2006 Nissan Altima

Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues

Structure is the leading concern among 824 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 9th highest complaint count among 26 Altima model years with reports.

Complaints by model year
  1. 824

Of the 2006 reports, 43 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 52 people were injured.

Primary concernStructure221 reports · 27% of complaints
Owner complaints824Filed with NHTSA
Recall relationship4 safety recallsNHTSA campaign records

What owners report most often

  1. Structure221
  2. Engine and engine cooling189
  3. Engine166
  4. Power train79
  5. Electrical system72
  6. Other or unspecified64
  7. Air bags43
  8. Vehicle speed control38

Recalls and investigations

  1. Engine and engine coolingNov 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.

    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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

    Campaign 07V527000 on NHTSA.gov

  2. Exterior lighting, headlightsOct 25, 2007

    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.

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

    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.

    Campaign 07E087000 on NHTSA.gov

  3. Engine and engine coolingJun 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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 06V223000 on NHTSA.gov

  4. Suspension, rearFeb 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.

    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.

    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.

    Campaign 06V046000 on NHTSA.gov

Representative owner complaints: engine

352 reports, newest first. Show all

  1. Engine and engine cooling, Jun 6, 2006

    I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA THAT WAS MANUFACTURED ON 2/06. THERE HAVE BEEN REPORTED FIRE ISSUES DUE TO THE OIL CONSUMPTION. I AM NOT COMFORTABLE DIVING THE CAR. I CALLED THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT AT HILLTOP NISSAN ON RT 10 IN E HANOVER AND WAS TOLD THEY WEREN'T DOING ANYTHING FOR ANOTHER 60 DAYS. I WANT TO GET OUT OF THE CAR BEFORE THERE IS AN ISSUE TO REPORT. I WILL ADD THE DATE I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP. *NM

  2. Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Jun 6, 2006

    I PURCHASED A 2006 2.5 S NISSAN IN GOOD FAITH. I AM NOW BEING TOLD THAT AS LONG AS THE OIL CHANGES ARE ALWAYS CURRENT I WILL NOT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE CAR BLOWING UP. I AM A 25 YEARS OLD YOUNG WOMAN WITH A CHILD, AND I AM NOT WILLING TO TAKE THAT RISK. OF COURSE I WILL CHANGE MY OIL, BUT THAT IS NOT THE POINT. THE POINT IS THAT THERE IS A DEFECT IN THIS CAR CAUSING IT TO EXPLODE. I TRIED TALKING TO SOME ONE AT YOUR CAR SAFETY COMMISSION AND WAS TOLD THAT UNTIL THE CAR BLOWS UP, THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE. WELL I CAN'T COME BACK FROM THE GRAVE AND HAVE IT FIXED. I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT YOU ALL ARE WILLING TO LET SOMEONE DIE BEFORE REACTING ON SUCH A SERIOUS PROBLEM. *JB