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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.

About this comparison →

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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108,000 miles · Sep 4, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE LONGER TO START THAN USUAL. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPEED SHAFT SENSOR, CAMSHAFT SENSOR, AND THE CR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE VEHICLE JERKED AND STALLED INTERMITTENTLY. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD TAKE LONGER TO START THAN USUAL. THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE SPEED SHAFT SENSOR, CAMSHAFT SENSOR, AND THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WERE MALFUNCTIONING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VIN WAS EXCLUDED FROM NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ODI #10761616

140,000 miles · Aug 31, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC ADDED OIL TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE OIL HAD TO BE REFILLED EVERY TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE AND THE MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE MECHANIC ADDED OIL TO THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE OIL HAD TO BE REFILLED EVERY TWO WEEKS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE ENGINE AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 140,000.

NHTSA ODI #10760383

91,131 miles · Aug 3, 2015
Engine

EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION ON MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5L 2006. FROM WHAT I'VE READ THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE 2.5L ENGINE WHICH COULD RESULT IN ENGINE FIRE.

NHTSA ODI #10745971

Mileage unknown · Jul 28, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS TURNED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN THIRTEEN MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 07V5…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE KEY WAS TURNED OVER SEVERAL TIMES AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN THIRTEEN MONTHS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND 06V223000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED NO REMEDY. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10744369

30,000 miles · Jul 28, 2015
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE PAS 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY SEVEN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE PAS 30 MPH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE HEAD GASKET FAILED AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. APPROXIMATELY SEVEN MONTHS LATER, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE SERVICED. THE MECHANIC OBSERVED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10744127

154,000 miles · Jul 21, 2015
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER THE TENTH ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. THE VIN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO START AFTER THE TENTH ATTEMPT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 154,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10735462

111,590 miles · Jun 29, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ~25 MPH I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND MY CAR SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT OFF IN TRAFFIC! I WAS ABLE TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE CAR. A FEW DAYS LATER, IT TOOK 3 ATTEMPTS BEFORE MY ENGINE STARTED. AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC, THE CAR DISPLAYED CODES P0335 (CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR) AND P0725 (ENGINE SPEED …

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WHILE DRIVING ~25 MPH I WAS SLOWING DOWN TO A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT AND MY CAR SPONTANEOUSLY SHUT OFF IN TRAFFIC! I WAS ABLE TO PUT MY CAR IN PARK AND RESTART THE CAR. A FEW DAYS LATER, IT TOOK 3 ATTEMPTS BEFORE MY ENGINE STARTED. AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC, THE CAR DISPLAYED CODES P0335 (CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR) AND P0725 (ENGINE SPEED CIRCUIT SIGNAL SENSOR). AFTER DOING MUCH RESEARCH I FOUND HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE WITH SIMILAR ISSUES! I INPUT MY VIN# TO SEE IF MY VEHICLE WAS UNDER RECALL AND IT WASN'T. AFTER SEEING HUNDREDS OF THE SAME COMPLAINTS, WHY HASN'T THEIR BEEN A RECALL? IF THERE WAS, HOW IS IT POSSIBLE THAT MY CAR WASN'T RECALLED?

NHTSA ODI #10730920

159,000 miles · Jun 23, 2015
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

WHILE PULLING TO A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED OFF & ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR. IT WOULDN'T IMMEDIATELY START. THIS HAPPENS SPONTANEOUSLY IN DRIVE-THRUS, STOPLIGHTS AND WHEN COMING TO COMPLETE OR NEAR COMPLETE STOPS IN TRAFFIC AS WELL. MOST RECENTLY I WAS EXITING THE I…

