← New search

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

Exterior Lighting complaints

9 reports
Clear category filter
1,555,647 miles · Apr 28, 2020
Exterior LightingFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

ON APRIL 27, 2020, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY @ABOUT 70MPH AND MY CAR JUST SHUT IT SELF OFF, I TRIED TO CRANK IT OVER AND OVER AND WOULDNT STARTBACK UP BEFORE I HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. I HAD NO WARNING OR NOTHING. IT WOULDNT START BACK UP UNTIL HOURS LATER AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. WHEN I SAY HRS I'M MEANIN…

Read full complaint

ON APRIL 27, 2020, I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY @ABOUT 70MPH AND MY CAR JUST SHUT IT SELF OFF, I TRIED TO CRANK IT OVER AND OVER AND WOULDNT STARTBACK UP BEFORE I HAD TO PULL OFF THE HIGHWAY. I HAD NO WARNING OR NOTHING. IT WOULDNT START BACK UP UNTIL HOURS LATER AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE IT HOME. WHEN I SAY HRS I'M MEANING ATLEAST 6HRS. ON APRIL 28TH 2020 I WENT TO START MY CAR AGAIN THIS MORNING AND IT WOULDNT START AGAIN. I HAVENT TRIED IT SINCE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT CAN BE THE CRANKSENOR I DID A TOTAL RECALL ON MY CAR AND IT SAIDS THERE IS A RECALL ON IT BUT NOT FOR MY CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11322528

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…

Read full complaint

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

Mileage unknown · Apr 18, 2017
EngineExterior Lighting

MY CAR CUT OFF BYSELF AND IT TAKE LONG TIME CRANK UP.

NHTSA ODI #10979073

Mileage unknown · Jan 4, 2016
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

"TAKATA RECALL" I NEED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST NISSAN FOR THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS, FIRST IS THE PAINT IN MY CAR. I JUST PURCHASED MY CAR 2 YEARS AGO AT A DEALER AND THE CARS PAINT AND CLEAR IS FADING AND MY CAR LOOKS UGLY, I HAVE QUOTED AT A PAINT BODY SHOP AND THEY TRYING TO CHARGE $800 OR MORE. I AM STILL PAYING THIS CAR AN…

Read full complaint

"TAKATA RECALL" I NEED TO FILE A COMPLAINT AGAINST NISSAN FOR THE FOLLOWING PROBLEMS, FIRST IS THE PAINT IN MY CAR. I JUST PURCHASED MY CAR 2 YEARS AGO AT A DEALER AND THE CARS PAINT AND CLEAR IS FADING AND MY CAR LOOKS UGLY, I HAVE QUOTED AT A PAINT BODY SHOP AND THEY TRYING TO CHARGE $800 OR MORE. I AM STILL PAYING THIS CAR AND DON'T APPRECIATE THAT I HAVE TO PAY FOR SOMETHING THAT IS A DEFECT FROM THE COMPANY. THE HEADLIGHT ARE AWFUL AND I CAN BARELY SEE AT NIGHT OR SPECIALLY IN THE RAIN AND AFRAID TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS TO PREVENT ACCIDENTS.

NHTSA ODI #10817617

123,000 miles · Apr 1, 2015
EngineExterior LightingStructure

WHILE DRIVING MY ENTIRE VEHICLE WILL PERIODIC JERK. ITS DONE IT NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE ITS BEGAN. NOW THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE PAINT ON MY VEHICLE IS ALSO FADED AND THE CLEAR COATS HAS COME OFF. I HAVE SEEN PLENTY OF OTHER PEOPLE ON FORUMS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THINGS. SO IT APPEARS TO ME THAT NISSAN IS FALLING D…

Read full complaint

WHILE DRIVING MY ENTIRE VEHICLE WILL PERIODIC JERK. ITS DONE IT NUMEROUS TIMES SINCE ITS BEGAN. NOW THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. THE PAINT ON MY VEHICLE IS ALSO FADED AND THE CLEAR COATS HAS COME OFF. I HAVE SEEN PLENTY OF OTHER PEOPLE ON FORUMS COMPLAINING ABOUT THE SAME THINGS. SO IT APPEARS TO ME THAT NISSAN IS FALLING DOWN ON THE JOB AND SHOULD BE ISSUING A RECALL OF SOME SORT ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS. I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN AND CANT AFFORD SOMETHING CATASTROPHICALLY HAPPENING TO MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10703075

Mileage unknown · Mar 12, 2015
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WITHOUT WARNING, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND THE PARKING LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07E087000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WITHOUT WARNING, THE LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS AND THE PARKING LIGHTS FAILED TO WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAM HEADLIGHTS EACH TIME THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 07E087000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10693947

112,000 miles · Oct 4, 2014
Exterior Lighting

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR ARE MISALIGNED AND IT IS HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT AND IN THE FOG. EVEN AFTER CLEANING THE HEADLIGHTS, IT IS HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES, ESPECIALLY IN BAD WEATHER THAT I HAVE HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO SEE. THIS IS A PROBLEM LIVING IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THERE …

Read full complaint

THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE FRONT OF THE CAR ARE MISALIGNED AND IT IS HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT AND IN THE FOG. EVEN AFTER CLEANING THE HEADLIGHTS, IT IS HARD TO SEE AT NIGHT. THERE HAVE BEEN MULTIPLE TIMES, ESPECIALLY IN BAD WEATHER THAT I HAVE HAD TO USE THE HIGH BEAMS IN ORDER TO SEE. THIS IS A PROBLEM LIVING IN THE COUNTRY WHERE THERE ARE ANIMALS CONSTANTLY CROSSING ROADS. OUR VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL AND IT SHOULD BE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10641388

89,994 miles · Mar 18, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingEquipmentExterior Lighting

2006 ALTIMA-SLUGGISH PERFORMANCE-HAD TO PUT 2 QUARTS OF OIL IN CAR TODAY-JUST HAD OIL CHANGE TWO WEEKS AGO. WHILE DRIVING UP A SLOPE CAR STARTS TO JERKS HARD-PULLED OFF ROAD-CUT THE CAR OFF-TOOK SEVERAL TRIES BEFORE CAR WOULD START. IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS FOR THE PAST TWO DAYS... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10392169

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2010
Electrical SystemExterior Lighting

I NOTICED THAT MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A DESIGN DEFECT. WHEN YOU START UP THE ENGINE THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER LIGHTS UP AUTOMATICALLY, EVEN IF THE DRIVING LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF. AT NIGHT TIME, THIS CAN LEAD THE DRIVER TO BELIEVE THAT HIS DRIVING LIGHTS ARE ON AS WELL, SINCE MOST OTHER CARS REQUIRE FOR THE LIGHTS TO BE TURNED ON…

Read full complaint

I NOTICED THAT MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS A DESIGN DEFECT. WHEN YOU START UP THE ENGINE THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER LIGHTS UP AUTOMATICALLY, EVEN IF THE DRIVING LIGHTS ARE TURNED OFF. AT NIGHT TIME, THIS CAN LEAD THE DRIVER TO BELIEVE THAT HIS DRIVING LIGHTS ARE ON AS WELL, SINCE MOST OTHER CARS REQUIRE FOR THE LIGHTS TO BE TURNED ON, IN ORDER TO TURN ON THE ILLUMINATION ON THE SPEEDOMETER CLUSTER. I HAVE SEEN OTHER NISSAN ALTIMAS DRIVEN AT NIGHT (INCLUDING A 2010 NISSAN ALTIMA HYBRID), WHICH LED ME TO BELIEVE THAT THIS IS COMMON DESIGN FLAW FOR THESE CARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10368700

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