH A HARD KNOCK GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING AND SLOWING TO 25MPH TO GO AROUND A TURN THE CAR JERKED AND HARD KICKED DOWNSHIFTING CAUSING ME TO ALMOST TO HIT FROM BEHIND”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11319612
“TRANSMISSION JERKS INTO GEAR AND WHEN SHIFTING. ACCELERATION CAN BE SLOW AND HAS CAUSED ME TO NEARLY HAVE AND ACCIDENT WHEN I COULD NOT CLEAR AN INTERSECTION AS QUICKLY AS NECESSARY. SOMETIMES THE CAR WILL CLUNK INTO GEAR WHEN SHIFTING AND WHEN DRIVING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11078586
“WHEN THE VEHICLE IS SHIFTED FROM PARK TO DRIVE THERE IS A HARD JERK PRIOR TO ENGAGEMENT. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10546002

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Front floor pan corrosion

STRUCTURE

13 NHTSA complaints · 2013-08 → 2019-05

“PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS RUSTING OUT. MY 2006 MAXIMA HAS 106701 MILES AND HAS BEEN GARAGED SINCE I BOUGHT IT NEW. IT NOW FAILED INSPECTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11089775
“DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDE FRONT FLOOR PANS DISINTEGRATED DUE TO RUST CORROSION. THESE PANS TIE THE CENTER TUBE TO THE SIDE FRAMES SO ANY STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY THERE IS LOST”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10627588
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR OF THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS RUSTED ROTTED OUT. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10811793

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

ABS actuator and wheel speed sensor failure

SERVICE BRAKES

11 NHTSA complaints · 2013-11 → 2023-04

“I WAS STOPPING ON A RED LIGHT WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE ABS STARTED TO KICK IN BUT THE FLOOR WAS DRY I WANT GOING FAST AS ALL OUR ANY OF THAT. NOW IT DOES IT EVERY TIME I'M BREAKING THE CODE IYS C1110. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10560718
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEFT REAR ABS SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10551879
“OVER A WEEK AGO I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE ABS WAS TURNING ON DURING NORMAL BRAKING AND WHILE SIMPLY DRIVING. SO I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY THOUGHT ONE OF THE SENSORS WAS OUT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10693907

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Steering rack and pinion failure

STEERING

8 NHTSA complaints · 2013-11 → 2018-10

“WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL THE VEHICLE MAKE A WHINING, THEN A GRINDING NOISE, ALONG WITH DIFFICULTY STEERING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10592791
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT WAS REVERSING INTO A PARKING SPACE AT 3 MPH WHEN THE WHEELS BECAME UNRESPONSIVE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL BUT THE WHEELS WOULD NOT MOVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10552971
“THE STEERING WHEEL KEEPS SHIFTING TO ONE SIDE THE GUYS AT THE WHEEL ALIGNMENT PLACE TOLD ME IT'S THE RACK AND PINION. THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT THE RACK AND PINION GOES OUT VERY FAST AND THE PART IS ABOUT 400$”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10930058

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Air bag non-deployment and warning light faults

AIR BAGS

9 NHTSA complaints · 2014-06 → 2023-07

“The contact stated that while the vehicle was stationary and being serviced with the engine running, the service technician closed the front driver's side door and moments later the front and rear driver's side curtain air bags deployed”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11532953
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. AFTER DRIVING OVER A SNOW MOUND AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL AND CRASHED INTO A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A HEAD INJURY THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10822749
“AIR BAG DEFAULT STILL BLINKING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10726930

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Timing chain wear and engine stalling

ENGINE

20 NHTSA complaints · 2014-02 → 2024-05

“THE CAR SHUTS DOWN IN THE MEST OF DRIVING OR A THE STOP SIGN. SOME TIMES IT WILL CRANK BACK UP AND SOME TIMES IT WILL NOT .SO NOW IT WILL NOT CRACK BACK UP”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11053625
“I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR SOME SERVICE AND WAS TOLD MY TIMING CHAIN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IT IS GOING TO COST OVER $2000.00 FOR THE WORK. I HAVE INVESTIGATED THIS AND FOUND NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10664039
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THERE WAS A LOUD KNOCKING NOISE FROM THE ENGINE COMPARTMENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10565165

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Unintended acceleration and speed control failure

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

16 NHTSA complaints · 2013-08 → 2017-04

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10747655
“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. *TR”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10693959
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED INDEPENDENTLY. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 99,000”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10536936

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD and 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

132 crashes 1990–2024

How the 132 occupant deaths break down

103

driver deaths

29

passenger deaths

132

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2006 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

21

complaints mentioning a crash

4

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2006 Nissan Maxima reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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