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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
113,043 miles · Oct 12, 2019
StructureUnknown Or Other

I TOOK MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA TO THE SHOP TO PURCHASE TIRES AND UPON PUTTING THE VEHICLE ON A LIFT, THE MECHANIC CALLED ME BACK TO SHOW ME A GAPING HOLE ON BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE CARPET WERE LIFTED, YOU COULD SEE THROUGH TO THE ROAD ON BOTH SIDES. BOTH FLOORBOARD PANELS WERE R…

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I TOOK MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA TO THE SHOP TO PURCHASE TIRES AND UPON PUTTING THE VEHICLE ON A LIFT, THE MECHANIC CALLED ME BACK TO SHOW ME A GAPING HOLE ON BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE CARPET WERE LIFTED, YOU COULD SEE THROUGH TO THE ROAD ON BOTH SIDES. BOTH FLOORBOARD PANELS WERE RUSTED INCREDIBLY BADLY. AT ANY TIME MY DOG OR GRANDCHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. I AM UNAWARE OF HOW LONG THE HOLES HAVE BEEN THERE BUT JUDGING FROM THE SEVERITY OF THE RUST, I WOULD SAY IT HAS BEEN 5+ YEARS SINCE THEY STARTED RUSTING. IT WAS HUGE GAPING HOLES, SO MUCH SO THAT I BOUGHT A NEW CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11268095

29,500 miles · Oct 8, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO NEUTRAL, THEN PARK, AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE VEHIC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED A RECALL NOTIFICATION FOR NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED INTO NEUTRAL, THEN PARK, AND THE VEHICLE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ROYAL NISSAN (9325 AIRLINE HWY, BATON ROUGE, LA 70815, (225) 924-0400) AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE RECALL REPAIRS COULD NOT BE PERFORMED UNTIL THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND CAMSHAFT WERE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 29,500.

NHTSA ODI #11267153

73,567 miles · Oct 1, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSeats

MY DRIVERS SEAT IS STUCK RECLINED AND IT WON'T MOVE ANYMORE (PARKED).MY DRIVERS DOOR WON'T UNLOCK (PARKED). MY ENGINE CONTINUOUSLY RATTLES AND THE CAR STALLS (DRIVING NORMAL STREET OR HIGHWAY).THE FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T WORK ACCURATELY (PARKED DRIVING ON STREET HIGHWAY OR IDILING). THE BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE CONSTANTLY GETTING REPLAC…

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MY DRIVERS SEAT IS STUCK RECLINED AND IT WON'T MOVE ANYMORE (PARKED).MY DRIVERS DOOR WON'T UNLOCK (PARKED). MY ENGINE CONTINUOUSLY RATTLES AND THE CAR STALLS (DRIVING NORMAL STREET OR HIGHWAY).THE FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T WORK ACCURATELY (PARKED DRIVING ON STREET HIGHWAY OR IDILING). THE BRAKES AND ROTORS ARE CONSTANTLY GETTING REPLACED AND SQUEAKED SINCE THE DAY I GOT THE CAR ( STOPPING).

NHTSA ODI #11265331

Mileage unknown · Sep 21, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

FUEL PUMP HAS BEEN REPLACED 3 TIMES AND FUEL FILTER KEEPS CLOGGING AND FUEL SENDING UNIT WONT WORK .

NHTSA ODI #11257109

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2019
Air Bags

"TAKATA RECALL" MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 AIRBAG DASHBOARD LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY LIT UP, CLEARLY INDICATING AIRBAG ICON MALFUNCTION AS PER THE NISSAN ALTIMA CAR MANUAL, CURRENTLY AS PER NISSAN CORPORATION MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL, HOWEVER INDICATIONS POINT TO THE AIR BAG, I HAVE REACH OUT TO THEM TO CONFIRM WHETHER IF THIS…

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"TAKATA RECALL" MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 AIRBAG DASHBOARD LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY LIT UP, CLEARLY INDICATING AIRBAG ICON MALFUNCTION AS PER THE NISSAN ALTIMA CAR MANUAL, CURRENTLY AS PER NISSAN CORPORATION MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL, HOWEVER INDICATIONS POINT TO THE AIR BAG, I HAVE REACH OUT TO THEM TO CONFIRM WHETHER IF THIS SPECIFIC YEAR MODEL WAS MANUFACTURE WITH A TAKATA AIRBAG, THEY HAVE DODGE THE QUESTION. WITH THAT BEING SAID, UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, ARE THEY UNDER ANY OBLIGATION TO CONFIRM THE INFORMATION REQUESTED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

NHTSA ODI #11244094

137,000 miles · Aug 7, 2019
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKING COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE TALE PIPE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON FOR IT TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT ALSO NOTICED SMOKING COMING FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE TALE PIPE. THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO TURN THE VEHICLE OFF AND BACK ON FOR IT TO RESUME NORMAL OPERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPROGRAMMED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V223000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). AFTER THE ENGINE RECALL REPAIR WAS COMPLETED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE OIL LEVELS WERE LOW AFTER 300 MILES OF DRIVING. THERE WERE NO LEAKS PRESENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE WARE OF THE FAILURE AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 36648884. NO FURTHER ACTION WAS TAKEN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 137,000.

