RoadVitals

2006 Nissan Maxima Engine Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the engine system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Engine 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.
71
Latest May 17, 2024
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.
12%
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.
5
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
2

What this page shows

Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components. 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. 71 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 engine

The 25 most recent of 71, in the owner's own words

ElectricalEngine
Filed May 17, 2024

This Vehicle is Severely Defective. This Vehicle is not safe to be on the road. This Vehicle has had several repairs for the same repair issue but the problem still exists. I have spent thousands on this Vehicle and this vehicle is still inoperative and not drivable. This Vehicle is a hazard for the road. VEHICLE IS UNSAFE! VEHICLE has still not been Repaired. Please I like to be Compensated and Reimbursed for the Loss I have suffered. Please compensate and/or reimbursed me for the $10,000.00 I lost in a Defective, Inoperable, and Unsafe Vehicle. Thank God My Child and I did not get seriously hurt while I was driving this vehicle. I remember one incident while I was driving this vehicle: Right in the middle of me driving this vehicle I was going about 40-45 mph on the highway, the vehicle just shut down all of a sudden. The entire Electrical System just Shutdown. That was very frightening! So, yes I like to be Fully Compensated for all my troubles with this vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11589401
Incident
Oct 1, 2017
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 11, 2020

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

NHTSA ID
11383102
Incident
Sep 16, 2020
Mileage
200,000 mi
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
EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Oct 8, 2018

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.

NHTSA ID
11139121
Incident
Sep 10, 2012
Mileage
85,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 9, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11053625
Incident
Sep 21, 2017
Mileage
175,000 mi
ElectricalEngineFuel system
Filed Aug 12, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
11014809
Incident
Jul 29, 2017
Mileage
145,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 24, 2017

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.

NHTSA ID
10991431
Incident
May 22, 2017
Mileage
116,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 10, 2017

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID
10971748
Incident
Jan 15, 2017
Mileage
130,000 mi
Engine
Filed Oct 21, 2016

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10917976
Incident
Apr 1, 2016
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Sep 11, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10905630
Incident
Sep 2, 2016
Mileage
124,000 mi
EngineExterior lightingPowertrain (other)
Filed May 24, 2016

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)

NHTSA ID
10870480
Incident
Nov 25, 2008
Mileage
35,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 13, 2016

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.

NHTSA ID
10855204
Incident
Mar 1, 2009
Engine
Filed Apr 5, 2016

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID
10853559
Incident
Mar 25, 2016
Mileage
115,000 mi
Engine
Filed Feb 11, 2016
Crash reported

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.

NHTSA ID
10825656
Incident
Feb 11, 2016
Mileage
124 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 1, 2015

TL* 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.

NHTSA ID
10807827
Incident
Nov 15, 2015
Mileage
223,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngineSuspension
Filed Sep 23, 2015

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 ..

NHTSA ID
10775401
Incident
Jun 2, 2015
Mileage
117,000 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Jul 20, 2015

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.

NHTSA ID
10735266
Incident
May 1, 2015
Mileage
126,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed May 4, 2015

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10714395
Incident
Sep 4, 2014
Mileage
78,000 mi
Driver assistanceEngine
Filed Apr 26, 2015

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10712908
Incident
Apr 17, 2015
Mileage
91,545 mi
Driver assistanceElectricalEngine
Filed Apr 19, 2015

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. *TR

NHTSA ID
10706476
Incident
Apr 18, 2015
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
Engine
Filed Dec 13, 2014

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. NISSAN HAS ISSUED AS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON THIS PROBLEM. IT APPEARS A PLASTIC PART WAS USED ON THE TIMING CHAIN AND IT WEARS PREMATURELY. I SPOKE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND LEARNED THE TIMING CHAIN SHOULD BE GOOD FOR AT LEAST 100000 MILES. I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT IF THE PROBLEM WAS NOT CORRECTED, IT COULD RESULT IN MAJOR DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. IN ADDITION, IF THE TIMING CHAIN FAILS, THE VEHICLE COULD BE REAR-ENDED SINCE THE FAILURE MAKES THE VEHICLE INOPERABLE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10664039
Incident
Aug 27, 2014
Mileage
48,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 12, 2014

RATTLING SOUND ON FRONT RIDE SIDE OF VEHICLE. TOOK TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP ON 12/11/14 TO HAVE ASSESSED. WAS CONFIRMED THAT IT IS THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONING SYSTEM. IT WILL COST $2000 IN LABOR ALONE TO REMOVE ENGINE AND COMPONENTS TO ACCESS, PARTS WILL BE ANYWHERE FOR $200-$2000. THE TIMING CHAIN TENSION SYSTEM IS DEFECTIVE AND PRONE TO PREMATURE FAILURE. DEALERSHIP DOES NOT KNOW WHY THIS HAPPENS BUT RECOMMENDED I DO NOT DRIVE UNTIL CAN BE REPAIRED DUE TO THE FACT THAT IF THE TIMING LOSES TIME IT WILL BLOW MY MOTOR. I FEEL AS THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ISSUED TO CONSUMERS. THE VEHICLE IS NOT YET PAID OFF AND WILL REQUIRE $2000-4000 IN REPAIRS TO BE SAFE TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10663759
Incident
Dec 8, 2014
Mileage
126,000 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 5, 2014

IN NEIGHBOR DRIVING 30, CAR JUMPS AND MOTOR IDLES. HAS JUMPED INTO REVERSE WHEN TRYING TO SHIFT TO DRIVE. WHILE PUTTING THE CAR IN REVERSE TRYING PARK, THE CAR JUMPS INSTEAD OF DRIVING. WHILE AT A STOP LIGHT WHILE ACCELERATING, CAR JUMPS THREE TIMES BEFORE TAKING OFF TO ACTUALLY DRIVE. CAR REFUSED TO GO INTO REVERSE TO BACK OUT OF A PARKING SPACE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10662484
Incident
Aug 26, 2014
Mileage
76,027 mi
Engine
Filed Dec 2, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 132,491. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID
10661596
Incident
Nov 24, 2014
Mileage
132,491 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 .