FaultScore

2006 Nissan Maxima brake problems

61 of the 733 complaints about the 2006 Nissan Maxima are about the braking system — 8% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 63,000 miles.

A

61

Complaints

1

Crashes

0

Fires

0

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Service Brakes, Hydraulic 31 50.8%
Service Brakes 14 23.0%
Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip 7 11.5%
Service Brakes, Electric 6 9.8%
ABS Warning Light 1 1.6%
Control Unit/Module 1 1.6%
Parking Brake 1 1.6%

Brakes across every Nissan Maxima year

1993 12 3.7%
1998 13 4.0%
2000 36 11.0%
2001 23 7.1%
2002 23 7.1%
2004 74 22.7%
2005 28 8.6%
2006 61 18.7%
2007 25 7.7%
2016 21 6.4%
2017 10 3.1%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Los Angeles, CA

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

NHTSA complaint #11518387 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,820 miles Mcdonough, GA

SERVICE BRAKES

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 $4,000.00 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.

NHTSA complaint #11360137 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,030 miles Niskayuna, NY

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS, TRC,BRAKE, STABILITY LIGHT ON, CAR JUMPS WHEN BRAKING AND LOUD NOISE WHEN BREAKING 25MPH AND LOWER. DEALER REFUSE TO DO THE REPAIR UNDER WARRANTY, THIS IS A LARGE PROBLEM FOR NISAN OWNERS. COST OF REPAIR 2-3000.00

NHTSA complaint #10972092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 112,000 miles Scottsburg, IN

SERVICE BRAKES

OVER A WEEK AGO I STARTED NOTICING THAT THE ABS WAS TURNING ON DURING NORMAL BRAKING AND WHILE SIMPLY DRIVING. SO I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND THEY THOUGHT ONE OF THE SENSORS WAS OUT. THEY REPLACED THE SENSOR THAT WASN'T READING CORRECTLY WITH THE OTHER TIRE SPEEDS FOR $385. AFTER I PICKED UP THE CAR, THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. I THEN RETURNED THE CAR THE LOCAL MECHANIC AND AFTER MUCH RESEARCH AND SPEAKING WITH NISSAN, THEY CONCLUDED THAT THE ABS MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND IT WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH ONLINE AND IT PROVED THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHERS WITH THIS SAME ISSUE. NISSAN PUT OUT A SERVICE BULLETIN ABOUT THIS VERY ISSUE, BUT NEVER OFFERED TO FIX THE ISSUE VIA A RECALL AND ETC. I AM CURRENTLY LOOKING AT HAVING TO HAVE THE MODULE REPLACED, WHICH IS GOING TO BE CLOSE TO $2,000. WITH THE SENSOR I AM NOT GOING TO BE SPENDING ALMOST $2,500. I DON'T THINK IT IS RIGHT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN SO MANY ISSUES AND NO RECALL WAS DONE.

NHTSA complaint #10693907 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 105,000 miles Attleboro, MA

