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, Dec 11, 2012
MY CAR IS EXPERIENCING RUST UNDER THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH REVEALS THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FOR NISSAN ALTIMAS, HOWEVER NISSAN REFUSES TO COVER THE CAR SINCE IT IS OUTSIDE THE 5-YEAR WARRANTY. MY CAR EVEN HAS THE UNDERCOAT PROTECTION, BUT HAS A HOLE IN THE FLOOR BOARD ROUGHLY THE SIZE OF A SOFTBALL. THIS SHOULD NOT OCCUR ON A CAR THAT IS ONLY 6 YEARS OLD. I AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE. MANY, MANY NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS ARE FINDING RUST HOLES UNDER THEIR FLOOR BOARDS. THIS IS CLEARLY A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR
Structure, Nov 27, 2012
THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR BOARD HAS RUSTED THROUGH, WHICH IS VERY UNUSUAL FOR A VEHICLE OF THIS AGE. ACCORDING TO VARIOUS DATA ONLINE, THE METAL WAS NOT PROPERLY TREATED TO PREVENT RUST BEFORE INSTALLATION. WE ARE REQUESTING THAT NISSAN REPAIR THE RUST AT NO CHARGE TO US. *TR
Structure, Nov 13, 2012
TOOK FOR INSPECTION. SERVICE DEALER SAID DRIVER SIDE FLOOR BOARD RUSTED INTO INTERIOR. CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED AT DEALERSHIP FOLLOWING ALL SAFETY MAINTENANCE CHECKUPS, EVEN LAST MONTH. NO ONE MENTIONED ANY FORM OF RUST AT THE TIME. DEALER SAID THERE HAVE BEEN QUITE A FEW SIMILAR PROBLEMS FROM 2002-2006, BUT THEY DID NOT THINK IT WAS IMPORTANT TO CHECK THIS OUT ON LAST SAFETY MAINTENANCE VISIT. I'M UPSET NISSAN IS NOT COVERING THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT AND ONLY AFTER 5 YEARS PLUS CAR HAD UNDERCOATING APPLIED FROM FACTORY. NEXT CAR ??????? *TR
Structure, Nov 7, 2012
MY NISSAN HAD EXTENSIVE RUST DAMAGE TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT FLOOR PANS. IT WAS TAKEN TO A NISSAN DEALER. NISSAN WILL NOT REPAIR BECAUSE CAR IS OVER 80,000 MILES. THIS DAMAGE DID NOT HAPPEN IN THE LAST 4,000 MILES. FILED A CLAIM WITH NISSAN, AGAIN THEY WILL NOT REPAIR. I WAS TOLD TO SEND A LETTER TO NISSAN NORTH AMERICA CONSUMER AFFAIRS. I WAS TOLD BY A BODY SHOP THAT IT LOOKS LIKE THE CAR WAS NOT SEALED PROPERLY RIGHT FROM THE MANUFACTURER AND WATER ENTERED THROUGH THE FLOOR PAN SEAMS AND THE PLUG UNDER THE CAR. *TR
Structure, Oct 1, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT A HOLE WAS FOUND ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE UNDERCARRIAGE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 71,000.
Structure, Sep 17, 2012
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE VEHICLE WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE HAD SURPASSED THE WARRANTY MILEAGE AND THE CONTACT WAS THE SECOND OWNER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO SEVERAL INDEPENDENT MECHANICS WHO STATED A PATCH AND REPAIR WITH WELDING OF A NEW FLOOR BOARD WOULD BE REQUIRED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 142,000.