NHTSA ODI #11242354

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2019
EngineService BrakesUnknown Or Other

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY ENGINE TWICE, MY EMERGENCY BREAKS STOPPED WORKING AND THE I THINK IT'S CALLED THE TRANSMISSION BUT ANYWAYS MY CAR TENDS TO JERK AND HESITATES TO CRANK SOMETIMES. I HAVE HAD MY STARTER LOOKED AT AND REPLACED AND ALSO BATTERY BUT IT STILL HAPPENS. I HAVE HAD THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS LOOK INTO IT AND THE C…

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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY ENGINE TWICE, MY EMERGENCY BREAKS STOPPED WORKING AND THE I THINK IT'S CALLED THE TRANSMISSION BUT ANYWAYS MY CAR TENDS TO JERK AND HESITATES TO CRANK SOMETIMES. I HAVE HAD MY STARTER LOOKED AT AND REPLACED AND ALSO BATTERY BUT IT STILL HAPPENS. I HAVE HAD THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS LOOK INTO IT AND THE COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11234277

136,000 miles · Jun 12, 2019
EngineFuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY VIBRATED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. ALSO, THE F…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE ENGINE SUDDENLY VIBRATED, THE CHECK ENGINE INDICATOR ILLUMINATED, AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP WAS FAULTY. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED AND THE FAILURE WAS REMEDIED. ALSO, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD DISPLAY INACCURATE READINGS AND WAS INOPERABLE PAST THE HALF FUEL MARK. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE SHOOK AND VIBRATED DUE TO LOW OIL LEVELS. THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURES WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. THE MANUFACTURER AND LOCAL DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 136,000.

NHTSA ODI #11219514

Mileage unknown · Jun 2, 2019
Structure

PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD RUSTED THROUGH. DRIVER SIDE SEEMS OK (FOR NOW) MAYBE BECAUSE I ALWAYS DO UNDER-WASH EVERY TIME WASHING THE CAR. FIRST NOTICED THE RUSTING AFTER AROUND 4 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP WHEN DID A DIY OIL CHANGE BUT I JUST IGNORED IT BECAUSE I JUST THOUGHT I'M JUST ONE OF THE UNLUCKY OWNER UNTIL DID A DIY OIL CHANG…

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PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARD RUSTED THROUGH. DRIVER SIDE SEEMS OK (FOR NOW) MAYBE BECAUSE I ALWAYS DO UNDER-WASH EVERY TIME WASHING THE CAR. FIRST NOTICED THE RUSTING AFTER AROUND 4 YEARS OF OWNERSHIP WHEN DID A DIY OIL CHANGE BUT I JUST IGNORED IT BECAUSE I JUST THOUGHT I'M JUST ONE OF THE UNLUCKY OWNER UNTIL DID A DIY OIL CHANGE LAST MONTH AND MY SURPRISED THE RUST GOTTEN WORST AND WIDENED. BOUGHT THE CAR BRAND NEW IN JUNE, 2006 AND WAS GARAGE KEPT SINCE DAY ONE. IT ALSO GET WASHED REGULARLY BY ME AND AUTO CARWASH IN THE WINTER OF COURSE WITH UNDER CARRIAGE WASH. THE CAR HAS NOW 110K MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11217394

140,000 miles · May 31, 2019
Electrical SystemEngineVehicle Speed Control

WHEN I DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY POPS ON AND OFF THE CAR CONSUMES A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL EACH WEEK, I HAVE TO CHECK THE OIL AND KEEP A CASE OF OIL WITH THE FILTER IN MY TRUCK TO CONSTANTLY FILL IT UP. THE CAR DRAINS GAS LIKE CRAZY, AND IT'S SLOW AND DRIVING AND SLUGGISH. THE CAR HAS CUT OFF ON ME IN THE MIDDL…

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WHEN I DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE ENGINE LIGHT CONSTANTLY POPS ON AND OFF THE CAR CONSUMES A LARGE AMOUNT OF OIL EACH WEEK, I HAVE TO CHECK THE OIL AND KEEP A CASE OF OIL WITH THE FILTER IN MY TRUCK TO CONSTANTLY FILL IT UP. THE CAR DRAINS GAS LIKE CRAZY, AND IT'S SLOW AND DRIVING AND SLUGGISH. THE CAR HAS CUT OFF ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF DRIVING WHERE I HAD TO SPEND OVER $500 TO GET IT REPAIRED.

NHTSA ODI #11217011

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