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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

Steering complaints

15 reports
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200,000 miles · Apr 25, 2023
EngineSteering

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while his sister was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was shaking, and the vehicle stalled. The contact's sister turned off the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that after refueling, multiple attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. Th…

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The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while his sister was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was shaking, and the vehicle stalled. The contact's sister turned off the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that after refueling, multiple attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that an oil change was completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

NHTSA ODI #11518959

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2022
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemSteering

Vehicle is experiencing excessive oil consumption. I had to replace rack and pinion steering and vehicle is using excessive amounts of power steering fluid. I purchased both headlight assemblies due to not being able to align properly.

NHTSA ODI #11489231

Mileage unknown · Aug 31, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineSteeringFire

Last year i had the same issues with my 2003 nissan sentra gxe that i am now facing with my 2006 nissan altima. The serpentine belt comes off because of the harmonic balance and this ones ac clutch locked up and is wobbling plus my transmission acts irratic snd the starter csused the cwr to stall and catch fire! Th3 stress and a…

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Last year i had the same issues with my 2003 nissan sentra gxe that i am now facing with my 2006 nissan altima. The serpentine belt comes off because of the harmonic balance and this ones ac clutch locked up and is wobbling plus my transmission acts irratic snd the starter csused the cwr to stall and catch fire! Th3 stress and agony of dpending all my savings fixing the car to end up stuck anyways and this is ongoing problems that keep reoccuring in all piece of sh** nissans and they want more money id like to file a lawsuit ! #BOYCOTT NISSAN

NHTSA ODI #11431146

130,000 miles · Mar 5, 2021
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED 360 DEGREES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND NEED…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY AND MAKING A LEFT TURN, THE STEERING WHEEL TURNED 360 DEGREES. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND DETERMINED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT IF SHE CONTINUED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE, THE STEERING WHEEL MAY SEIZE AND CAUSE THE BRAKES TO FAIL AS WELL. THE CONTACT THEN CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS OVER THE WARRANTY COVERAGE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

NHTSA ODI #11399347

68,000 miles · Dec 5, 2017
SteeringUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed ControlCrash

ALL INCIDENTS IN PARKING LOTS DURING MANUVERING INTO OR OUT OF PARKING SPACES. THROTTLE GOES WIDEOPEN, CAR LURCHES FORWARD OR BACKWARD, COMPLETELY OUT OF DRIVER CONTROL FOR APPROX. 10 TO 15 SECONDS.

NHTSA ODI #11052642

75,000 miles · Mar 11, 2017
Steering

MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA'S ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK MALFUNCTIONED AND MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A SNOW STORM. WE HAD TO CALL TRIPLE A TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AFTER WAITING FOR 2 HOURS IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN IN THE YEARS LEADING UP TO WHEN IT OCC…

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MY 2009 NISSAN ALTIMA'S ELECTRONIC STEERING COLUMN LOCK MALFUNCTIONED AND MY GIRLFRIEND AND I WERE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF A SNOW STORM. WE HAD TO CALL TRIPLE A TO HAVE THE CAR TOWED AFTER WAITING FOR 2 HOURS IN BELOW FREEZING TEMPERATURES. THERE WAS NO INDICATION THAT THIS WOULD HAPPEN IN THE YEARS LEADING UP TO WHEN IT OCCURRED. THE CAR WAS STATIONARY WHEN THIS HAPPENED. WE THEN PAID $1191.50 TO HAVE THIS FIXED AND ENDED UP MISSING A DAY OF WORK. IN FURTHER READING, I FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THAT THERE WAS A PERIOD OF TIME WHERE OWNERS COULD HAVE THIS FIXED. NEITHER THE DEALER THAT I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM OR THE DEALER THAT SERVICES THE CAR INFORMED ME OF THIS ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10960100

169,050 miles · Jul 20, 2016
EnginePower TrainSteering

THIS VEHICLE HAS GIVEN ME A LOT OF PROBLEMS FROM STEERING TO BRAKES TOOK THE BOOTS TRANSMISSION. IT WAS HARD SHIFTING GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ALL THE SUDDEN IT POPPED AND THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT

