I am not very knowledgeable when it comes to cars, so I thought I would ask here before taking it in.

This doesn't happen every time but it's starting to happen more often than usual.

Basically, every once in a while, when I am for example backing out of a parking spot and I put the Maxima into drive, there is about 1-2 seconds of no response and then it jerks really hard into drive. Almost feels like someone is bumping into me from behind. I've yet to have the problem when going from drive into reverse though.

I assume this has to do something with the transmission but I don't know anything about it or what might be causing it. So if anyone knows, it would be greatly appreciated.

I have a 2006 Maxima Automatic.

 

Possibly a valve body issue. Those types of issues are best diagnosed by a transmission specialist. Transmissions aren't exactly something to tinker with if you have little knowledge.

 

first thing is check the level of the transmission fluid

 

+1 That probably wouldn't be a bad idea at all above all if it's low and if thats not the case then take it to a tranny shop.

 

Please check the condition of your transmission fluid. I would suggest doing a drain and refill (NOT A FLUSH) with Nissan Matic K fluid. I drain and fill my transmission once a year to prevent the costly valve body/soleniod problem associated with our vehicles' transmissions. If you stay on top of this you may be able to save your transmission. Many transmission shops will tell you that your transmission needs to be replaced. There are many threads about this problem on the forum.

Good Luck.

 

Usually it's a bad solenoid(s) in the valve body. My shop says you can't buy new solenoids by themselves and rebuilding them is risky and expensive. He had to buy a new/rebuilt valve body assembly from ValveBodyXpress ~$800 or someone like that.
My 06 SE would slam gears 1-2-3 and back down to 1, and also when shifting into R from D and back. It got worse when driving in stop n go traffic in the summer when the car got real hot. Mine went bad at about 80k miles. Changing the AT fluid every few years is not a bad idea to prevent this from happening. But once the solenoids start sticking due to wear and heat, the only thing to do is replace the valve body unless you know a good shop that can rebuild/replace the individual solenoids. My entire job cost ~$1100.