CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2004-2006 Nissan Maxima has widespread transmission problems. It starts with the vehicle jerking when shifting, & progresses to full-blown transmission failure.

Maxima owners report spending $3,000 to replace the transmission, typically around when the odometer hits 100,000 miles.

There's a class action lawsuit filed in late 2011, & it is still in the "discovery" stage. Apparently, these things take time ... far too much time.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
85,492 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Nissan Maxima engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Nissan Maxima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 3)

problem #46

Sep 162020

Maxima

  • 200,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Well my car while driving it will completely shut off in me while im driving it. After it cranks back up it is very slow to take off

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #45

May 042019

Maxima

  • 111,320 miles
My car caught fire due to electrical in the engine the whole front of my car is burned me and my family was asleep the neighbor came and knocked on the window and said my car was on fire I called the fire department they put the fire out and I asked how was the fire started the firemen told me the fire started from the engine

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #44

Sep 102012

Maxima

  • 85,000 miles
My car was under 90K miles when it experienced transmission slippage, premature clutch wear, overheating, and other problems that ultimately resulted in serious and expensive damage to my vehicles transmission.

- San Jose, CA, USA

problem #43

Sep 212017

Maxima

  • 175,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Wrens, GA, USA

problem #42

Jul 292017

Maxima

  • 145,000 miles
Bought car one year ago at 120000 miles. After 2 mos, car started jumping while pressing acceleration and then began to just stop while I was driving. Engine light came on, had camshaft position sensors replaced. Less than 2 mos later, car was starting to stall again, accelerator still making the car stall. Had fuel system checked, was fine. Then my engine light came on again, now saying camshaft position timing needs to be replaced. Mechanic told me this is the most common problem he sees in Nissan vehicles. Should be a recall on the timing chain if the problem is so common. I ran into a ditch twice and very nearly was in an accident when my car cut off while I was turning at a busy intersection. I couldn't turn the wheel and nearly crashed! this has happened numerous times. I reported the issue directly to Nissan but since no accident was reported I did not receive any help or advice from them.

- Gaffney, SC, USA

problem #41

May 222017

Maxima

  • 116,000 miles
Car transmission slips and violently jerks when changing gears from park to 1st or reverse and while driving on the highway and in the city. Sudden RPM increase and acceleration while driving on the highway. Due to the jerking, engine mount is broken.

- Cincinnati, OH, USA

problem #40

Jan 152017

Maxima

  • 130,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. While driving 35 mph, the vehicle suddenly jerked independently. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the motor mount failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic (the contact's brother) and repaired, but the failure recurred. The contact's brother then diagnosed that the motor mount failed because the transmission was not shifting properly. The vehicle was not repaired again. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failures. The approximate failure mileage was 130,000.

- Lawrenceburg, TN, USA

problem #39

Apr 012016

Maxima 6-cyl

  • miles
Timing chain kit slipping/ loud noises. Causing damage to my engine I am scared it will fail on me while driving. Really expensive to fix and the car has always been maintained very well. It should not have this problem at 115000 miles.

- San Bernardino, CA, USA

problem #38

Sep 022016

Maxima

  • 124,000 miles
The 2006 Nissan Maxima has a major issue of violently jerking after 100K miles, I have seen reports that it does this even before it reaches such mileage. I have a 2006 Nissan Maxima worst car I have ever bought I will never ever buy another Nissan product. The car violently jerks into gear when coming to a stop or driving off, this problem has been identified by many owners and Nissan has done nothing. I have spent 1800 hundred dollars replacing the engine mounts and the car still jerks. The car is paid for and I will not spend anymore replacing the transmission because that would cost more than what the car is worth.

- Va Beach, VA, USA

problem #37

Nov 252008

Maxima

  • 35,000 miles
Exhaust/emission - catalytic converter failed and makes terrible noise - not fixed yet. Dealer says, car will work without any problems at 103,000 miles (8th year) body frame - under carriage on driver side rusted, with a bulge. Dealer said, rusting it not enough, you should be able to put the screw driver or finger through the rusted portion. 35000 miles ( after 5years and 2 days) transmission - it jerks and is very dangerous on the road. Repair estimation is around $3500 from the dealer. When the car comes to a stop in the traffic light, then sometimes, it does not move. After accelerating a bit, it just jumps. It is very very hard to go in a stop and go traffic. So I maintain a certain distance keeping this in mind. Nissan motor corporation does not care for any of the issues. Dealer comes up with one or the other reason. Until now they have never worked conducively with the customers. 103,000 (9th year.) engine - the timing chain failed, engine was making the sound of a railroad. Costed a lot to get it fixed, and after that, sound is not completely gone. After multiple compliants, they are not bothered. They say, use only 93 octance. 103,000(9th year)

