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

824 reports, newest first.

  1. Engine and engine cooling, Jun 23, 2006

    I WAS INFORMED THAT I AM CURRENTLY DRIVING ON A RECALL ENGINE AND NO ONE SEEMS TO KNOW HOW THE PROBLEM WILL BE ADDRESSED. I JUST PURCHASED THIS 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA NOT EVEN 2 MONTHS AGO AND ALREADY THERE IS A RECALL ON THE MOTOR IN REGARDS TO OIL CONSUMPTION. HOWEVER NISSAN WANTS TO ENSURE THAT THE OIL LEVEL IS BEING MAINTAINED AT A CORRECT LEVEL IN WHICH I WAS INFORMED THAT I NEEDED TO GO TO THE DEALER EVERY 700 MILES. WHY???? DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH OF AN INCONVENIENCE THAT IS TO INDIVIDUALS. GIVE ME A BREAK. THIS PROBLEM HAS TO DO WITH THE ENGINE WHICH IS BEING EXPLAINED THAT IT HAS TO BE REPLACED. WHEN??? HOW LONG DO WE HAVE TO PUT OUR LIVES ON HOLD FOR NISSAN. THIS IS A MULTI-MILLION DOLLAR COMPANY AND THEY HAVE SOLD 85,000 DEFECTIVE UNITS. WHY SHOULD I PAY A CAR NOTE ON A VEHICLE THAT IS DEFECTIVE AND NO ACTION IS BEING TAKEN TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. I FEEL MORE COMMUNICATION IS NEEDED ASAP. PLEASE ADVISE. *NM

  2. Service brakes, Hydraulic, Jun 23, 2006

    ABS BRAKE FAILURE--FOUR TIMES IN SIX WEEKS SINCE PURCHASE ON APRIL 23, 2006. *NM

  3. Engine and engine cooling, Jun 22, 2006

    WE PURCHASED A NEW NISSAN 2006 ALTIMA 2.5 ON 05/31/06. TWO DAYS LATER, JUNE 2ND, IT WAS ON THE NEWS THAT NISSAN TOLD THEIR DEALERS TO STOP SELLING THIS CAR DUE TO ENGINE FIRES AND EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. WITHIN A WEEK WE RECEIVED A LETTER FROM NISSAN TELLING OWNERS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND TO MONITOR OIL LEVEL. WE THEN CONTACTED NISSAN WITH THE PHONE NUMBER THAT WAS ON THIS LETTER. WE TOLD THEM WE WOULD LIKE TO RETURN THIS CAR AND PAY THE DIFFERENCE FOR THE V-6 MODEL. THEY LAUGHED! WE FEEL THAT WE SHOULD NOT HAVE TO MONITOR THE OIL ON A BRAND NEW CAR. WE BOUGHT THIS CAR FOR MY WIFE TO COMMUTE TO SCHOOL WE HAVE HAD THIS CAR FOR 22 DAYS AND DO-NOT FEEL SAFE. THEY HAVE ALREADY MADE AN ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF THIS PROBLEM IN THEIR LETTER ABOUT MONITORING THE OIL WHICH COULD BE THE RESULT OF ENGINE FIRES IF NOT PROPERLY MAINTAINED. AS A CONSUMER BUYING A NEW CAR YOU SHOULD NOT BE BURDENED BY THIS PROBLEM BETWEEN RECOMMENDED OIL CHANGES, THIS WAS OUR FIRST NISSAN PURCHASE AND NISSAN HEADQUARTERS MADE US FEEL VERY POORLY ABOUT THEM. I AM VERY DISSATISFIED WITH MY PURCHASE OF THIS VEHICLE AND NOT SAFE AT ALL, WHY SHOULD SOMETHING HAPPEN, AN ENGINE FIRE OR ANYTHING ELSE LIKE THIS BEFORE SOMETHING CAN BE DONE TO MAKE ME A SATISFIED CUSTOMER. *NM

  4. 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

  5. Engine and engine cooling, Jun 19, 2006

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED A LETTER WAS RECEIVED FROM THE MANUFACTURER WAS RECEIVED CONCERNING EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION AND RISK OF POSSIBLE FIRE. THERE IS CURRENTLY NO PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE; HOWEVER THERE IS CONCERN OF THE POTENTIAL RISK. THE MANUFACTURER HAS PUT A HOLD ON THE SALE OF NEW ALTIMA'S WITH A 2.5 LITER ENGINE PENDING THEIR INVESTIGATION OF THE POSSIBLE PROBLEM. UPDATED 07/07/06. *JB

