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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
10,000 miles · Oct 17, 2007
Air Bags

DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ON/OFF LIGHT KEEPS INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF, WHILE A ADULT PASSENGER OF SUFFICIENT WEIGHT IS SITTING UP RIGHT, WITH FEET FLAT ON THE FLOOR AND BACK AGAINST THE BACK OF THE SEAT IS IN THE CHAIR. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE SEAT BOTTOM ONCE BEFORE AND THAT DID NOT CO…

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DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE AT 70MPH, THE PASSENGER AIR BAG ON/OFF LIGHT KEEPS INDICATING THAT THE AIRBAG IS OFF, WHILE A ADULT PASSENGER OF SUFFICIENT WEIGHT IS SITTING UP RIGHT, WITH FEET FLAT ON THE FLOOR AND BACK AGAINST THE BACK OF THE SEAT IS IN THE CHAIR. THEY HAVE REPLACED THE SEAT BOTTOM ONCE BEFORE AND THAT DID NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THERE IS NO STRAIGHT ANSWER TO HOW MUCH A PERSON HAS TO WEIGH, BUT ALL THREE OF THE ANSWERS HAVE BEEN UNDER THE WEIGHT OF THE OCCUPANT. NISSAN NOW SAYS TO GET INTO ANOTHER 2006 ALTIMA, BUT THERE IS NONE AVAILABLE AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHICH THE CAR IS AT RIGHT NOW. CANNOT DRIVE CAR FOR FEAR THAT THE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IF IN A FRONTAL ACCIDENT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10205954

70,000 miles · Sep 21, 2007
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE REAR SIDE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FIVE YEAR OLD, WHO WAS SEATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT AND WEARING A SEAT BELT, STRUCK THE DOOR PANEL AND SUFFERED BROKEN BONES AROUND THE RIGHT EYE. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE REAR SIDE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FIVE YEAR OLD, WHO WAS SEATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT AND WEARING A SEAT BELT, STRUCK THE DOOR PANEL AND SUFFERED BROKEN BONES AROUND THE RIGHT EYE. THE REST OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

NHTSA ODI #10203643

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2007
Electrical SystemEquipmentTires

2006 ALTIMA 2.5 S THAT IS A LEMON CUSTOMER WANTS TO HAVE THE CAR REPLACED UNDER THE LEMON LAW**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS NO START PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WOULD START UP WHEN SHE BEGAN HER DAY, BUT AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES. THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE UNDER THE GAS PEDAL WHILE ACCELERATING AS WELL AS WHEN COMING TO A STOP…

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2006 ALTIMA 2.5 S THAT IS A LEMON CUSTOMER WANTS TO HAVE THE CAR REPLACED UNDER THE LEMON LAW**CC THE CONSUMER STATED THE VEHICLE HAS NO START PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE WOULD START UP WHEN SHE BEGAN HER DAY, BUT AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES. THERE IS A GRINDING NOISE UNDER THE GAS PEDAL WHILE ACCELERATING AS WELL AS WHEN COMING TO A STOP. THE DEALER STATED THE VIBRATION/GRINDING NOISE WAS COMING FROM THE TIRES. ALL THE WINDOWS AND DOORS WILL LOCK AND THE REMOTE KEYLESS ENTRY DOES NOT SEEM TO WORK. THE CD PLAYER AND RADIO ARE NOT PLAYING PROPERLY. THE RADIO HAS A LOT OF STATIC. THE CD PLAYER MAKES THE CD'S SOUND LIKE THEY ARE SCRATCHED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10201584

1,500 miles · Aug 14, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BURNS OIL EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE THE VEHICLE PASSED OIL CONSUMPTION AND COMPRESSION TESTS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ENGINE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 06V223000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE PASSED THE TEST. …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. HE STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BURNS OIL EXCESSIVELY. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE THE VEHICLE PASSED OIL CONSUMPTION AND COMPRESSION TESTS. THERE IS A RECALL FOR THE ENGINE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 06V223000) HOWEVER, THE DEALER REFUSED TO MAKE ANY REPAIRS BECAUSE THE VEHICLE PASSED THE TEST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 16,837. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED MULTIPLE REPAIR INVOICES FOR VEHICLE AND A COPY OF THE RECALL NOTICE. UPDATED 08/30/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10199575

Mileage unknown · Aug 8, 2007
Tires

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH WESTLAKE TIRES 215/60/16 PURCHASED ON JULY 23, 2007. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF THE RECALL FOR THE TIRES (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID#07T003000). THERE HAD BEEN NO FAILURE TO DATE. THE PREVIOUS TIRES WERE NOT WESTLAKE TIRES. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 45,000.

