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:
0 / 3
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
63,228 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.
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 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.
My brakes dont work unless my 3 dashboard lights come on. Slip, tcs and abs. Sometimes I forget and drive off. When I brake at the light you could here the wires buzzing as if there was a short circuit. Finally on my passenger side in the 'back, the tire was wiggling and noticed some lugs were missing plus the hubs lugs were loose. I haven' t taken to go get it inspected because I dont have money at the moment.
"takata recall" in motion, shifting has a large clock sound I'd like to know if it's a recall on the coil. Both city street and highway, when accelerating it seems to stall in moving to the next gear or actually not even shift into the next gear in motion, so will not allow the car to pick up any momentum. Reverse is very loud with a somewhat bang to it. As I said before it could be the coil but I'd like to know how to identify if it's also a driveshaft.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 132,491.
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.
Car will not completely start, (and the start is fine) alarm states its stole etc. Anti-thief... been in shop for weeks and they can't figure out what is how to fix it.
ABS braking system failure and actuator defect; ABS system sensors and hubs previously replaced in August 2009 after notification to Nissan. Nissan has failed to notify public of an ABS system design defect and to issue a recall although it has known about the problem in its vehicles since approximately 2004 and the dealers have been issued an advisory. Failure of these components can lead to failure in proper braking, significant reduction of engine power, loss of speedometer, and reportedly fire. Nissan also has been notified of re-ocurrence by complainant and refused to take responsibility for repair.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Maxima. The contact stated that there was a crack under the lcd display unit, which allowed items to fall through the opening. The contact stated that coins fell into the crack and caused the instrument panel gauges to fail. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the ac amplifier and the unified meter control needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure and current mileage was 76,000. The VIN was not available.
Vehicle gauges stopped working with multiple warning lights coming on. Followed by smoke coming from one vent. Car would not change gears. Problem was 2 coins had slide down behind radio into the amplifier / ac controller shorting it out N several locations.
I purchased a 2006 Nissan Maxima in February 2011..when I purchased the car it appeared to be in good running condition..there were a few visible problems such as the headlights, running light, power seats, or windows weren't working properly..that problem was fixed and the owner agreed to fix the brakes and the remainder of the problems however almost a year later my anti brake light is still on & the dealership have not made any attempt to fix my car. 4months after having the car the speedometer stopped working and the odometer, the gas gauge goes back & forth, the service engine light remains on and the car jerks while driving and sometimes when shifting the car out of drive into reverse it jerks hard. I have quite a few friends who have Maxima's also and have the same problem with their cars..it's obvious it's a defect with the transmissions, speed gauge & so many other defects with these cars. Somewhere there has to be someone who can help myself as well as others who are experiencing these problems. I have read far too many complaints about these particular cars. The cost to repair these cars are expensive & not to mention the cost to have your transmission replaced & on top of all that you are still responsible for paying your car note. Hopefully soon there will be a solution to this problem. Thanks in advance!!!
Vehicle started showing warning lights and responding sporadically, working smoothly then failing in various manners including: Failing to accelerate after stopped at traffic light, lost power when exiting highway, lurched while driving on interstate, lights failed then turned back on, flashing failure lights, loss of fuel errors, others. Investigation revealed that a faulty design in the car computer housing and location made it possible for dimes to fall from the dash into an opening, which appeared to be a test port, in the computer causing shorts resulting in the sporadic behavior and ultimate complete failure of the unit. The mechanic was able to find technical publications that documented this known defect and the associated dangerous implications.
While driving approximately 65 mph, the gages on my instrument panel began to read erratic. Speedometer, fuel and tachometer drifted between zero and thier maximums. The instrument panel background lighting also began to flicker. The vehicle made it home. At home the dash was tapped a few times to see if it was a loose connection. Upon doing this, some of the gages began to read normal, while others began to read erratic. The vehicle would start and all the major systems appeared to operate normal; other than the gages and background lighting, which were still unreliable. The next day, 5/26/11, while the vehicle was being driven into a parking lot the gages and lighting started acting erratic, except this time smoke appeared from the bottom of the sta.tus display screen (the screen in the center of the dash board used to give information on time, maint, temperature). The engine was shut down immediately. The problem was found and fixed by a dealer. The problem was caused by a coin that had fallen into a gap that was formed by design or misalinement of the display screen and the shelf at the base of the screen. The screen is recessed 3.125 inches and declined at an angle of approx 18 deg. This allows any small objects to migrate to the display screen gap. The gap measures.114 inches across the base of the display. The coin (a dime) continued downward until it came in contact with an enclosed printed circuit (pc). The plastic enclosure has a small slot(.3125 X.78125) on top which allowed the coin to drop in and short out the pc. The replacement part doesn't have the slot. Two small holes burnt through the plastic enclosure. P/N of pc is 277607Y00A/upr/5804. Will furnish photos upon request.
I have a 2006, Nissan Maxima SE. I've been having severe problems with my transmission. The car jerks violently when its changes gears between 1st and 2nd, as well as between 2nd and 3rd gear. After doing research on this problem online, I've seen countless number of people who complain about the same problem. I re-built the transmission at my expense of $3,200 and it wasn't over yet, then currently my check engine light is on and my car wont start, I would have to turn the key on and off 4-6 times every time I need to drive for it to start. My speedometer stopped working, therefore I can't see how fast or slow I'm driving nor is the mileage calculation are working it has been stuck at 86,745. So many people have experienced this problem from 2004 to 2008. I don't see how this could go on. While driving on the highway the electrical fails and the lights on the dashboard dim to where I am not able to control the vehicle and unable to use my signals for safety concerns, especially while traveling at night time. The vehicle shakes and is unstable at times. This is my only transportation to and from work and I need a solution to this problem. The sad part is that I have taken it to the dealer four times now and every time I pay these high fees for diagnostics and they can not give me a solution to my problem.
I purchased my car in June, 2010 and in July I noticed when I shift my gears it has a jerk to it, also I noticed the clutch will go all the way down and want come up. Causing me to pull over out of traffic cut the car off put it in gear and then start the car up and take off! I thought I would love Nissan, this is my 1st and last Nissan car that I will purchase I have 3 kids and I am almost scared to drive them around in my car. This car has been in the shop at least 5 times within the 3 months that I have had it. It was in the shop for 2 weeks the last time, I don't know what's going on but I do know that I will never purchase a Nissan vehicle anymore, and I will advise my friend's and family to do the same. I hate it when my family tells me that I have purchased a lemon! that's embarrassing. I have a 3 month old car that jerks for no reason, and the clutch acts up.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Lake Mary, FL, USA