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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

Engine complaints

166 reports
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87,000 miles · Aug 11, 2013
Engine

THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE WENT IN FOR A OIL CHANGE THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT DATE LISTED ABOVE. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE OIL CHANGE THE OIL INDICATOR BEGAN TO FLASH, CALLING THE MECHANIC INSTRUCTED FOR THE CAR TO BE BROUGHT IN FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT A EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL WAS CONSUMED, THE MECHANIC FURTHE…

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THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE WENT IN FOR A OIL CHANGE THREE WEEKS PRIOR TO THE INCIDENT DATE LISTED ABOVE. TWO WEEKS AFTER THE OIL CHANGE THE OIL INDICATOR BEGAN TO FLASH, CALLING THE MECHANIC INSTRUCTED FOR THE CAR TO BE BROUGHT IN FOR INSPECTION. THE MECHANIC NOTICED THAT A EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL WAS CONSUMED, THE MECHANIC FURTHER NOTICE THAT THERE WAS NO LEAK UNDER OR AROUND THE VEHICLE TO LOSE OIL, COMING TO THE CONCLUSION THAT THE ENGINE HAD CONSUMED ALL OF THE OIL. HE PROCEEDED TO PUT MORE OIL IN THE CAR. A WEEK LATER I NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE BEGAN TO KNOCK, THAT THE ENGINE HAD BEEN DAMAGED. I PROCEEDED TO LOOK TO SEE IF THERE WAS ANY RECALLS ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. I FOUND ON THE WEBSITE WWW.SAFER CAR.GOV HAD LISTED THE EXACT THING THAT HAPPEN TO THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE. THE RECALL: CERTAIN VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER PERFORMANCE OF THE PISTON RINGS. 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 THIS IS THE VERY THIN THAT HAPPEN TO THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE AND NOW THE ENGINE HAS CEASED. I CONTACTED NISSAN MAIN CUSTOMER SERVICE AND WAS TOLD THE ONLY OPEN RECALL ON THE VEHICLE LISTED ABOVE HAVE A REPROGRAM ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM).I'M LOOKING FOR HELP BECAUSE I FEEL THAT THE CAR LISTED ABOVE SHOULD BE REPAIRED BY NISSAN FOR DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10534770

Mileage unknown · Jul 27, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

HANDLING OF THE NISSAN ALTIMA CRANK SHAFT SENSOR RECALL IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. NO NOTICE OF THE RECALL WAS EVER SENT, WHICH MEANT WE FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY: WHEN THE CAR STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY, WITHOUT WARNING (EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL THAT WASN'T SENT) I ONLY FOUND THE RECALL AFTER A LOC…

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HANDLING OF THE NISSAN ALTIMA CRANK SHAFT SENSOR RECALL IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. NO NOTICE OF THE RECALL WAS EVER SENT, WHICH MEANT WE FOUND OUT THE HARD WAY: WHEN THE CAR STALLED OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF A MAJOR HIGHWAY, WITHOUT WARNING (EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL THAT WASN'T SENT) I ONLY FOUND THE RECALL AFTER A LOCAL NON-NISSAN MECHANIC TOLD ME ABOUT IT, AND THEN WHEN I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER, THEY DIDN'T UNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF THE RECALL. PLEASE HELP! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10532140

91,000 miles · Jul 24, 2013
Engine

PROBLEM BEGAN WITH ENGINE JERKING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CODES INDICATED CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AND CAM SHAFT SENSORS. REPLACED BOTH. WITHIN 6 MONTHS PROBLEM STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN WITH THE SAME CODES AND THIS TIME THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T START. ALSO ST…

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PROBLEM BEGAN WITH ENGINE JERKING AT HIGH SPEEDS. THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. CODES INDICATED CRANK SHAFT SENSOR AND CAM SHAFT SENSORS. REPLACED BOTH. WITHIN 6 MONTHS PROBLEM STARTED ALL OVER AGAIN WITH THE SAME CODES AND THIS TIME THE CAR STARTED LOSING POWER WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND SOMETIMES DOESN'T START. ALSO STILL HAVING THE ENGINE JERKING AT HIGH SPEEDS. VEHICLE JUST DOESN'T SEEM TO HAVE MUCH POWER AT ALL. EVEN THOUGH THERE HAS BEEN A RECALL FOR THESE VERY THINGS, APPARENTLY OUR VIN # INDICATES OUR CAR IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH IT WAS MANUFACTURED DURING THE DATES SPECIFIED ON THE RECALL LETTER. OUR 16 YEAR OLD SON DRIVES THIS VEHICLE AND I AM NOW VERY SCARED TO LET HIM DRIVE IT. WE ARE HAVING TO PAY FOR THESE REPAIRS OUT OF POCKET. NISSAN BETTER BE VERY THANKFUL THAT NOTHING TRAGIC HAS OCCURRED DUE TO THIS. IF IT HAD, A MAJOR LAWSUIT WOULD BE IN ORDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10531715

104,000 miles · Jul 22, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED, JERKED AND STALLED SPORADICALLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE SPEED SENSOR AND THE CRANK SHAFT PO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE HESITATED, JERKED AND STALLED SPORADICALLY WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED, WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE SPEED SENSOR AND THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 07V52700 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 107,000.