NHTSA ODI #10199200

24,000 miles · Aug 1, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

CAR SHAKES WHEN IDLES AS IF IT WILL TURN OFF, BUT ONLY SPORADICALLY. THIS STARTED AT 24,000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THROWING VARIOUS CODES. DEALER HAS PUT ON NEW GAS CAP, GAS SEAL, FUEL PUMP, FUEL CANISTER AND AIR FLOW REGULATOR. CAR STILL SHAKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN AND AFTER 11 TIMES IN THE SHOP...HERE W…

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CAR SHAKES WHEN IDLES AS IF IT WILL TURN OFF, BUT ONLY SPORADICALLY. THIS STARTED AT 24,000 MILES. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON THROWING VARIOUS CODES. DEALER HAS PUT ON NEW GAS CAP, GAS SEAL, FUEL PUMP, FUEL CANISTER AND AIR FLOW REGULATOR. CAR STILL SHAKING, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON AGAIN AND AFTER 11 TIMES IN THE SHOP...HERE WE GO AGAIN TO THE SHOP SO THEY CAN CHECK THE CODE, PUT IN ON VACUUM, DRIVE IT AROUND AND THEN TELL ME AGAIN IT'S ALL FIXED. I AM IN A NEVER ENDING LOOP OF BEING INCONVENIENCED WITH AN UNRELIABLE BRAND NEW CAR. DEALER WON'T BUY CAR BACK...TRADE...OR GUARANTEE A FIX. I JUST PRAY AFTER MY WARRANTY IS OVER, I CAN STILL GET IT FIXED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10198230

6,400 miles · Jun 11, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE ENGINE FAILED AT 6,000 MILES AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL FOR THE ENGINE (RECALL#06V046000). THE CONTACT STATED THAT A NEW ENGINE WAS INSTALLED INTO THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 6,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000.

NHTSA ODI #10192956

8,100 miles · Jun 2, 2007
Power Train

ALTIMA 2006 W/ 3.5L ENGINE/ AUTO TRANS. CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD ROAR TYPE NOISE HEARD AT IDLE FROM INSIDE THE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE AT THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THE NIGHT BEFORE IT WENT IN FOR SERVICE, THE CAR GOT STUCK IN 5TH GEAR WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT AND STALLED. CAR WAS RESTARTED AND PR…

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ALTIMA 2006 W/ 3.5L ENGINE/ AUTO TRANS. CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD ROAR TYPE NOISE HEARD AT IDLE FROM INSIDE THE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE AT THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THE NIGHT BEFORE IT WENT IN FOR SERVICE, THE CAR GOT STUCK IN 5TH GEAR WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT AND STALLED. CAR WAS RESTARTED AND PROCEEDED TO STAY IN 5TH GEAR. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY OVERNIGHT AND WAS OK DRIVING TO THE SERVICE CENTER. WE PICKED UP THE CAR AND IT WAS "FIXED". WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A BAD FUEL PULSAR THING. THE NOISE WENT AWAY, HOWEVER THE STALLING AND GEAR STICKING DID NOT. THE CAR WENT BACK IN AND THIS TIME THEY TOLD US IT WAS A BAD CAMSHAFT POSITIONING SENSOR. I EXPLAINED TO THE SERVICE MGR THAT THE CAMSHAFT HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TRANSMISSION. HE INSISTED THIS WAS THE PROBLEM AND THE CAR WAS "FIXED" ONCE AGAIN. GUESS WHAT, THE CAR STALLED AND STUCK IN 5TH GEAR THAT EVENING. BACK TO THE SHOP !!... THIS TIME ON A TOW TRUCK. I TOLD THEM TO KEEP THE CAR AS LONG AS NEEDED UNTIL IT IS FIXED. THEY TELL US THAT THE CAR IS "FIXED" ONCE AGAIN. THIS TIME THEY SAY THE ENTIRE COMPUTER IS NO GOOD AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I'LL PICK UP THE CAR ON MONDAY. LETS SEE IF IT IS "FIXED" NOW. I GUESS I SHOULD BE HAPPY TO NOT BE STUCK WITH A 2.5L OIL BURNER- FIRE TRAP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10192308

