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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
59,038 miles · Jan 9, 2009
Engine And Engine Cooling

VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME AT 28,214 MILES. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER AFTER HOURS. VEHICLE STARTED FOR THEM NEXT DAY. DEALER SUGGESTED IT WAS A SENSOR ACTING UP BUT NO CODE WAS RECORDED. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE SECOND AND THIRD TIMES, I WAS ABLE TO TRICK IT INTO STARTED BY REMOVING SEVERAL F…

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VEHICLE FAILED TO START ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE FIRST TIME AT 28,214 MILES. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER AFTER HOURS. VEHICLE STARTED FOR THEM NEXT DAY. DEALER SUGGESTED IT WAS A SENSOR ACTING UP BUT NO CODE WAS RECORDED. WHEN IT HAPPENED THE SECOND AND THIRD TIMES, I WAS ABLE TO TRICK IT INTO STARTED BY REMOVING SEVERAL FUSES AND CLEARING THE ENGINE OF EXCESS FUEL. CAR WOULD START. I READ ABOUT THIS TRICK ON THE INTERNET. FINALLY THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO RUN ROUGH AND WAS EVEN HARDER TO START. TOOK VEHICLE IN AT 59,038 TO HAVE CRANK POSITION SENSOR REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10254341

38,000 miles · Dec 19, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 38,000.

NHTSA ODI #10252305

Mileage unknown · Nov 30, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

DEFECTIVE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250194

23,000 miles · Nov 24, 2008
Power Train

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT BOX WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE LEVER REMAINS STUCK WHEN SHIFTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT SOMETHING WAS SPILLED IN THE GEAR BOX. THEY PULLED THE GEAR BOX APART AND FOUND NO SPILL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT REASSEMBLE THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE GEAR SHIFT BOX WAS NOT WORKING PROPERLY AND THE LEVER REMAINS STUCK WHEN SHIFTING. THE DEALER STATED THAT SOMETHING WAS SPILLED IN THE GEAR BOX. THEY PULLED THE GEAR BOX APART AND FOUND NO SPILL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE DEALER DID NOT REASSEMBLE THE VEHICLE CORRECTLY. THE DEALER IS CHARGING $800-900 TO REPAIR THE GEAR SHIFT. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED TO FIND ANOTHER DEALER TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER IS NOT ASSISTING. THE VEHICLE IS UNDER WARRANTY, BUT IS NOT BEING REPAIRED AS SUCH. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,000.

NHTSA ODI #10249634

46,800 miles · Sep 17, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

RECALL ID# 6827 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. IF THE INTERRUPTION IN THE SIGNAL FROM THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS SO BRIEF THAT THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE (ECM) LOGIC DOES NOT HAVE T…

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RECALL ID# 6827 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. 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. 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. HAD ECM REPROGRAMMED AND MY CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS STILL OVERHEATING. NISSAN SHOULD REPLACE THE SENSOR IF THE REPROGRAMMING DOES NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10242550

10,500 miles · Sep 11, 2008
Tires

4 DRY ROTTED VALVE STEMS, DILL TR414 THAT WERE ORIGINAL EQUIP ON CONTINENTAL MTS P215/60 R16 94 T TOURING ON 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA WHEN VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW, VEH WAS TOWED TO NTB WHERE THEY REPLACED ALL 4 VALVE STEMS, I RPTD INCIDENT TO MFR NISSAN AND MFR CONTINENTAL AND THEY ARE BLAMING EACH OTHER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10241822

30,000 miles · Sep 4, 2008
Suspension

I BOUGHT MY ALTIMA NEW IN 2006. I HAVE HAD THE CAR FOR 2 YEARS AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE STRUTS REPLACED 3 TIMES AND JUST RECENTLY A TIE ROD. I HAVE 30,000 MILES ON THE CAR AND HAVE NEVER MISSED ANY GENERAL MAINTENANCE. I WORRY THAT THE CAR IS NOT SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10240982

74,000 miles · Jul 17, 2008
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR OVERHEATED. TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE IDLING IN TRAFFIC, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED. SEVERAL DAYS LATER, THE BATTERY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED AGAIN. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSOR OVERHEATED. THE MANUFACTURER CONFIRMED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE CONTACT WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY BEING REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND UPDATED 09/18/08. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10234648

15,500 miles · Jun 13, 2008
Tires

215/55/17 BRIDGESTONE TURANZA EL-42 TIRE ON FRON DRIVER SIDE BEGIN TO SPLIT ON SIDE TRADWEAR. ONLY 15000 MILES ON THE TIRE. EXPER TIRE CARE WOULD NOT REPLACE THE DEFETIVE TIRE FOR FREE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10230935

200 miles · Jun 12, 2008
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES BETWEEN 60-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGES WHEN IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TEN PREVIOUS TIMES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EACH TIME. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE MONTH LATER. HE HAS…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES BETWEEN 60-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGES WHEN IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TEN PREVIOUS TIMES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EACH TIME. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE MONTH LATER. HE HAS BECOME SO USED TO THE FAILURE, THAT HE CAN FEEL IT BEFORE IT ACTUALLY OCCURS. HE APPLIES THE BRAKES 30 FEET BEHIND OTHER VEHICLES TO AVOID A REAR END CRASH. THE CONTACT MUST ALSO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE TO SOLVE THE FAILURE ON HIS OWN. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,500.

NHTSA ODI #10230799

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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