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.
Of the 2006 reports, 43 involved a crash and 14 involved a fire. 52 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
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
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
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
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: structure
221 reports, newest first. Show all
Structure, Nov 4, 2013
RUSTED FLOORBOARDS AFTER WARRANTY EXPIRED. *TR
Structure, Oct 26, 2013
THE FLOORBOARDS OF THE DRIVER SIDE HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. THIS IS A COMMON COMPLAINT POSTED ABOUT NUMEROUS TIMES ONLINE, WITH NO RESPONSE FROM NISSAN. IT SEEMS THAT ALTIMAS FROM ATLEAST 2003-2006 WERE EFFECTED. NO RECALL HAS BEEN PLACED THAT I HAVE FOUND, ALTHOUGH MANY, MANY COMPLAINTS AND DISCUSSIONS ABOUT MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
Structure, Sep 24, 2013
UPON TAKING THE CAR TO THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE FLOORBOARDS UNDER THE DRIVER AND FRONT PASSENGER SEATS ARE EATEN AWAY BY RUST AND EACH SIDE WILL COST $1000 TO REPAIR BY WELDING A PLATE TO IT. IT IS SO SEVERE THAT THE CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION AND BE REJECTED FOR SAFETY REASONS, ACCORDING TO THE DEALER...*JS
Structure, Sep 23, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE PERFORMED, THE TECHNICIAN NOTIFIED HIM THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. AS A RESULT, THE FLOORBOARDS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 57,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 60,000.
Structure, Sep 11, 2013
TOOK MY CAR FOR ITS YEARLY STATE INSPECTION AND IT WAS REJECTED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE FLOOR HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND NOW NEEDS TO GO TO A BODY SHOP TO HAVE THE DRIVERS FLOOR REPLACED. *TR
Structure, Aug 20, 2013
MY 2006 ALTIMA HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED, SERVICED AND DRIVEN WITH NO ISSUES UNTIL RECENTLY WHILE REPAIRING A LEAKING RADIATOR HOSE, I NOTICED THAT BOTH THE FRONT PASSENGER AND DRIVERS FLOOR HAD A RUSTED THRU HOLE IN THE SAME LOCATION, RIGHT WHERE THE FEET WOULD REST. NO OTHER PART OF THE FLOOR PAN OR UNDERCARRIAGE HAS ANY RUST. I BROUGHT CAR TO A BODY SHOP AND AS TOLD THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH ALTIMAS IN THIS YEAR RANGE. FROM WHAT I HAVE FOUND IN MY RESEARCH, NISSAN IS NOT ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE . *TR
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Structure, Aug 14, 2013
SO AFTER MY HUSBAND REPLACED A FAULTY BRAKE CALIPER ON THE LEFT REAR OF MY ALTIMA HE PROCEEDED TO ROTATE THE TIRES. IT WAS THEN HE DISCOVERED MY DRIVER SIDE FLOOR PAN COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. WE HAD BEEN NOTICING A "WET CAR" SMELL ON OCCASION, BUT I WOULD NEVER HAVE IMAGINED THIS. I AM SO DISGUSTED. TO BEAT IT ALL, NISSAN WON'T RECTIFY THIS?? THAT'S BULL@$#T. I HAD A 1995 ALTIMA THAT I DROVE FOR OVER A DECADE WITH OVER 200000 MILES ON IT BEFORE I TRADED IT IN. THE RELIABILITY OF IT WAS WHAT PROMPTED ME TO PURCHASE ANOTHER. THOUGH MY HUSBAND CAN REPLACE THE DAMAGED AREA, THE POINT IS HE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO. I PROMISE YOU THIS, IT IS THE LAST NISSAN ANYTHING I'LL EVER BUY. I GUESS THAT'S WHAT I GET FOR NOT BUYING AMERICAN ENGINEERED/MADE/CONCEIVED (KARMA BIT ME IN THE BUTT). I'LL GO BACK TO FORD FOR SURE. *TR
Structure, Aug 7, 2013
PREMATURE UNDERCARRIAGE RUSTING & ROT UNDER PASSENGER & DRIVER SIDE OF VEHICLE. VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2002-2006 NISSAN ALTIMA'S. CONTACTED NISSAN OF AMERICA, WAS TOLD IT CANNOT BE FIXED BECAUSE IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY. HOWEVER, THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT HAS AFFECTED MANY VEHICLES REGARDLESS OF LOCATION. I CANNOT IMAGINE THIS CAR BEING SAFE IN A COLLISION, SEEING AS THE UNDERCARRIAGE IS ROTTED OUT. *TR
Structure, Aug 5, 2013
INSPECTION ON AUGUST 5, 2013 REVEALED RUSTED HOLES IN 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS. THIS IS EXTREMELY UNACCEPTABLE FOR A 7 YEAR OLD VEHICLE. I HAVE BEEN A NISSAN BRAND FAMILY SINCE 1989 AND HAVE TAKEN EXTRA MAINTENANCE MEASURES TO GET MY VEHICLES PAST 200,000. AFTER RESEARCHING THE WEB, MANY FORUMS SHOW NISSAN IS REFUSING TO ADDRESS THIS MAJOR COMMON PROBLEM. I WILL CONSIDER REPAIRING MY VEHICLE AND TRADING IN TO ANOTHER MANUFACTURER. *TR
Structure, Jul 26, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000.
