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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.

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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

Air Bags complaints

43 reports
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Mileage unknown · Mar 5, 2025
Air BagsInjury

Me and my fiancé had just picked the kids up from my mom’s. Got about 2 miles down the road and all of a sudden i heard a loud boom and a flash of light like a shot gun had went off in my ear. When I heard the boom my left side from my face to my hip felt like I had been hit. At the same time it happen with me it happen on the …

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Me and my fiancé had just picked the kids up from my mom’s. Got about 2 miles down the road and all of a sudden i heard a loud boom and a flash of light like a shot gun had went off in my ear. When I heard the boom my left side from my face to my hip felt like I had been hit. At the same time it happen with me it happen on the passenger side where my fiancé was sitting. I was able To pull to the side of the rd. I got out call law enforcement and looked around my car and it had not been hit so I open my door to get my kids out and that’s when I seen it was the airbags . They exploded and the reason I didn’t notice them when I got out of the car is because they was not inflated they had exploded. There is a huge hole in the top of each side air bag, it busted the inside of my passenger side door and threw shrapnel over to my driver side dash. He and I both are hurting on the side the airbags went off and he has a artificial hip on the side it hit him so I’m hoping it didn’t do anything to his hip

NHTSA ODI #11646414

210,000 miles · Jul 7, 2023
Air BagsCrashInjury

The contact owned a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while exiting the highway, the contact lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree, causing several damages to the front of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy, causing several injuries to the contact's right eye, cuts, and bruises to the left side of the contact'…

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The contact owned a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while exiting the highway, the contact lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree, causing several damages to the front of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy, causing several injuries to the contact's right eye, cuts, and bruises to the left side of the contact's body. The contact sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 210,000.

NHTSA ODI #11530962

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2021
Air BagsCrash

Hydroplaned while entering a toll Plaza on 9/22/2021.  Crashed into the cement jersey wall and guardrail.  Car was totaled with front end, driver's side, and driver's side rear-end damage.  Airbags did not deploy.  The vehicle is being housed at a tow lot and will be available for inspection until I receive a duplicate copy of m…

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Hydroplaned while entering a toll Plaza on 9/22/2021.  Crashed into the cement jersey wall and guardrail.  Car was totaled with front end, driver's side, and driver's side rear-end damage.  Airbags did not deploy.  The vehicle is being housed at a tow lot and will be available for inspection until I receive a duplicate copy of my title from DMV.  My safety was put at risk due to the fact the airbags did not deploy upon front-end impact.  The vehicle was towed directly to the tow lot from the crash scene and the issue has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center.  The vehicle has only been inspected on scene by highway patrol, police, and tow company representatives. There were no prior warnings, messages,  or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.   The only warning lamp illuminated at the time of incident was the service engine soon light. 

NHTSA ODI #11434256

122,649 miles · Oct 1, 2020
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BUMPER. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FACIAL LACERATION, FRACTURED RIGHT SHOULDER AND BRUISES ON BOTH THIGHS AND THE CONTACT W…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS DRIVING AT 45 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A LEFT TURN, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE BUMPER. AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FACIAL LACERATION, FRACTURED RIGHT SHOULDER AND BRUISES ON BOTH THIGHS AND THE CONTACT WAS THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE SUSTAINED INJURIES ON HIS RIGHT KNEE AND BUT HIS HEAD AND LEFT LEG WAS ALSO CUT WITH BROKEN WINDOW GLASS. THE CONTACT STATED THEY WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL TO SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION AND HIS WIFE HAD SURGERY AT A LATER TIME ON HER FACE AND RIGHT SHOULDER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVEABLE. THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER DEEMED THE VEHICLE WAS A TOTAL LOSS. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. UPON INVESTIGATION THE CONTACT ASSOCIATED THE FAILURE WITH MANUFACTURER COMMUNICATION NUMBER: NTB-08-055-A, HOWEVER THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER HAD BEEN INFORMED OF FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 122,649.

