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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 · Aug 25, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

HEARD LOUD RATTLING IN FRONT END OF MY NISSAN ALTIMA (2006). TOOK IT TO NISSAN. HAD TO HAVE UPPER MOTOR MOUNT REPLACED. NOT COVERED BY NISSAN. COST WAS $395.00 TO REPLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351746

36,000 miles · Aug 24, 2010
Power Train

WE PURCHASED A USED 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA, WITH IN A MONTH OF PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE WE WERE UNABLE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK OR INTO PARK. WE THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WINTER WEATHER, BECAUSE IT WAS PERIODICALLY HAPPENING. IT IS NOW SUMMER AND IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE START THE CAR. IT EVEN HAPPENS WHEN WE H…

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WE PURCHASED A USED 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA, WITH IN A MONTH OF PURCHASING THIS VEHICLE WE WERE UNABLE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK OR INTO PARK. WE THOUGHT IT MIGHT HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE WINTER WEATHER, BECAUSE IT WAS PERIODICALLY HAPPENING. IT IS NOW SUMMER AND IT HAPPENS EVERY TIME WE START THE CAR. IT EVEN HAPPENS WHEN WE HAVE BEEN DRIVING THE CAR AND PULL IN TO A PARKING SPOT , WE ARE UNABLE TO GET THE CAR INTO PARK. WE HAVE BEEN OVERRIDING THE LOCK MECHANISM BY INSERTING A METAL TOOL INTO IT, BUT IT IS QUITE INCONVENIENT EVERY TIME WE DRIVE THE CAR TO HAVE TO DO THIS! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351506

30,000 miles · Aug 19, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED AND THEN RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED NO PRIOR WARNING AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAM AND CRANK POSITION SENSORS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40-45 MPH WHEN THE ENGINE STALLED AND THEN RESTARTED INDEPENDENTLY. THE VEHICLE EXHIBITED NO PRIOR WARNING AND WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAM AND CRANK POSITION SENSORS WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TWICE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO LOCATE A RECALL RELATIVE TO THE FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V223000- ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) BUT WAS UNABLE TO CONFIRM IF HIS VIN WAS INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 30,000.

NHTSA ODI #10350610

62,814 miles · Aug 6, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other

2006 NISSAN ALTIMA S/SL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347751

69,000 miles · Jul 21, 2010
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)

I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA (BRAND NEW) 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT, A RECALL REQUIRED A "NEW" ENGINE BE INSTALLED. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR RECALLS. MY PROBLEM NOW IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, AND MY CAR SHUT OFF ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I POPPED INTO AUTO ZONE TO CHECK IT OUT AND IT…

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I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA (BRAND NEW) 2 MONTHS AFTER I PURCHASED IT, A RECALL REQUIRED A "NEW" ENGINE BE INSTALLED. SINCE THEN IT HAS BEEN IN AND OUT OF THE SHOP FOR RECALLS. MY PROBLEM NOW IS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON, AND MY CAR SHUT OFF ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. I POPPED INTO AUTO ZONE TO CHECK IT OUT AND IT IS THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THIS ON THE 2006 ALTIMA'S BUT MINE IS NOT INCLUDED. SO I AM SUPPOSED TO PAY 397.00 TO HAVE THIS FIXED! I DON'T THINK SO. I FEEL I WAS SOLD A LEMON. AND I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR THIS REPAIR!! I CAN NOT DRIVE MY CAR BECAUSE IT SHUTS OF OR ALMOST SHUTS OFF AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS RANGING FROM 45 TO 60. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL ALL 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA'S FOR THIS PROBLEM! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10344518

