2006 Nissan Maxima Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2006 Nissan Maxima ranks 3rd worst of 19 model years with a complaint index of 89 and 576 NHTSA complaints, earning an Avoid verdict. Transmission and powertrain issues dominate, making up 68% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 84,000.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 89/100
- #3 of 19 Maxima years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 576
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 21
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 4
- Injuries
- 12
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 21
- 18 city / 26.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 12 / 0
Top 2006 Nissan Maxima problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain393 (68%)
- Engine98 (17%)
- Brakes70 (12%)
- Electrical System32 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires31 (5%)
- Structure & Body23 (4%)
- Other19 (3%)
- Steering17 (3%)
- Airbags13 (2%)
- Fuel System6 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Transmission jerks, stalls, or slips when hot, sometimes causing the car to lurch into traffic or the vehicle ahead.
- Some drivers report sudden unintended acceleration, including after braking or while idling through a car wash, leading to crashes.
- Airbags failed to deploy in multiple frontal and side-impact crashes, some involving significant front-end damage.
- Rear tire tread separated at highway speed on one vehicle, causing loss of control.
- A fire was reported coming from underneath the driver's seat while the vehicle was moving at low speed.
- One owner described a sudden loss of steering response after a low-speed impact with a curb.
2006 Nissan Maxima recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 06V046000Feb 13, 2006Suspension, Wheels & Tires759 vehicles
Suspension:rear
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
- NHTSA 05V512000Nov 7, 2005Structure & Body102,551 vehicles
Seats:front assembly:power adjust
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.
Risk: 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.
Remedy: 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.
2006 Nissan Maxima fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 18 MPG
- Highway
- 26.5 MPG
- Combined
- 21 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,100
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2006 compared with other Maxima years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2006 Nissan Maxima reliable?
- Compared with other Maxima model years, the 2006 ranks poorly. It has a complaint index of 89, the 3rd worst of 19 years tracked, and carries an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2006 Nissan Maxima?
- Transmission and powertrain problems are the top issue, accounting for 68% of the 576 complaints filed with NHTSA, with a median failure mileage of 86,000.
- Does the 2006 Nissan Maxima have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists two recalls: one for a rear subframe bracket that may crack, and one for a driver's seat wire harness that could be pinched under the seat. Neither is a do-not-drive recall.
- What year Nissan Maxima should I avoid?
- Among Maxima years, 2005 has the worst complaint index at 100, followed by 2009 at 94 and 2006 at 89. All three carry an Avoid verdict based on NHTSA data.
- How does the 2006 Maxima compare to newer Maximas?
- The 2006 Maxima's complaint index of 89 is far higher than later years like 2013 (33) and 2019 (22), which carry Good and Best verdicts respectively.