Structure, May 14, 2012
FRONT PASSENGER FLOORBOARD RUSTED THROUGH, WITH A HOLE APPROXIMATELY 4"X8" IN SIZE. I BOUGHT THE CAR WHEN IT WAS A YEAR OLD AND IT HAS BEEN METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED AND STILL LOOKS NEW INSIDE AND OUT. IT IS UNDERCOATED, AND HAS NO OTHER CORRESPONDING CORROSION. THE RUST IS NOT COMING FROM UNDERNEATH, NOR FROM A LEAK IN THE INTERIOR (THE CARPETS ARE DRY), BUT FROM BETWEEN THE TWO SHEET METAL PARTS THAT MAKE UP THE FLOOR. AS A MECHANIC, I KNOW THERE IS NO FORM OF MAINTENANCE THAT COULD HAVE PREVENTED THIS RUST FROM OCCURRING. AS A SAFETY ISSUE, MY STATE WILL FAIL THIS CAR FOR INSPECTION BECAUSE EXHAUST FUMES CAN ENTER THE INTERIOR OF THE CAR WITHOUT THE OCCUPANTS KNOWLEDGE, AND THE FLOOR COULD CONTINUE RUSTING, COMPROMISING THE INTEGRITY OF THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT MOUNTINGS. *JS
Structure, Apr 1, 2012
THERE IS AN EXCESSIVE RUST ON THE CAR, FIRST REPORTED WHEN CAR WAS LESS THAN 5 YEARS OLD: 1. FLEX CONNECTOR BETWEEN CATALYTIC CONVERTER AND THE ENGINE COMPLETELY RUSTED 2. FLOOR RUST UNDER DRIVER SEAT FIRST DEFECT REPORTED TO NISSAN AND LOCAL DEALER WITHOUT ANY RESPONSE - NISSAN CASE [XXX]. SECOND DEFECT JUST DISCOVERED AND IS VERY COMMON FOR 2005-2006 ALTIMAS - JUST SEARCH INTERNET, BUT NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE IT. IN ANY CARS 5 YEAR OLD CAR WITH NO ACCIDENTS AND WITH LESS THAN 27000 MILES SHOULD NOT HAVE THESE DEFECTS. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
Structure, Dec 14, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING EXAMINED BY AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE AND HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE UNDERCARRIAGE WAS COMPLETELY RUSTED AND CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,200. UPDATED 03/05/12*LJ UPDATED 03/07/12
Structure, Nov 16, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FLOOR BOARDS WERE RUSTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRS TO THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 85,000.
Structure, Jan 21, 2011
I PURCHASED A NEW 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA ON 12-22-05. ON 1- 8-11 I NOTICED A 6 TO 8 INCH RUST HOLE COMPLETELY THROUGH THE FLOORBOARD OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR JUST FORWARD OF THE DRIVER'S SEAT. THE DEALERSHIP AND NISSAN AMERICA HAS REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM STATING THAT THE WARRANTY HAD RUN OUT ON THE VEHICLE BY 2 WEEKS. MY CONTENTION IS THAT PROBLEM IS MATERIAL OR WORKMANSHIP DEFECT AND THAT THE PROBLEM HAS BEEN ONGOING AND ONLY DISCOVERED AT THIS TIME. I AM CERTAIN THAT THIS DAMAGE WILL COMPROMISE THIS VEHICLES PERFORMANCE IN A CRASH, POTENTIALLY ALLOW EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE OCCUPANT CABIN AND BE GENERALLY A SAFETY HAZARD FOR THE DRIVER WHO RESTS HIS OR HER FEET DIRECTLY ON THIS AREA. I HAVE READ INTERNET REPORT THAT DESCRIBE FEMALES HIGH HEELS GETTING CAUGHT IN THE RUSTED FLOOR WHILE DRIVING. *TR
Structure, Sep 23, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE REPAIRED AT AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR UNRELATED ISSUES SHE WAS INFORMED THAT THE REAR SUBFRAME WAS CRACKED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND SHE WAS INFORMED HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 06V046000, SUSPENSION:REAR. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 102,500.