  6. Engine and engine cooling, Jun 19, 2006

    I PICKED UP MY NEW NISSAN ALTIMA ON THE EVENING OF MAY 31. I WAS GOING TO BUY A USED CAR BUT THE DEALER CONVINCED ME THAT I WOULD NEVER HAVE ANY PROBLEMS IF I LEASED IT NEW INSTEAD OF BUYING A USED VEHICLE. THE NEXT DAY I FIND THAT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AND POSSIBLY ENGINE FIRES. THE PROBLEM IS SO BAD THAT NISSAN HAS STOPPED SELLING THIS VEHICLE 24 HOURS AFTER I PICKED UP MY VEHICLE. I QUESTIONED THE DEALER WHO SWEARS HE HAD NO KNOWLEDGE OF ANY PROBLEMS. THIS MUST BE A LIE. I WAS NOT PERMITTED TO RETURN THE VEHICLE. I CHECKED MY OIL AFTER 580 MILES DRIVEN AND IT IS ALREADY DOWN TWO QUARTS. THE DEALER MUST HAVE KNOWN OF REPORTED PROBLEMS. *NM

  7. Engine and engine cooling, Jun 17, 2006

    I BOUGHT A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA ON FEBRUARY 25, 2006. THE FIRST OIL CHANGE I WAS ALMOST A QUART LOW, THE SECOND OIL CHANGE ABOUT THE SAME THING. I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM NISSAN STATING THAT THERE IS AN ENGINE PROBLEM RELATING TO OIL CONSUMPTION AND ENGINE FIRES. I ALSO SAW AN ARTICLE IN AUTOWEEK ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. THEY ARE EXTENDING THE WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES AND WANT ME TO CHECK MY OIL EVERY 700 MILES. ARE THEY KIDDING, A CAR THAT BURST INTO FLAMES IF YOU DON??T CHECK THE OIL ALMOST EVERY TIME YOU FILL WITH GAS AND ALL THEY ARE WILLING TO DO IS EXTEND THE WARRANTY. I HAVE ONLY 8,000 MILES ON THE CAR, AND FEEL COMPLETELY UNSAFE DRIVING IT NOW. NIACIN NEED TO CORRECT THIS PROBLEM NOW IF THAT REQUIRED CHANGING THE ENGINE SO BE IT. THIS WILL BE THE LAST NISSAN I PURCHASE EVER AND I HAVE OWNED 4 BEFORE. *NM

  8. Engine and engine cooling, Power train, Jun 17, 2006

    NISSAN HAS ADMITTED VIA A LETTER THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES (MINE IS ONE) ARE SUBJECT TO HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AND THE RESULT COULD BE A FIRE IN THE VEHICLE. NISSAN HAS ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THIS BY: CHANGING THE OIL AND FILTER, PROMISING TO MONITOR THE LEVEL - SUBJECT TO ANOTHER TRIP TO THE DEALER- AT 700 SUBSEQUENT MILES, THEY WILL THEN PROVIDE AN UNKNOWN 'FIX' TO THE ISSUE IF THE OIL LEVEL HAS DECREASED TO THEIR SATISFACTION, IF NO NOTICEABLE DECREASE IN THEIR PERCEPTION, THEN MONITOR ANOTHER 700 MILES - RETURN TO DEALER AGAIN AND HAVE THEM REVIEW, POSSIBLE FIX IS TO REPLACE THE ENGINE AT THAT TIME. THE CONCERN IS THAT WHEN ONE PURCHASES A NEW VEHICLE, IF THE MANUFACTURE KNEW OF THE DEFECT AND POTENTIAL HAZARD, THEN THE SALE SHOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ALLOWED. FURTHER, A NEW VEHICLE NOW NEEDS TO BE MONITORED AND RETURNED TO THE DEALER EVERY 700 MILES - I CAN NOT THINK OF AN EXAMPLE OF MORE INCONVENIENCE. THE SAFETY HAZARD OF A FIRE OR BREAKING DOWN - ALL IN A VEHICLE WITH 1500 MILES ON IT IS INCREDULOUS. I CAN NOT LET MY FAMILY DRIVE IN THE CAR AND AM CONCERNED WITH MY OWN SAFETY. A 22000 VEHICLE THAT IS BRAND NEW SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO BE SOLD AND HAVE CONSUMERS ASKED TO CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE VEHICLE. I DO HOPE THIS IS INVESTIGATED. I UNDERSTAND THAT A TOTAL OF 80000 ALTIMAS WERE AFFECTED. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHEN THE MANUFACTURER WAS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM, WHY IT DID NOT STOP SALES IMMEDIATELY AND WHY THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT JUST FIX THE ISSUE. I ALSO UNDERSTAND THAT THE VEHICLES WITHIN THE VIN RANGE THAT ARE ON NISSAN DEALER LOTS ARE BEING SENT BACK TO HAVE THE ENGINES REPLACED. NEXT, A PROBLEM AT 1500 MILES WITH THE TRANSMISSION OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED PROBLEMS IN SHIFTING AND MAINTAIN GEAR. THIS RESULTED IN THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATING AND THE DEALER 'GETTING A PART' TO FIX IT. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT THE ISSUE IS WITH THE TRANSMISSION THAT HAD ONLY 1500 MILES ON IT TO MALFUNCTION. *NM

