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2006 Nissan Altima

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Altima years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Altima are substantially higher than the model-year median of 231.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

652 reports with mileage · 172 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Structure. Review the 221 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 189 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 166 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

43 crash reports14 fire reports34 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

72 reports
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300 miles · May 14, 2012
Electrical SystemVehicle Speed ControlWheels

THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2006. TWO WEEKS LATER THE CAR WOULD NOT CRANK AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. SHORTLY AFTER, I NOTICED THAT THE HEATING SYSTEM DID NOT WORK IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE HEAT BLEW OUT COLD AIR. I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG, THEREFORE I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO REP…

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THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW IN 2006. TWO WEEKS LATER THE CAR WOULD NOT CRANK AND THE ENGINE HAD TO BE REPLACED. SHORTLY AFTER, I NOTICED THAT THE HEATING SYSTEM DID NOT WORK IN THE VEHICLE. WHEN I PLACED MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE, THE HEAT BLEW OUT COLD AIR. I KNEW THERE WAS SOMETHING WRONG, THEREFORE I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP TO REPORT THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD "THAT IS THE WAY NEW MODELS ARE MADE". THIS PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. IN THE WINTER WHEN THE CAR IS NOT MOVING (SUCH AS AT A RED LIGHT) COLD AIR BLOWS IN THE CAR, NOT HEAT. I HAVE EXPERIENCED RATTLING NOISES WITH MY CAR. IT CAN BE HEARD WHEN THE CAR IS DRIVEN AS IF SOMETHING IS LOOSE. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP IN 2011 TO HAVE IT CHECKED. I GOT THE CAR FIXED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC AND THE NOISE CONTINUED. EACH YEAR I HAVE GOTTEN MY ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS REPLACED IN THE FRONT AND REAR. I DO NOT THINK THIS IS NORMAL. I HAVE HAD MY CAR 5.5 YEARS WITH 79K MILES. PROBLEMS HAVE OCCURRED WITH THE ELECTRICAL PART OF THE CAR. THE LIGHTS HAVE BECOME DEEMED WHEN I DROVE ON 2 OCCASIONS, THE PASSENGER DOOR WILL NOT LOCK, THE SEAT DOES NOT ADJUST ALL THE WAY DOWN, AND SOMETIMES WHEN I PRESS THE ALARM BUTTON ON MY KEY, MY WINDOWS HAVE WENT DOWN AUTOMATICALLY. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10458493

Mileage unknown · May 10, 2012
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED ON THEN MY CAR BECAME SLUGGISH & I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD & IT CUT OFF, IT WOULDN'T START AFTER TRYING TO RESTART IT 4 OR 5 TIMES, THEN IT STARTED BACK UP & I BEGAN TO DRIVE & THE CAR JERKED THEN BECAME SLUGGISH ONCE AGAIN & CUT OFF, "SERVICE ENGINE SOO…

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WHILE I WAS DRIVING THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON & STAYED ON THEN MY CAR BECAME SLUGGISH & I PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD & IT CUT OFF, IT WOULDN'T START AFTER TRYING TO RESTART IT 4 OR 5 TIMES, THEN IT STARTED BACK UP & I BEGAN TO DRIVE & THE CAR JERKED THEN BECAME SLUGGISH ONCE AGAIN & CUT OFF, "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT REMAINED ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10457990

49,000 miles · Nov 5, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

THIS 2006 NISAAN ALTIMA IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME MALFUNCTIONS AS IN PREVIOUS RECALLS. THE CRANK SENSOR IS CAUSING THE CAR TO ABRUPTLY STOP RUNNING IF DRIVEN AT LOW SPEED. INCIDENT ALMOST OCCURRED ON PA TURNPIKE DURING AM RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND FINALLY STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA IN MID-DAY. I HAD TO PUT…

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THIS 2006 NISAAN ALTIMA IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME MALFUNCTIONS AS IN PREVIOUS RECALLS. THE CRANK SENSOR IS CAUSING THE CAR TO ABRUPTLY STOP RUNNING IF DRIVEN AT LOW SPEED. INCIDENT ALMOST OCCURRED ON PA TURNPIKE DURING AM RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND FINALLY STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA IN MID-DAY. I HAD TO PUT CAUTION LIGHTS ON IMMEDIATELY AND HOPE THAT I DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE RE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. IT IS SUCH A MAJOR CONCERN AND NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION ONCE AGAIN I SEE. THANKS SO MUCH! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10434303

64,000 miles · Feb 24, 2011
Electrical System

VEHICLE WOULD TURN OVER BUT WOULD NOT START. THIS HAS HAPPENED TWICE. ONCE AT AROUND 60,000 MILES AND THE NEXT TIME AT 64,000 MILES. BOTH TIMES IT ENDED UP BEING THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR. BOTH CAMSHAFT SENSORS WERE REPLACED AS RECOMMENDED BY THE SHOP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384331

Mileage unknown · Jan 20, 2011
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 580 IN EMERYVILLE CALIFORNIA IN EVENING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY CAR BEGAN TO JERK RAPIDLY AND THEN STOPPED WHILE IN TRAFFIC, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AFTER 5 ATTEMPTS THE CAR STARTED. THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE TRAVELING TO WORK ON HIGHWAY 50 AND ALSO WHILE DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS. T…

