2006 Nissan Maxima
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Transmission & Drivetrain
Transmission & Drivetrain leads by volume: 393 of 576 complaints (68%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (5) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 948 in 2005 to 576 in 2006.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | vs. 2006 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950 | 2,950 | 2,950 | 3,700 | 3,700 | |
| Combined MPG | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 18 / 25–27 | 18 / 26–27 | 18 / 26–27 | 19 / 25 | 19 / 25 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 423 | 423 | 423 | 423 | 423 | |
| Complaints filed | 1,425 | 948 | 576 | 129 | 78 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 33 | 16 | 21 | 4 | 7 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 16 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 30 | 29 | 12 | 3 | 4 | |
| Deaths reported | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2006 Nissan Maxima have?
2 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2006 Nissan Maxima?
Transmission & Drivetrain: 393 of 576 NHTSA complaints (68%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Nissan Maxima get?
EPA rates it 21 MPG combined across 2 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Nissan Maxima?
EPA estimates $2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (2)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 27 mpg (high) | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg | 26 mpg (low) | 21 mpg | $2,950 | 423 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 71 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 393 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 26 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 70 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 17 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 31 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 14 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 35 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 23 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 19 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (2)
SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 06V046000 · Feb 14, 2006
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.
SEATS:FRONT ASSEMBLY:POWER ADJUST · Campaign 05V512000 · Nov 8, 2005
Defect: 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.
Consequence: 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.