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: vehicle speed control
38 reports, newest first. Show all
Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Mar 6, 2012
CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR SIGNAL. *TR
Power train, Vehicle speed control, Wheels, Dec 3, 2011
I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA, THAT IS CONSTANTLY 5-7 MPH OFF. I AM GETTING CONCERNED BECAUSE THIS IS A HAZARD AS I HAVE BEEN ASKED BY THE LOCAL CITY POLICE FOR ME TO PICK UP MY SPEED A LITTLE AS I AM RESTRAINING THE FLOW OF TRAFFIC BY DRIVING AT OR BELOW WHAT I BELIEVE IS THE SPEED LIMIT. ALSO, I AM REALLY CONCERNED SINCE THE FACTORY TELLS YOU TO USE A CERTAIN SIZE OF TIRE, WITH ME USING THEIR RECOMMENDATION, THIS WILL CAUSE THE WHEELS TO SPIN FASTER THAN WHAT I AM ACTUALLY REALLY GOING, THUS SAYING I AM TRAVELING FARTHER (MILEAGE) THAN WHAT I TRULY AM. THIS, I BELIEVE IS EFFECTING MY GAS MILEAGE AS MY TIRES ARE HAVING TO SPIN FASTER THAN WHAT IS NEEDED AND THUS CAUSING ME TO USE MORE FUEL. PLEASE HELP ME CONSIDER MY OPTIONS OR DO YOU KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE SPEED SENSOR, DRIVE/POWERTRAIN, WHEELS, ETC. SOMEONE WHO DRIVES 10 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE IS A HAZARD, I BELIEVE. I AM HAVING ALL KINDS OF VEHICLES AND SEMI-TRUCKS PASS ME ON THE INTERSTATE AND I FEEL THE SAFETY OF MY FAMILY IS AT RISK IN DRIVING THIS VEHICLE. (MY CURRENT MILEAGE (SUPPOSEDLY IS: 43500 MILES) I MAY HAVE TRAVELED LESS THAN THAT. CAN YOU HELP ME GET THIS ISSUE RESOLVED? HERE IS A CBS STORY ON THE ISSUE: HTTP://WWW.CBSNEWS.COM/STORIES/2007/03/13/EARLYSHOW/MAIN2562144.SHTML PLEASE HELP, MY FAMILIES SAFETY COULD BE AT RISK AS WELL AS OTHER PASSENGERS WHO OWN OR ARE ON THE ROAD AROUND THESE CARS. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Engine and engine cooling, Electrical system, Vehicle speed control, Nov 5, 2011
THIS 2006 NISAAN ALTIMA IS EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME MALFUNCTIONS AS IN PREVIOUS RECALLS. THE CRANK SENSOR IS CAUSING THE CAR TO ABRUPTLY STOP RUNNING IF DRIVEN AT LOW SPEED. INCIDENT ALMOST OCCURRED ON PA TURNPIKE DURING AM RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND FINALLY STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT IN A RESIDENTIAL AREA IN MID-DAY. I HAD TO PUT CAUTION LIGHTS ON IMMEDIATELY AND HOPE THAT I DIDN'T CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. PLEASE RE INVESTIGATE THIS MATTER. IT IS SUCH A MAJOR CONCERN AND NEEDS IMMEDIATE ATTENTION ONCE AGAIN I SEE. THANKS SO MUCH! *TR
Suspension, Engine and engine cooling, Vehicle speed control, Tires, Apr 25, 2011
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS MY CAR AS SUDDENLY CUTOFF, WHILE DRIVING!!!! LUCKILY, NOBODY WAS EVER PHYSICALLY HURT. MENTALLY AND EMOTIONALLY IT SCARED THE CRAP OUT OF SEVERAL PEOPLE, INCLUDING MYSELF. WHILE ON THE EXPRESSWAY I'VE STARTED TO NOTICE MY CAR AUTOMATICALLY SLOWING DOWN AFTER A CERTAIN SPEED, WITHOUT ME EVEN TOUCHING THE BRAKES. FOR AWHILE I STOPPED GETTING ON THE EXPRESSWAY, IN FEAR OF MY CAR COMPLETELY STOPPING WITH CARS DRIVING BEHIND ME AT A FASTER PACE. ALSO, AT 55 + MILES/HR MY TIRES START TO WOBBLE AND THERE'S A SCRUBBING NOISE WITH THE WOBBLE SOMETIMES. IT FEELS LIKE MY BACK TIRES ARE ABOUT TO FALL OFF. I'VE BOUGHT 3 SETS OF TIRES ALREADY, AND TOMORROW WILL BE MY 4TH SET. THIS IS RIDICULOUS AND VERY UNSAFE!!!!! PLEASE HELP ME, THANKS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Equipment, Jun 22, 2010
I PURCHASED MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA SE-R AROUND 4/18/2008 WITH AROUND 34,000 MILES. A FEW DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS STICKING DOWN TO THE FLOOR AND WOULDN'T COME BACK UP. BEFORE I COULD TAKE IT TO THE DEALER, THE CAR CLUTCH GAVE UP ON ME AND HAD TO GET IT TOW TO THE DEALER. DEALER THEN REPLACE THE CLUTCH ($1000) AFTER A FEW DAYS, THE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS STILL STICKING TO THE FLOOR, SO I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER. DEALER HAD THE CAR FOR A FEW HOURS AND THEN CALLED ME TO SAY IT WAS DONE (FIX) AFTER THAT, THE CAR WAS FINE FOR A WHILE. A MONTH AGO, AROUND 5/15/2010, CLUTCH PEDAL STARTED TO STICK TO THE FLOOR AGAIN AND WOULDN'T COME UP. I CALLED A MECHANIC AND HE EXPLAINED TO ME OVER THE PHONE THAT MOST LIKELY IT'S THE MASTER CYLINDER OR SLAVE THAT WENT OUT AND NEEDS REPLACEMENT. PER THIS LINK ---> HTTP://WWW.NISSANFORUMS.COM/ALTIMA-SE-R/112659-CLUTCH-MASTER-CYLINDER-TROUBLE.HTML TOO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE AND THE NISSAN DEALERS ARE PRETTY MUCH SAYING THAT THERE'S NOTHING IT CAN BE DONE, AND ON MY OPINION, THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT NEEDS TO BE FIX. NISSAN (MECHANICS) SHOULD KNOW THEIR CARS AND BE ABLE TO HAVE GOOD JUDGMENT AND SAY IF SOMETHING NEEDS ATTENTION INSTEAD OF TELLING US (CUSTOMERS) EVERYTHING IS FINE, WHEN IS NOT. *TR
Fuel system, Other, Power train, Vehicle speed control, Apr 16, 2010