50,000 miles · Jul 19, 2010
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE GEAR SELECTOR FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO THE DRIVE POSITION. THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM DRIVE INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE GEAR SHIFT SOLENOID. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILU…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STARTED THE IGNITION AND THE GEAR SELECTOR FAILED TO SHIFT FROM PARK INTO THE DRIVE POSITION. THE GEAR WOULD NOT SHIFT FROM DRIVE INTO PARK. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE WAS RELATED TO THE GEAR SHIFT SOLENOID. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CONTRIBUTED TO ORANGE LIQUID SPILLING INTO THE CONSOLE CAUSING A WIRING SHORTAGE. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST WAS $922. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS NO LIQUID SPLILLED INSIDE THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURES OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY AND BECAME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE OVER TIME. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT TO ROCK THE VEHICLE IN A BACK AND FORTH MOTION TO ALLOW THE GEAR SELECTOR TO SHIFT INTO THE SELECTED GEAR. THE CONTACT WOULD ENGAGE IN THE ROCKING MOTION OF THE VEHICLE WHICH WOULD TEMPORARILY CORRECT THE FAILURE. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL WITHOUT WARNING. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE WAD NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 50,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10343945

96,598 miles · Jul 9, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA, ON 6/9/2010 THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED MY OIL AND THERE WAS NO OIL IN MY ENGINE. I CONTACTED NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO TELL THEM OF THE ISSUE AND CONTACTED CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT IT. I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET CHECK…

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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA, ON 6/9/2010 THE OIL LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. WHEN I GOT HOME I CHECKED MY OIL AND THERE WAS NO OIL IN MY ENGINE. I CONTACTED NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO TELL THEM OF THE ISSUE AND CONTACTED CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT IT. I WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP TO GET CHECK OUT. I PURCHASE 2 QUARTS OF OIL ON 6/9/2010 IN WHICH I STILL HAVE THE RECEIPT FOR. I PUT 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN MY VEHICLE AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP ON 6/15/2010. I WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE RUNNING A OIL CONSUMPTION TEST ON IT BECAUSE SOME OF THE 2006 NISSAN ALTIMAS HAD A RECALL FOR A OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM DUE TO FAULTY PISTON RINGS WHICH I BELIEVE CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO HAVE A BAD CAT CONVERTER. I CONTACTED THE CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT TO FIND OUT IF MY VEHICLE WAS IN THE RECALL AND I WAS TOLD NO. I TRULY BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS ONE OF THE RECALL VEHICLE BECAUSE WHEN I TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK ON 7/7/2010 I WAS TOLD THAT IT NEEDED A NEW ENGINE AND MEASURED UNDER 20 FOR THE OIL CONSUMPTION TEST. I WOULD LIKE A INVESTIGATION TO BE CONDUCTED BECAUSE NISSAN HAS MISLEAD ALOT OF CONSUMERS ABOUT THEIR VEHICLES BEING IN THE RECALL BUT LATER AFTER ABOUT 80,000 MILES AFTER THE MANUFACTURER WARRANTY EXPIRES THEN THE VEHICLE STARTS EXPERIENCE THESE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEMS, SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT PROBLEMS. I WAS TOLD ON 7/7/2010 BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT HE WILL PUT A CLAIM THROUGH TO THE EXTENDED SERVICE AGREEMENT DEPARTMENT TO PROVIDE ME WITH THE NECESSARY REPAIRS WHICH IS TO GIVE MY VEHICLE A NEW ENGINE DUE TO THE OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM AND I WAS TOLD THAT THIS SUPPOSED TO BE COVERED UNDER MY EXTENDED SERVICE AGREEMENT WARRANTY FREE OF CHARGE. I AM AWAITING A DECISION. THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE BECAUSE MY VEHICLE COULD STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND I CAN BE KILLED INSTANTLY ALONG WITH MY FAMILY AND OTHERS. ALL 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA'S NEED TO BE RECALLED TO BE TESTED FOR THIS OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM DUE TO FAULTY PISTON RINGS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342323

61,988 miles · Jul 8, 2010
Power Train

I HAVE BEEN HAVE TROUBLE WITH MY 2006 ALTIMA SE-R SINCE BUYING IT AT 52K MILES. IT'S LIKE EVERYONE ELSE; THE CLUTCH GETS REAL FLOPPY AND LOOSES PRESSURE UNTIL IT SINKS TO THE FLOOR AND WONT RETURN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 30 OR 40 TIMES SINCE BUYING THE CAR IN OCTOBER 2009, BUT I CAN'T REPLICATE FOR THE DEALER. THEY ALS…