SERVICE BRAKES

BRAKE "ACTUATOR" STARTED HUMMING OR RUNNING AS SOON AS CAR ('06 NISSAN MAXIMA SE) WAS TURNED ON AWAY FROM HOME. CONTINUED TO KICK IN ABS AT EVERY BRAKE APPLICATION CREATING UNSAFE (OR AT LEAST NOT NORMAL) BRAKING SITUATIONS AND CONTINUED TO RUN WHEN CAR WAS SHUT OFF. ABS LIGHT, TCS LIGHT, AND SLIP LIGHT ALL ACTIVATED CONTINUALLY. CODES C1110 & C1105 & C1106 WERE PRESENT AFTER SCANNING AT LOCAL GARAGE. BATTERY DRAINED AFTER CAR SHUT OFF DUE TO ACTUATOR CONTINUING TO RUN WITH CAR SHUT OFF. PER RESEARCH AND OTHER TSB OR NISSAN-ISSUED TECHNICAL BULLETINS, THE REAR HUB ABS SENSOR FREQUENTLY MALFUNCTIONS DUE TO A DESIGN FLAW IN THE CAR. IF DRIVEN WHILE MALFUNCTIONING (AS IN THIS CASE) THE CONTROLLER/ACTUATOR MAY MALFUNCTION. TURNING OFF "ABS" WHILE DRIVING SEEMS TO KEEP THE ACTUATOR FROM RUNNING, BUT ALSO MAKES DRIVING LESS SAFE, ESPECIALLY IN INCLEMENT WEATHER DUE TO TURNING OFF TCS/ABS. I'VE HAD TO REPLACE THIS OUT-OF-POCKET (DESPITE BEING AN EXTREMELY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE). SENSORS AND ACTUATOR WERE REPLACED. VEHICLE DRIVEN AGAIN. LESS THAN 8 MONTHS LATER, SAME ISSUES RETURN. NISSAN DEALERSHIP REPLACED REAR SENSOR PER CODES, NEW CODE FOR ACTUATOR SHOWS AGAIN (AFTER SENSORS PLACED IN) AND THEY REQUIRE ME TO PAY OUT OF POCKET AGAIN FOR NEW ACTUATOR. THIS IS OBVIOUSLY A DESIGN FLAW IN THE CAR (PER MANY OTHER REPORTS) AND SHOULD BE RECALLED IMMEDIATELY FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA complaint #10639052 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Bloomfield, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE DAMAGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 08/11/14*LJ UPDATED 08/13/2014

NHTSA complaint #10594505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 70,000 miles Bloomfield, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP:ABS WARNING LIGHT

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD WHILE THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ON THREE OCCASIONS, WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN ABS BRAKE SYSTEM FAILURE CAUSING TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE DAMAGES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 08/11/14*LJ UPDATED 08/13/2014

NHTSA complaint #10594505 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,024 miles Brooklyn, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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.

NHTSA complaint #10567197 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 36,087 miles Lexington, KY Crash

SERVICE BRAKES

WHILE CASUALLY DRIVING, HANDS ON STEERING WHEEL, FOOT ON ACCELERATOR, ASPHALT ROAD SLIGHTLY DAMP BUT NOT WET, ON A TWO WAY STREET WITH NO REASON TO EXPECT A SUDDEN CRISIS, THE ABA BRAKES ON MY 2006 MAXIMA SUDDENLY LOCKED THROWING THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE INTO A SLIDE FACING ONCOMING TRAFFIC WHICH AT THIS TIME THERE HAPPENED TO BE NONE. WHEN I FELT THE SUDDEN ACTION, WHICH WAS LIKE I HAD RUN INTO AN INVISIBLE WALL, I THEN HIT THE BRAKES ATTEMPTING TO STOP THE VEHICLE. THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMED TO FLOAT WITH NO CONTROL OF THE DIRECTION HEADED. THE CAR CONTINUED TO ACCELERATE INSTEAD OF BRAKING. THIS SENT THE VEHICLE BACK ACROSS TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE ROAD INTO A CONCRETE CURB AND OVER INTO A GRASSY AREA BEFORE THE CAR CAME TO A STOP. ONLY EXTERIOR MINOR DAMAGE FROM HITTING A SMALL SIGN POST. HAD IT IMMEDIATELY TOWED TO THE DEALER WHO ROAD TESTED IT BUT FOUND NO REASON FOR THE INCIDENT. THEY SAID THERE WERE NO COMPUTER CODES FOR WHAT HAPPENED. I SPOKE TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND CALLED NISSAN TO EXPLAIN WHAT HAPPENED. THEY HAD NO CLUE FOR WHY. I AM STILL AFRAID TO DRIVE THIS CAR IN HEAVY TRAFFIC FOR FEAR OF A REPEAT. WITH SUCH LOW MILES AND IN THE GARAGE CARE OVER THE YEARS IT IS NOT TIME TO TRADE IT IN.

