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 this 2006 Nissan Maxima sl with 137,806 miles. I drove it home. The next day, it would not start, I went and bought a battery, on the way the service engine soon light came on., then the tcs and slip light came on. Took it to a mechanic shop, he keep it almost 4 weeks, and then told me it was not worth fixing/repairing it. I could not believe, I just spent over $4,000 on this car and I only drove it home!!, I took it to another well known mechanic shop, he tells me that it needs a new transmission, motor mounts, sensors and probably more. It is not worth fixing it. I am a 57 year old lady and I dont have the money to buy another car and I dont have the money to fix it. I hear that these cars have alot of transmission problems and more. I wish I had known that before buying it.
Transmission slipping from 2nd to 3rd and 3rd to 4th with a hard knock going from park to drive. While driving and slowing to 25mph to go around a turn the car jerked and hard kicked downshifting causing me to almost to hit from behind.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. While driving approximately 20 mph with the accelerator pedal depressed, the vehicle suddenly failed to accelerate and began to roll backwards down a slight incline. After restarting the engine, the vehicle would not drive forward. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 200,000. The VIN was unknown.
When accelerating in low gears, the vehicle jumps and jerks and sometimes revs up the engine. Bad transmission. When placed into reverse, it stops and jerks.
- Bakersfield, CA, USA
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The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. While driving various speeds, the transmission slipped and did not switch into the correct gear. The vehicle was taken to kelly Nissan of route 33 (3830 easton-nazareth hwy, easton, pa 18045, (610) 756-1442) where the contact was informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 60,854.
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.
Transmission jerks into gear and when shifting. Acceleration can be slow and has caused me to nearly have and accident when I could not clear an intersection as quickly as necessary. Sometimes the car will clunk into gear when shifting and when driving. Transmission will stick in 5th and need to shift manually to move at all. This is a problem waiting to happen as I might need to get out of the way of traffic, or a train, and the car won't move. I have read multiple forums where others have the same problems with their 2006 Nissan Maxima. I have had this car since it was new. Now, 147,000 miles. Amazing that other cars continue to run, safely, well into the 300,000 mile range. Disappointed with Nissan for not having a recall on this transmission.
Over time the problem has gotten significantly worse. While transmission attempts to shift, it "slips" and revs up until it "catches" and then jerks into gear. This happens when accelerating, and also while decelerating you get the jerk and loud "clunking". when changing gears from reverse to drive, the car will pause or hang up for a couple seconds before popping into gear, accompanied by a jerk again. When the engine is shifting and you hear / see the revs start to jump off you need to let off of the gas immediately in order to stop it from red-lining or jerking so hard you snap your neck. This appears to be a common problem with these model Maximas. Sad.
Bought this car for my daughters first car when she turned sixteen. She drove for one month and the transmission started jerking hard, reving up high, and slipping. She scared to drive now so the money I paid for this car is wasted. I'm a mother of two I don't have the kind of money they want to replace this transmission. She only needed to drive her sibling and her to and from school a mile down the rd but the car jerks on the way there. Not a very dependable car for a Nissan top of the line made vehicle. We have always had a Nissan guess I need to switch brands since Nissan does not want to fix the mistake they are responsible for.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle jolted forward intermittently. In addition, the contact stated she noticed the failure occurred more when the air conditioner was on or after she had reversed then shifted into drive. The vehicle was taken to an unknown transmission shop, however the vehicle was not diagnosed due to the diagnostic fees. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer and the manufacturer was not contacted or made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.
When is moving and going to stop in a traffic light is very hard the shift and sleeping the transmission. P.D. when I felt this issues was since 01/06/2012 and still more notable at current time.
The transmission started jerking and slipping a few weeks ago till suddenly started decelerating in the free way to the point that had to stop. Now it doesn't accelerate anymore.
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.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Little Rock, AR, USA