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I HAVE BEEN HAVE TROUBLE WITH MY 2006 ALTIMA SE-R SINCE BUYING IT AT 52K MILES. IT'S LIKE EVERYONE ELSE; THE CLUTCH GETS REAL FLOPPY AND LOOSES PRESSURE UNTIL IT SINKS TO THE FLOOR AND WONT RETURN. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO ME ABOUT 30 OR 40 TIMES SINCE BUYING THE CAR IN OCTOBER 2009, BUT I CAN'T REPLICATE FOR THE DEALER. THEY ALSO SAY THAT THEY HAVE NEVER HEARD OF THIS BEFORE, AND NOBODY HAS EVER COMPLAINED ABOUT IT TO THEM - APPARENTLY THEY ARE LYING. THIS AFTERNOON, I WAS DRIVING MY SON HOME FROM DAYCARE, AND THE CLUTCH DID THIS VERY THING, BUT FOR THE FIRST TIME, I COULD NOT GET THE CAR OUT OF GEAR AND I WAS IN BUMPER TO BUMPER TRAFFIC. I ALMOST HIT THE GUY IN FRONT OF ME. WHEN I FINALLY YANKED IT OUT OF GEAR, I COULDN'T PUT IT BACK INTO GEAR BECAUSE THE CLUTCH WAS STUCK TO THE FLOOR. I SAT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD FOR AN HOUR WITH MY 14 MONTH OLD SON IN 99 DEGREE HEAT WAITING FOR THE CLUTCH TO "REPAIR ITSELF". THIS IS BOGUS AND NISSAN NEEDS TO OWN UP TO THEIR RESPONSIBILITY OF FIXING THESE CARS BEFORE SOMEONE DIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10342083

105,000 miles · Jul 7, 2010
Air Bags

THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING INDICATING THE AIR BAG MAY NOT BE WORKING RIGHT. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PAID $115 TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP SAID THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP NOTED ON MY RECEIPT (RECOMMENDED SE…

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THE PASSENGER AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT KEEPS FLASHING INDICATING THE AIR BAG MAY NOT BE WORKING RIGHT. I TOOK MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP AND PAID $115 TO HAVE A DIAGNOSTIC TEST DONE TO FIND OUT THE PROBLEM. DEALERSHIP SAID THE SENSOR IN THE PASSENGER SEAT IS BAD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. DEALERSHIP NOTED ON MY RECEIPT (RECOMMENDED SERVICE: PASSENGER SIDE OCCUPANT SENSOR $1,617.26 OTD). I DECLINED TO REPLACE SENSOR DUE TO THE OUTRAGEOUS COST FOR A FAILED SAFETY FEATURE IN A VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 4 YEARS OLD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341800

24,000 miles · Jul 3, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SE - 4 CYLINDER ENGINE, CAR JERKS WHEN RUNNING AT 60 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL - LEVEL TERRAIN, LOOSES POWER. CAR EXHIBITS HARD STARTING, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. MECHANIC CHECKS CODES AND SAYS IT IS THE CRANK SENSOR, NISSAN CHECKS CODES AND SAYS IT MAY BE BOTH CAM AND CRANK SENSORS. CAR HAS 24,000 MILE…

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2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SE - 4 CYLINDER ENGINE, CAR JERKS WHEN RUNNING AT 60 MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL - LEVEL TERRAIN, LOOSES POWER. CAR EXHIBITS HARD STARTING, AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. MECHANIC CHECKS CODES AND SAYS IT IS THE CRANK SENSOR, NISSAN CHECKS CODES AND SAYS IT MAY BE BOTH CAM AND CRANK SENSORS. CAR HAS 24,000 MILES AND HAS ALREADY HAD THE ECM REPROGRAMMED UNDER AND EARLIER RECALL. CAR IS CURRENTLY AT TROPHY NISSAN DALLAS BEING REPAIRED AT MY EXPENSE. THESE TWO SENSORS ARE A MANUFACTURER DEFECT AS THOUSANDS HAVE BEEN REPLACED ON THIS MODEL YEAR 2002-2006. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10341299

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