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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

Electronic Stability Control (esc) complaints

21 reports
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63,000 miles · Aug 9, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

PURCHASED THIS CAR USED FROM A DEALERSHIP 3 WEEKS AGO. WITHIN 1 WEEK THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. STARTED IT BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEMS. TOOK CAR ON A 750 MI. ROAD TRIP AND WHILE DRIVING 75MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL THE CAR BUCKED. AFTER REACHING OUR DESTINATION AND TURNING THE CAR OFF WE HAD TROUBLE RESTARTING IT. WHEN IT FINALLY …

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PURCHASED THIS CAR USED FROM A DEALERSHIP 3 WEEKS AGO. WITHIN 1 WEEK THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. STARTED IT BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEMS. TOOK CAR ON A 750 MI. ROAD TRIP AND WHILE DRIVING 75MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL THE CAR BUCKED. AFTER REACHING OUR DESTINATION AND TURNING THE CAR OFF WE HAD TROUBLE RESTARTING IT. WHEN IT FINALLY STARTED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND CODES CAME UP FOR THE CAM AND CRANK SHAFT SENSORS. REPLACED THESE SENSORS AND CLEARED CODES. DROVE CAR AWAY AND WITHIN 5MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND AGAIN EXCESSIVE CRANKING WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR. BROUGHT IT BACK TO MECHANIC AND THE BRAND NEW CAM SENSOR THAT WAS REPLACED LESS THAN 24HRS BEFORE TESTED OUT BAD. REPLACED SENSOR AGAIN AND CLEARED CODE AND CODE CAME UP FOR HIGH SPEED INPUT SENSOR ALONG WITH THE SAME CODES FOR CAM SHAFT AND CRANK SHAFT SENSORS. AGAIN TROUBLE STARTING VEHICLE. DROVE CAR 750MI. BACK HOME WITHOUT TURNING THE CAR OFF FOR FEAR OF NOT BEING ABLE TO START AGAIN. DEALING WITH A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO TRY AND GET THIS FIXED. THIS ISSUE WAS UNDER RECALL BEFORE. THE BUCKING OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AT 75MPH WAS TERRIFYING AND SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS!

NHTSA ODI #10894351

Mileage unknown · Aug 9, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Unknown Or OtherFire

"TAKING RECALL"I GOT A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA WHEN I LOOK UNDER THE COVER I SAW THE CONNECTORS THAT GOES TO SPARK PLUG MELTED BY OVER HEAT (SMALL FIRE)MY ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IT READ SENSOR ONE TIME CRANKSHAFT NEXT TIME UP AND DOWN STREAM SENSOR LOT OF DIFFERENT READINGS WHICH IS NOT SAFE FOR ROAD WHIC…

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"TAKING RECALL"I GOT A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA WHEN I LOOK UNDER THE COVER I SAW THE CONNECTORS THAT GOES TO SPARK PLUG MELTED BY OVER HEAT (SMALL FIRE)MY ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IT READ SENSOR ONE TIME CRANKSHAFT NEXT TIME UP AND DOWN STREAM SENSOR LOT OF DIFFERENT READINGS WHICH IS NOT SAFE FOR ROAD WHICH MAY LEAD TO ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10894293

98,000 miles · Aug 2, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)EngineVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR A CAMPAIGN POSTED ON YOUR WEBSITE, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. I SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM RE WORKED AND FIXED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAR STALLS OUT WITHOUT WARNING, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE IDLE.

