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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
108,000 miles · Jul 21, 2014
Structure

AS I WAS FINDING A SPOT, TO PLACE MY FLOOR JACK, TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES, I NOTICED A RUST SPOT. SO I WENT UNDER THE CAR AND NOTICED THE FLOOR PANS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS ARE ALMOST COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. THE CAR ISN'T 10 YEARS OLD YET AND BARELY HAS OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO IT MORE THAN LIKELY WO…

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AS I WAS FINDING A SPOT, TO PLACE MY FLOOR JACK, TO REPLACE THE FRONT BRAKES, I NOTICED A RUST SPOT. SO I WENT UNDER THE CAR AND NOTICED THE FLOOR PANS UNDER THE FRONT SEATS ARE ALMOST COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT. THE CAR ISN'T 10 YEARS OLD YET AND BARELY HAS OVER 100,000 MILES ON IT. WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR OR SO IT MORE THAN LIKELY WONT PASS INSPECTION. THIS IS COMPLETELY UNACCEPTABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10615175

91,750 miles · Jul 19, 2014
Electronic Stability Control (esc)Engine

ENGINE STALLS AT SOME TIMES, CAR SHUT OFF WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT. IT JUST DIES RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I GET TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND START IT AGAIN,HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS CRANKING. CHECKED FOR DIAGNOSIS CODES BUT DID NOT GET ANY FAULTY CODES. I TRY TO SPEAK WITH NISSAN ABOUT IT, ITS ALWAYS THE SAME THING...ECM REL…

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ENGINE STALLS AT SOME TIMES, CAR SHUT OFF WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT. IT JUST DIES RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. I GET TURN THE ENGINE OFF AND START IT AGAIN,HAD SEVERAL PROBLEMS CRANKING. CHECKED FOR DIAGNOSIS CODES BUT DID NOT GET ANY FAULTY CODES. I TRY TO SPEAK WITH NISSAN ABOUT IT, ITS ALWAYS THE SAME THING...ECM RELAY CAMPAIGN HAD BEEN REPROGRAMMED AND THAT'S ALL WE CAN DO ALSO ENGINE WAS BURNING EXCESSIVE OIL AND FELT HARD DRIVE ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10614759

89,957 miles · Jul 17, 2014
Engine

MY VEHICLE KEPT SHUTTING DOWN ON ME WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING IN TRAFFIC/OR AT A LIGHT IT WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN. WENT ONLINE NISSAN RECALL READ SOME OF THE CASES ABOUT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND REALIZED THIS WAS THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO ME. TOOK IT TO SHERIDAN NISSAN DUPONT HIGHWAY IN NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE. THEY STATED MY VEHICL…

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MY VEHICLE KEPT SHUTTING DOWN ON ME WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING IN TRAFFIC/OR AT A LIGHT IT WOULD JUST SHUT DOWN. WENT ONLINE NISSAN RECALL READ SOME OF THE CASES ABOUT THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AND REALIZED THIS WAS THE SAME THING HAPPENING TO ME. TOOK IT TO SHERIDAN NISSAN DUPONT HIGHWAY IN NEW CASTLE, DELAWARE. THEY STATED MY VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL EVEN THOUGH I WAS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THE RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR, I WAS TOLD MY VIN# WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL, THEREFORE I HAD TO PAY THE COST OF REPAIRS TO REPLACE THE SENSOR TOTAL OUT OF POCKET FOR ME WAS $375.00.I STILL HAVE MY RECEIPT. IF NISSAN WAS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND I UNDERSTAND THEY WERE, WHY WOULD THEY NOT INCLUDE ALL VIN#, A FEW TIMES I WAS ALMOST HIT BY OTHER CARS BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD SHUT DOWN, I WANT TO KNOW WHAT RESOLUTION OR RELIEF I CAN RECEIVE FROM THIS MATTER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10611311

94,000 miles · Jul 16, 2014
Structure

VEHICLE IN FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION - IT DID NOT PASS SECONDARY TO EXTENSIVE RUST ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS. CAR IS GARAGE KEPT YEAR ROUND AND NOT DRIVEN IN WINTER (END OF OCT - BEGINNING OF APRIL). CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS BEEN EXCELLENTLY MAINTAINED. NO OTHER ISSUES WHATSOEVER WITH VEHICLE. QUICK …

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VEHICLE IN FOR ANNUAL INSPECTION - IT DID NOT PASS SECONDARY TO EXTENSIVE RUST ON DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS. CAR IS GARAGE KEPT YEAR ROUND AND NOT DRIVEN IN WINTER (END OF OCT - BEGINNING OF APRIL). CAR HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND HAS BEEN EXCELLENTLY MAINTAINED. NO OTHER ISSUES WHATSOEVER WITH VEHICLE. QUICK SEARCH ON INTERNET AND IMMEDIATELY SAW MANY IDENTICAL REPORTS INCLUDING VIDEO DOCUMENTATION. THIS IS VERY UPSETTING AND INEXCUSABLE FOR A CAR OF THIS AGE DRIVEN IN FAIR WEATHER CONDITIONS. NISSAN REALLY NEEDS TO COVER THIS DEFECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10611123

95,400 miles · Jul 10, 2014
Structure

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA - GREAT CONDITION, GARAGE KEPT CAR - FLOOR BOARDS ARE ROTTED OUT ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHERE A "PLUG" IS SUPPOSE TO BE. NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID THAT SOME OF THE CARS GOT SEALED AND HAVE NO ISSUES WHERE OTHER CARS WERE NOT SEALED AND THOSE ONES ARE RUSTING AWAY LIKE MINE. I HAVE NO OTHER RUS…

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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA - GREAT CONDITION, GARAGE KEPT CAR - FLOOR BOARDS ARE ROTTED OUT ON THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE WHERE A "PLUG" IS SUPPOSE TO BE. NISSAN DEALERSHIP SAID THAT SOME OF THE CARS GOT SEALED AND HAVE NO ISSUES WHERE OTHER CARS WERE NOT SEALED AND THOSE ONES ARE RUSTING AWAY LIKE MINE. I HAVE NO OTHER RUST ON THIS VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10609509

54,345 miles · Jul 6, 2014
Structure

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT IS GARAGED KEPT. AND IN PERFECT CONDITION. LOW MILES TOO. BUT HAS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT FLOOR BOARDS! AND I SEE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE KIDS AND PAID A LOT FOR THIS CAR. I WANT TO TAKE THIS MATTER TO NISSAN AND HAVE IT FIXED.. I SEE WERE SOME PPLE HAVE HAD SUCCESS…

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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT IS GARAGED KEPT. AND IN PERFECT CONDITION. LOW MILES TOO. BUT HAS COMPLETELY ROTTED OUT FLOOR BOARDS! AND I SEE THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF COMPLAINTS ON THIS ISSUE. WE HAVE KIDS AND PAID A LOT FOR THIS CAR. I WANT TO TAKE THIS MATTER TO NISSAN AND HAVE IT FIXED.. I SEE WERE SOME PPLE HAVE HAD SUCCESS IN HAVING IT FIXED AND HEARD THERE WAS A TSB FROM ONE MEMBER ABOUT THIS ISSUE.. I WILL SAY I AM A PA STATE INSPECTION MECHANIC AND THIS IS NOT FROM NEGLECT, I TAKE GREAT PRIDE IN MY CARS. AND THIS IS DEFINITELY A SAFETY ISSUE.. AND SHOULD BE RECALLED!!! GENERAL MOTORS IS BEING HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR THERE ISSUE! SO SHOULD NISSAN. LETS NOT LET THIS GET TO WHERE PPL ARE GETTING SICK FROM CARBON MONOXIDE AND FALLING ASLEEP AT THE WHEELS. OR DYING IN A ACCIDENT DUE TO POOR STRUCTURE OF BODY.. THERE ARE ENOUGH COMPLAINTS ON LINE WERE THIS SHOULD BE RECALLED! THANKS AND I CAN BE REACHED AT [XXX] NAME IS [XXX].. THANKS. HOPE TO GET THIS MATTER RESOLVED ASAP.. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6) *JS