NHTSA ODI #10886261

108,456 miles · Apr 14, 2014
Steering

I WAS TRAVELING HOME AROUND 9:45 PM FROM CHALMETTE, LA WHEN THE CAR GAVE NO WARNING SIGNS THAT IT WAS GOING TO STOP. I KEEP COASTING THE CAR HOME AND IT DIED. HAD THE CAR TOLD TO THE DEARLERSHIP IN SLIDELL, LA ON 4/3/14. I WAS ADVISED BY MR. DALE SHOCKLEY THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO KEEP THE CAR. CALLED AROUND 0845 TO CHECK WHAT …

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I WAS TRAVELING HOME AROUND 9:45 PM FROM CHALMETTE, LA WHEN THE CAR GAVE NO WARNING SIGNS THAT IT WAS GOING TO STOP. I KEEP COASTING THE CAR HOME AND IT DIED. HAD THE CAR TOLD TO THE DEARLERSHIP IN SLIDELL, LA ON 4/3/14. I WAS ADVISED BY MR. DALE SHOCKLEY THAT THEY WILL HAVE TO KEEP THE CAR. CALLED AROUND 0845 TO CHECK WHAT IS WRONG BUT THEY HAD NOT LOOKED AT IT. AROUND 11:30 MR. SHOCKLEY CALLED TO SAY THE TRANSMISSION WAS GONE. I ASKED THEM HOW THAT HAPPEN BECAUSE THERE IS NO OIL UNDER MY CAR PART. THE MANAGER STATED THAT THIS JUST HAPPEN AND THEY NEVER KNOW WHEN IT WAS GOING TO GO OUT. I ASKED THEM WHY THEY DID NOT SEE IT AND THE MANAGER STATED AGAIN THEY GO OUT UNSUCCEPLY. THESE PEOPLE WANTED TO KEEP MY CAR AND TOLD ME IT WAS GOING TO COST THEM $4,045 PLUS OTHER WORK. THIS IS A DISGRACE. DID THEY SEE THIS BLACK GIRL TO ROB HER. I NEED TO KNOW IF THE PART NEXT TO THE TRANSMISSION HAS A RECALL? *JS

NHTSA ODI #10579688

46,000 miles · Nov 3, 2012
Steering

WHEN I TURN A CORNER THE STEERING IS STICKING. FEELS LIKE IT IS LOCKING UP THEN GO LOOSE. THE POWER FLUID IS FULL THAT IS NOT THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10483251

Mileage unknown · May 14, 2012
SteeringWheels

I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING RECENTLY. I GOT MY REAR ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED AT THE MANUFACTURE AND THOUGHT THIS WOULD CURE THE PROBLEM, THEN WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO GET MY FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS DONE TO PREVENT THE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I JUST GOT MY ROTORS AND PADS REPLA…

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I HAVE ALSO EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING WHEEL VIBRATING RECENTLY. I GOT MY REAR ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED AT THE MANUFACTURE AND THOUGHT THIS WOULD CURE THE PROBLEM, THEN WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO GET MY FRONT ROTORS AND BRAKE PADS DONE TO PREVENT THE VIBRATION IN THE STEERING WHEEL. I JUST GOT MY ROTORS AND PADS REPLACED IN THE CAR 9 MONTHS AGO. I THINK THERE IS SOMETHING SERIOUSLY WRONG WITH THIS CAR. I BELIEVE THE TRANSMISSION IS ABOUT TO PLAY OUT. MY CAR HAS BEEN JERKING WHEN I DRIVE. IT APPEARS TO BE "PULLING". I ASKED THE MANUFACTURE ABOUT THIS AND THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP REPORTED NO PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE OR TRANSMISSION. I CALLED NISSAN MAIN OFFICE REGARDING THE RE-CALL AND THE REP JUST TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS ONLY ONE RECALL ON MY CAR, WHEN I SAW 4 ONLINE REGARDING THE MAKE, MODEL, AND YEAR OF MY CAR. HOW DOES ANYONE KNOW WHICH CARS HAVE A RECALL OR PROBLEM UNLESS THEY ARE REPORTED? *JS

NHTSA ODI #10458495

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