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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
50,000 miles · Dec 18, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAF…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) THAT COULD HAVE BEEN RELATED TO THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ODI #10556528

100,360 miles · Dec 16, 2013
Structure

2006 NISSAN ALTIMA - CAR HAS BEEN KEPT IN VERY GOOD CONDITION - EXTERIOR IS IN FLAWLESS CONDITION WITH NO RUST VISIBLE. DO NOT BE FOOLED - THE FLOOR BOARDS UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE ARE EXTREMELY RUSTED OUT. TOOK IN CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE TO REPLACE WATER PUMP AND WAS INFORMED ABOUT ROTTED OUT FLOO…

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2006 NISSAN ALTIMA - CAR HAS BEEN KEPT IN VERY GOOD CONDITION - EXTERIOR IS IN FLAWLESS CONDITION WITH NO RUST VISIBLE. DO NOT BE FOOLED - THE FLOOR BOARDS UNDER THE DRIVERS SIDE AND PASSENGERS SIDE ARE EXTREMELY RUSTED OUT. TOOK IN CAR TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR SERVICE TO REPLACE WATER PUMP AND WAS INFORMED ABOUT ROTTED OUT FLOOR BOARDS. DESPITE MULTIPLE SERVICES AT SAME LOCATION THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THIS WAS MENTIONED TO ME. CONVENIENTLY AFTER MY 7 YEAR / 100,000 WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED. SOMETHING DOES NOT SEEM RIGHT - THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR IS IN EXCEPTIONAL SHAPE YET THE UNDERBODY IS COMPLETELY CORRODED? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10556282

37,000 miles · Dec 16, 2013
Air BagsElectrical System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND FLASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V521000(AIR BAGS, ELE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND FLASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V521000(AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10556276

89,300 miles · Dec 12, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND EVERY LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICL…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED AND EVERY LIGHT ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THEY STATED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND THE ECM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) , BUT THE CONTACT COULD NOT HAVE THE VEHICLE REPAIRED UNDER THE RECALL UNTIL THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WAS REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,300.

NHTSA ODI #10555818

101,000 miles · Dec 9, 2013
Structure

DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT FLOOR BOARDS ARE ROTTED. CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS HAD ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE COMPLETED SINCE PURCHASED NEW. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA CONSUMER AFFAIRS REFUSED TO REPAIR STATING THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. FAILURE IS DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT, IMPROPER RUST PROTECTION OF SHEET METAL, AND …

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DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT FLOOR BOARDS ARE ROTTED. CAR IS IN EXCELLENT CONDITION AND HAS HAD ALL REQUIRED MAINTENANCE COMPLETED SINCE PURCHASED NEW. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA CONSUMER AFFAIRS REFUSED TO REPAIR STATING THE CAR IS OUT OF WARRANTY. FAILURE IS DUE TO MANUFACTURING DEFECT, IMPROPER RUST PROTECTION OF SHEET METAL, AND WATER DRAINAGE ISSUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555351

101,000 miles · Dec 5, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I OWN A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SER. I HAVE HAD THE MOTOR REPLACED AND THE ENTIRE CLUTCH KIT AND SLAVE CYLINDER REPLACED. AFTER HAVING THE CLUTCH PARTS REPLACED THE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR A SMALL HANDFUL OF TIMES. NOW, IT IS NEARLY A DAILY OCCURRENCE AND IT IS CONSISTENTLY LASTING LONGER AND LONGER EACH TIME. IT STILL ALLOWS FOR SP…

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I OWN A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SER. I HAVE HAD THE MOTOR REPLACED AND THE ENTIRE CLUTCH KIT AND SLAVE CYLINDER REPLACED. AFTER HAVING THE CLUTCH PARTS REPLACED THE PEDAL STUCK TO THE FLOOR A SMALL HANDFUL OF TIMES. NOW, IT IS NEARLY A DAILY OCCURRENCE AND IT IS CONSISTENTLY LASTING LONGER AND LONGER EACH TIME. IT STILL ALLOWS FOR SPORADIC SHIFTING IN NON SPECIFIC GEARS WHILE THE PEDAL IS ON THE FLOOR. I CAN PICK UP THE PEDAL WITH MY FOOT AND PUT IT BACK IN PLACE BUT WHEN IT APPLY ANY PRESSURE IT FALLS BACK TO THE FLOOR AND STAYS THERE UNTIL I PICK IT BACK UP WITH MY FOOT. THIS ISSUE HAS NEARLY CAUSED TO BE IN SEVERAL ACCIDENTS, ALL OF WHICH I NARROWLY AVOIDED BY QUICKLY MANEUVERING MY VEHICLE OFF THE ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10555003

141,000 miles · Dec 2, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V223000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE CONSUMED AN EXCESSIVE AMOUNT OF OIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V223000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED OR DIAGNOSED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 141,000.