NHTSA ODI #10608429

95,400 miles · Jul 3, 2014
Engine

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE WAITING AT A STOP LIGHT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. THE CONTACT RESTARTED THE VEHICLE AND IT BEGAN TO FUNCTION NORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE ENGINE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,400.

NHTSA ODI #10608134

85,000 miles · Jul 1, 2014
Engine

THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONAL. UPON RESEARCH, IT WAS DISCOVERED OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THE ISSUE COULD BE FATAL AND LEAD TO SERIOUS CRASHES AS THE FAILED PART MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP ABRUPTLY AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THERE HAS BEEN A NISSAN RECALL RELATED…

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THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONAL. UPON RESEARCH, IT WAS DISCOVERED OTHER OWNERS OF THE SAME VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THE ISSUE COULD BE FATAL AND LEAD TO SERIOUS CRASHES AS THE FAILED PART MAY CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STOP ABRUPTLY AND SHUT OFF THE ENGINE. THERE HAS BEEN A NISSAN RECALL RELATED TO THE PROBLEMATIC PART. HOWEVER, THE RECALL ONLY FIXED THE ENGINE CONTROL MODULE BY REPROGRAMMING IT. THE RECALL DID NOT RESOLVE THE FUNDAMENTAL PROBLEM THAT IS THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10607592

138,000 miles · Jun 28, 2014
Structure

AFTER A SERIES OF HARD RAINS AND WET DRIVING CONDITIONS, I NOTICED A WET, MUSTY SMELL IN THE CABIN INTERIOR. AFTER INSPECTING ALL DOOR AND WINDOW SEALS WITHOUT FINDING ANY LEAKS, I INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE FLOORPAN AREA BENEATH BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE RUSTING THROUGH WITH OPEN HOLES IN …

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AFTER A SERIES OF HARD RAINS AND WET DRIVING CONDITIONS, I NOTICED A WET, MUSTY SMELL IN THE CABIN INTERIOR. AFTER INSPECTING ALL DOOR AND WINDOW SEALS WITHOUT FINDING ANY LEAKS, I INSPECTED UNDERNEATH THE CAR AND NOTICED THAT THE FLOORPAN AREA BENEATH BOTH THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEATS WERE RUSTING THROUGH WITH OPEN HOLES IN BOTH AREAS. THIS IMMEDIATELY STRUCK ME AS A DEFECT AS THE VEHICLE IS OTHERWISE RUST-FREE. UPON RESEARCHING, I DISCOVERED THAT THIS APPEARS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH 01-06 NISSAN ALTIMAS. I CONTACTED THE DEALER WHO ACKNOWLEDGED THE ISSUE. HOWEVER, THEY NOTED THAT NISSAN HAS NOT TAKEN ACTION TO ADDRESS THIS DEFECT. THEY PROVIDED A ROUGH ESTIMATE FOR REPAIRS AS THEY HAVE REFERRED OTHER CUSTOMERS TO BODY SHOPS FOR REPAIR (~$500-600 PER SIDE). NOT ONLY IS THIS LIKELY TO DAMAGE THE INTERIOR, BUT IT WOULD SEEM TO BE A LIKELY SAFETY HAZARD WITH THE WEAKENED FLOORPAN. I HAVE HAD MY CAR AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE INSPECTIONS, AND THIS ISSUE WAS NEVER NOTED ON THE INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10606724

106,000 miles · Jun 24, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED VIOLENTLY WITH EXTREME HESITATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION DOWN SHIFTED VIOLENTLY WITH EXTREME HESITATION. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10605541

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