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: other or unspecified
64 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Apr 30, 2015
2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SL 3.5 V6, CANNOT READ CODES FROM ECU. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON, CAR WILL TAKE OFF SLOW AND BUILD UP SPEED ALMOST LIKE IT IS HAVING A POWER SURGE. DURING DRIVING THE GAS PEDAL HAS TO BE PRESSES ALL THE WAY DOWN TO GAIN SPEED AT DANGEROUSLY SLOW RATES, AT TIMES AT A FULL STOP THE CAR TAKES A DANGEROUS AMOUNT OF TIME TO BUILD UP SPEED. *TR
Other or unspecified, Equipment adaptive/mobility, Visibility/wiper, Apr 7, 2015
I NOTICED A LARGE AMOUNT OF RUST/HOLES FORMING UNDER MY 06 NISSAN ALTIMA WITH 80K ON IT. IT'S ALL IN THE FLOOR BOARDS, DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. IN FIRST NOTICED IT BACK IN THE SUMMER OF 2014....A FEW MONTHS AFTER I BOUGHT IT FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T DO ANYTHING. I SAW THE NEWS TODAY ABOUT THE SAME ISSUE I NOTICED. WE NEED A RECALL FOR SAFETY. CAUSE IT WILL BECOME ONE. I WILL SUE IF MY FOOT GOES THRU THE FLOOR. *TR
Other or unspecified, Apr 6, 2015
THE FLOORBOARDS OF THE CAR HAS A HOLE. *TR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Oct 4, 2014
THE CAR STALLED AND COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN WHEN COMING TO A STOP AT A STOP LIGHT. SINCE THIS TIME, THE CAR HAS DONE THIS MULTIPLE TIMES. THE LAST TIME THIS HAPPENED, I WAS DRIVING THE CAR AT 25 MILES PER HOUR AND THE CAR COMPLETELY SHUT DOWN. I HAD TO PULL OVER THE CAR IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC AND RESTART THE CAR. IT ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. WHEN WE TOOK THE CAR INTO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP, OUR 2006 ALTIMA WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. *TR
Other or unspecified, Feb 27, 2014
THE FLOOR BOARD ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IS RUSTED OUT. ABOUT THE SIZE OF 12"X12".I HAVE CHECKED ON LINE AND THIS SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH 2002-2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THIS IS A UNSAFE ISSUE. WHY HAS NISSAN NOT CORRECTED THIS PROBLEM?THIS WAS A ISSUE YEARS AGO WITH CARS. THE METAL MUST BE OF VERY POOR QUALITY.
Other or unspecified, May 16, 2012
MY CAR HAS BEEN EXPERIENCING PULLING SINCE LAST YEAR. I FAMILY MEMBER INFORMED ME THAT THE PROBLEM SOUNDED LIKE THE TRANSMISSION WAS GOING BAD AND THAT I NEEDED TO HAVE THE CAR CHECKED. I TOOK THE CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND PAID FOR A DIAGMOSTIC INPSECTION. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP REPORTED NO PROBLEMS WITH THE ENGINE (WHICH I HAD TO HAVE REPLACED WHEN THE CAR WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW) AND REPORTED NO PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED THE BRAKES AND ROTORS REPLACED IN THE FRONT. I GOT THE ISSUE TAKEN CARE OF AND THE PROBLEM STILLS OCCURS WITH MY CAR AND IT STILL JERKS/PULLS WHEN I PUT MY CAR IN DRIVE AND AM ON THE ROAD. I THINK THAT THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE LOOKED INTO. I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IS BEING TRUTHFUL AND HONEST ABOUT THE SITUATION. WHEN I WAS THERE ONE OF THE SALES REPS ASKED ME IF I WANTED TO TRADE MY CAR IN. I COULD HEAR THE OTHER SALESPERSON/MECHANIC TALK TO ANOTHER PERSON ABOUT MY CAR AND POSSIBLE OPEN RECALLS, BUT NEVER ADDRESSED THIS WITH ME. I CONTACTED THE 1800 NUMBER REGARDING A RECALL ON MY CAR. I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS STILL A RECALL OPEN AND I EXPLAINED THE PROBLEMS WITH MY CAR. THE REP TOLD ME TO TAKE MY CARE IN AND GET IT CHECKED AGAIN. WHEN I CONTACTED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THE PERSON WAS SHORT PATIENCE WITH ME AND TOLD ME THAT I DID NOT NEED TO GET IT CHECKED BECAUSE IT WAS ALREADY REPLACED IN 2006. I FEEL LIKE I AM DRIVING A CAR THAT WILL EVENTUALLY BREAK DOWN OR FALL APART WHILE I AM DRIVING. I HAVE PUT SEVERAL TIRES ON MY CAR AND IT SEEMS LIKE I STILL HEAR A STRANGE NOISE COMING FROM THE WHEELS EVEN WHEN I HAVE PLACED NEW ROTORS AND BRAKES ON THE FRONT AND BACK WHEELS.