- Randolph, NJ, USA

problem #36

Mar 012009

Maxima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

At 12,500 miles I was driving and it was like someone put it in neutral. Towed the car to the dealer and they changed the transmission. At 34,000 miles, it started knocking and smoking when you first start it. Brought to dealer and the gas was mixing with the oil. My claim was denied so I had to replace the engine. Now at 110,000 miles the car won't shift out of first gear. I'm a single mother and do not have any more money to sink into this lemon.

- Opelousas, LA, USA

problem #35

Mar 252016

Maxima

  • 115,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. While attempting to start the vehicle, it failed to start. The contact stated that the vehicle would eventually start after several attempts. The contact stated that the vehicle would also jolt forward when switching gears and stall. The tcs engine slip indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 115,000.

- Eustis, FL, USA

problem #34

Feb 112016

Maxima

  • 124 miles
I own a 2006 Nissan Maxima worst car I ever owned and will never again buy another Nissan product. I think Nissan knows about the issue of the car jerking and suddenly revs for no apparent reason after about 90K or so miles the car is fairly useless I can't even drive mines anymore until I shell out 4K to get it fixed. Whenever I put it in drive it just jerks real hard to the point where I feel afraid to drive it. My wife actually got into an accident because just suddenly revs forward. I don't know why it does this but all owners that I have spoken to said the same thing.

- Va Beach, VA, USA

problem #33

Nov 152015

Maxima

  • 223,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at 45 mph, the vehicle started to violently jerk and the engine stalled as the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle did not restart. The failure was recurring. The vehicle was towed to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the transmission failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 223,000.

- Plant City, FL, USA

problem #32

Jun 022015

Maxima

  • 117,000 miles
When going to accelerate or change gears (park to reverse) the car jerks. When driving in city and I break then take off, the car engine rev's like the gear has slipped..

- Myrtle Beach, SC, USA

problem #31

May 012015

Maxima

  • 126,000 miles
Although the car looks beautiful, it's quickly becoming one of my least favorite vehicles I've owned. When I start going forward, I have to wait and be very patient on the gas pedal to make sure it shifts properly or it will jerk myself and small children in the back forward. I park in a ramp at work and on more than one occassion the car was downshifting as I turned a corner going up the ramp and I was slowing for a pedestrian and the car jerked forward and the pedestrian jumped and gave me a scared look. Not only is that entirely embarassing as an executive but it is a huge safety hazard on multiple levels. The car seems to jerk the most from 1-2 and 2-3 and visa versa. I noted electrical as an affected part because no matter how many times I set the mirror and seats, every time I use reverse, the mirrors move and click until I adjust them to where I need them.

- Norwalk, IA, USA

problem #30

Sep 042014

Maxima

  • 78,000 miles
Pulling away from a stoplight, the transmission jerked violently from 1st to 2nd gear of the automatic transmission. The vehicle went into "limp mode" only going to 20 miles per hour on a very busy street with no turn off. Car was towed, and new transmission needed. Nissan will not take responsibility for the repair.

- Troutville, VA, USA

problem #29

Apr 172015

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 91,545 miles
My Maxima has been jerking and hesitating at low speeds. It is only when the car has been running for a bit and is warmed up. A few times it has slammed into gear so hard I thought I had been rear ended. It is so bad that I have to drive with my hazard light on. I'm afraid for my life and other drivers on the road. This problem shouldn't be taken lightly and I believe Nissan should be held accountable.

- Silver Spring, MD, USA

problem #28

Apr 182015

Maxima 6-cyl

  • miles
My car stalls and shuts off unexpected when at a stop, it also will not accelerate over 40 mph in traffic. I took it to a local auto store to test the (service engine soon) light, comes back with codes relating to the camshaft and crankshaft position sensors.

- Ripley, TN, USA

problem #27

Mar 142015

Maxima 6-cyl

  • 101,000 miles
I have a 2006 Nissan Maxima. I was going 30 mph, I hit a truck that was stopped at a red light. My airbags did not deploy. $4870 in damage but my insurance company said there was not enough damage to be considered a total loss ($170 away from being considered a total loss).

- Denham Springs, LA, USA

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