NHTSA complaint #10562744 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 108,762 miles Woodhaven, NY

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS STOPPING ON A RED LIGHT WHEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN THE ABS STARTED TO KICK IN BUT THE FLOOR WAS DRY I WANT GOING FAST AS ALL OUR ANY OF THAT. NOW IT DOES IT EVERY TIME I'M BREAKING THE CODE IYS C1110.

NHTSA complaint #10560718 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 111,024 miles Brooklyn, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO ABS AND ACTUATOR DEFECT. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS SENSOR AND HUBS WERE REPLACED IN AUGUST 2009, AFTER RECEIVING NOTIFICATION FROM NISSAN. A REPEAT OF THE SAME PROBLEM RECENTLY, REQUIRED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE SENSORS, HUBS AND ACTUATOR. NISSAN FAILED TO NOTIFY THE PUBLIC ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND ISSUE A RECALL, ALTHOUGH THEY HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM SINCE 2004 AND ISSUED AN ADVISORY TO DEALERS. FAILURE OF THE COMPONENTS COULD LEAD TO FAILURE IN PROPER BRAKING, SIGNIFICANT REDUCTION OF ENGINE POWER AND LOSS OF SPEEDOMETER READING. NISSAN WAS NOTIFIED OF THE INCIDENT, BUT REFUSED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY IN REPAIRING THE VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #10557788 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 48,000 miles Oxford, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE LEFT REAR ABS SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 48,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 56,000.

NHTSA complaint #10551879 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,800 miles Milwaukee, WI

SERVICE BRAKES

I WAS DRIVING MY CAR AT 40 MPH IN LIGHT RAIN. AS I APPROACHED A RED LIGHT, I LIGHTLY GOT ON THE BRAKES. IMMEDIATELY, THE ABS KICKED IN. THE AMOUNT OF BRAKING FORCE WAS WELL BELOW THE MARGIN WHERE ABS SHOULD KICK IN. THINKING IT WAS A ONETIME DEAL, I DROVE CAUTIOUSLY AND TRIED BRAKING AGAIN. THIS ABS AGAIN KICKED IN IMMEDIATELY. THE ABS KICKING IN DID LENGTHEN THE STOPPING DISTANCE AS I WAS NOT APPLYING THE BRAKES HARD ENOUGH TO EFFECTIVELY SLOW DOWN. ON THE NEXT ATTEMPT, ACCELERATION, TRACTION CONTROL KICKED IN UPON ACCELERATION, CAUSING THE CAR TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. MY CAR WAS TAKEN TO THE SHOP WHERE THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR HAD BUILD UP ON IT. CHECKING FORUMS ABOUT MY CAR, THIS WAS A COMMON OCCURRENCE AND SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN FLAW. UNDER DIFFERENT CIRCUMSTANCES, A COLLISION COULD HAVE RESULTED DUE TO THE ISSUE. NISSAN HAS A SERVICE BULLETIN FOR THIS ISSUE, BUT IN MY EYES, THIS ISSUE IS SHOULD BE A INVESTIGATED FURTHER AS CONTROL OF VEHICLE SPEED IS COMPROMISED.

NHTSA complaint #10511868 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 71,000 miles Mcsherrystown, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS ACTIVATES EVERY TIME BRAKE IS PRESSED. ALSO, THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM HUMS BEFORE I HIT BRAKES. CORROSION PROBLEM PER SERVICE TECH AT NISSAN.

NHTSA complaint #10507444 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 82,000 miles Mcsherrystown, PA

SERVICE BRAKES

2ND TIME: ABS ACTIVATES WHEN PRESSING ON BRAKES. ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM HUMS EVEN WITHOUT PRESSING BRAKES.

