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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

64 reports
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71,600 miles · Mar 30, 2021
StructureUnknown Or Other

WHEN I LIFT MY CAR (NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 ) AT THE MECHANIC TO DO REPAIR JOB , I DISCOVERED A HUGE RUST HOLE AT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SITE AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR , I SHOCKED , IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN , FOR ME AND FOR MY FAMILY . THE RUST IS DEEP , WIDE AND PENETRATING , MY MECHANIC ADVICE ME TO SELL IT OF ANY PRICE BUT I DONT …

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WHEN I LIFT MY CAR (NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 ) AT THE MECHANIC TO DO REPAIR JOB , I DISCOVERED A HUGE RUST HOLE AT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SITE AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR , I SHOCKED , IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN , FOR ME AND FOR MY FAMILY . THE RUST IS DEEP , WIDE AND PENETRATING , MY MECHANIC ADVICE ME TO SELL IT OF ANY PRICE BUT I DONT WANT TO SELL IT FOR ANY ONE , BECAUSE I HAVE A FAITHFUL CONSCIOUS , AND MORALS , I BEILEVE IN KARMA , I WOULD NOT DO IT FOR ANY BODY , EVEN THE CAR HAS ONLY 71,600 MILES , I DONT DRIVE IT ALOT , BUT FROM NOW ON , I AM NOT WILLING TO DRIVE IT AT ALL , OR LET MT DAUGHTERS GET IN THIS CAR FOR A VERY SERIOUS SAFTY CONCERNS , A HUGE RUST IN THE FLOOR .

NHTSA ODI #11405495

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…

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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

90,000 miles · Dec 11, 2019
StructureSuspensionUnknown Or Other

BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON 9/19/2018. PRIOR TO COMPLETING THE SERVICE THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS RUSTING UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE. I COULDN'T PICTURE WHAT THEY WERE DESCRIBING SO I ASKED TO SEE AND I TOOK A PICTURE. SUBSEQUENTLY, I WAS INFORMED BY SOMEONE ELSE (NOT NISSAN) THAT THIS …

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BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON 9/19/2018. PRIOR TO COMPLETING THE SERVICE THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS RUSTING UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE. I COULDN'T PICTURE WHAT THEY WERE DESCRIBING SO I ASKED TO SEE AND I TOOK A PICTURE. SUBSEQUENTLY, I WAS INFORMED BY SOMEONE ELSE (NOT NISSAN) THAT THIS HAS BEEN A LONG STANDING ISSUE WITH THIS MAKE, MODEL & YEAR (2006). IT POTENTIALLY COULD AFFECT MY SUSPENSION/STEERING AND ALSO CAUSE A PASSENGER TO FALL THROUGH THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. I FOUND OUT THAT THEY EVEN SENT OUT A 13 PAGE ILLUSTRATED BULLETIN TITLED "FLOOR PANEL REPAIR" ON 7/6/2015 TO THE DEALERS ABOUT A KIT THEY DEVELOPED TO FIX THIS PROBLEM; YET, THERE HASN'T BEEN A RECALL. JUST TODAY, 12/11/19, I INCIDENTALLY FOUND OUT MY PARTICULAR DEALERSHIP HAS HAD NUMEROUS CASES FOR THE NISSAN PATHFINDER. UNSURE OF WHAT YEAR(S) BUT IT WAS A HUGE ISSUE AND THERE MAY HAVE BEEN A RECALL IN THOSE INSTANCES. THERE IS A HISTORY OF THIS WITH ALTIMAS 2002-2006 & MAXIMAS 2004-2008. I'VE ATTACHED A COPY OF THE BULLETIN. BUT WHAT MADE MATTERS WORSE WAS BETWEEN 1/9/19-3/20/19 THERE WERE A NUMBER OF SEVERE POTHOLES ON NJ 95 SOUTH OF WHICH KNOCKED MY SUSPENSION/STEERING OFF. (55-60MPH). IT FELT LIKE ALL OF THE WHEELS WERE COMING OFF. THIS ADDS TO THE RISK THE ERRODING PANEL LEADING TO THE AXLES, OTHER SUSPENSION, ETC. POSES & COULD CAUSE A LOSS OF CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AT ANY TIME WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA ODI #11288468

