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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
59,000 miles · Oct 26, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. A FEW DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE SPEED SENSOR AND THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND WOULD…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE PARKED, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. A FEW DAYS LATER THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIANS ADVISED THAT THE ENGINE SPEED SENSOR AND THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED WHO ADVISED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 59,000.

NHTSA ODI #10432876

74,076 miles · Oct 3, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

UNDER NHTSA ID NUMBER 07V527000. ON 07/20/11 I HAD A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COME ON. CAR WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, SO WE TOOK IT TO KEN GANLEY NISSAN FOR SERVICE. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT APPEARED ON NHTSA ID 07V52700 FOR THE 2.5 ENGINE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE DEALER STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NO ON THE RECALL LIS…

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UNDER NHTSA ID NUMBER 07V527000. ON 07/20/11 I HAD A SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COME ON. CAR WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY, SO WE TOOK IT TO KEN GANLEY NISSAN FOR SERVICE. THIS IS THE SAME PROBLEM THAT APPEARED ON NHTSA ID 07V52700 FOR THE 2.5 ENGINE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. THE DEALER STATED THIS VEHICLE WAS NO ON THE RECALL LIST. SINCE THIS IS THE SAME FAILURE THAT WAS TO BE RECALLED, WHY WAS I CHARGED $315.22 FOR REPAIRS? IT APPEARS TO ME THAT NISSAN DID NOT TAKE CARE OF ALL THE RECALLED VEHICLES, BUT PICKED AND CHOSE ONLY CERTAIN ONES TO REDUCE THEIR EXPENSES. IT DISTORTS THE PURPOSE OF A RECALL PROCESS. UPDATED 10/20/11 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10431132

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2011
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING SOUTH BOUND WHEN A CARD SLAMMED INTO MY PASSENGER SIDE DOOR. MY CAR WAS THEN PUSHED OVER THREE LANES INTO THE CORNER WALL, ELECTRIC BOX, AND 2 FOOT HIGH ROCK. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY AND I HIT MY HEAD ON THE DASH BOARD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10427051

64,000 miles · Sep 14, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 5MPH AND ABOVE AND THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING 5MPH AND ABOVE AND THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000.

NHTSA ODI #10425384

86,000 miles · Aug 15, 2011
Power Train

SEVERAL 2005 AND 2006 NISSAN ALTIMAS SE-RS (INCLUDING MINE) HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL GETTING STUCK ON THE FLOOR UNABLE TO COME BACK UP AND NOT BEING ABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. DEALERSHIPS ACCROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE DENY THE ISSUE AND DENY REPAIRS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND AN ACCIDENT CAN HAPPEND DUE TO THIS. TO ME, IS…

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SEVERAL 2005 AND 2006 NISSAN ALTIMAS SE-RS (INCLUDING MINE) HAVE HAD ISSUES WITH THE CLUTCH PEDAL GETTING STUCK ON THE FLOOR UNABLE TO COME BACK UP AND NOT BEING ABLE TO CHANGE GEARS. DEALERSHIPS ACCROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE DENY THE ISSUE AND DENY REPAIRS. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE AND AN ACCIDENT CAN HAPPEND DUE TO THIS. TO ME, IS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I PURCHASE THE CAR AT 37,000 MILES AND IT KEEPS HAPPENING NOW AT 86,000 MILES...THIS IS HAPPENING TO SEVERAL OTHERS AS WELL AND A WEBSITE HAS BEEN CREATED WITH EVERYONE'S CONCERNS. PLEASE RECALL!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10419555

57,000 miles · Aug 13, 2011
Power Train

ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT AND CLUTCH PEDAL SANK TO FLOOR AND WOULD NOT RETURN, CLUTCH DID NOT DISENGAGE. MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO GET CAR OUT OF GEAR, AND IMPOSSIBLE TO REENGAGE GEAR. LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP WITHOUT ACCIDENT. DEALER REPORTED FAILED CLUTCH LINE / MASTER CYLINDER LED TO LOSS OF FLUID & INABILITY TO DISENG…

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ATTEMPTED TO SHIFT AND CLUTCH PEDAL SANK TO FLOOR AND WOULD NOT RETURN, CLUTCH DID NOT DISENGAGE. MADE IT VERY DIFFICULT TO GET CAR OUT OF GEAR, AND IMPOSSIBLE TO REENGAGE GEAR. LUCKILY WAS ABLE TO COAST TO A STOP WITHOUT ACCIDENT. DEALER REPORTED FAILED CLUTCH LINE / MASTER CYLINDER LED TO LOSS OF FLUID & INABILITY TO DISENGAGE CLUTCH. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10419333