NHTSA ODI #10526117

63,000 miles · Jun 3, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS CONSUMING PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V223000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE OIL WAS CONSUMING PREMATURELY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC PERFORMED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V223000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 63,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #10514777

58,000 miles · May 20, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WOULD NEE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. AFTER APPROXIMATELY ONE MINUTE THE VEHICLE WAS RESTARTED AND OPERATED AS DESIGNED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS AND THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #10512830

58,000 miles · May 14, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine

I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 25 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE CUTOFF WITH NO WARNING. WAS ABLE TO COAST THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RESTART, AND DROVE TO DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS ERROR CODE P0335 CAMSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILURES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $570 (PLUS THE $110 DIAGNOSIS FEE).…

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I WAS DRIVING AT APPROX 25 MPH WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE ENGINE CUTOFF WITH NO WARNING. WAS ABLE TO COAST THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, RESTART, AND DROVE TO DEALERSHIP IMMEDIATELY. DEALERSHIP DIAGNOSIS ERROR CODE P0335 CAMSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT SENSOR FAILURES AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED FOR $570 (PLUS THE $110 DIAGNOSIS FEE). A RECALL EXISTS FOR SAME MAKE AND MODEL, BUT CAR VIN IS EXCLUDED. THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON AND WIDESPREAD AFTER DOING SOME ONLINE RESEARCH. THE DEALERSHIP'S PARTS MANAGER ALSO STATED THIS WAS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I FIND IT VERY DISTURBING THAT NISSAN WOULD KNOWINGLY RISK PASSENGER SAFETY BY NOT RECALLING AND COVERING THE COST OF REPAIR FOR A WELL MAINTAINED CAR THAT IS HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AS OTHERS IN THE SAME MAKE AND MODEL YEAR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511835

81,000 miles · May 12, 2013
EngineVehicle Speed Control

I WAS DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY IN TEXAS GOING 70 MILES AN HOUR ON CRUISE CONTROL THEN TWO UNEXPECTED JERKS IN THE ENGINE HAPPENED AND LOSS OF SPEED AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10511540

147,000 miles · May 1, 2013
Engine

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT 2 DAYS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. WENT TO A FRIENDS HOUSE, WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR A SPEED BUMP CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. AFTER LEAVING HOUSE CAR ACCELERATION WAS VERY HESITATE, TOOK IT TO ADVANCED AUTO TO GET THE CODES READ ON THE CAR AND IT CAME BACK P0345 CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MALFUNCTION AND P0430 C…

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT 2 DAYS PRIOR TO INCIDENT. WENT TO A FRIENDS HOUSE, WHILE SLOWING DOWN FOR A SPEED BUMP CAR COMPLETELY SHUT OFF. AFTER LEAVING HOUSE CAR ACCELERATION WAS VERY HESITATE, TOOK IT TO ADVANCED AUTO TO GET THE CODES READ ON THE CAR AND IT CAME BACK P0345 CAMSHAFT POSITION SENSOR MALFUNCTION AND P0430 CATALYTIC CONVERTER FAILURE AND CYLINDER 3 MISFIRE. SO I CALLED NISSAN BECAUSE I WENT ONLINE READING ABOUT RECALLS ON THE 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA ENGINES BUT THEY TOLD ME THAT MINES WAS NOT ONE OF THEM. CHANGED BOTH CAMSHAFT SENSORS AND CYLINDER 3 COIL. AND CAR STILL ACTING LIKE IT DOESN'T WANT TO START AND STALL. TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC AND THE WAY IT LOOKS I MIGHT HAVE A HEAD GASKET BLOWN. CRAZY BECAUSE RESEARCHING ON THE INTERNET, I SEE A LOT OF ALTIMA OWNERS ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10510255

137,700 miles · Mar 1, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION FAILED AND NEE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING WHEN AT A COMPLETE STOP OR WHEN DRIVING AT VERY LOW SPEEDS. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000: (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED AND OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 137,700.

NHTSA ODI #10500972

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