VehicleVerdict

2006 Nissan Altima problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

One of the years to avoid

With 1,043 complaints filed to NHTSA — about 3.3 times the median Altima year — the 2006 model ranks #9 of 33 Altima years for complaint volume. It lands on the years-to-avoid list. Complainants reported 70 injuries in total across these filings.

Engine leads the complaint categories with 358 reports (34% of the total).

1,043

NHTSA complaints

4

Recalls

0

Investigations

58

Crash-involved

18

Fires reported

70

Injuries

0

Deaths

NCAP overall

How does 2006 compare to other Altima years?

See all Altima years to avoid →

What are the most common 2006 Nissan Altima problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Engine35834%
Body & Structure22421%
Electrical System949%
Transmission808%
Other687%
Airbags434%
Speed Control384%
Fuel System323%
Brakes262%
Suspension182%
Steering162%
Tires & Wheels162%
Lighting91%
Seats81%
Visibility & Wipers61%
Seat Belts40%
Latches & Locks30%

Does the 2006 Nissan Altima have recalls?

4 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

07V527000EngineNovember 14, 2007 · 653,910 units

Defect

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

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.

07E087000LightingOctober 25, 2007 · 4,654 units

Defect

CERTAIN TYC HALOGEN TYPE HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES P/N 20-6644-00 SOLD AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR 2005-2006 NISSAN ALTIMA PASSENGER VEHICLES. THE PHOTOMETRIC WERE MISALIGNED WHICH DOES NOT COMPLY WITH FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Consequence

MISALIGNMENT OF THE LIGHTS DIMINISHES FRONTAL ILLUMINATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Remedy

GENERA WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE NONCOMPLIANT LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON OCTOBER 25, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT GENERA AT 714-522-6688.

06V223000EngineJune 21, 2006 · 85,000 units

Defect

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

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.

06V046000SuspensionFebruary 13, 2006 · 759 units

Defect

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

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.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

WAS DRIVING AND MY ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WENT INTO THE STORE CAME BACK OUT MY CAR AND IT WOULDN'T START,,, THOUGHT MAYBE SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE CABLES OR SOMETHING,, FINALLY STARTED,, COME NEXT MORNING IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL, TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC SAID WHAT IT WAS,, ELECTRICAL PART WENT TO MY…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · August 22, 2014 · crash

I WAS COMING OFF 295 AND HIT A PATCH OF BLACK ICE LOST CONTROL OF MY CAR AND HIT A GUARDRAIL. THE AIR BAGS NEVER WENT OFF AND EVERYONE AT THE SCENE WAS TRYING TO FIGURE HOW OR WHY THEY DID NOT GO OFF. MY CAR IS TOTALED .. UPDATED 02/19/15 *BF UPDATED 3/30/2016*JS UPDATED 9/20/2017*CN

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Body & Structure · February 4, 2015 · crash

"TAKING RECALL"I GOT A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA WHEN I LOOK UNDER THE COVER I SAW THE CONNECTORS THAT GOES TO SPARK PLUG MELTED BY OVER HEAT (SMALL FIRE)MY ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IT READ SENSOR ONE TIME CRANKSHAFT NEXT TIME UP AND DOWN STREAM SENSOR LOT OF DIFFERENT READINGS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 13, 2016 · fire

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE CLUTCH MALFUNCTIONED CAUSING THE DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL AND CRASH INTO A MEDIAN GUARDRAIL. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. WHEN DEPRESSING THE CLUTCH, THE PEDAL WOULD NOT…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · May 1, 2014 · crash

"TAKING RECALL"I GOT A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA WHEN I LOOK UNDER THE COVER I SAW THE CONNECTORS THAT GOES TO SPARK PLUG MELTED BY OVER HEAT (SMALL FIRE)MY ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IT READ SENSOR ONE TIME CRANKSHAFT NEXT TIME UP AND DOWN STREAM SENSOR LOT OF DIFFERENT READINGS…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Other · July 13, 2016 · fire

2006 Nissan Altima — common questions

Is the 2006 Nissan Altima reliable?

NHTSA data argues against it: 1,043 complaints put the 2006 model at #9 of 33 Altima years. It is one of the Altima years to avoid.

What are the most common 2006 Altima problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are engine (358 complaints), body & structure (224 complaints), electrical system (94 complaints).

Does the 2006 Nissan Altima have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns affecting the 2006 Nissan Altima. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Altima years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Altima years to avoid are 2013, 2009, 2014, 2008, 2005, 2002, 2015, 2003, 2006, 2016, 2007, 2012, 2010, 2017, 2019, 2018, 2020, 2021, 2022. The cleanest record among Altima years belongs to 2025.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.