RoadVitals

2006 Nissan Maxima Body & structure Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
20
Latest May 6, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 576 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1

What this page shows

Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Nissan Maxima submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 20 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming body or structure

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Body & structureElectricalEngine
Filed May 6, 2019
Fire reported

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

NHTSA ID
11205771
Incident
May 4, 2019
Mileage
111,320 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 23, 2018

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

NHTSA ID
11089775
Incident
Apr 23, 2018
Mileage
106,701 mi
Body & structurePowertrain (other)
Filed May 7, 2017

PAINT IS FADING HOOD, TRUNK AND ROOF. TRANSITION IS BUCKING.

NHTSA ID
10983936
Incident
Feb 25, 2017
Mileage
181,592 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 11, 2016

PURCHASED A 2006 MAXIMA WITH 62,000 MILES ON IT. BODY IS RUST FREE, CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION. HOWEVER, WHILE INSPECTING THE BOTTOM OF THE CAR, NOTICED THAT BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE OF THE FLOOR BOARDS ARE RUSTED CLEAR THOUGH AND THAT A HOLE AROUND 10-12 INCHES IS FORMING. THE ONLY THING HOLDING YOUR FEET FROM HITTING THE ROAD IS THE CARPET. THIS CAR HAS NO OTHER SIGNS OF RUST ISSUES ON THE UNDERSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. AFTER DISCOVERY, I WENT TO THE INTERNET ONLY TO LEARN THAT THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH ALTIMAS AND MAXIMAS AND THAT NOTHING IS BEING DONE ABOUT IT, BOTH BY NISSAN AS WELL AS THE SAFETY WATCH DOGS. I'VE OWNED MANY CARS WITH THE TAKATA AIRBAGS, AND NEVER AN ISSUE, EVEN IN ONE MY WIFE HAD AN ACCIDENT IN. AIRBAG WORKED LIKE IT SHOULD, YET THAT RECALL IS WIDELY KNOWN AND IS BEING ADDRESSED. HERE, YOU CAN LITERALLY FALL THOUGH THE FLOOR OF THE CAR, ON A CAR WITH 62,000 MILES ON IT IN EXCELLENT CONDITION, AND NOT ONE THING APPEARS TO BE HAPPENING TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE. WHY? THIS CAR COST $32,500 NEW IN 2006 AND ONLY PROVIDED A USEFUL LIFE OF 62,000 MILES BEFORE IT BECAME SO UNSAFE THAT DRIVING IT IS FOOLISH. AT WHAT POINT WILL NISSAN, WHO COLLECTED THAT $32,500 BE FORCED TO COUGH SOME OF THAT BACK UP TO CORRECT ISSUES LIKE THIS IN ORDER TO CONTINUE SELLING VEHICLES IN THE UNITED STATES?

NHTSA ID
10934515
Incident
Dec 10, 2016
Mileage
62,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 25, 2016

PAINT IS PEELING OFF OF THE HOOD AND BODY.

NHTSA ID
10918959
Incident
Mar 11, 2016
Mileage
140,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 13, 2016

MY 2006 MAXIMA HAVE RUSTED OUT FRONT FLOOR BOARDS. THE CAR ONLY HAS 69,000 MILES ON IT AND HAS BEEN GARAGE SENSE BUYING THE CAR NEW IN 2006. THERE SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH FLOOR BECAUSE OF OTHER OWNERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10873991
Incident
Jun 13, 2016
Mileage
69,000 mi
AirbagsBody & structurePowertrain (other)
Filed Mar 10, 2016