113,043 miles · Oct 12, 2019
StructureUnknown Or Other

I TOOK MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA TO THE SHOP TO PURCHASE TIRES AND UPON PUTTING THE VEHICLE ON A LIFT, THE MECHANIC CALLED ME BACK TO SHOW ME A GAPING HOLE ON BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE CARPET WERE LIFTED, YOU COULD SEE THROUGH TO THE ROAD ON BOTH SIDES. BOTH FLOORBOARD PANELS WERE R…

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I TOOK MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA TO THE SHOP TO PURCHASE TIRES AND UPON PUTTING THE VEHICLE ON A LIFT, THE MECHANIC CALLED ME BACK TO SHOW ME A GAPING HOLE ON BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE CARPET WERE LIFTED, YOU COULD SEE THROUGH TO THE ROAD ON BOTH SIDES. BOTH FLOORBOARD PANELS WERE RUSTED INCREDIBLY BADLY. AT ANY TIME MY DOG OR GRANDCHILDREN COULD HAVE BEEN SERIOUSLY INJURED. I AM UNAWARE OF HOW LONG THE HOLES HAVE BEEN THERE BUT JUDGING FROM THE SEVERITY OF THE RUST, I WOULD SAY IT HAS BEEN 5+ YEARS SINCE THEY STARTED RUSTING. IT WAS HUGE GAPING HOLES, SO MUCH SO THAT I BOUGHT A NEW CAR.

NHTSA ODI #11268095

Mileage unknown · Jul 23, 2019
EngineService BrakesUnknown Or Other

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY ENGINE TWICE, MY EMERGENCY BREAKS STOPPED WORKING AND THE I THINK IT'S CALLED THE TRANSMISSION BUT ANYWAYS MY CAR TENDS TO JERK AND HESITATES TO CRANK SOMETIMES. I HAVE HAD MY STARTER LOOKED AT AND REPLACED AND ALSO BATTERY BUT IT STILL HAPPENS. I HAVE HAD THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS LOOK INTO IT AND THE C…

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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY ENGINE TWICE, MY EMERGENCY BREAKS STOPPED WORKING AND THE I THINK IT'S CALLED THE TRANSMISSION BUT ANYWAYS MY CAR TENDS TO JERK AND HESITATES TO CRANK SOMETIMES. I HAVE HAD MY STARTER LOOKED AT AND REPLACED AND ALSO BATTERY BUT IT STILL HAPPENS. I HAVE HAD THREE DIFFERENT MECHANICS LOOK INTO IT AND THE COULDN'T FIGURE IT OUT.

NHTSA ODI #11234277

Mileage unknown · May 1, 2019
Unknown Or Other

NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP FOR THEIR HORRIBLE VCT TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE AN ALTIMA AND TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT ON ME. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND THERE IS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH TYE SAME ISSUE!!! THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON CVT TRANSMISSIONS AS THEY ARENT MENT TO BE PUT ON CARS AND NISSAN KNOWS THIS! NOW IM BEING TOLD IT…

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NISSAN NEEDS TO TAKE OWNERSHIP FOR THEIR HORRIBLE VCT TRANSMISSIONS. I HAVE AN ALTIMA AND TRANSMISSION JUST WENT OUT ON ME. I SEARCHED ONLINE AND THERE IS THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS WITH TYE SAME ISSUE!!! THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL ON CVT TRANSMISSIONS AS THEY ARENT MENT TO BE PUT ON CARS AND NISSAN KNOWS THIS! NOW IM BEING TOLD IT COST THOUSANDS TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. FOR WHAT FOR ANOTHER CRAPPY TRANSMISSION WHY WOULD THEY DO THIS. RECALL NOW!!!

NHTSA ODI #11204909

36,000 miles · Mar 14, 2019
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

TAKATA RECALL THE CAR USES EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL AND GETS POOR GAS MILEAGE. THE CAR ALSO HAS SLIPPING TRANSMISSION AT TIMES WHEN EXCELERATING. SUSPENSION IS ALSO AN ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11186765

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

78,000 miles · Nov 29, 2017
Unknown Or Other

TOOK MY CAR FOR INSPECTION WAS INFORMED THE FLOORBOARDS ARE ROTTED AND CANNOT PASS INSPECTION UNTIL THEY ARE REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11051181

Mileage unknown · Sep 26, 2017
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

SEVERE OIL SEAL LEAKAGE, LEAVES A HUGE PUDDLE ON GROUND AFTER DRIVING, OR PARKED.

NHTSA ODI #11029960

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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