NHTSA complaint #10507445 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 64,000 miles Cleveland, OH

SERVICE BRAKES

FIRST AFTER BUYING THIS NISSAN MAXIMA 2006, I NOTICED THAT MY HEAD LIGHT LAMPS NEEDED TO BE CHANGED EVERY 14 MONTHS. I NEVER HAD A CAR WHERE I HAD TO REPLACE THE HEAD LIGHT LAMPS SO OFTEN. BOTH OF MY OTHER CARS (TOYOTA AND HONDA) HAVE OVER 100K MILES AND WE NEVER HAD TO CHANGE THE LAMPS ON THOSE CARS. NEXT, THE ABS BRAKES ARE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, REALLY? AFTER 70K MILES? WOW! LATER I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS CAR. THE ABS APPEAR TO BE RUNNING WHILE THE CAR IS MOVING AND ON DRY ROADS. FINALLY, THE TRANSMISSION. WHY DO I HAVE A SLIPPING TRANSMISSION ON A CAR WITH ONLY 64K MILES. AFTER RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THAT THE PROBLEMS THAT I'M HAVING WITH THIS NISSAN MAXIMA, HUNDREDS OF OTHER OWNS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS. I ALWAYS HAD HONDA AND TOYOTA CARS AND I DECIDED TO TRY SOMETHING NEW IN THIS MAXIMA. I WILL NEVER BUY NISSAN AGAIN, I'M RUNNING BACK TO HONDA AND TOYOTA!!!

NHTSA complaint #10496345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 75,000 miles Arlington Heights, IL

SERVICE BRAKES

ABS ACTIVATES DURING NORMAL BRAKING MAKING HORRIBLE GRINDING SOUND. NISSAN DEALER TOLD ME THE ACTUATOR AND REAR HUB NEEDED REPAIR FOR AN EXTREME AMOUNT OF MONEY OVER $2,000.00. I HAD THE SIMILAR PROBLEM PREVIOUSLY WITH MY 2004 NISSAN MAXIMA, THE ONLY REPAIR NEEDED WAS TO DISMANTLE REAR BRAKE ROTOR, CLEAN THE CORROSION, GRIND A NOTCH IN THE KNUCKLE, AND REASSEMBLE IT BACK. THIS IS A MAJOR ISSUE WITH ALL CARS IN MIDDLE EASTERN AND CENTRAL STATES BECAUSE OF THE COLD WEATHER CONDITIONS. IN MY OPINION IT SHOULD BE A NATIONAL RECALL, FOR ALL THE PEOPLE HAVING THIS ISSUE IS THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA.

NHTSA complaint #10488690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 72,000 miles DES Moines, IA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE ON THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, BUT THE DEALER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THE FAILURE COULD HAVE BEEN CAUSED BY CORROSION OF THE ABS SENSORS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND ADVISED THAT THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE COST OF THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST OR THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 72,000.

NHTSA complaint #10457391 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 90,000 miles Medford, NY

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

PURCHASED THIS CAR IN 2006 BRAND NEW! 90K MILES THE ABS WENT.........AT 120K MILES THE AC WENT AND YOU HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING FREON ALL SUMMER LONG! NOW AT 130K MILES THE CAR JERKS SPORADICALLY WHEN DRIVING IT SWITCHES GEARS AND TAKES ABOUT 5-8 SECONDS TO SWITCH GEARS. TRULY A DISSATISFIED CUSTOMER. I PAID FOR A TRANSMISSION FLUSH, WHICH HAD I KNOWN AT THE TIME WOULD NOT HAVE DONE IT BECAUSE THE PROBLEM REMAINS!

