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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
78,000 miles · Feb 28, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE ENGINE SPEED SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE PARKED, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR AND THE ENGINE SPEED SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 06V223000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.

NHTSA ODI #10500830

96,081 miles · Feb 19, 2013
Structure

FLOORBOARD RUST ON PASSENGER/DRIVER FLOOR. RUST DUE TO IMPROPER UNDERCOATING AND FAULTY DRAINAGE FROM DRAIN HOLES. RUST UNDER CAR ONLY THESE AREAS. REST OF UNDER CARRIAGE IS SPOTLESS. DEBRIS ON ROAD COULD COME THROUGH FLOOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10499266

125,000 miles · Feb 14, 2013
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS STARTED, A LOUD RATTLING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING THE INITIAL START UP AND WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE PISTON RING NEEDED …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN THE IGNITION WAS STARTED, A LOUD RATTLING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE AREA. THE FAILURE OCCURRED DURING THE INITIAL START UP AND WHEN DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE ENGINE PISTON RING NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V223000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 4/1/13 *CN UPDATED 04/03/13

NHTSA ODI #10498127

103,000 miles · Jan 29, 2013
Structure

DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD ROTTED AWAY DUE TO RUST. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS DISCUSSED ON VARIOUS WEBSITES THAT CONTAIN SIMILAR PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED WITH THE 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. NISSAN HAS NOT RECALLED THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10495150

61,800 miles · Jan 22, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE GAVE A HARD JERK WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH. THE CONTACT PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE GAVE A HARD JERK WHILE DRIVING 60-65 MPH. THE CONTACT PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC ON THE VEHICLE AND LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,800 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62000.

NHTSA ODI #10493800

61,748 miles · Jan 15, 2013
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THAT A QUART OF OIL WAS BEING CONSUMED EVERY 1,000 MILES. THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE ENGINE DIP-STICK WAS COMPLETELY DRY AND ENGINE OIL WAS DI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE EXHIBITED EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC, WHO ADVISED THAT A QUART OF OIL WAS BEING CONSUMED EVERY 1,000 MILES. THE TECHNICIAN DETECTED THAT THE ENGINE DIP-STICK WAS COMPLETELY DRY AND ENGINE OIL WAS DISPENSED AT THE APPROPRIATE LEVEL. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,748.

NHTSA ODI #10493009

53,000 miles · Jan 6, 2013
Engine

MORNING 6 AM WHILE DRIVING TO AIRPORT ALL OF SUDDEN SOME THING CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. IMAGINE THAT HAPPENING AT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY! THAT FREAKED ME OUT! , AFTER DIAGNOSED THEY SAID THE PROBLEM ACTUALLY LIES IN A FAULTY SENSOR. I'M SURPRISED MORE PEOPLE HAVEN'T FILED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AS IT S…

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MORNING 6 AM WHILE DRIVING TO AIRPORT ALL OF SUDDEN SOME THING CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. IMAGINE THAT HAPPENING AT 65MPH ON THE HIGHWAY! THAT FREAKED ME OUT! , AFTER DIAGNOSED THEY SAID THE PROBLEM ACTUALLY LIES IN A FAULTY SENSOR. I'M SURPRISED MORE PEOPLE HAVEN'T FILED COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS AS IT SEEMS MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND IT IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN AS IT CAN CAUSE THE CAR TO STALL RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10491590

98,000 miles · Dec 11, 2012
Structure

MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING RUST UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR NISSAN ALTIMAS, HOWEVER NISSAN REFUSES TO COVER THE CAR SINCE IT IS OUTSIDE THE 5-YEAR WARRANTY. MY CAR EVEN HAS THE UNDERCOAT PROTECTION, BUT HAS A HOLE IN THE FLOOR BOARD ROUGHLY THE SIZE OF A SOFTB…

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MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING RUST UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR NISSAN ALTIMAS, HOWEVER NISSAN REFUSES TO COVER THE CAR SINCE IT IS OUTSIDE THE 5-YEAR WARRANTY. MY CAR EVEN HAS THE UNDERCOAT PROTECTION, BUT HAS A HOLE IN THE FLOOR BOARD ROUGHLY THE SIZE OF A SOFTBALL. THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR ON A CAR THAT IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. MANY, MANY NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS ARE FINDING RUST HOLES UNDER THEIR FLOOR BOARDS. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10488000

Mileage unknown · Nov 27, 2012
Structure

THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD HAS RUSTED THROUGH, WHICH IS VERY UNUSUAL FOR A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE. ACCORDING TO VARIOUS DATA ONLINE, THE METAL WAS NOT PROPERLY TREATED TO PREVENT RUST BEFORE INSTALLATION. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT NISSAN REPAIR THE RUST AT NO CHARGE TO US. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10486215

80,000 miles · Nov 13, 2012
Structure

TOOK FOR INSPECTION. SERVICE DEALER SAID DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD RUSTED INTO INTERIOR. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP FOLLOWING ALL SAFETY MAINTENANCE CHECKUPS, EVEN LAST MONTH. NO ONE MENTIONED ANY FORM OF RUST AT THE TIME. DEALER SAID THERE HAVE BEEN QUITE A FEW SIMILAR PROBLEMS FROM 2002-2006, BUT THEY D…

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TOOK FOR INSPECTION. SERVICE DEALER SAID DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD RUSTED INTO INTERIOR. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP FOLLOWING ALL SAFETY MAINTENANCE CHECKUPS, EVEN LAST MONTH. NO ONE MENTIONED ANY FORM OF RUST AT THE TIME. DEALER SAID THERE HAVE BEEN QUITE A FEW SIMILAR PROBLEMS FROM 2002-2006, BUT THEY DID NOT THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT TO CHECK THIS OUT ON LAST SAFETY MAINTENANCE VISIT. I'M UPSET NISSAN IS NOT COVERING THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT AND ONLY AFTER 5 YEARS PLUS CAR HAD UNDERCOATING APPLIED FROM FACTORY. NEXT CAR ??????? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10484527

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