Structure, Aug 31, 2010
WE PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA BRAND NEW IN 2005. THE CAR HAS BEEN GREAT BUT I SOLD THE CAR AT AN AUCTION AND RECEIVED A CALL THE NEXT DAY THAT THE CAR WAS IN ARBITRATION BECAUSE THE FLOOR BOARDS WERE RUSTED. I ASKED THEM TO VERIFY THE PROBLEM AND GET BACK TO ME. THEY CALLED ME BACK AND INDEED, THEY SAID THAT YOU COULD PUSH YOUR FINGER RIGHT THROUGH THE FLOOR BOARDS ON THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR BOARDS. *TR
Structure, Apr 19, 2010
WE BOUGHT THE CAR FROM NISSAN DEALER IN RICHMOND KY, HAD 16,400 MILES, NOTHING WRONG BODY/INTERIOR GREAT PRICE..WELL ONE WEEK LATER WE HAD A 6 STAR CRACK ON WINDSHIELD, WAS TOLD IT HAD TO BE REPLACED,FREE FROM KY STATE LAW . WHEN EXCHANGED THE SERVICE MAN WHO REPLACES THEM EVERY DAY SHOWED ME THAT THE GLUE WASN'T BONDED TO OUR CAR IN THE FIRST PLACE. SO IF WE WERE IN A WRECK, IT COULD HAVE SHATTERED ALL OVER US. I POSTED PICS UP ON AUTO BEEF...I HAVE MORE. *TR
Structure, Apr 17, 2010
VEHICLE IN QUESTION: 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA, CURRENTLY NISSAN?S ORIGINAL 60 MONTH UNLIMITED MILE RUST WARRANTY. 72,296 MILES. DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOOR BOARD AREA ARE RUSTING THROUGH. (AROUND THE FOOT WELL AREA.) I BELIEVE THIS TO BE A KNOWN-DEFECT AND KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS VEHICLE AND NISSAN IS NOT CORRECTING THIS ISSUE. I KNOWN OTHER NISSAN ALTIMA OWNERS WHO HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS CASES OF THIS PROBLEM DOCUMENTED ON REPUTABLE WEB SITES. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. THE DRIVER?S AND PASSENGER?S FEET CAN PUSH THROUGH THE FLOOR AND ARE NOT ADEQUATELY PROTECTED DUE TO THE WEAKENED, RUSTED METAL SHOULD A ACCIDENT OCCUR. APRIL 15, 2010 SPOKE WITH ROLAND KOSTIEW (ROCKINHAM NISSAN SERVICE MANAGER) VIA TELEPHONE AND HE STATED: THAT HE HAS SEEN THIS RUST-THROUGH PROBLEM BEFORE?AND NISSAN DOESN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. HE WILL FIGHT FOR ME BECAUSE I AM A LOCAL CUSTOMER. NISSAN ATTRIBUTES THE PROBLEM TO THE FLOORBOARD AREA BEING USED AS A JACK-MOUNT POINT. HE TOOK PICTURES SHOWING THIS WAS NOT THE CASE AND HE AGREED THAT WOULD BE A RIDICULOUS POINT TO USE TO LIFT THE VEHICLE. APRIL 16, 2010 WAS INFORMED BY ROLAND KOSTIEW (ROCKINHAM NISSAN SERVICE MANAGER) VIA TELEPHONE THAT NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THE UNDERBODY RUST THROUGH AND THAT IT IS NOT COVERED BECAUSE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CAUSES WITH NO FURTHER EXPLANATION. *TR
Structure, Apr 8, 2010