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WHILE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE 580 IN EMERYVILLE CALIFORNIA IN EVENING RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC MY CAR BEGAN TO JERK RAPIDLY AND THEN STOPPED WHILE IN TRAFFIC, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AFTER 5 ATTEMPTS THE CAR STARTED. THIS HAPPENED NUMEROUS TIMES WHILE TRAVELING TO WORK ON HIGHWAY 50 AND ALSO WHILE DRIVING ON SURFACE STREETS. THIS MAKES ME NERVOUS AND FEARFUL WHEN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE AND FINALLY AFTER THE STOPPING MULTIPLE TIMES ON THE INTERSTATE AND AT RED LIGHTS, I TOOK THE CAR IN FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND WAS ADVISED MY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND THERE WAS A RECALL PER NISSAN AMERICA FOR THIS KNOWN ISSUE. I TOOK THE CAR IN AND WAS ADVISED MY VIN# WAS PART OF THE RECALL BUT THE DAMAGED CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WOULD NOT BE REPLACED, ONLY A RESET OF THE ECM. I WAS ADVISED THAT THE ECM WOULD NOT BE RESET DUE TO THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON DUE TO THE FAULTY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. I WAS ALSO CHARGED FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WHICH BASICALLY CONFIRMED THE PROBLEM THAT SERVICE DEPARTMENT WAS ALREADY AWARE OF PER THE VIN#. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THE 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA AND A THE FAULTY CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WHICH CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP. I AM SCARED TO DRIVE ON THE INTERSTATE DUE TO FEAR THAT THE CAR WILL STOP AND CAUSE A PILEUP AND OR EVEN DEATH. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN AMERICA @1 800 647 7261 AND THEY ARE NOT COOPERATIVE. THEY ARE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE HOWEVER WILL NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE THEN I STRONGLY FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART. CUSTOMERS SHOULD NOT FEAR FOR THEIR LIVES WHEN DRIVING AND SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY TO REPAIR A KNOWN DEFECT. I AM CONSIDERING TAKING LEGAL ACTION AGAINST NISSAN SINCE THEY FAILED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY AND RESOLVE MY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10377955

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I NOTICED THAT MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A DESIGN DEFECT. WHEN YOU START UP THE ENGINE THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER LIGHTS UP AUTOMATICALLY, EVEN IF THE DRIVING LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF. AT NIGHT TIME, THIS CAN LEAD THE DRIVER TO BELIEVE THAT HIS DRIVING LIGHTS ARE ON AS WELL, SINCE MOST OTHER CARS REQUIRE FOR THE LIGHTS TO BE TURNED ON…

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I NOTICED THAT MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A DESIGN DEFECT. WHEN YOU START UP THE ENGINE THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER LIGHTS UP AUTOMATICALLY, EVEN IF THE DRIVING LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF. AT NIGHT TIME, THIS CAN LEAD THE DRIVER TO BELIEVE THAT HIS DRIVING LIGHTS ARE ON AS WELL, SINCE MOST OTHER CARS REQUIRE FOR THE LIGHTS TO BE TURNED ON, IN ORDER TO TURN ON THE ILLUMINATION ON THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER. I HAVE SEEN OTHER NISSAN ALTIMAS DRIVEN AT NIGHT (INCLUDING A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID), WHICH LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS COMMON DESIGN FLAW FOR THESE CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368700

62,814 miles · Aug 6, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other

2006 NISSAN ALTIMA S/SL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347751

69,000 miles · Jul 21, 2010
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA (BRAND NEW) 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT, A RECALL REQUIRED A "NEW" ENGINE BE INSTALLED. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR RECALLS. MY PROBLEM NOW IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, AND MY CAR SHUT OFF ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I POPPED INTO AUTO ZONE TO CHECK IT OUT AND IT…

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I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA (BRAND NEW) 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT, A RECALL REQUIRED A "NEW" ENGINE BE INSTALLED. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR RECALLS. MY PROBLEM NOW IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, AND MY CAR SHUT OFF ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I POPPED INTO AUTO ZONE TO CHECK IT OUT AND IT IS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ON THE 2006 ALTIMA'S BUT MINE IS NOT INCLUDED. SO I AM SUPPOSED TO PAY 397.00 TO HAVE THIS FIXED! I DON'T THINK SO. I FEEL I WAS SOLD A LEMON. AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR!! I CAN NOT DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IT SHUTS OF OR ALMOST SHUTS OFF AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 45 TO 60. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL ALL 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA'S FOR THIS PROBLEM! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10344518

51,000 miles · Feb 5, 2010
Electrical SystemSeatsCrash

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA, LAST YEAR IN OCTOBER MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS CAR TO GO TO GROCERY STORE, JUST AS SHE ABOUT TO PARK THE CAR, THE VEHICLE DRIVER SIDE POWER SEAT SUDDENLY LUNGE FORWARD, IT CAUSE MY WIFE TO LOSE CONTROL AND HIT ANOTHER CAR THAT IS PARK NEXT TO WHERE SHE WAS ABOUT TO PARK. I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALE…