Structure, Jul 23, 2013
THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN VERY WELL MAINTAINED AND I NOTICED TODAY THAT THE FLOORBOARDS ON BOTH SIDES IN THE FRONT ARE RUSTED RIGHT THROUGH. BY SEARCHING THE INTERNET, I SEE THAT THIS SEEMS TO BE A RECURRING ISSUE FOR OTHER CONSUMERS. *TR
Structure, Jul 22, 2013
FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD IS RUSTING OUT ON MY WIFE'S 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THERE WAS A MUSTY SMELL BUILDUP IN HER CAR. ON INSPECTION, FOUND THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE CARPETING WAS DAMP. THE FLOORBOARD HAD 2 LARGE SPOTS WERE IT WAS STARTING TO RUST AWAY. WE HAVE ALWAYS KEPT THE CAR WASHED AND CLEANED THROUGHOUT OUR OWNERSHIP OF THIS VEHICLE. WE ARE THE ORIGINAL AND SOLE OWNERS OF THIS VEHICLES. *TR
Structure, Jul 16, 2013
THIS IS ABOUT THE 15TH NEWER ALTIMA THAT HAS NO FLOORBOARD IN IT AND I DONT SEE HOW THE CARS WILL FARE WELL IN A CRASH. I DECIDED TO COMPLAIN BECAUSE OF SHE SHEER VOLUME OF PEOPLE SAYING THEIR CARS ARE AFFECTED THE SAME WAY. YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT THIS ! *TR
Structure, Jun 29, 2013
ON JUNE 28 2013 TOOK MY CAR TO GET IT INSPECT AND THEY WOULD NOT PASS THE INSPECTION DUE TO THERE WAS A RUSTY HOLE UNDERNEATH THE FLOOR MAT OUTSIDE THE CAR. A HOLE RIGHT ON THE DRIVER SIDE THEY TOLD ME THEY SEE A LOT OF OLDER MODEL NISSAN WITH THIS PROBLEM AND I WOULD HAVE TO GET IT FIX TO PASS INSPECTION. I CALL NISSAN CONSUMER AND TOLD THEM ABOUT IT THEY SAID THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO ABOUT IT AND TOLD ME TO GO TO NISSAN BODY SHOP BUT I WOULD HAVE TO PAY FOR IT. I BROUGHT THIS CAR NEW 2007 WITH 12 MILES AND DON'T UNDERSTAND WHY THIS WOULD HAPPEN ALSO FOR MANY YEARS I HAVE A WATER LEAK WHERE THEY CAN'T SEEM TO FIND AND I HAVE TAKE TO THE NISSAN DEALER SHIP FOR AT LEAST 2 THREE YEARS AND NOW THERE WHITE MOLD IN THE CAR THEY WONT DO ANYTHING ABOUT THAT. *TR
Structure, Jun 27, 2013
TOOK MY NISSAN ALTIMA TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR SOME WORK. THE SERVICE DEPT. CALLED TO TELL ME THERE WAS AN ISSUE WITH THE FLOORBOARDS. AND THE CAR WOULD PASS INSPECTION. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY SAID THERE IS NOTHING THEY CAN DO. I BOUGHT THE CAR THREE YEARS AGO AS A CERTIFIED NISSAN WITH A 100000 MILE WARRANTY. THE CAR HAD ABOUT 35000 MILES ON IT WHEN I BOUGHT IT. *TR
Structure, Jun 5, 2013
MY FIANCE PUT MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA ON A LIFT AS A ROUTINE INSPECTION AND OIL CHANGE ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE DRIVER'S SIDE AND PASSENGER SIDE FLOOR BOARDS HAVE RUSTED THROUGH. AS WELL AS MY OIL PAN, FLEX CONNECTOR BETWEEN CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND MUFFLER. MY CAR IS REGULARLY MAINTAINED AND THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE FOR A CAR THAT IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD. I THEN RESEARCHED TO SEE IF THIS IS AN ISSUE WITH OTHER NISSAN OWNERS AND IT APPEARS THAT IT IS. I HAVE ALSO HAD MY CAR NOT START IF IT IS MOVED A COUPLE OF FEET AND THEN TURNED OFF. I HAVE BROUGHT IT TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER ONLY TO BE TOLD THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH MY CAR. *TR
Structure, May 6, 2013
THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALERSHIP FOR A SCHEDULED SERVICE. I WAS ASKED TO GO INTO THE GARAGE TO LOOK AT THE FLOOR BOARDS WHILE THE CAR WAS ON THE LIFT. THE DRIVERS SIDE IS SO BAD YOU CAN SEE THE CARPET. THE PASSENGER SIDE IS BAD ENOUGH THAT THEY TOLD ME THE CAR WOULD NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT HAVING BOTH SIDES REPAIRED BY A BODY SHOP. I TOOK THE CAR TO A BODY SHOP TODAY AND THEY WERE SHOCKED AT THE EXCELLENT CONDITION OF THE CAR VS THE ROTTEN FLOOR BOARDS. I'VE BEEN DOING PLENTY OF INTERNET SEARCHES TODAY AND FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR
