The Lemon Index2006 Nissan Maxima.
The 2006 Nissan Maxima is about average by owner complaints: 51 complaints in its first 3 years and a Lemon Index of 104, where 100 is the average car. Owners complain most about tires, it has 2 recalls, and it gets 21 mpg combined. The best Nissan Maxima year is 2013.
Before you buy. What matters most for this car.
How serious. Out of 576 owner complaints, owners reported:
Older model year: fewer owners filed complaints back then, so treat the score as rough.
Every Nissan Maxima year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 68K to 102K miles on the car (510 complaints listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
- transmission & drivetrain complaints mostly came at 74K–101K miles
- engine complaints mostly came at 66K–122K miles
- brakes complaints mostly came at 42K–83K miles
Recalls 2
- suspension 2006
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.
- seats 2005
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.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 81 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- 2004-2006 maxima
- SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a…
- Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★★ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover ★★★★☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3050 a year in fuel (EPA estimate). Engines: 3.5L 6-cyl.
In owners' words
Internal side wall of the right rear tire split off the rest of the tire.
2006 Nissan Maxima owner · NHTSA complaint 10221411
More owner reports
My transmission was rebuilt on my 06 Nissan Maxima.
NHTSA complaint 10293414
Quick answers
Is the 2006 Nissan Maxima reliable?
About average by government complaints. It drew about the average number of complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 104; 100 is average, lower is better). The best Nissan Maxima year by this measure is 2013.
What are the most common 2006 Nissan Maxima problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (22%), transmission & drivetrain (16%) and suspension (14%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Nissan Maxima have?
2 safety recalls (latest: suspension). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Nissan Maxima get?
21 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Nissan Maxima problems start?
Half of the owners who gave a mileage reported the problem between 68,000 and 102,100 miles. The middle report was at 83,500 miles, from 510 complaints.
Does the 2006 Nissan Maxima have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 16% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Nissan Maxima cost in fuel a year?
About $3050 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Nissan Maxima have?
3.5L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Maxima year is better than the 2006?
By owner complaints per car sold, the best recent years are 2013, 2019 and 2011.
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average; lower is better. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works