GOT THE CAR IN 2012 AND WAS DOING FINE FOR A WHILE UNTIL THE END OF 2014. CAR HAD STARTED JERKING WHEN SWITCHING BETWEEN PARK, DRIVE, AND REVERSE AND WOULD ALSO STALL IN BETWEEN. BY FEBRUARY, THE CAR STARTED REVVING AND STALLING DURING STOPS AND WAS BAD WHEN I WAS IN TRAFFIC. I HAD TO TRY AND GET ABOVE 25 MPH BECAUSE BELOW THAT, THE CAR WOULD SERIOUSLY ACT UP. EVENTUALLY STOPPED DRIVING UNTIL THIS YEAR WHEN I TOOK IT TO A SHOP TO GET CHECKED OUT. WHILE DRIVING THERE THE CAR REVVED AND STALL AT EVERY LIGHT AND I ALMOST HIT THE BACK OF A CAR WHEN IT DECIDED TO REV AT A 4 WAY STOP ON A HILL. IT'S EITHER JERKING,STALLING, OR REVVING. I KNOW IT'S A TRANSMISSION ISSUE AND WILL BE A COSTLY FIX. I HONESTLY DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR IT. IN BETWEEN ALL THIS, THE PAINT HAS SEVERELY STARTED TO FADE AND I HAVE NOTICED OTHER NISSANS IN MY AREA GOING THROUGH THE SAME ISSUES. ALSO, WHY DOES THE AIRBAG LIGHT COME ON EVEN SOMEONE IS SITTING IN THE PASSENGER SEAT? THE CAR JUST HAS BEEN ONE ISSUE AFTER THE OTHER. WILL NOT BE PURCHASING ANOTHER NISSAN.

NHTSA ID
10845997
Incident
Mar 8, 2016
Body & structure
Filed Dec 22, 2015

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. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 77,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10811793
Incident
Oct 31, 2015
Mileage
77,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 21, 2015

EXCESSIVE CORROSION OF FLOORBOARDS. ONLY CARPET IS BETWEEN ROAD AND GROUND ON BOTH DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. CAR NEVER IN ACCIDENT AND EXTERIOR/BODY SHOWS NO SIGNS OF CORROSION. BELIEVE THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND COULD BE DANGEROUS IF CARPET LETS LOOSE AND FEET CAN HIT GROUND. *TR

NHTSA ID
10711973
Incident
Feb 11, 2014
Mileage
150,873 mi
Body & structureEngine
Filed Apr 18, 2015
Crash reported1 injury reported

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). *TR

NHTSA ID
10706432
Incident
Mar 14, 2015
Mileage
101,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Aug 22, 2014

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. THERE IS NO LONGER SUPPORT FOR THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS FEET, ONLY THE CARPET IS KEEPING THEM FROM FALLING THROUGH TO THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ID
10627588
Incident
Aug 16, 2014
Body & structure
Filed Jul 29, 2014

THE FLOOR BOARDS IN THIS 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA ARE BADLY ROTTED THROUGH. IT PROBABLY HAS BEEN GOING ON FOR QUITE SOME TIME. I SPOKE WITH THE NISSAN DEALER TODAY. THEY WANT $1200 TO PATCH THE FLOOR BOARDS. IT IS A MAJOR SAFETY DEFECT IN MANUFACTURING AND DESIGN. I BELIEVE THIS AND ALL CARS OF THIS MODEL AND YEAR SHOULD BE RECALLED AND FIXED BY NISSAN. THERE ARE NUMEROUS POSTINGS ON THE INTERNET FOR THE SAME PROBLEM ON THIS AND OTHER NISSAN MODEL CARS OF THE SAME VINTAGE. NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS DEFECT AND TAKE ANY ACTION. I NEED YOUR INTERVENTION. *JS

NHTSA ID
10617184
Incident
Jul 29, 2014
Mileage
102,000 mi
Body & structurePowertrain (other)
Filed Aug 14, 2013

MY 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA HAS BEEN FEELING WEIRD FOR SOME WEEKS NOW. EVERY TIME IT WAS TAKEN TO THE MECHANIC SHOP THEY WERE NEVER EVER ABLE TO PINPOINT THE ISSUE. AFTER HAVING SPENT HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS ON A NEW VALVE BODY, TRANSMISSION FLUSH, ETC. THE ISSUE NOW SEEMS TO BE THE TRANSMISSION! MY TRANSMISSION IS COMPLETELY OUT! I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED THAT I HAVE SPENT $21,000+ ON THIS CAR TO GET NOTHING BUT DEPT OUT OF IT! AFTER ALMOST GETTING INTO MULTIPLE ACCIDENTS FROM THE SUDDEN JERKING OF THE TRANSMISSION, I CAN SAY I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN VEHICLE AGAIN!!!!! I WISH I WOULD HAVE DONE RESEARCH ON THIS VEHICLE SOONER SO THAT I COULD HAVE TRADED IT IN BEFORE IT WAS TOO LATE. MY MOTHER WHO ALSO PURCHASED A NISSAN (QUEST) IS BEGINNING TO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS. WE ARE VERY DISAPPOINTED WITH THE COMPANY. THE LEAST NISSAN COULD DO IT REPAIR THE DAMAGE FOR ALL THE CUSTOMERS THAT ARE GOING THROUGH THE SAME ISSUE! *TR

