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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

What owners actually said

824 reports
Mileage unknown · Apr 5, 2023
Electrical SystemEngine

The crankshaft or camshaft sensor has went out which causes it to stall or immediately die, which is a safety hazard yes the check engine light was on

NHTSA ODI #11515684

217,636 miles · Feb 7, 2023
EngineEngine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence of the contact's friend. The dealer was notified of …

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The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence of the contact's friend. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact there was no record that the vehicle was previously repaired under a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V527000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 217,636.

NHTSA ODI #11506071

175,000 miles · Nov 7, 2022
Engine And Engine Cooling

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, abnormal amounts of smoke was coming from the exhaust tip. The contact stated that she had to add more oil to the vehicle every week. The contact stated that she had not noticed any oil spots on the driveway. The contact stated that the…

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The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, abnormal amounts of smoke was coming from the exhaust tip. The contact stated that she had to add more oil to the vehicle every week. The contact stated that she had not noticed any oil spots on the driveway. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. The contact had researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V223000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

NHTSA ODI #11492609

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 · Dec 10, 2021
Electrical SystemEngineFuel/propulsion System

The car won't start

NHTSA ODI #11443410

137,000 miles · Oct 8, 2021
Power TrainCrashInjury

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator after coming to a complete stop. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights appeared during the failure. The contact was able to pull the vehicle off the road and into the entrance of a parking lot. She …

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The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator after coming to a complete stop. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights appeared during the failure. The contact was able to pull the vehicle off the road and into the entrance of a parking lot. She then stated that the vehicle independently lurched forward through a fence and rolled down a hill and into a five-lane road. The air bags did not deploy during the incident. A police report was not filed and the contact was injured. With the assistance of a fellow motorist, the contact was able to move the vehicle to a nearby independent mechanic. The mechanic attempted to jumpstart the vehicle but the vehicle failed to start up. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was given a case number. The contact also spoke with three dealers (Dealers unknown) and they each offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000

NHTSA ODI #11436044

Mileage unknown · Sep 24, 2021
Air BagsCrash

Hydroplaned while entering a toll Plaza on 9/22/2021.  Crashed into the cement jersey wall and guardrail.  Car was totaled with front end, driver's side, and driver's side rear-end damage.  Airbags did not deploy.  The vehicle is being housed at a tow lot and will be available for inspection until I receive a duplicate copy of m…

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Hydroplaned while entering a toll Plaza on 9/22/2021.  Crashed into the cement jersey wall and guardrail.  Car was totaled with front end, driver's side, and driver's side rear-end damage.  Airbags did not deploy.  The vehicle is being housed at a tow lot and will be available for inspection until I receive a duplicate copy of my title from DMV.  My safety was put at risk due to the fact the airbags did not deploy upon front-end impact.  The vehicle was towed directly to the tow lot from the crash scene and the issue has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center.  The vehicle has only been inspected on scene by highway patrol, police, and tow company representatives. There were no prior warnings, messages,  or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.   The only warning lamp illuminated at the time of incident was the service engine soon light. 

NHTSA ODI #11434256

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

Mileage unknown · Aug 17, 2021
Electrical SystemPower Train

UNKNOWN: While driving the car will stall. After restarting it, the car will then be stuck in fifth (highest) gear. The SES (Service engine soon) light comes on. The first time this happened, after the next trip, the SES light went out. Then the same thing happened. This is a danger because if this happens in heavy traffic…

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UNKNOWN: While driving the car will stall. After restarting it, the car will then be stuck in fifth (highest) gear. The SES (Service engine soon) light comes on. The first time this happened, after the next trip, the SES light went out. Then the same thing happened. This is a danger because if this happens in heavy traffic, it could lead to a collision.

NHTSA ODI #11429429

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

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