NHTSA complaint #10455686 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 88,736 miles Hamilton, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

WHILE TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, WITH NO WARNING, THE ABS LAMP, TCS LIGHT AND THE EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHTS CAME ON AND THE BRAKES BECAME SENSITIVE. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE ABS ACTUATOR WAS DEFECTIVE, RENDERING THE ABS SYSTEM, TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM AND THE ELECTRONIC BRAKE FORCE DISTRIBUTION INACTIVE. THE MECHANIC INSTALLED AN ABS MOTOR/MODULE PER THE NISSAN SERVICE BULLETIN ISSUED MARCH 16, 2007 AND REMOVED BOTH REAR WHEEL BEARINGS AND PERFORMED AN INSPECTION AND KNUCKLE MODIFICATION PER THE BULLETIN. THE COST OF THE ABS ACTUATOR ALONE WAS $1,300; 75% OF THE TOTAL REPAIR BILL WHICH COST, I FEEL, IS EXORBITANT AND EXCESSIVE. UPDATED IVOQ 03/20/12

NHTSA complaint #10449765 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 91,000 miles Chicago, IL

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ABS LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE SENSOR FOR THE REAR BRAKES NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA complaint #10449437 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 25,000 miles Lawrenceville, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAVE HAD RECURRING ISSUES WITH THE ANTILOCK BRAKES. THE FIRST INCIDENT WAS APRIL 2008 WHEN I NEEDED THE ABS SENSORS REPLACED. APRIL 9 2009, NISSAN REPLACED THE REAR HUB ASSEMBLY. OCTOBER 2009 NISSAN REMOVED THE ABS SENSOR AND CLEAN THE CONTACTS. THEN IN MAY 2011, I BROUGHT MY CAR IN BECAUSE THE ABS WAS ACTIVATING BUT THEY SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. IN FEBRUARY 2012 NISSAN REPLACED THE ABS SENSOR AND ACTUATOR AT A COST OF 3K. THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING FOR ME PRICE WISE SINCE ALL MY PREVIOUS WORK WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND THERE WAS NO RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #10448262 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Sterling Heights, MI

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY 2006 MAXIMA HAS 27,474 MILES ON IT. THE CAR STARTED MAKING A CLUNKING SOUND WHEN THE BRAKE WAS APPLIED. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF ANYTHING GOING WRONG. NO WARNING LIGHTS. I TOOK IT TO A NISSAN DEALER WHO TOLD US THAT THE BRAKES WERE FINE, BUT WE NEEDED TIRES. TWO WEEKS LATER, THE SOUND WAS LOUDER AND CONSTANT WHEN THE CAR WAS MOVING. I TOOK IT INTO A DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT PROBABLY WAS THE ABS BRAKE BECAUSE THIS IS A "COMMON PROBLEM" WITH THE 2006 MAXIMAS. DIAGNOSIS IS AS FOLLOWS: NO CODES STORED. SENSORS NOT TRIPPED. AFTER TEST DRIVING, VERIFIED ABS TURNING ON WITHOUT TOUCHING BRAKES. THE TECHNICIAN INDICATED IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE THE CAR HOME, BUT THAT IT SHOULD NOT BE DRIVEN ONCE WE ARRIVED HOME. REPAIR RECOMMENDATION: START BY REPLACING BOTH REAR HUBS AND ABS SENSORS. QUOTED PRICE OF $1,097.08. POSSIBILITY CAR MAY ALSO NEED ABS ACTUATOR. IF ABS ACTUATOR NEEDED QUOTED PRICE OF $1787.00. MY REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE FROM NISSAN FOR THESE REPAIRS WAS FLATLY DENIED. EVEN THOUGH THIS VEHICLE ONLY HAS 27,000 MILES ON IT, NISSAN DENIES ANY RESPONSIBILITY AND REFUSED TO ASSIST A LOYAL CUSTOMER, WHO HAS BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE FOR AT LEAST 4 WEEKS NOW. I HAVE OWNED 7 PREVIOUS NISSAN VEHICLES. I THOUGHT AND WAS TOLD THEY WOULD COVER THIS EXPENSE THROUGH THEIR "LOYALTY" WARRANTY. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED FOR THIS PROBLEM. NO MORE NISSANS FOR ME!

NHTSA complaint #10447086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Donaldsonville, LA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

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!!!

