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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

What owners actually said

824 reports
Mileage unknown · Nov 8, 2016
StructureWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE WHEELS WAS POINTED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED, CORRODED, AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTS…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ONE OF THE WHEELS WAS POINTED INWARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED, CORRODED, AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V046000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10925039

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2016
Structure

THE FLOOR BOARDS UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS ARE PREMATURELY ROTTING. EACH SIDE HAS A HUGE HOLE APPROXIMATELY 5 INCHES ACROSS AND 8-12 INCHES LONG AND THE HOLES CONTINUES TO ENLARGE. THIS PARTICULAR COMPLAINT HAS BEEN MADE BY HUNDREDS OF TIMES BY OTHERS. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN SHOULD DO SOMETHING TO RE…

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THE FLOOR BOARDS UNDER THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS ARE PREMATURELY ROTTING. EACH SIDE HAS A HUGE HOLE APPROXIMATELY 5 INCHES ACROSS AND 8-12 INCHES LONG AND THE HOLES CONTINUES TO ENLARGE. THIS PARTICULAR COMPLAINT HAS BEEN MADE BY HUNDREDS OF TIMES BY OTHERS. IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND NISSAN SHOULD DO SOMETHING TO REPAIR THE VEHICLES! DATE LISTED BELOW IS WHEN I FIRST DISCOVERED IT AFTER A MECHANIC BROUGHT IT TO MY ATTENTION WHILE THE CAR WAS UP ON A LIFT.

NHTSA ODI #10924019

130,000 miles · Nov 1, 2016
Structure

DURING A RECENT OIL CHANGE, MY MECHANIC BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE FRONT SEAT FLOOR BOARDS WERE RUSTING ON BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE RUSTING AREAS LOOK ALMOST IDENTICAL. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET TO FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002-2006 NISSAN ALTIMAS. THERE APPARENTLY HAVE BEEN A FEW…

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DURING A RECENT OIL CHANGE, MY MECHANIC BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT THE FRONT SEAT FLOOR BOARDS WERE RUSTING ON BOTH THE DRIVERS AND PASSENGER SIDES. THE RUSTING AREAS LOOK ALMOST IDENTICAL. I RESEARCHED THIS ON THE INTERNET TO FIND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH 2002-2006 NISSAN ALTIMAS. THERE APPARENTLY HAVE BEEN A FEW CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS FILED AND SEVERAL TELEVISION REPORTS ON THE MATTER. I HAVE CALLED NISSAN; HOWEVER, THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT A DEFECT. I DISCUSSED WITH A NEIGHBOR RECENTLY WHO ALSO OWNS A NISSAN ALTIMA BUILT IN THAT TIMEFRAME AND FOUND OUT THAT HE TOO RECENTLY DISCOVERED THE RUSTING FLOOR BOARD ISSUE. NISSAN TOLD ME THAT I LIVED IN A SALT STATE AND DID NOT KNOW HOW I MAINTAINED MY VEHICLE; HOWEVER, GIVEN THE HUNDREDS AND PROBABLY THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS FILED, IT IS NEARLY IMPOSSIBLE FOR THIS ISSUE TO BE DUE TO OWNER NEGLIGENCE. MY HOPE WAS THAT MY 15 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER WOULD BE ABLE TO HAVE THIS CAR ONCE SHE GETS HER LICENSE, BUT NOW I'M FACED WITH SPENDING THOUSANDS TO EITHER FIX THE ISSUE (WHICH MAY NOT BE FIXABLE GIVEN THAT RUST AREAS GROW) OR TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THERE IS CURRENTLY A HOLE THROUGH MY FLOOR BOARD AND IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN TO ME, ESPECIALLY IF MY DAUGHTER IS BEHIND THE WHEEL.

NHTSA ODI #10920446

Mileage unknown · Oct 20, 2016
Structure

BOTH FLOOR PANELS RUSTED OUT. MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE. COST MORE TO FIX THAN WHAT THE CAR IS WORTH. I STILL OWE $4000 ON THE CAR AND IT'S NOW WORTH NOTHING. NISSAN DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT.

NHTSA ODI #10917693

110,000 miles · Oct 20, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE CONTACT HEARD A NOISE UNDER HIS FEET AND NOTICED THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD WAS RUSTED OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

NHTSA ODI #10917590

120,000 miles · Oct 15, 2016
Engine

THE MOTOR STARTED MAKING NOISE A WEEK OR SO AGO. THE TIMING CHAIN HAS BECOME LOOSE DUE TO FAULTY PARTS INSTALLED MY NISSAN. THE GUIDES FOR THE CHAIN BREAK WHICH CAUSES THE TENSIONERS TO FAIL AND THEN THE CHAIN GETS LOOSE AND BOUNCES AROUND THE HOUSING. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND TRIED TO HIDE IT AND SHOULD BE HELD AC…

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THE MOTOR STARTED MAKING NOISE A WEEK OR SO AGO. THE TIMING CHAIN HAS BECOME LOOSE DUE TO FAULTY PARTS INSTALLED MY NISSAN. THE GUIDES FOR THE CHAIN BREAK WHICH CAUSES THE TENSIONERS TO FAIL AND THEN THE CHAIN GETS LOOSE AND BOUNCES AROUND THE HOUSING. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THE PROBLEM AND TRIED TO HIDE IT AND SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE AND FORCED TO REPAIR THEIR FAULTY WORK.

NHTSA ODI #10916205

159,582 miles · Oct 12, 2016
Power Train

"TAKATA RECALL" AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION: WHILE DRIVING, IT SHUTTERS WHEN SHIFTING FROM 1ST TO 2ND GEAR (APROX 20 MPH). SOUNDS AND FEELS AWFUL! PARKED IT, AND HAVEN'T DRIVEN IT SINCE.

NHTSA ODI #10915559

Mileage unknown · Oct 10, 2016
EngineStructure

FRONT DRIVER SIDE FLOOR RUSTED THROUGH, MAKING A BIG HOLE APPROXIMATELY 9IN WIDE BY 22IN LONG. ALSO ENGINE SHAKES WHILE STARTING VEHICLE AND SITTING IN IDLE IN BOTH GEAR AND NEUTRAL.

NHTSA ODI #10915011

110,000 miles · Oct 6, 2016
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IS BAD CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL AT ANY TIME - EVEN AT HIGH SPEEDS. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH A NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL AS ON AN INTERSTATE CAUSING THE CAR TO BE DIFFICULT TO STEER TO GET OFF THE ROAD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME AND COMPUTER SAYS THAT ITS THE CRANKSHAFT/CAM…

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CRANKSHAFT SENSOR IS BAD CAUSING THE CAR TO STALL AT ANY TIME - EVEN AT HIGH SPEEDS. IT HAS HAPPENED WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY THROUGH A NEIGHBORHOOD AS WELL AS ON AN INTERSTATE CAUSING THE CAR TO BE DIFFICULT TO STEER TO GET OFF THE ROAD. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS! CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME AND COMPUTER SAYS THAT ITS THE CRANKSHAFT/CAMSHAFT SENSOR THAT NEEDS REPLACING.

NHTSA ODI #10914257

200,000 miles · Sep 26, 2016
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. P…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED A COMPLETE LOSS OF POWER AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. PRIOR TO TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, THE VEHICLE WAS REMEDIED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000(ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #10909682

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