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WHILE PULLING TO A STOP LIGHT, THE CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK, TURNED OFF & ATTEMPTED TO RESTART THE CAR. IT WOULDN'T IMMEDIATELY START. THIS HAPPENS SPONTANEOUSLY IN DRIVE-THRUS, STOPLIGHTS AND WHEN COMING TO COMPLETE OR NEAR COMPLETE STOPS IN TRAFFIC AS WELL. MOST RECENTLY I WAS EXITING THE INTERSTATE EXIT AND THE CAR STOPPED AS A SLOWED TO TURN LEFT OFF THE EXIT, ALMOST RESULTING IN A CAR REAR ENDING MY VEHICLE AT 50 MILES PER HOU. THE SES (SERVICE ENGINE SOON) LIGHT IS DISPLAYED AND EVEN AFTER HAVING AN OIL CHANGE AND TUNE UP THE LIGHT IS STILL ILLUMINATED, CONFIRMING IT'S AN ONGOING ISSUE OUTSIDE OF STANDARD MAINTENANCE. I'VE BEEN PROVIDED A REFERENCE NUMBER AND DROPPED THE CAR AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP TODAY TO DIAGNOSE. IM FEARFUL OF MY SAFETY OPERATING THE VEHICLE AT THIS POINT.

NHTSA ODI #10726971

Mileage unknown · Jun 17, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

MY CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF PERIODICALLY WHILE BEING DRIVE AT LOW SPEEDS AND HIGHER OIL CONSUMPTION. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED ON JUNE 6, 2015 WHILE DRIVING ACROSS WOODYARD ROAD TO PINE VIEW LANE FROM THE CLINTON SHOPPING CENTER. THE SECOND TIME WAS ON FRIDAY JUNE 12, 2015 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE BRANCH AVE METRO PARKING, WITH …

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MY CAR ENGINE SHUT OFF PERIODICALLY WHILE BEING DRIVE AT LOW SPEEDS AND HIGHER OIL CONSUMPTION. THE FIRST TIME OCCURRED ON JUNE 6, 2015 WHILE DRIVING ACROSS WOODYARD ROAD TO PINE VIEW LANE FROM THE CLINTON SHOPPING CENTER. THE SECOND TIME WAS ON FRIDAY JUNE 12, 2015 WHILE DRIVING HOME FROM THE BRANCH AVE METRO PARKING, WITH MY BROTHER ON THE WAY HOME, WHILE TURNING OFF FROM HIGHWAY 5 ON TO SURRATTS ROAD, LEAVING MY BROTHER AND I DANGEROUSLY STUCK THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE OFF CURVE WITH CARS GOING BY BLOWING THEIR HORNS. THE ALTIMA DOES START BACK UP, BUT ONLY AFTER A MINUTE OR TWO. NO APPARENT REASON WHY, NO WARNING LIGHTS. THE CAR HAS BEEN CONSUMING MORE OIL THAN USUAL AND AFTER THE FIRST INCIDENT, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND DOES NOT SHUT OFF. A SEARCH FOR RECALLS REVEALED IN FACT THAT THERE WAS A RECALL ISSUED, 06V-223 ON THE 2006 ALTIMA, BUT WAS NOT NOTIFIED OR THE RECALL ADDRESSED.

NHTSA ODI #10725771

100,100 miles · Jun 13, 2015
EngineUnknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 ALTIMA ON 6/8/15 FOR A FEW MINUTES AFTER STARTING IT WHEN IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR MORE THAN 12 HOURS, THE CAR STALLED. IT RESTARTED AND I CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THIS OCCURRED AGAIN EXACTLY THE SAME. THEN THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR STALLED AGAIN AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING ONLY A FEW HOURS AND …

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WHILE DRIVING MY 2006 ALTIMA ON 6/8/15 FOR A FEW MINUTES AFTER STARTING IT WHEN IT HAD BEEN PARKED FOR MORE THAN 12 HOURS, THE CAR STALLED. IT RESTARTED AND I CONTINUED TO DRIVE. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THIS OCCURRED AGAIN EXACTLY THE SAME. THEN THE NEXT DAY, THE CAR STALLED AGAIN AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING ONLY A FEW HOURS AND "THREW A CODE" , I.E. THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. TODAY, 6/13/15, IT OCCURRED AGAIN WHEN DRIVING A FEW MINUTES AFTER THE CAR HAD BEEN SITTING FOR MORE THAN 8 HOURS. THIS TIME THE CAR ALMOST WOULDN'T RESTART. I LOOKED UP THIS ISSUE AND FOUND A RECALL ON THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. I TOOK THE CAR TO COURTESY NISSAN WHO TOLD ME THAT MY CAR DID NOT FALL UNDER THE RECALL. AFTER THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM VIA THE CODE, IT WAS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR.

NHTSA ODI #10725083

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