THE BACK SEAT FLOOR BOARD (RIGHT SIDE) FILLS UP WITH WATER EVERY TIME IT RAINS. I ASKED THE NISSAN DEALER WHERE I BOUGHT IT FROM ABOUT IT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WOULD COST ME $80 FOR THEM TO LOOK AT IT AND $200-$400 TO FIX IT IF THEY COULD EVEN FIND OUT WHERE THE WATER WAS COMING FROM. THE PROBLEM IS MOLD IS BUILDING UP UNDER THE MATS AND MY 1YR OLD SON AND MYSELF ARE BREATHING IN THIS MOLD ON A DAILY BASIS. IT SEEMS AS THOUGH ONCE A DEALER GETS YOUR MONEY THEY DONT CARE ABOUT THE CAR ONCE YOU DRIVE IT OFF THE LOT. I DO HAVE AN EXTENDED WARRENTY WHICH WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THEY ASSURRED ME IT WAS BUMPER TO BUMPER WITH THE EXCEPTION OF LIGHTS WIPERS & TIRES. NOW THEY DO NOT WANT TO HONOR THAT GOOD OLE "BUMPER TO BUMPER" EXTENDED WARRENTY THAT I JUST HAD TO BUY TO PROTECT MYSELF AGAINST ANY PROBLEMS (SO THEY PROMISED ME). *TR
Structure, Feb 14, 2010
THE GASOLINE DOOR IS OUT OF ALIGN PREVENTING IT TO BE CLOSED PROPERLY. *TR
Structure, Apr 7, 2009
NISSAN ALTIMA TRUNK LID IS DEFECTIVE. WHEN OPENED IT SPRINGS BACK TO CLOSE ON SOMEONE'S HEAD. THE SPRINGS DO NOT HOLD THE TRUNK LID IN THE OPEN POSITION. *TR
Structure, Mar 23, 2007
AROUND 6 MONTHS AFTER THE LEASE OF MY VEHICLE I NOTICED A HOLE ON THE FLOOR, AND ANY TIME I CONTACTED THE DEALERSHIP AND TOLD THEM ABOUT THE PROBLEM NOTHING WAS EVER DONE. I WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS MY CAR. THEREFORE, MY PROBLEM. IT HAS BEEN ALMOST A YEAR AND A HALF AND THE HOLE HAS GOTTEN BIGGER. I MAY ONE DAY DIE IN THAT CAR DUE TO THE HEEL OF MY SHOE GETTING STUCK IN THAT HOLE, BECAUSE I MAY NOT BE ABLE TO GET MY FOOT OUT FROM IT IN TIME TO BRAKE, OR MY FOOT MAY GET CAUGHT IN THERE.*AK
Structure, Mar 22, 2007
PURCHASED OUR 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA IN JAN OF 2006. AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF USING THIS CAR WE NOTICED THE TRUNK DID NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. WHEN THE CAR IS ON A FLAT SURFACE AS IT WAS WHEN WE PURCHASED IT THE TRUNK LID WILL STAY OPEN, IF THE CAR IS SITUATED ON ANY KIND OF INCLINE THE TRUNK WILL SLAM SHUT. MY CHILDREN WERE INJURED SEVERAL TIMES AS WAS I WHEN THE TRUNK SLAMMED DOWN ON OUR HEADS. THE REASON IS VISUAL, THE TRUNK WAS POORLY DESIGNED, THERE IS NO TENSION AT ALL. THE TRUNK ACTUALLY SWINGS LIKE A PENDULUM . I TOOK IT INTO THE SHOP FOUR TIMES OVER THIS PAST YEAR. TODAY, 3/22/2007 THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FINALLY DID THE NEEDED REPAIRS. THEY AGREE THE DESIGN IS POOR. EVERYONE WHO HAS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA WITHOUT THE BACK SPOILER SHOULD BE NOTIFIED OF THIS DEFECT.
Service brakes, Hydraulic, Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, Gasoline, Structure, Jan 8, 2007
TL* - THE CONTACT STATED THAT EVERY TIME THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY MADE A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO TWO DEALERSHIPS IN VIRGINIA. AND BOTH STATED THAT THERE WASN'T ANYTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THE CONTACT WAS CONCERNED FOR HER SAFETY BECAUSE THE BRAKES CONTINUED TO MAKE A LOUD SQUEALING NOISE. *AK UPDATED 4/8/08 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THE ENGINE FOR THIS VEHICLE AND CONSUMER STATED A FUEL SMELL IN THE WAS PRESENT IN THE VEHICLE. UPDATED 04/08/08 *TR