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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA, LAST YEAR IN OCTOBER MY WIFE WAS DRIVING THIS CAR TO GO TO GROCERY STORE, JUST AS SHE ABOUT TO PARK THE CAR, THE VEHICLE DRIVER SIDE POWER SEAT SUDDENLY LUNGE FORWARD, IT CAUSE MY WIFE TO LOSE CONTROL AND HIT ANOTHER CAR THAT IS PARK NEXT TO WHERE SHE WAS ABOUT TO PARK. I TAKE THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR REPAIR, THE DRIVER SEAT WHERE AT A INVERT 60 DEGREE ANGLE, THE DEALERSHIP NOTICE THE POWER SUPPLY IS BURN, SO THEY REPLACE THE POWER SUPPLY, BUT REFUSE TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE TO MY CAR AND THE OTHER CAR MY WIFE HIT. I AM REGISTERING A COMPLAIN AGAINST THE NISSAN CAR COMPANY ABOUT THIS ISSUE, PLEASE ASSIST ME AND FIND IF THERE IS A DEFECT WITH THE PRODUCT THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALL.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10306633

85,000 miles · Jan 27, 2010
Electrical System

MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA TURNED OFF ON ME COMING TO AN INTERSECTION TWICE. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE SENSOR SO I TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIX. WHAT I AM BEING TOLD BY THE DEALER SHIP IS THAT MY ALTIMA IS SHUTTING OFF BECAUSE THERE'S OIL ON MY CAM AND CRANK SENSOR WHICH THEY ARE CHARGING ME $370.00. I AM HEARING …

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MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA TURNED OFF ON ME COMING TO AN INTERSECTION TWICE. I FOUND OUT ABOUT THE RECALL ON THE SENSOR SO I TAKE IT IN TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIX. WHAT I AM BEING TOLD BY THE DEALER SHIP IS THAT MY ALTIMA IS SHUTTING OFF BECAUSE THERE'S OIL ON MY CAM AND CRANK SENSOR WHICH THEY ARE CHARGING ME $370.00. I AM HEARING THAT THEY ARE GETTING ALOT OF CARS WITH THIS OIL ON THE SENSOR. HE SAID THAT THE SENSORS HAD ALOT OF OIL ON IT. I ASKED THEN HOW COME I NEVER SAW ANY OIL SPOTS WHERE I PARKED? OIL ON THE SENSORS SOUNDS LIKE THIS SHOULD BE THE RECALL. CAN YOU HELP TO SEE IF THE DEALER IS GETTING AWAY WITH THIS? CAN YOU HELP?? *CN

NHTSA ODI #10302891

Official recalls

3

07V527000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Nov 14, 2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2.5L ENGINE, THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR CAN OVERHEAT CAUSING A BRIEF INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL OUTPUT FROM THE SENSOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE TIME TO DIAGNOSE THE CONDITION, THE ENGINE MAY STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING WHILE THE VEHICLE IS DRIVEN AT A LOW SPEED INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ECM FREE OF CHARGE. CERTAIN MY 2006 ALTIMAS WHICH HAVE BEEN PREVIOUSLY REMEDIED UNDER RECALL CAMPAIGN 06V223 (NISSAN R0606) ARE NOT INCLUDED IN THIS RECALL SINCE THE REPROGRAMMING FOR 06V223 ALSO INCLUDED THIS REPROGRAMMING. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 31, 2007. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

06V223000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Jun 21, 2006

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER PERFORMANCE OF THE PISTON RINGS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE OIL IS NOT MAINTAINED AT LEAST AT THE MINIMUM LEVEL, ENGINE DAMAGE CAN OCCUR AND IN EXTREME CASES RESULT IN AN ENGINE FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM OR ENGINE COMPUTER). YOUR VEHICLE WILL ALSO BE INSPECTED TO DETERMINE IF IT HAS BEEN CONSUMING ENGINE OIL AT A HIGHER THAN NORMAL RATE. IN A SMALL PERCENTAGE OF VEHICLES, ENGINE REPLACEMENT WILL BE NEEDED. ON JUNE 9, 2006, NISSAN NOTIFIED OWNERS OF THE POSSIBILITY OF EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND THE IMPORTANCE OF MAINTAINING THE OIL AT A PROPER LEVEL. FOLLOW-UP LETTER TO OWNERS ADVISING THEM OF THE STATUS OF THE RECALL WAS SENT DURING AUGUST 2006. FOLLOWUP LETTER TO OWNERS WAS SENT ON NOVEMBER 15, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

06V046000 · Suspension:rear

Feb 13, 2006

ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE REAR SUBFRAME MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY, WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRACK IN A BRACKET WHICH HOLDS PART OF THE REAR SUSPENSION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF THE BRACKET IS CRACKED, THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE AFFECTED UNDER SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS. THIS COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR SUBFRAME TO DETERMINE IF IT WAS MANUFACTURED INCORRECTLY AND REPLACE IT, IF NECESSARY. THE RECALL BEGAN ON FEBRUARY 27, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.

Go deeper into Nissan Altima problems