NHTSA ODI #10892663

123,000 miles · May 17, 2016
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

DEAR SIR/MADAM, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT AND NOTIFY THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED RECENTLY WITH MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L ENGINE. I WAS WAITING ON THE SIGNAL TO TURN LEFT WHEN MY CAR FIRST SHUT OFF ON ME WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR SIGNS. I TURNED OFF MY IGNITION AND TRIED TO START MY CAR, IT STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DR…

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DEAR SIR/MADAM, I WOULD LIKE TO TAKE A MOMENT AND NOTIFY THE PROBLEM THAT I HAVE EXPERIENCED RECENTLY WITH MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L ENGINE. I WAS WAITING ON THE SIGNAL TO TURN LEFT WHEN MY CAR FIRST SHUT OFF ON ME WITHOUT ANY WARNING OR SIGNS. I TURNED OFF MY IGNITION AND TRIED TO START MY CAR, IT STARTED AND I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE HOME. NEXT MORNING, I LEFT MY HOME FOR GROCERY AND I WAS DRIVING ON THE SIDE STREET AND MY CAR SHUT OFF ON ME AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME MY CAR WAS MOVING ON A TWO WAY STREET AND LUCKILY NO CAR WAS BEHIND ME. ALSO, ALL LIGHTS TURNED ON THIS TIME IN MY DASHBOARD AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYED ON. I TURNED OFF THE IGNITION SWITCH AND TURNED IT BACK ON, I GOT PANICED BUT THIS TIME MY CAR STARTED AFTER MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. I WAS ABLE TO DRIVE TO THE GROCERY STORE TO DO MY GROCERIES AND WHEN I WAS READY TO LEAVE AFTER AN HOUR FROM THE STORE, MY CAR DID NOT WANT TO START. NOW, I BECAME MORE CONCERNED AND FINALLY WHEN MY CAR STARTED, I IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT TO NEAREST OREILLY'S ON MY WAY HOME TO GET IT CHECKED. THEY TESTED MY BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND STARTER AND TOLD ME THAT ALL OF THEM WERE WORKING FINE BUT THE COMPUTER IS READING THE CODE P0340 WHICH REPRESENTS THE CAMSHAFT CENSOR IN THE VEHICLE. AFTER GETTING MY VEHICLE TESTED AND RECEIVING THE RESULTS, ON MY WAY HOME IT TUNED OFF ON ME TWICE AGAIN AT THE SIGNALS. AFTER DOING MY RESEARCH I NOTICED THAT NISSAN HAD A RECALL FOR POTENTIAL DEFECTIVE CAMSHAFT CENSORS ON 653,910 UNITS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V-527. I CALLED THE NISSAN 1-800-647-7261 NUMBER AND THEY TOLD ME THAT MY CAR DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR A FREE REMEDY EVEN THOUGH THE SYMPTOMS FALLS UNDER THE SAME EQUIPMENT/PART RECALL. I WOULD LIKE TO SAY THAT I AM UNABLE TO DRIVE MY CAR SINCE THEN. PLEASE CONSIDER MY COMPLAINT REGARDING THIS SERIOUS CONCERN AND ADVISE A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM AT YOUR EARLIEST CONVENIENCE. TKS!

NHTSA ODI #10865489

91,750 miles · Jul 19, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

ENGINE STALLS AT SOME TIMES, CAR SHUT OFF WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT. IT JUST DIES RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I GET TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND START IT AGAIN,HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS CRANKING. CHECKED FOR DIAGNOSIS CODES BUT DID NOT GET ANY FAULTY CODES. I TRY TO SPEAK WITH NISSAN ABOUT IT, ITS ALWAYS THE SAME THING...ECM REL…

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ENGINE STALLS AT SOME TIMES, CAR SHUT OFF WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT. IT JUST DIES RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I GET TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND START IT AGAIN,HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS CRANKING. CHECKED FOR DIAGNOSIS CODES BUT DID NOT GET ANY FAULTY CODES. I TRY TO SPEAK WITH NISSAN ABOUT IT, ITS ALWAYS THE SAME THING...ECM RELAY CAMPAIGN HAD BEEN REPROGRAMMED AND THAT'S ALL WE CAN DO ALSO ENGINE WAS BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL AND FELT HARD DRIVE ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10614759

120,000 miles · Apr 10, 2014
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

I HAD A RECALL ON MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L & I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN 2010 BECAUSE THE CAR ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WHEN DRIVEN. IT OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES & SEVERAL TIMES IT OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY GOING AT 60 MILES PER HOURS. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER & THE CHANGED THE PART BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. AFTER BATTLING FOR MONTH TO GET…

