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 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
124,070 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.
I bought a 2003 Nissan Maxima SE from a used car dealer with roughly 36,000 miles on it in 2006 March. The car ran great for a while, but right around when it hit about 65,000 miles it started having problems with the transmission. Initially, the problem would only surface when I put my car from reverse to drive, and the car would lurch forward violently. I took it to the dealer who said that 2003-2006 Nissan Maxima's were known to have an issue with the transmission, but said it is not covered by any recall and would not be covered by a warranty as my car was beyond the 5 yr coverage period. The car now has 94,000 miles on it and the transmission problem is getting progressively worse. The car transmission slips intermittently which leads to problems with acceleration or maintaining speed and is a serious safety issue and due to this reason I avoid driving on freeways.
Immediately after purchase, various instances of electrical malfunction, including mirror lights flickering, dash lights flickering/half doesn't come one, as well as faulty wiring in sun roof causing it to open and closes randomly on it's own. Shortly thereafter, transmission started to slip and knock hard into gears, even though proper maintenance was always completed. Brakes replaced several times. Suspension lacking. As of last week, the traction/slip lights come on and the car will not accelerate properly, almost causing several accidents. This problem has yet to be resolved, as no one seems to know what the problem is. This vehicle has caused financial harm as well as near physical harm on several occasions.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 5 mph, the gear shifter was switched and the vehicle jerked forward without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, but the failure was not diagnosed nor was the vehicle repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 72,000. Updated 01/13/15
I was at the light waiting to make a left turn into my neighborhood and as I got a break to turn in front of traffic my car jerked and cut off. My 2 year old and 3 year old was also in the car I was terrified and now scared to make a turn in front of traffic bc my car may cost me and my kids our life car isn't safe to drive like that.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 30 mph, the transmission began to jerk violently and the engine stalled without warning. The vehicle was able to restart, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact also heard a constant rattling noise coming from the timing chain while driving various speeds. An independent mechanic recommended that the faulty timing chain be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was not notified. The approximate failure mileage was 110,000.
My transmission slowly began to kick and jerk. After a while it got worse and worse. It has got me into many near accidents do to either jerking or failed to shift and accelerate. It now will not shift into gear at all, and is currently in the shop. I have seen many complaint about this issue with Nissan, and think it is unacceptable that they do not recall these transmissions.
Have taken the vehicle to the local Nissan dealership several times to have issues diagnosed and they would state there is nothing wrong. First started with having low and dirty oil and making a weird noise even after it has been serviced. Took the vehicle to a different place that the Nissan dealership said we should go. Their oil solution of royal purple synthetic oil did not work. Talked to the place where the vehicle was bought and because the warranty was expired they were unwilling to help. The vehicle currently has almost 108000 miles on it and have only owned it a year. I am afraid to drive the vehicle because of the hard shifting when driving and the slamming of the head against the head rest. It will slam into second, third and even fourth gear once it gets warmed up and take several seconds for the vehicle to engage and adjust the speed. I experience jerking coming from the rear while driving and recently while going from speed limits of 45 to 30 I felt a lose of power like it did not want to go. While parked it also slams into reverse and the first. I have a young son and this vehicle is defiantly not safe for him to drive in. I was told to replace the solenoids, timing chains, and to put a kit in it for the shifting issues. I also need to get an alignment done to address the shaking when going over 55mph. At this point the motor mounts probably need to be replaced. I'm still making payments on this vehicle and all warranties are expired. The air bags are also malfunctioning and the lights blink on and off this will cost up to a $1000 to have fixed. The check engine light also comes off and on but no codes show up. The RPM gauge gets stuck at 3 and you have to go over 40mph to get that gauge to work. Really don't want to have an accident because of the issues with the drive train and transmission.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at an unknown speed, the transmission would slip. The contact mentioned that the vehicle would jerk and slam into gear. The vehicle was taken to a dealer. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 113,000.
While driving on the interstate, I had cruise control set at 80mph. There was a stalling/jerking motion that took place. After looking over the instrument panel. I notice it was still on cruise control but the mph had dropped a few miles. Once cruise control was disengaged, I noticed the difference in acceleration. It felt like my car was stuck in third or forth gear. I had to hold pedal to the floor and wait as it picked up speed.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 30 mph and approaching a stop, transmission shifted hard. The failure recurred multiple times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the timing belt and the tensioner needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 65,800.
Transmission started slipping and jerking while trying to accelerate. First occured on a busy 4 lane bypass. We were barely able to get it pulled off of the highway the problem was so bad.
Same issue as another "transmission defect. I am experiencing a problem with my 2006 Nissan Maxima. The transmission in my car is slipping. When I am driving many times the acceleration increases the RPM above 3, before it changes. There are other internet postings with the same issues that I have. Based on the internet research, this seems to be a common problem with this year and model. Why isn't the Nissan corporation being held responsible for their actions?"
Transmission defect. I am experiencing a problem with my 2006 Nissan Maxima. The transmission in my car is slipping. When I am driving many times the acceleration increases the RPM above 3, before it changes gears. Also sometimes when taking off there is a very hard kick before you take off. There are other internet postings with the same issues that I have. Based on the internet research, this seems to be a common problem with this year and model. Why isn't the Nissan corporation being held responsible for their actions?
The car doesn't downshift properly (automatic 6 speed transmission). Also it shifts very hard from reverse into first. While traveling down a hill, the car revs hard when you step on the gas at the bottom of the hill and slams into gear. Car transmission also sometimes slips while accelerating. Lots of forums with people complaining about the same issues. Transmission repair facility said there is a service bulletin from Nissan for this problem.
TL ' the contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that the transmission failed and the engine warning indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. A mechanic stated that the transmission failure was due to the valve body. The vehicle was not repaired and the manufacturer was notified. The failure mileage was 88,000. Jcc
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- Irving, TX, USA