IllustrationI WAS COMING OFF 295 AND HIT A PATCH OF BLACK ICE LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR AND HIT A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF AND EVERYONE AT THE SCENE WAS TRYING TO FIGURE HOW OR WHY THEY DID NOT GO OFF. MY CAR IS TOTALED .. UPDATED 02/19/15 *BF UPDATED 3/30/2016*JS UPDATED 9/20/2017*CN
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Altima years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
1040–25K
5125–50K
9250–75K
13575–100K
198100–150K
72150K+
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT ARM DUE TO THE AIR BAGS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTIO…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH AND ATTEMPTING TO ENGAGE THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SLOW DOWN AND CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE RIGHT ARM DUE TO THE AIR BAGS THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 116,974.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ONCE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE AIR BAG WIRING HARNESS AND THE AIR BAG MODULE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 79,000. THE DEALER RECOMMENDED REPLACING THE SPIRAL CABLE. UPDATED 02/24/15*JB UPDATED 05/06/15. *JB
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT OF THE PRESSURE FROM THE AIR BAGS, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO BOTH ARMS WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, ANOTHER VEHICLE CRASHED HEAD-ON INTO THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CAUSING THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY. AS A RESULT OF THE PRESSURE FROM THE AIR BAGS, THE CONTACT SUSTAINED BURNS TO BOTH ARMS WHICH REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED AND WAS DEEMED DESTROYED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND WENT INTO ONGOING TRAFFIC AND WAS T-BONED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. BOTH VEHICLES WERE GOING 45 MILES PER HOUR. NO AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE FRONT AIRBAGS, NOR THE SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE PASSENGER DOOR CAME ALL THE WAY OVER TO THE GEAR SHIFT. *TR
2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE FAULTY AIR BAG SYSTEM. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. NISSAN INFORMED THE CONSUMER IT WOULD COST $1900, TO REPLACE THE AIR BAG.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND FLASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V521000(AIR BAGS, ELE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED AND FLASHING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE SEAT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REMEDY THE DEFECT. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 08V521000(AIR BAGS, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM) AND INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME DEFECT DESCRIBED IN THE RECALL. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE DEFECT AND ADVISED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 37,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS ALSO TRAVELING 65 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SPINAL INJURIES AND A CHILD PASSENGER THAT WAS SECURED IN A BOOSTER SEAT SU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, A VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE DRIVER'S SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE SECOND VEHICLE WAS ALSO TRAVELING 65 MPH. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SPINAL INJURIES AND A CHILD PASSENGER THAT WAS SECURED IN A BOOSTER SEAT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEFT LEG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED OF THE INCIDENT. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 74,000.
SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME TURNING LEFT ACROSS THE HIGHWAY WHERE I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40MPH. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD, BUT STILL HIT HER IN THE SIDE AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE COLLISION SHOP HAS ESTIMATED IT WILL BE TOTALED, THE BUMPER AND FENDERS AND HOOD ALL NEED REPLACED IN ADDITION TO SEVERAL ENGINE/MOTOR P…
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SOMEONE PULLED OUT IN FRONT OF ME TURNING LEFT ACROSS THE HIGHWAY WHERE I WAS TRAVELING AT ABOUT 40MPH. I HIT THE BRAKES HARD, BUT STILL HIT HER IN THE SIDE AND MY AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE COLLISION SHOP HAS ESTIMATED IT WILL BE TOTALED, THE BUMPER AND FENDERS AND HOOD ALL NEED REPLACED IN ADDITION TO SEVERAL ENGINE/MOTOR PARTS. THE POLICE SAID AN IMPACT CAUSING THAT MUCH DAMAGE SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIRBAGS TO DEPLOY. FORTUNATELY, MY SEAT BELT HELD AND MY HEAD DID NOT HIT THE STEERING WHEEL. THE BELT LEFT A GOOD-SIZED BURN ON MY NECK, AND BRUISED MY CHEST AND RIGHT HIP. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHY THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. *TR
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
Official recalls
307V527000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.