NHTSA ID
10535369
Incident
Dec 1, 2011
Mileage
75,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 29, 2013

WHILE MY MECHANIC WAS DOING MAINTENANCE WORK ON MY 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA, HE FOUND THE FRONT FLOORBOARDS ARE COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. HE WAS SURPRISED THAT MY FEET HAD NOT GONE THRU THE FLOOR. I WAS TOLD THIS HAS BEEN SEEN BEFORE AND WHEN I CALL NISSAN THAT TOLD ME IT WAS NOT COVERED. MY AUTO HAS JUST RESEARCHED 73,000 MI. *TR

NHTSA ID
10504929
Incident
Mar 28, 2013
Mileage
73,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Feb 4, 2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING APPRAISED FOR A TRADE-IN ON A NEW VEHICLE, THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP, NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOOR BOARDS WERE RUSTED THROUGH. THE OWNER STATED IT WOULD COST $1000 TO HAVE THE FLOOR BOARDS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ENCLOSED A COPY OF THE BILL FOR $506 TO HAVE THE FLOOR BOARDS REPLACED AT THE AUTO BODY SHOP, AS WELL AS PICTURES. THE OWNER OF THE DEALERSHIP, SUGGESTED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE BE REPLACED BECAUSE IT WAS IN THE SAME ROTTED OUT CONDITION AS THE PASSENGER SIDE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000. UPDATED 3/22/13 *CN

NHTSA ID
10496274
Incident
Jan 20, 2013
Mileage
47,000 mi
Body & structureEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Nov 7, 2012

ISSUES WITH THE TRANSMISSION SURGING AND THEN A HARD JERK OR GEAR SHIFT.TOOK IT TO THE SHOP, AND BEFORE CHECKING, THE SHOP OWNER WAS FAMILIAR WITH THE ISSUE BECAUSE MINE WAS THE 4TH '06 MAXIMA THAT HAD BEEN BROUGHT IN THAT WEEK WITH THE SAME PROBLEMS. I HAVE A BLACK CAR THATS 6 YEARS OLD AND THE PAINT HAS FADED ALMOST TO WHITE ON THE ROOF OF MY CAR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10483629
Incident
Mar 15, 2012
Body & structure
Filed Aug 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARDS ON WERE RUSTED COMPLETELY FROM THE INTERIOR TO THE EXTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT COULD SEE THE GROUND FROM THE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS FOR THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ID
10472043
Incident
Aug 15, 2012
Mileage
80,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Mar 31, 2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PAINT ON THE HOOD IS THIN. THE CONTACT BOUGHT A BRA FOR THE VEHICLE IN ORDER TO PREVENT DAMAGE, BUT THAT DID NOT HELP. THE CONTACT HAS PUT SEVERAL COATS OF WAX ON THE VEHICLE, BUT THAT HAS NOT HELPED EITHER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SOME PARTS OF THE HOOD ARE CHIPPED TO THE METAL. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER HAVE NOT BEEN NOTIFIED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 35,000.

NHTSA ID
10222936
Incident
Mar 31, 2008
Mileage
35,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Oct 12, 2006

THERE IS A DESIGN FLAW IN THE NISSAN MAXIMA, AS TOLD TO ME BY A WORKER IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THERE IS A SMALL SLIT BETWEEN THE DISPLAY SCREEN AND THE SMALL DECK UNDER IT. APPARENTLY, CHANGE OFTEN SLIPS THROUGH THERE. IF THIS IS DONE, A MODULATOR CAN BE DAMAGED. *JB

NHTSA ID
10170659
Incident
Sep 15, 2006
Body & structureVisibility
Filed Apr 23, 2006

THERE IS AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF REFLECTION ON THE WINDSHIELD. MAKES IT VERY DIFFICULT ON DEPTH PERCEPTION. *JB

NHTSA ID
10155927
Incident
Apr 23, 2006
Mileage
100 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .