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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

Electrical System complaints

72 reports
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60,000 miles · Jun 9, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

SUBJECT CRANK POSITION SENSOR. SUBJECT CAR 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5. RECALL WAS RECEIVED ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE CAR STARTED DYING WHILE DRIVING. WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS THE ENGINE WILL DIE CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN THE CAR LOOSES POWER AND POWER STEERING STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WHEN TRAVELING AT …

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SUBJECT CRANK POSITION SENSOR. SUBJECT CAR 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5. RECALL WAS RECEIVED ABOUT THE SAME TIME THE CAR STARTED DYING WHILE DRIVING. WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS THE ENGINE WILL DIE CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION WHEN THE CAR LOOSES POWER AND POWER STEERING STALLING IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD. WHEN TRAVELING AT FREEWAY SPEEDS THE ENGINE SHUTS OFF, THE CAR LOOSES POWER FOR APPROXIMATELY 3 SECONDS THEN VIOLENTLY JERKS REGAINING POWER. NISSAN DEALER HAS STATED THAT THIS IS AN ECM PROBLEM AND THAT A REPROGRAM WILL FIX THIS PROBLEM. I TOOK THE CAR INTO THE DEALER AND THE REPROGRAM OF THE ECM WAS COMPLETED. NOW THE CAR DIES MORE FREQUENTLY AND NOW IT TAKES CONSIDERABLE CRANKING TO START THE CAR WHEN WARM. APPROXIMATELY 2 MIN. TO RESTART. NISSAN HAS TRIED TO "BAND AID" A FAULTY CRANK POSITION SENSOR WITH AN ECM REPROGRAM THAT IS NOT WORKING. THE CAR ABRUPTLY DYING IS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION AND CAN EASILY LEAD TO UNCALLED FOR INJURIES AND DEATHS STEMMING FROM THIS FAULTY SENSOR. I AGREE THAT THE UPGRADED ECM PROGRAM SHOULD READ BOTH THE CAM POSITION SENSOR AND CRANK POSITION SENSOR IN TANDEM AS A REDUNDANT FEATURE BUT IF THE PROBLEM IS WITH A LEAKY SENSOR OR A BAD SOLDER JOINT IN THE SENSOR, THE SENSOR SHOULD BE REPLACED UNDER A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230382

53 miles · Jun 6, 2008
Electrical System

I HAVE 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA, FIRST, MY CAR WOULDN'T START UNTIL ABOUT THE FIFTH OR SEVENTH TRY..TOOK AND GOT THAT FIXED THEN THE DEALER HAD TO RE-PROGRAM MY KEY.. THEN AFTER ONE WEEK OF DRIVING.... IT JUST WOULDN'T START AT ALL. ALL WITH-IN A THREE PERIOD. SO IT IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW. 6/06/2008...EVER SINCE 06/03/2008. CAN YOU …

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I HAVE 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA, FIRST, MY CAR WOULDN'T START UNTIL ABOUT THE FIFTH OR SEVENTH TRY..TOOK AND GOT THAT FIXED THEN THE DEALER HAD TO RE-PROGRAM MY KEY.. THEN AFTER ONE WEEK OF DRIVING.... IT JUST WOULDN'T START AT ALL. ALL WITH-IN A THREE PERIOD. SO IT IS IN THE SHOP RIGHT NOW. 6/06/2008...EVER SINCE 06/03/2008. CAN YOU PLEASE HELP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230135

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2008
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other

I ONCE WAS TOLD BY BOB BELL NISSAN THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. AND NOW 2 YEARS LATER I RECEIVE A LETTER STATING THAT MY NISSAN 2006 ALTIMA IS ONE OF THE RECALL VEHICLE ON THE LIST .AND IM CONTACTING YOU FOR THIS REASON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10223662

41,000 miles · Dec 11, 2007
Electrical System

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ODOMETER WAS PUTTING MORE MILES ON THE VEHICLE THAN WHAT WAS ACTUALLY BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ODOMETER WAS PUTTING MORE MILES ON THE VEHICLE THAN WHAT WAS ACTUALLY BEING DRIVEN. THE FAILURE WAS NOTICED WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER THREE TIMES, BUT THEY HAVE BEEN UNABLE TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,000.

