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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
53,025 miles · Jul 1, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2006 ALTIMA AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON OIL CONSUMPTION, THE DEALER SAID I NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THEN HE SAID IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY, WHEN I CALLED NISSAN HQ THEY SAID I HAVE UP TO 80,000 MILES WHICH I ONLY HAVE 53,000 ON MY CAR. THE END RESULT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSED MY ENGINE TO SEIZE AND NOW I HAVE NO …

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I HAVE A 2006 ALTIMA AND THERE WAS A RECALL ON OIL CONSUMPTION, THE DEALER SAID I NEEDED A CATALYTIC CONVERTER, THEN HE SAID IT WASN'T UNDER WARRANTY, WHEN I CALLED NISSAN HQ THEY SAID I HAVE UP TO 80,000 MILES WHICH I ONLY HAVE 53,000 ON MY CAR. THE END RESULT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER CAUSED MY ENGINE TO SEIZE AND NOW I HAVE NO CAR AND STILL HAVE 10,000 DOLLARS OF CAR PAYMENTS. THE DEALER IS HILLSIDE NISSAN IN NEW JERSEY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10340960

60,000 miles · Jun 22, 2010
EquipmentVehicle Speed Control

I PURCHASED MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R AROUND 4/18/2008 WITH AROUND 34,000 MILES. A FEW DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS STICKING DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND WOULDN'T COME BACK UP. BEFORE I COULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, THE CAR CLUTCH GAVE UP ON ME AND HAD TO GET IT TOW TO THE DEALER. DEALER THEN REPLACE THE CLUTCH ($1000)…

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I PURCHASED MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R AROUND 4/18/2008 WITH AROUND 34,000 MILES. A FEW DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS STICKING DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND WOULDN'T COME BACK UP. BEFORE I COULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, THE CAR CLUTCH GAVE UP ON ME AND HAD TO GET IT TOW TO THE DEALER. DEALER THEN REPLACE THE CLUTCH ($1000) AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS STILL STICKING TO THE FLOOR, SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR A FEW HOURS AND THEN CALLED ME TO SAY IT WAS DONE (FIX) AFTER THAT, THE CAR WAS FINE FOR A WHILE. A MONTH AGO, AROUND 5/15/2010, CLUTCH PEDAL STARTED TO STICK TO THE FLOOR AGAIN AND WOULDN'T COME UP. I CALLED A MECHANIC AND HE EXPLAINED TO ME OVER THE PHONE THAT MOST LIKELY IT'S THE MASTER CYLINDER OR SLAVE THAT WENT OUT AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. PER THIS LINK ---> HTTP://WWW.NISSANFORUMS.COM/ALTIMA-SE-R/112659-CLUTCH-MASTER-CYLINDER-TROUBLE.HTML TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND THE NISSAN DEALERS ARE PRETTY MUCH SAYING THAT THERE'S NOTHING IT CAN BE DONE, AND ON MY OPINION, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIX. NISSAN (MECHANICS) SHOULD KNOW THEIR CARS AND BE ABLE TO HAVE GOOD JUDGMENT AND SAY IF SOMETHING NEEDS ATTENTION INSTEAD OF TELLING US (CUSTOMERS) EVERYTHING IS FINE, WHEN IS NOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10339565

85,100 miles · Jun 22, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,996. UPDATED 08/11/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 85,100 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,996. UPDATED 08/11/10. *LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. WHEN SHE ARRIVED HOME AND SHE CHECK THE OIL ONLY TO DISCOVER THERE WAS NO OIL IN THE VEHICLE. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. UPON INSPECTION THE CONSUMER WAS ADVISED A NEW ENGINE WAS NEEDED. UPDATED 08/17/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10339539

99,000 miles · Jun 10, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT HAD BEEN WORKING FINE UP UNTIL YESTERDAY. WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK YESTERDAY, MY CAR JUST STALLED AT A STOPLIGHT AND THEN IT WAS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO GET IT RESTARTED. THEREAFTER, MY CAR WOULD STALL AT EVERY STOPLIGHT AND STOP SIGN. THE DRIVERS THAT WERE BEHIND ME WERE CLEARLY UPSET AND FRUS…

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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT HAD BEEN WORKING FINE UP UNTIL YESTERDAY. WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK YESTERDAY, MY CAR JUST STALLED AT A STOPLIGHT AND THEN IT WAS INCREDIBLY DIFFICULT TO GET IT RESTARTED. THEREAFTER, MY CAR WOULD STALL AT EVERY STOPLIGHT AND STOP SIGN. THE DRIVERS THAT WERE BEHIND ME WERE CLEARLY UPSET AND FRUSTRATED AND ONE DRIVER ALMOST REAR ENDED ME. I TOOK MY CAR TO AUTOZONE SO THEY COULD HOOK IT UP TO THEIR ANALYSIS COMPUTER AND THEY STATED THAT IT WAS MY CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. I AM REQUESTING THAT YOU LOOK INTO THIS MATTER BECAUSE A CAR THAT JUST STALLS FOR NO OTHER REASON THAN A FAULTY SENSOR IS UNACCEPTABLE. IN ADDITION, I DID A WEB SEARCH AND FOUND THAT MAY PEOPLE ARE HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE SAME SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10335704

56,000 miles · Jun 8, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE MISFIRED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOU…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE MISFIRED AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL REPAIR FACILITY WHERE HE WAS ADVISED BY THE MECHANIC THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. ALTHOUGH THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE FAILURE (NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 07V527000: ENGINE AND ENGINE COOING), THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT YET REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 56,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 63,000.