Mileage unknown · Aug 4, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER 5 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AND INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS OVER 5 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE FOLLOWED BY THE VEHICLE STALLING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AND INSPECTED BY THE DEALER WHO ADVISED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY ADVISED HIM THAT HE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ODI #10417021

89,000 miles · Aug 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFire

2006 NISSAN ALTIMA CAUGHT ON FIRE, JUNE 8, 2011. MY SON WAS DRIVING FROM WORK TO HOME ON THE HIGHWAY AND ORANGE SPARKS WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR, SO HE PULLED OVER ON THE MEDIAN. WHEN HE PROCEEDED TO LIFT UP THE HOOD OF THE CAR, BLACK SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND HE AND OTHER DRIVERS CALLED 911. ACCORD…

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2006 NISSAN ALTIMA CAUGHT ON FIRE, JUNE 8, 2011. MY SON WAS DRIVING FROM WORK TO HOME ON THE HIGHWAY AND ORANGE SPARKS WAS COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR, SO HE PULLED OVER ON THE MEDIAN. WHEN HE PROCEEDED TO LIFT UP THE HOOD OF THE CAR, BLACK SMOKE AND FLAMES WERE COMING FROM THE HOOD AND HE AND OTHER DRIVERS CALLED 911. ACCORDING TO THE FIRE DEPARTMENT, OIL AND OTHER FLUIDS WERE COMING FROM THE CAR DOWN THE HIGHWAY ON FIRE. MY SON IS OK, BUT I CAN NOT GET ANY HELP WITH THIS CAR. I HAVE A BURNED CAR SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY AND CAN NOT DRIVE IT EVERYTHING UNDERNEATH THE HOOD IS MELTED. I STILL OWE ON THIS CAR. NEED HELP! I ONLY HAD THE CAR FOR 8 MONTHS. *KB

NHTSA ODI #10416480

20,000 miles · Jul 26, 2011
Power Train

NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 MANUAL TRANSMISSION: CLUTCH LOSSES PRESSURE. I HAVE TAKEN CAR IN TO NISSAN FOR ISSUE. VEHICLE BOUGHT IN AUG 2006. APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS LATER ISSUE BEGAN. CLUTCH DROPS DOWN WHILE CAR IN MOTION. MANUALLY MOVE CLUTCH BACK UP WITH FOOT. WHEN FIRST TAKEN INTO NISSAN (WINDWARD NISSAN, HONOLULU HI) WAS TOLD THAT THE…

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NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 MANUAL TRANSMISSION: CLUTCH LOSSES PRESSURE. I HAVE TAKEN CAR IN TO NISSAN FOR ISSUE. VEHICLE BOUGHT IN AUG 2006. APPROXIMATELY 2 YEARS LATER ISSUE BEGAN. CLUTCH DROPS DOWN WHILE CAR IN MOTION. MANUALLY MOVE CLUTCH BACK UP WITH FOOT. WHEN FIRST TAKEN INTO NISSAN (WINDWARD NISSAN, HONOLULU HI) WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG. CLUTCH CONTINUED WITH ISSUE VERY INTERMITTENLY. UPON ARRIVAL TO SAN DIEGO CA, I DECIDED TO TAKE TO MOSSY NISSAN (NATIONAL CITY). I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED A NEW CLUTCH. I WAS REFFERED TO NISSAN 1 FOR ASSISTANCE. NISSAN COVERED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE CLUTCH. IT HAS THEN BEEN ABOUT A YEAR AND A HALF AND ISSUE PERSISTS. NOW CLUTCH DROPS AND I HAVE TO PULL OVER, WAIT A FEW MINUTES AND SEE IF CLUTCH COMES BACK UP. CANNOT PUT VEHICLE IN GEAR WHILE CLUTCH IS DOWN. I GOOGLED "CLUTCH ISSUES WITH NISSAN VEHICLES" AND THERE WAS A LINK TO YOUR WEBSITE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10415185

72,000 miles · Jul 23, 2011
Unknown Or Other

SEVERE RUSTING AROUND THE PLUG HOLE AREA UNDER BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS FLOOR BOARD

NHTSA ODI #10415768

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