THE VEHICLE IS SLOW IN CHANGING GEARS. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Feb 4, 2010
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN WITH HIS FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED ONCE SINCE HE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE ANYONE ELSE FILE A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE FAILURE. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE TO DATE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 36831 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 37600.UPDATED 03/12/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/21/10*JB
Vehicle speed control, Jun 12, 2008
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING LONG DISTANCES BETWEEN 60-70 MPH, THE VEHICLE SURGES WHEN IT COMES TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE FAILURE OCCURRED TEN PREVIOUS TIMES AND WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER EACH TIME. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED ONE MONTH LATER. HE HAS BECOME SO USED TO THE FAILURE, THAT HE CAN FEEL IT BEFORE IT ACTUALLY OCCURS. HE APPLIES THE BRAKES 30 FEET BEHIND OTHER VEHICLES TO AVOID A REAR END CRASH. THE CONTACT MUST ALSO SHUT OFF THE VEHICLE TO SOLVE THE FAILURE ON HIS OWN. THE MOST RECENT FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE HIS WIFE WAS EXITING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 200 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 11,500.
Air bags, Vehicle speed control, Nov 13, 2007, crash
I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPACE IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING WHERE I WORK. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE CAR ACCELERATED AND WENT OVER THE CURB, IT ACCELERATED A SECOND TIME AND SPED BETWEEN TWO TREES, THEN BETWEEN A TREE AND BUILDING AND ENDED UP FACING THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION OF THE PARKING SPOT ON THE SIDEWALK IN FRONT OF THE BUILDING. THE CAR BASICALLY DID A FULL "U" FROM THE PARKING SPOT TO THE SIDEWALK. MY FEELING IS THAT I HAD THE WHEEL TURNED TO THE RIGHT TO PARK IN THE PARKING SPOT AND DID NOT HAVE TIME TO STRAIGHTEN THE STEERING WHEEL SO THE CAR CONTINUED TO GO TO THE RIGHT, HENCE THE "U". THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAGS WENT OFF. I HAD ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS EXPERIENCED THE CAR HESITATING WHEN I WOULD ACCELERATE AFTER STOPPING AT A STOP SIGN OR LIGHT. THE CAR WOULD HESITATE AND THEN RESUME AT A NORMAL SPEED. ONCE THE CAR RESUMED SPEED, THE CAR SEEMED FINE. *TR
Vehicle speed control, Sep 30, 2006
SPEEDOMETER IS OFF BY AS MUCH AS 10 MILES PER HOUR. *JB
Vehicle speed control, Jul 24, 2006
DT: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE TRAVELING 75 MPH ON A HIGHWAY AND DEPRESSING THE BRAKE, CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE WAS LOST. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT SLOW DOWN AND SPUN SIDEWAYS. WHEN THE VEHICLE FINALLY CAME TO A COMPLETE STOP, IT WAS FACING THE TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE SHOULDER OF THE HIGHWAY AND THEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. AN APPOINTMENT HAS BEEN MADE WITH THE DEALER TO INSPECT THE VEHICLE ON 7/31/06. *NM
Vehicle speed control, Jun 26, 2006
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CRUSING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF. THE DASH LIGHTS STARTED TO GET DIM SECONDS BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ROLLED TO A STOP. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WHEN PARKED, ALTHOUGH IT WAS ONLY ABLE TO BE SHIFTED INTO PARK AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE STARTED UP NORMALLY AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE AFTERNOON DURING DAMP ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON 05/26/06 WHICH DETERMINED THAT THE CONTACT WAS PUTTING BAD GAS INTO THE VEHICLE. THE SAME INCIDENT OCCURRED ON 06/09/06 AND 06/17/06 WHERE THE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELLING AT 45 MPH. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER 3 ADDITIONAL TIMES, BUT WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE.*AK
Vehicle speed control, May 16, 2006, crash
I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AND PARKING MY CAR, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED. I HIT MY FRIENDS HOUSE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK TO STOP THE CAR. THEIR WAS DAMAGE TO MY CAR, MY FRIENDS GARAGE, THE CAR IN THE GARAGE, A FREEZER, AND A BRICK WALL. MY CAR TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN. I FELT I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN I WOULD BE AT A COMPLETE STOP, AND WOULD GO TO TAKE OFF, THE CAR WOULD HESITATE, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD TAKE OFF AT APPROXIMATELY 55-65 MILES PER HOUR. I THOUGHT THIS WAS JUST SOMETHING THE CAR WAS SET UP TO DO. I FEEL THAT'S WHAT HAPPEN TO MY CAR THAT DAY. MY CAR WAS ONLY 5 MONTHS OLD. *NM