2006 Nissan Maxima: sudden loss of power

Filed Aug 14, 2015 · Transmission · 96,000 miles · SC

While driving on the interstate a slowed from the cruising speed for traffic. Upon my attempt to accelerate the engine revved to a high RPM before the transmission engaged causing a hard shift that seemed to torque the engine and car to the side causing a short loss of control of the vehicle at highway speed. Since then, I have had numerous incidents when accelerating from a stop light or stop sign when the the car will just lose power until the transmission jolts into gear.mas it loses power thee have been time when cars behind me almost rammed the back of my vehicle.

Filed Sep 14, 2014 · Acceleration, Steering · 85,000 miles · CA

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.

Filed May 20, 2014 · Transmission · 90,000 miles · AL

Upon accelerating, the vehicle lost power and harshly shifted into the next gear, surging forward and causing the operator to almost hit a vehicle in front of the vehicle. When nissan was advised I was told to have the trans replaced (not cheap). Upon checking nissan forums and speaking with other owners turns out this is a common problem with nissans of the same generation, like the murano, and altima. The problem has persisted, I refuse to repair an issue that seems to be a defect, along with the power steering issue that is 'common' in these cars.

Filed Apr 10, 2013 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · SC

I was driving my '06 nissan maxima se home from work on the interstate. I pressed down on the gas to get into the other lane because traffic was speeding around me to fast. Upon me trying to get into the slower lane my car started to buckle and jerk and not have any power when I pressed on the gas pedal. My car just lost all power but the care was still running. I had no control of the car. Traffic was speeding around me and I looked up and saw a 18 wheeler slam on his breaks because my car was slowing down and stopped without warning. No brake lights or anything. My car was just creeping along in the middle of 5 o'clock traffic on I-20 at I-95n. I did not know what to do so I just sat there until finally a break came in the traffic about 30-45 mins later. Other drivershad to skid off the road to avoid hitting the cars infront of them because my "safe, dependable, and durable" maxima was stuck and about to cause a whirlwind of a traffic pile up if not deaths because of the problem that my car has with its transmission. I had my vehicle to the nearest nissan dealership and they denied anything was wrong with my vehicle. Not to mention that I had to pay the diagnostic fee for them to tell me that my car has no problems with the transmission. So, to make a long story shorter, I am out of a fee for the diagnostic charge by dick smith nissan in columbia, sc. They claim that there is nothing wrong with my car! However, they did say that I need to spend $4,600 for a new transmission. I will never buy another nissan product ever!!!!!!

Filed Sep 8, 2012 · Transmission · 85,000 miles · KY

Purchased my 2006 nissan maxima in july of 2006 had 12,750 miles on the odometer I have keep this vehicle serviced on a regular basis for the past six years. On may 6, 2012 while pulling out of a parking spot I put the car in reverse and it didn't move a few seconds later there was a loud thump and it jerked into gear so hard I thought someone had reared ended me. From this moment on when I would put it in gear it hesitates and then after I've driven for a while it starts jerking and seems to lose power. I'm afraid that it is going to stop in the middle of traffic or cause me to have a accident. I was due for an oil change in july so I told the service writer that I was having this problem and that I was feeling something funny under my car, the mechanic test drove my car and I was advised that I needed a serpentine belt I paid 159.99 plus tax to have the serpentine belt replace along with my oil change. After I picked my car up and drove it for a while the jerking and hesitating presisted thats when a friend advised me that it was my transmission and I should have it checked. I contacted glenn nissan sevice department and asked if there was a recall on the 2006 transmissions and was told there was no recall I asked the service writer if I had to have a trasmission how much would it cost they have not returned my call as of today. That's when I went online to check and see if there was a problem and saw the same complaints from other nissan owners. I took my car to a transmission shop on 8/06/2012 and it was diagnosed that I would need a transmission and the cost be around of $4500.00 plus. My next step is to contact nissan maufacturer to see if they can resolve this issue with the 2006 transmissions before someone gets hurt and or killed.

Filed Mar 8, 2012 · Acceleration, Transmission · 123,241 miles · CA

Car began to jerk forward in traffic, and upon going uphill would lose power, due to transmission jerking at speeds 35mph and up, RPM would redline at 55mph on freeway, which would cause traffic behind me to gain distance, leaving me no power to move or avoid them. Would jerk from reverse to drive out of driveway. Transmission sensors and trasmission were replaced total $3900.00

Filed Dec 22, 2011 · Acceleration, Electrical · 43,000 miles · NJ

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.

Filed Feb 3, 2009 · Electrical · 37,750 miles · PA

Nissan of middletown replaced drive belts, air filter, & changed oil 12/1/08. (I requested the original drive belts to show my husband as I never recalled having this service done on any of the cars I owned at such low mileage.) on 12/5/08, my 2006 nissan maxima (approx. 37,900 mi) just stopped on a two lane highway. I was pushed off the highway, opened the hood, checked the belts (which were fine) & noticed fresh battery acid spewing from the battery. Towed to mechanic in town who had the car for 10 days in which time he changed the battery and said the battery wiring harness had been damaged but still thinks it is something else as the car would start but wouldn't run. Car was towed back to middletown nissan and they immediately found the problem - the mass air sensor was bad. They replaced the sensor 12/15/08 and told me that these things go bad. I contacted nissan headquarters and stated my concern that this happened after the maintenance work had just been done. After review, nissan repaid me $426.25 for the sensor. I continue to have concern that not only must I now replace the battery wiring harness at a great cost which the local mechanic estimated the part at $700 plus labor, but also when I stated that my car just stopped, without warning--no service lights, nothing (what if I were on the thruway doing 65 MPH and lost power - engine, steering, everything -- with no warning-- I'd probably be dead along with any passengers) nissan's headquarters verbally reported to me over the phone that a car is mechanical and these things can happen. Well, I'm not satisfied with this response. I still question what happened to my basically brand new car when nissan middletown did the maintenance work on it. I would appreciate your opinion on the mechanics and the safety of this vehicle. Thank you for your time and assistance.