NHTSA complaint #10445272 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Minster, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

MY ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM KEPT ACTIVATING ON DRY PAVEMENT. I WAS PAST MY WARRANTY SO I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC. THEY INDICATED THAT THE LEFT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR NEEDED REPLACED ($350). WE REPLACED IT, THEN 14 MONTHS LATER IT STARTED AGAIN. THIS TIME IT WAS THE RIGHT REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR ($350). MY MECHANIC REPLACED IT AND A COUPLE OF WEEKS LATER THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE PUMPED STARTED RUNNING NON-STOP. EVEN WHEN IN PARK. THE MECHANIC THEN STATED THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE CONTROLLER NEEDED REPLACED ($1300). NOW IT HAS BEEN 10 MONTHS AND IT'S STARTING AGAIN. IF I DRIVE ON DRY PAVEMENT THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKES KICK IN NON-STOP. THERE OBVIOUSLY IS A DESIGN MALFUNCTION SOMEWHERE IN THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKE SYSTEM.

NHTSA complaint #10444940 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 63,000 miles Clinton, NJ

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I FELT ABS SYSTEM ACTUATING VIA PUMPING SENSATION IN MY BRAKE PEDAL WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON DRY PAVEMENT. IT PERFORMED WORSE WHEN GOING UPHILL, AT LOW SPEEDS AND ON FLAT SURFACES. ERROR CODES WERE GENERATED AND "DUMMY" LIGHTS WENT ON. THE BRAKING WAS NOT VERY EFFECTIVE AS A RESULT OF THE ABS KICKING IN ERRONEOUSLY. THANKFULLY I WAS KEEPING A SAFE FOLLOWING DISTANCE AND WAS ABLE TO BRAKE WITH SOME ROOM TO SPARE BUT IF I HAD REGULAR BRAKES WITHOUT THE ABS MALFUNCTIONING, I WOULD HAVE STOPPED MORE QUICKLY. THANKFULLY NOBODY WAS HURT THIS TIME. MECHANIC INVESTIGATION INDICATED THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM. THE SERVICE BULLETIN: NTB07-016B HAS THE INFORMATION YOU NEED TO FIX THE ABS PROBLEM. HOWEVER, IT WAS NOT CAUGHT IN TIME TO HELP ME AVOID A FAILED ACTUATOR.

NHTSA complaint #10440975 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Cedar Rapids, IA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:ANTILOCK/TRACTION CONTROL/ELECTRONIC LIMITED SLIP

2006 NISSAN MAXIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKING SYSTEM *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE ABS ON THE RIGHT AND LEFT WHEELS OF THE VEHICLE WOULD ENGAGE AS HE DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL AT A TIME WHEN THE ROADWAY WAS CLEAR AND DRY, AND HIS SPEED WAS IN EXCESS OF 40 MPH. UPON TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THE CONSUMER LEARNED THERE WAS A DEFECT. THE DEFECT CAUSED WATER/MOISTURE TO BE RETAINED IN THE REAR HUB ASSEMBLY, RESULTING IN CORROSION TO THE HUB ASSEMBLY AND CAUSING THE ABS TO ENGAGE WHEN IT SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN. IN DECEMBER 2010, THE DEALER PERFORMED A PROCEDURE WHERE THEY CUT A DRAIN CHANNEL TO ALLOW WATER TO DRAIN OUT OF THE RIGHT REAR HUB ASSEMBLY. THIS CORRECTED THE PROBLEM. HOWEVER, THE DEALER ACKNOWLEDGED IT WAS A PROBLEM ON NISSAN MODELS. WHEN THE CONSUMER INQUIRED ABOUT WHETHER IT WOULD HAPPEN ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE, THE DEALER STATED IT WAS POSSIBLE. IN JANUARY 2011, THE DEALER PERFORMED THE SAME PROCEDURE ON THE LEFT SIDE AS THEY DID FOR THE RIGHT SIDE. HOWEVER, AFTER HAVING THE SERVICE DONE, THEY DETERMINED THE ABS WAS STILL ENGAGING. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATING IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONTINUING PROBLEM WAS DUE TO THE LEFT REAR WHEEL BEARING ASSEMBLY HAVING BECOME SO CORRODED WITH WATER AND MOISTURE THAT IT HAD TO BE REPLACED.