Structure, Apr 29, 2013
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE HOLES CAUSED BY EXTREME CORROSION THROUGHOUT THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FLOORBOARD WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000. *TR UPDATED 07/10/13*LJ
Structure, Apr 25, 2013
UPON A ROUTINE OIL CHANGE MY MECHANIC NOTICED THE HUGE AMOUNT OF RUST UNDER MY DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOORBOARDS. THE CARPET INSIDE CAN BE SEEN. UPON RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM I FOUND NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS WITH THIS SAME PROBLEM WHERE NISSAN IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. THIS IS A LOW MILEAGE WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE. IM SHOCKED AT THE AMOUNT OF RUST IN THESE AREAS. NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR WOULD NOT CAUSE THIS. NISSAN SHOULD BE RECALLING THESE CARS. *TR
Structure, Apr 19, 2013
DISCOVERED RUST UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE, SHEET METAL IS RUSTED OUT. WILL NEED REPLACED. UNACCEPTABLE FOR A GARAGE KEPT AND WELL MAINTAINED VEHICLE THAT IS ONLY 7 YEARS OLD! *TR
Structure, Apr 6, 2013
FLOOR BOARDS RUSTED THROUGH UNDER DRIVER AND FROM PASSENGER SEATS (FOOT REST AREA) BECAUSE OF POOR METAL COATING AND POOR DRAINAGE DESIGN. REST OF THE CAR IS PERFECTLY FINE. CAR HAS VERY LOW MILEAGE AND NO ACCIDENTS. HAVING HOLE BY THE FLOOR REST AREA IS A SAFETY HAZARD. WHEN RUST STARTED CAR WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY BUT DEALER REFUSED TO CHECK, NOW FLOOR PANELS MUST BE COMPLETELY REPLACED. READING OTHER SIMILAR COMPLAINS ALL OVER THE WEB AND PERSONALLY KNOWING 3 OTHER ALTIMA OWNERS WITH EXACT SAME ISSUE, I AM VERY SURPRISED THAT NO ACTION TAKE SO FAR. *TR
Structure, Apr 2, 2013
THE FLOOR PAN ON MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA 2.5 SL IS RUSTING AND CORRODED UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SEAT AND COULD PRESENT A SAFETY ISSUE. I CONTACTED MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO ASSIST ME BECAUSE THE CAR IS OUT OF FACTORY WARRANTY. I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THAT A CAR 6+ YEARS OLD WOULD BE RUSTING THAT BAD ESPECIALLY GIVEN THAT THE CAR HAS BEEN KEPT IN MY GARAGE AND WELL MAINTAINED. I HAVE SEARCHED ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND NUMEROUS 2002-2006 NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS THAT HAVE THE SAME ISSUE. I BELIEVE THIS IS A DEFECT AND NISSAN SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL AND REPAIR THESE VEHICLES. *TR
Structure, Mar 28, 2013
I TOOK MY CAR IN FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND MY MECHANIC NOTICED THE FLOOR BOARD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE WAS ROTTED. THE ROTTING IS APPROXIMATELY 12' X 6' THE FRONT SEAT WILL EVENTUALLY FALL OUT OF THE CAR IF IT'S NOT REPAIRED SOON AND/OR MOLD WILL START DEVELOPING SOON POSING A SERIOUS HEALTH ISSUE. UPON RESEARCH OF THIS ISSUE, I FOUND THIS IS A COMMON DEFECT ON ALTIMA'S FROM 2002-2006. *TR
Structure, Feb 19, 2013
FLOORBOARD RUST ON PASSENGER/DRIVER FLOOR. RUST DUE TO IMPROPER UNDERCOATING AND FAULTY DRAINAGE FROM DRAIN HOLES. RUST UNDER CAR ONLY THESE AREAS. REST OF UNDER CARRIAGE IS SPOTLESS. DEBRIS ON ROAD COULD COME THROUGH FLOOR. *TR
Structure, Jan 29, 2013
DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD ROTTED AWAY DUE TO RUST. THERE ARE NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS DISCUSSED ON VARIOUS WEBSITES THAT CONTAIN SIMILAR PROBLEMS EXPERIENCED WITH THE 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. NISSAN HAS NOT RECALLED THIS VEHICLE. *TR