Other or unspecified, Apr 20, 2012
FLOOR PANS ON BOTH DRIVER AND PASSENGER ARE RUSTED WITH LARGE PERFORATION HOLES INTO THE CABIN OF THE VEHICLE. DO NOT KNOW IF VEHICLE IS SAFE TO OPERATE SINCE WATER VISIBLY ENTER THE CAR WHEN IT RAINS, AND NISSAN CANNOT ASSURE THAT THE SEAT ATTACHED TO THE CAR ARE NOT COMPROMISED BY THE RUSTING. *JS
Other or unspecified, Jul 23, 2011
SEVERE RUSTING AROUND THE PLUG HOLE AREA UNDER BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVERS FLOOR BOARD
Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2011
CLUTCH PEDAL SINKS TO THE FLOOR BOARD OF MY NISSAN ALTIMA 3.5 SE, THE CLUTCH FLUID IS AT FULL CAPACITY AND WHEN THE CAR IS IN MOTION AT A RED LIGHT OR EVEN AT A STILL MOTION THE CLUTCH GOES COMPLETELY DOWN OR OUT...I HAVE HAD MY FLUIDS CHECKED AND IT IS FULL....THIS AS BEEN HAPPENING SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE CAR AT 52,000 MILES AND CONTINUES TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM TO THIS VERY DAY.....NISSIAN 3.5 CARS ARE NOTORIOUS FOR THIS PROBLEM, BUT NISSAN FAILS TO RECOGNIZE THIS AS A RECALL PROBLEM....BUT EVERYONE IS HAVING THIS PROBLEM 3.5 - 5 (SPEEDS) WITH THIS CAR AND THIS MODEL.....THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE ESPECIALLY WHEN I AM IN SLOWED TRAFFIC AND CANNOT SHIFT PROPERLY...THIS ISSUE NEEDS TO SERIOUSLY BE ADDRESSED AND THE PROBLEM RESOLVED....FATALITIES SHOULD NOT BE THEIR REASON TO ENFORCE THIS ISSUE.
Other or unspecified, Feb 8, 2010
GAS DOOR DOES NOT CLOSE PROPERLY. THE HINGES ARE BENT. HAVE NOTICED THIS ON MANY NISSAN ALTIMAS. FORCING THE DOOR CLOSED, FOR SAFETY REASONS, HAS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE SURROUNDING THE GAS DOOR. THE PAINT IS CHIPPING AND WILL SOON BEGIN TO RUST AROUND THIS AREA.
Other or unspecified, Electrical system, Apr 8, 2008
I ONCE WAS TOLD BY BOB BELL NISSAN THAT MY VEHICLE WAS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST. AND NOW 2 YEARS LATER I RECEIVE A LETTER STATING THAT MY NISSAN 2006 ALTIMA IS ONE OF THE RECALL VEHICLE ON THE LIST .AND IM CONTACTING YOU FOR THIS REASON. *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Other or unspecified, Jun 19, 2006
I PURCHASED A NEW NISSAN ALTIMA APR 16 2006. ON JUNE 15 I RECEIVED A LETTER FROM NISSAN NTH AMERICA SAYING THERE WAS A PROBLEM WITH ALTIMAS - THEY WERE LOSING OIL TOO FAST. I CHECKED MY OIL AND WITH 2950 MILES IT WAS EMPTY. I TOWED THE CAR TO THE DEALER, WHO SAID THE OIL WAS BLACK, THE ENGINE WAS NO GOOD, AND IT NEEDS A NEW MOTOR. I DON'T WANT A NEW MOTOR, I DON'T WANT THEM TO FIX THE CAR. I WANT MY MONEY BACK. THE LETTER STATED THE PROBLEM COULD CAUSE A FIRE IF UNCHECKED. THE DEALER HAS SINCE REPORTED THAT THERE WAS A 3 MONTH PERIOD OF PRODUCTION OF THESE CARS THAT ARE AFFECTED. NOW THEY WANT ME TO HAVE THEM FILL UP THE OIL, DRIVE FOR ANOTHER 700 MILES AND RETEST THE CAR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE. *JB
Other or unspecified, Jun 15, 2006
I PURCHASED A NEW 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 27, 2006. I CHOOSE NISSAN SINCE I WAS A CURRENT OWNER AND ENJOYED THE PERFORMANCE AND RELIABILITY OF MY VEHICLE. AFTER TAKING DELIVERY OF THE VEHICLE, I READ IN THE PAPER ON JUNE 2, 2006, THAT NISSAN HAD ORDERED DEALERS TO DISCONTINUE SELLING CERTAIN MODELS OF ALTIMAS AND SENTRA SE-RS FOR WHAT WAS DESCRIBED AS AN OIL CONSUMPTION PROBLEM. THE ALTIMAS AFFECTED WERE VIN NUMBERS IN THE RANGE OF 1N4AL11D16-C174681 THROUGH 1N4AL11D16-C231328, WHICH APPLIES TO MY VEHICLE. *JB
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