NHTSA complaint #10440692 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lewis Center, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I WAS EXITING A HIGHWAY ON AN OFFRAMP WHEN MY BRAKE LIGHT, ABS, TRACTION CONTROL AND SLIP LIGHT CAME ON. I APPLIED MY BRAKE AND THERE WAS A LOAD CRUNCH NOISE AND MY BRAKE PEDAL SUNK TO THE FLOOR. IT TOOK AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF TIME FOR THE CAR TO SLOW DOWN AS THE BRAKES WERE GRABBING AND LETTING GO CONTINUOUSLY. LUCKILY THIS OCCURRED DURING MID DAY, AS THIS COULD HAVE CAUSED A SERIOUS ACCIDENT DURING RUSH HOUR AS THE RAMP WOULD HAVE HAD BACKED UP TRAFFIC ON IT. I NEED A ABS ACTUATOR REPLACED AT AN ESTIMATED COST OF $2,500. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE AT NISSAN AS MANY PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ONLINE OF THE ACTUATOR FAILING AROUND 40,000 MILES. SOME PEOPLE HAVE EVEN TURNED OFF THEIR ANTI-LOCK BRAKES DUE TO THE HIGH COST OF FIXING THE ABS ACTUATOR.

NHTSA complaint #10433491 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Dublin, GA

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE THE BRAKES IN MY CAR OVER THREE TIMES WITHIN A TWO YEAR SPAN. BRAKES CONTINUE TO SCRUB AND SQUEAL. DEALER SAYS THAT THEY HAVE DONE ALL THEY CAN DO AS THEY HAVE CHANGED MULTIPLE PARTS, COSTING ME "AN ARM AND A LEG". YOU ARE A AFRAID TO MAKE A HARD EMERGENCY STOP BECAUSE DUE TO THE SOUND, YOU AREN'T SURE IF THEY COULD "GO OUT" IN TIME. TRANSMISSION: CARE LITERALLY JERKS INTO GEAR WHEN BACKING UP OR TAKING OFF. YOU CAN'T PARK TOO CLOSE TO ANOTHER VEHICLE OR STOP BECAUSE CAR LITERALLY LEAPS INTO GEAR POSSIBLE CAUSING YOU TO HIT ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT OF YOU. (FEELS LIKE SOMEONE HAS REAR ENDED YOU).

NHTSA complaint #10430287 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 62,000 miles Columbus, OH

SERVICE BRAKES, ELECTRIC

06 NISSAN MAXIMA. FAILED RIGHT REAR ABS SENSOR. PER THE DEALER, A DESIGN FLAW CAUSES MOISTURE TO BUILD UP AND CAUSES THE ABS SENSOR TO FAIL AFTER TIME. HAD TO PURCHASE NEW SENSOR, CAP, AND HUB. THE NEW SENSOR AND CAP DO NOT FIT THE ORIGINAL WHEEL HUB SO A NEW ONE HAD TO BE PURCHASED. THE MECHANIC ALSO HAD TO MODIFY THE HUB BY DRILLING A HOLE IN IT TO ALLOW MOISTURE TO ESCAPE TO PREVENT THE SAME PROBLEM FROM HAPPENING. IN TALKING WITH THE DEALERSHIP, THEY HAVE HAD MULTIPLE MAXIMAS IN FOR THIS REPAIR. ONE DEALERSHIP DIDN'T HAVE THE PARTS NEEDED AS THEY'VE HAD SO MANY REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #10399115 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other 2006 Nissan Maxima problems

← Full 2006 Nissan Maxima report