NHTSA ODI #10554436

142,599 miles · Nov 27, 2013
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion System

I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MAY 2009. UP UNTIL JUNE 2013, NO PROBLEMS OTHER THAN REGULAR MAINTENANCE. CAR OVERHEATS AND HAS BEEN SINCE JUNE 2013 ON AND OFF. HAVE HAD BATTERY REPLACED 2 TIMES, TUNE UP, CRANK SHAFT SENSOR REPLACED, BROKEN SEAL REPLACED (THAT KEEPS OIL/COOLANT) IN CAR. HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH CAR NOT STARTING, ENGINE TUR…

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I BOUGHT THE CAR IN MAY 2009. UP UNTIL JUNE 2013, NO PROBLEMS OTHER THAN REGULAR MAINTENANCE. CAR OVERHEATS AND HAS BEEN SINCE JUNE 2013 ON AND OFF. HAVE HAD BATTERY REPLACED 2 TIMES, TUNE UP, CRANK SHAFT SENSOR REPLACED, BROKEN SEAL REPLACED (THAT KEEPS OIL/COOLANT) IN CAR. HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH CAR NOT STARTING, ENGINE TURNS OVER BUT WON'T START. I HAVE TO KEEP PUTTING ANTI-FREEZE IN CAR BEFORE I DRIVE IT EVERY FEW DAYS IF I DON'T THE HEATER BLOWS OUT HOT AIR, THEN COLD WHICH IS WHEN OVERHEATING OCCURS. WHITE SMOKE COMING OUT OF EXHAUST PIPE. BEEN TO LOCAL MECHANIC 3 TIMES, AND THEY KEEP CHARGING TO FIX IT ($500 SO FAR). THEY DID TUNE UP, REPLACE BATTERY AND FIXE THE BROKEN SEAL. I'M A NERVOUS WRECK DRIVING IT BECAUSE I'M AFRAID I'LL GET STUCK SOMEWHERE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553952

Mileage unknown · Nov 25, 2013
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE REPAIR PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HAVING FOUND RUST ON THE BRAKES, WITH ONLY 20,559 MILES, ON THE VEHICLE WAS EXCESSIVE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH OTHER BRAKE REPAIRS DUE TO THE RUST DESTROYING THE…

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2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE BRAKE REPAIR PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER BELIEVED HAVING FOUND RUST ON THE BRAKES, WITH ONLY 20,559 MILES, ON THE VEHICLE WAS EXCESSIVE. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE BRAKE PADS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH OTHER BRAKE REPAIRS DUE TO THE RUST DESTROYING THE ROTORS. THE CONSUMER WAS INFORMED WATER ENTERED THE VEHICLE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE UNDER THE CABIN.

NHTSA ODI #10553421

170,000 miles · Nov 22, 2013
Engine

THIS PAST JANUARY, WE WENT OUT TO OUR VEHICLE IN THE MORNING & IT WOULD NOT START. HAD IT DIAGNOSED, CAME BACK AS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. WE HAD IT REPLACED. NOW IN NOVEMBER WE ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH IT AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING A STEADY SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY IT WILL WHAT FEELS LIKE JUMP/SLAM INTO GEAR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON,…

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THIS PAST JANUARY, WE WENT OUT TO OUR VEHICLE IN THE MORNING & IT WOULD NOT START. HAD IT DIAGNOSED, CAME BACK AS THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. WE HAD IT REPLACED. NOW IN NOVEMBER WE ARE HAVING ISSUES WITH IT AGAIN. WHILE DRIVING A STEADY SPEED ON THE HIGHWAY IT WILL WHAT FEELS LIKE JUMP/SLAM INTO GEAR. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS COME ON, HAD IT DIAGNOSED COMES BACK AS CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. DID RESEARCH ONLINE, COME TO FIND OUT THERE IS A RECALL ISSUED FOR 2002, 2005-2006 NISSAN ALTIMA CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. CONTACTED NISSAN AND WERE TOLD BY ASSOCIATE THAT OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT EFFECTED BY THAT RECALL CAMPAIGN. I ASKED HER "IS IT NORMAL TO HAVE TO REPLACE THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR TWICE WITHIN LESS THAN A YEAR ", SHE DID NOT HAVE AN ANSWER AND ASKED "WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FROM NISSAN". MY RESPONSE WAS THAT," I JUST FEEL LIKE THIS PART SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE REPLACED TWICE IN LESS THAN A YEAR, AND AFTER DOING RESEARCH I FIND OUT THERE IS A RECALL, BUT NOT ON MY CAR, APPARENTLY JUST A FLUKE I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE", AND SHE SAID "MY ONLY SUGGESTION IS TAKE IT TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR PROPER DIAGNOSE & REPAIR IN WHICH YOU WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR." I SAID "WELL OBVIOUSLY, THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP." *TR

NHTSA ODI #10553352

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