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I HAD A RECALL ON MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L & I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER IN 2010 BECAUSE THE CAR ENGINE WILL SHUT OFF WHEN DRIVEN. IT OCCURRED MULTIPLE TIMES & SEVERAL TIMES IT OCCURRED ON A HIGHWAY GOING AT 60 MILES PER HOURS. I TOOK IT IN TO THE DEALER & THE CHANGED THE PART BECAUSE OF THE RECALL. AFTER BATTLING FOR MONTH TO GET MY MONEY BACK FORM THE DEALER THE PROBLEM IS OCCURRING AGAIN. IN 2012. I TRIED TO TRADE IT IN BUT THEY UNDER VALUED MY CAR BECAUSE OF THE RECALL HISTORY AT $2,500. I NEED HELP & NISSAN IS REFUSING TO PAY FULL TRADE VALUE ON A RECALL. ALL I WANT IS THE PROBLEM FIX PERMANENTLY INSTEAD OF HAVING THIS ONGOING PROBLEMS. NISSAN IS NOT TAKING MY CONCERN SERIOUSLY & I AM GETTING ROB ON A PROBLEM THAT IS NOT MY FAULT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10579049

77,000 miles · Mar 6, 2012
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine And Engine CoolingVehicle Speed Control

CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR SIGNAL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10450522

48,200 miles · Sep 8, 2010
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

APP SENSOR FAILURE. MY CAR IS 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5SL WITH 48K MILES. I JUST GOT THE ENGINE OIL AND SERPENTINE CHANGED THURSDAY MORNING. THEN FRIDAY AFTERNOON I WAS ON FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY THE GAS PEDAL (ACCELERATION PEDAL) WAS LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE PRESSED DOWN. THE CAR COULD NOT KEEP UP THE SPEED. THE LIGHT "ENGINE SERVICE …

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APP SENSOR FAILURE. MY CAR IS 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5SL WITH 48K MILES. I JUST GOT THE ENGINE OIL AND SERPENTINE CHANGED THURSDAY MORNING. THEN FRIDAY AFTERNOON I WAS ON FREEWAY AND SUDDENLY THE GAS PEDAL (ACCELERATION PEDAL) WAS LOCKED AND COULD NOT BE PRESSED DOWN. THE CAR COULD NOT KEEP UP THE SPEED. THE LIGHT "ENGINE SERVICE SOON' WAS ALSO ON. FORTUNATELY I WAS CLOSE TO THE EXIT AND LEFT FREEWAY WITH EMERGENCY LIGHT. THEN I WENT TO AUTOZONE FOR ERROR CODE READING. THE ERROR CODE IS APP SENSOR. THIS IS DANGEROUS ON FREEWAY SINCE YOU CANNOT KEEP UP THE SPEED AND COULD BE HIT BE THE REAR VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10354393

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

40,500 miles · Jun 15, 2009
Electronic Stability Control (esc)

2006 2.5 L ALTIMA STALLING. DIAGNOSIS IS CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND ECM REPROGRAMMED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, MY VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST OF RECALLS. DIAGNOSIS WAS PERFORMED BY TISCHER NISSAN IN LAUREL MD. I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED BY STANDARD VEHICLE WARRANTY, D…

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2006 2.5 L ALTIMA STALLING. DIAGNOSIS IS CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR ISSUE AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND ECM REPROGRAMMED. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. HOWEVER, MY VIN IS NOT ON THE LIST OF RECALLS. DIAGNOSIS WAS PERFORMED BY TISCHER NISSAN IN LAUREL MD. I AM TOLD THAT THIS IS NOT COVERED BY STANDARD VEHICLE WARRANTY, DRIVETRAIN WARRANTY, OR BY RECALL. SINCE THIS IS EXACTLY THE SAME ISSUE THAT OTHER 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA'S ARE EXPERIENCING. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT IF I HAD BEEN IN TRAFFIC WHEN MY VEHICLE STALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10273810

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