NHTSA ODI #10335187

86,000 miles · May 26, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL, HESITATE AND FAIL TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INF…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL, HESITATE AND FAIL TO START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE STALLED WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS A RELATED RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED WHEN THE COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 86,000. UPDATED 11/04/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10332328

31,500 miles · May 12, 2010
Power Train

1-2 TIMES A WEEK,I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY PUSH HARD ON THE BRAKE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. I AM NOT PARKING ON ANY KIND OF INCLINE. THIS HAS GONE ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. NOW TWICE IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS, I GO TO GET READY TO PARK THE CAR,AND MY GEARSHIFT WILL GO TO NEUTRAL BUT WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR PARK. I TRIED COSTING THE CA…

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1-2 TIMES A WEEK,I HAVE TO REPEATEDLY PUSH HARD ON THE BRAKE TO GET THE CAR OUT OF PARK. I AM NOT PARKING ON ANY KIND OF INCLINE. THIS HAS GONE ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS. NOW TWICE IN THE LAST 2 MONTHS, I GO TO GET READY TO PARK THE CAR,AND MY GEARSHIFT WILL GO TO NEUTRAL BUT WILL NOT GO INTO REVERSE OR PARK. I TRIED COSTING THE CAR A BIT,TRIED DRIVING IT FORWARD A BIT,I EVEN SHUT THE CAR OFF IN NEUTRAL, NOTHING WORKED. FINALLY,WHILE IN NEUTRAL,I REVVED THE ENGINE A LITTLE BIT AND GEARSHIFT SMOOTHLY STARTED WORKING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10330066

17,000 miles · May 9, 2010
Power Train

DON'T KNOW OF ANY EVENTS BUT I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R 6-SPD AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAS THIS PROBLEM WHERE IT SINKS TO THE FLOOR AND I HAVE NO PLAY WHAT SO EVER TO SWITCH GEARS OR EVEN GET OUT OF NEUTRAL. I HAVE BEEN ON MANY FORUMS WHERE THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH ALOT OF 6 SPD TRANSMISSIONS FOR THE ALTIMAS. I HA…

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DON'T KNOW OF ANY EVENTS BUT I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R 6-SPD AND THE CLUTCH PEDAL HAS THIS PROBLEM WHERE IT SINKS TO THE FLOOR AND I HAVE NO PLAY WHAT SO EVER TO SWITCH GEARS OR EVEN GET OUT OF NEUTRAL. I HAVE BEEN ON MANY FORUMS WHERE THIS SEEMS TO BE A MAJOR PROBLEM WITH ALOT OF 6 SPD TRANSMISSIONS FOR THE ALTIMAS. I HAVE HAD THE CAR SINCE JAN 2007 AND HAVE HAD THIS PROBLEM A FEW TIMES. ONCE, THE CAR JUST DIDN'T START AT ALL CAUSE I HAD TO PRESSURE IN THE CLUTCH AND HAD TO BE TOWED AND THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN AUSTIN REPLACED BOTH THE SLAVE AND MASTER CYLINDER AND SAID THAT WOULD FIX IT BUT I STILL GET THE SAME PROBLEM. MY FATHER AND A COUPLE OF MY FRIENDS WHO DROVE THE CAR HAVE HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. JUST WANT TO HAVE THE CAR FIXED SO I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THIS ANYMORE AND WANT TO KNOW WHAT TO DO NEXT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10329480

25,000 miles · May 4, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF RECALL 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND SHE WAS TOLD THAT HER VEHICLE W…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ENGINE STALLED AT LOW SPEEDS AND AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ALSO ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED OF RECALL 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND SHE WAS TOLD THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE SENSOR WAS REPAIRED AT THE OWNERS EXPENSE. THE MANUFACTURER OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 25,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000.

NHTSA ODI #10328851

84,000 miles · May 4, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED; THE LOWER THE SPEED, THE MORE PRONOUNCED THE FAILURE WAS. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED; THE LOWER THE SPEED, THE MORE PRONOUNCED THE FAILURE WAS. WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BEFORE THE ECM WAS TO BE REPROGRAMMED, WHICH WAS THE RECALLED COMPONENT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 84,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 85,000.

NHTSA ODI #10328761

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