4,938 miles · May 11, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON DECEMBER 18, 2006, THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 06V223000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HE HAS TAKEN HIS VEHICLE TO NISSAN SEVEN TO EIGHT TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE IS STILL LEAKING OIL EVERY 500 MILES. NISSAN'S CORPORATE OFFICE STATED THAT THIS IS A MINOR ISSUE AND WOULD CONTAC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. ON DECEMBER 18, 2006, THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL NOTICE # 06V223000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). HE HAS TAKEN HIS VEHICLE TO NISSAN SEVEN TO EIGHT TIMES, BUT THE VEHICLE IS STILL LEAKING OIL EVERY 500 MILES. NISSAN'S CORPORATE OFFICE STATED THAT THIS IS A MINOR ISSUE AND WOULD CONTACT HIM WITHIN 48 HOURS. THE DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE ECM TWICE AND STATED THAT THIS WAS NORMAL AND HAPPENS CONSTANTLY. NISSAN HAS YET TO CONTACT HIM OR OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE CONTACT HAS ALL OF THE REPAIR WORK ORDERS. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 6,800 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 4,938. THE CONSUMER STATED THAT ORIGINAL RECALL WORK WAS PERFORMED WITHOUT SATISFACTION BY NORTHBAY NISSAN. THE CURRENT DEALER HAS REFERRED THE CONSUMER BACK TO ORIGINAL SALES DEALER VALLEJO NISSAN FOR FURTHER TESTING. UPDATED 06/14/07 *TR

NHTSA ODI #10190512

3,000 miles · May 5, 2007
Engine And Engine Cooling

I AM MAKING THIS COMPLAINT WITH A SAFETY CONCERN IN MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM SANTA MONICA NISSAN ON 07/29/06. SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS ALREADY BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. THE CAR HESITATES AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS, FREEWAYS AND HILLY ROADS, AND SKIDS WHILE TAKING TU…

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I AM MAKING THIS COMPLAINT WITH A SAFETY CONCERN IN MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. I PURCHASED THE CAR FROM SANTA MONICA NISSAN ON 07/29/06. SINCE THEN THE CAR HAS ALREADY BEEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WITH IDENTICAL PROBLEMS. THE CAR HESITATES AT TIMES WHILE DRIVING ON LOCAL ROADS, FREEWAYS AND HILLY ROADS, AND SKIDS WHILE TAKING TURNS. I AM VERY SCARED TO DRIVE THIS CAR BECAUSE OF THE SLOWED DOWN MOTION DURING HEAVY TRAFFIC HOURS. IT IS A BIG SAFETY ISSUE TO BE DRIVING A CAR THAT HESITATES WHEN YOU'RE TRYING TO CATCH UP TO THE SPEED OF TRAFFIC & SKIDS, MAKING A LOUD SCREECHY SOUND WHEN TRYING TO TURN. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO THE MANUFACTURER SEVERAL TIMES, BUT EACH TIME THEY SEND ME BACK SAYING THAT THERE'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE CAR. THEY ARE NEGLECTING THE PROBLEM INSTEAD OF RESOLVING IT. NO REASONABLE CONCLUSION HAS BEEN REACHED AS YET. I AM LOOKING FOR NISSAN TO BUY THE CAR BACK BEFORE THERE ARE ANY INJURIES TO MYSELF OR OTHERS. NISSAN HAS FAILED TO RESOLVE MY ISSUES. I DEFINITELY AM STAYING AWAY FROM NISSAN!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10189844

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