NHTSA ODI #11362296

Mileage unknown · Aug 15, 2019
Air Bags

"TAKATA RECALL" MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 AIRBAG DASHBOARD LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY LIT UP, CLEARLY INDICATING AIRBAG ICON MALFUNCTION AS PER THE NISSAN ALTIMA CAR MANUAL, CURRENTLY AS PER NISSAN CORPORATION MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL, HOWEVER INDICATIONS POINT TO THE AIR BAG, I HAVE REACH OUT TO THEM TO CONFIRM WHETHER IF THIS…

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"TAKATA RECALL" MY NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 AIRBAG DASHBOARD LIGHT IS PERMANENTLY LIT UP, CLEARLY INDICATING AIRBAG ICON MALFUNCTION AS PER THE NISSAN ALTIMA CAR MANUAL, CURRENTLY AS PER NISSAN CORPORATION MY VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER ANY RECALL, HOWEVER INDICATIONS POINT TO THE AIR BAG, I HAVE REACH OUT TO THEM TO CONFIRM WHETHER IF THIS SPECIFIC YEAR MODEL WAS MANUFACTURE WITH A TAKATA AIRBAG, THEY HAVE DODGE THE QUESTION. WITH THAT BEING SAID, UNDER THE CIRCUMSTANCES, ARE THEY UNDER ANY OBLIGATION TO CONFIRM THE INFORMATION REQUESTED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' *PM

NHTSA ODI #11244094

160,000 miles · Oct 5, 2018
Air BagsExterior LightingVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury

TAKATA WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED MY LIFE. I HAVE 20 SOME FRACTURED RIBS AND SPINE FRACTURES AS WELL. ALSO MY FOOTPEDAL SPEED UP WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE AND WAS STUCK. I DON'T KNOW IF THE LIGHTS HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT BUT TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY. *DT 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PR…

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TAKATA WHEN THE AIRBAG DEPLOY WHICH ALMOST CAUSED MY LIFE. I HAVE 20 SOME FRACTURED RIBS AND SPINE FRACTURES AS WELL. ALSO MY FOOTPEDAL SPEED UP WITHOUT MY KNOWLEDGE AND WAS STUCK. I DON'T KNOW IF THE LIGHTS HAD ANYTHING TO DO WITH IT BUT TRAFFIC WAS STOPPED ON THE HIGHWAY. *DT 'PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' UPDATED 12/06/18*JB

NHTSA ODI #11133484

131,500 miles · May 11, 2018
Air Bags

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (LITHIA NISSAN OF FRESNO, 5580 N BLACKSTONE AVE, FRESNO, CA 93710) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. APPROXIMATELY ONE WEEK AGO, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED, WHICH WAS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER (LITHIA NISSAN OF FRESNO, 5580 N BLACKSTONE AVE, FRESNO, CA 93710) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE CONTACT WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE DEALER REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER A DECADE OLD; THEREFORE, THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIR. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ASSOCIATED WITH THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 131,500.

NHTSA ODI #11093348

Mileage unknown · Jan 23, 2018
Air Bags

THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAY ON

NHTSA ODI #11064374

Mileage unknown · Jan 17, 2018
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SEMI-TRUCK DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH FAILED TO RESPOND. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD AND DESTROYED FROM THE IMPACT.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF A SEMI-TRUCK DURING INCLEMENT WEATHER AFTER DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL WHICH FAILED TO RESPOND. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A YARD AND DESTROYED FROM THE IMPACT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED AND DIAGNOSED BY A REPAIR FACILITY OR DEALER. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED NECK PAINS AND WHIPLASH, WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL TREATMENT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE CRASH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE. *TT *TR

NHTSA ODI #11063359

6 miles · Jan 12, 2018
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT ON DECEMBER 2,2017 AND THE AIR BAGS NEVER INFLATE. IT WAS A BIG COLLISION AND THEY DIDN'T FUNCTION LIKE THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO. I WAS ON A CITY STREET WHEN THE ACCIDENT OCCURRED MAKING A LEFT TURN.

NHTSA ODI #11062413

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