NHTSA ODI #10211466

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

12,334 miles · Apr 24, 2007
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2006 NISSAN ALTIMA CUSTOMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER AND HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET CAR FIX AND CAN'T LET THE CAR SIT AND PAY CAR NOTE AND INSURANCE**CC THE CONSUMER STATED A NEW ENGINE WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO A RECALL. THREE WEEKS LATER, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND THE SPEED DECREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND …

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2006 NISSAN ALTIMA CUSTOMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER AND HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET CAR FIX AND CAN'T LET THE CAR SIT AND PAY CAR NOTE AND INSURANCE**CC THE CONSUMER STATED A NEW ENGINE WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO A RECALL. THREE WEEKS LATER, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND THE SPEED DECREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE CONSUMER WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION THEY STATED THE WIRING HARNESS WAS UNPLUGGED. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10190037

250 miles · Mar 1, 2007
Electrical System

WE PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA (NEW, NEVER OWNED) ON JANUARY 10, 2007. THE VEHICLE HAS DEFECTS AND HAS BEEN BOUGHT TO THE DEALER (NISSAN OF GARDEN CITY IN HEMPSTEAD,NEW YORK) ON FOUR OCCASIONS;1/25/07, 2/1/02, 2/5/07, AND 2/14/07. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA ON 1/17/07. FILE NUMBER 5593141. THE SERVICE REPR…

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WE PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA (NEW, NEVER OWNED) ON JANUARY 10, 2007. THE VEHICLE HAS DEFECTS AND HAS BEEN BOUGHT TO THE DEALER (NISSAN OF GARDEN CITY IN HEMPSTEAD,NEW YORK) ON FOUR OCCASIONS;1/25/07, 2/1/02, 2/5/07, AND 2/14/07. WE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN NORTH AMERICA ON 1/17/07. FILE NUMBER 5593141. THE SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE IS SLOW IN PROVIDING RESPONSE AND OTHER SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES REFUSE TO PROVIDE NAME OR CONTACT INFORMATION OF MANAGERIAL STAFF. THEIR SINGLE MEANS OF COMMUNICATION IS THROUGH E-MAIL. THEIR ACTUAL POLICY IS TO WAIT 24 HOURS BEFORE RETURNING PHONE CALLS. I WAS ADVISED THIS BY ONE OF THEIR SERVICE REPRESENTATIVES AT THEIR "800" NUMBER. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10183923

Mileage unknown · Feb 9, 2007
Electrical System

I OWN A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. I HAVE AN AFTERMARKET GPS SYSTEM THAT I USE IN THE CAR. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SPEED GAUGED BY THE GPS HAS A VARIANCE FROM WHAT SHOWS ON THE SPEEDOMETER. FOR INSTANCE, IF I AM TRAVELING 40 MPH AND HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO THAT SPEED, THE GPS SHOWS THAT I AM ACTUALLY TRAVELING 36 MPH. THE D…

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I OWN A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. I HAVE AN AFTERMARKET GPS SYSTEM THAT I USE IN THE CAR. I HAVE NOTICED THAT THE SPEED GAUGED BY THE GPS HAS A VARIANCE FROM WHAT SHOWS ON THE SPEEDOMETER. FOR INSTANCE, IF I AM TRAVELING 40 MPH AND HAVE THE CRUISE CONTROL SET TO THAT SPEED, THE GPS SHOWS THAT I AM ACTUALLY TRAVELING 36 MPH. THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN THE TWO DEVICES GROWS AS MY SPEED INCREASES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10182161

16,000 miles · Aug 25, 2006
Electrical SystemFire

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, SMOKE CAME FROM THE FRONT END, BELOW THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW, AND BRIEF FLAMES ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE HOOD WAS OPENED TO REVEAL THE BATTERY HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SER…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, SMOKE CAME FROM THE FRONT END, BELOW THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW, AND BRIEF FLAMES ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE HOOD WAS OPENED TO REVEAL THE BATTERY HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER TESTED AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THERE WAS NO DETERMINATION MADE AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION.

NHTSA ODI #10166513

800 miles · Apr 13, 2006
Electrical SystemVisibility

THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER TENDS TO NOT OPERATE PERIODICALLY! EXAMPLES: ON A COLD MORNING, THE CAR HAD TO BE RETURNED HOME SINCE THERE WAS NO BLOWER. ON A DAMP DAY, THE INTERIOR WINDOWS COULD NOT BE DEFOGGED DUE TO NO BLOWER. ON A DAMP MORNING, THE FROST ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE WINDSHIELD COULD NOT BE CLE…

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THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER TENDS TO NOT OPERATE PERIODICALLY! EXAMPLES: ON A COLD MORNING, THE CAR HAD TO BE RETURNED HOME SINCE THERE WAS NO BLOWER. ON A DAMP DAY, THE INTERIOR WINDOWS COULD NOT BE DEFOGGED DUE TO NO BLOWER. ON A DAMP MORNING, THE FROST ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE WINDSHIELD COULD NOT BE CLEARED BY THE DEFROST SETTING SINCE THE BLOWER FAILED TO OPERATE. WE WONDER HOW SAFE THIS VEHICLE WOULD BE DURING A PERIOD OF FREEZING RAIN! OR DURING A SNOWFALL? PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO REMEDY THIS SERIOUS DEFECT. [XXX] *JB UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10155314

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.

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