  9. Engine and engine cooling, Jun 16, 2006

    PURCHASED 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA LAST DAY OF APRIL. SINCE THEN THE FOLLOWING HAS OCCURRED....1. FIVE DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASED DATE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO START 2. SINCE THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM ANY DETAILING SERVICE ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE IT WAS AGREED I COULD BRING IT BACK AT A LATER DATE. ON 20 MAY DURING DETAILING SERVICE A 6" STRIP OF PAINT PEELED OFF THE FRONT BUMPER. BUMPER WAS SENT TO LOCAL PAINT SHOP IN DAPHNE AL. FOR REPAIR...ASK THE DEALERSHIP FOR PAPERWORK ON THE RE-PAINT, TO DATE HAVE NOT RECEIVED PAPERWORK. 3. NOW THE FIRST OF TWO REAL SERIOUS CONCERNS. STEERING / HANDLING AT SPEEDS OVER 60 MPH IS UNSAFE WITH ANY MEASURABLE WIND. THE CAR W/O CONSIDERABLE CORRECTION VEERS FROM LANE TO LANE. THIS HAS BEEN THE CASE FROM DAY ONE....DEALERSHIP STATED TIRE AIR PRESSURE WAS THE LIKELY CAUSE....I'VE TRIED THE RECOMMEND 29 PSI DOWN TO 24 PSI. UP TO 34 PSI. DID NOT HELP. MY INTENT WAS TO PASS THIS CAR ALONG TO MY 16 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER BUT FEEL IT'S TOO UNSAFE DURING HIGHWAY/FREEWAY DRIVING. THREE DAYS AGO I RECEIVE THE OIL CONSUMPTION LETTER FROM NISSAN. I DRIVE APPROX. 120 MILES PER DAY 5 DAYS A WEEK. TO DATE MY CAR HAS 2700 MILES DURING THE FIRST OIL CHECK AT APPROX. 1000 MILES I NOTICED THE OIL LEVEL WAS APPROX. ONE QUART LOW BUT WAS NOT CONCERNED DUE TO NOT KNOWING FOR SURE HOW MUCH OIL WAS PRESENT DURING PURCHASE....ADDED 1 QRT AND HAD NOT CHECKED THE LEVEL AGAIN UNTIL I RECEIVED THE LETTER...1700 MILES TOTAL....DURING THIS SECOND OIL LEVEL CHECK THE OIL LEVEL ON THE DIP STICK WAS FOUND JUST BELOW THE ADD MARK. NO LIGHT INDICATOR HAD COME ON THE CONTROL PANEL...HAD I NOT RECEIVED THE LETTER IT WOULD HAVE BEEN T 2000 MORE MILES BEFORE MY FIRST SCHEDULED OIL CHANGE WAS DUE AND WOULD NOT HAVE CHECKED IT PRIOR TO THAT POINT....THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY CONCERN TO MY FAMILY AND I. I TRULY HOPE THE NHTSA AND NISSAN DOES THE RIGHT THING BEFORE SOMEONE PAYS WITH THEIR LIFE. *NM

  10. 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

  11. Engine and engine cooling, Jun 14, 2006

    I BOUGHT A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA ON MAY 22, 2006. YESTERDAY, I RECEIVED A NOTICE FROM NISSAN STATING THAT THERE IS AN ENGINE PROBLEM RELATING TO OIL CONSUMPTION AND ENGINE FIRES.(I ALSO SAW AN ARTICLE IN THE PAPER ABOUT THIS PROBLEM) I HAVE ONLY 700 MILES ON THE CAR, I CHECKED THE OIL AS SOON AS I RECEIVED THE NOTICE AND THE OIL WAS DOWN BY 1/2 QUART, WHICH IS UNHEARD OF FOR A CAR WITH ONLY 700 MILES. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN IS INCREASING THEIR WARRANTY AND TO KEEP MY OIL LEVELS UP. FOR THE AMOUNT OF MONEY I PAID FOR THIS CAR (CASH), I SHOULD NOT HAVE TO BE CONCERNED WITH AN ENGINE CATCHING ON FIRE. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD BUY MY CAR BACK AND SELL ME A MODEL THAT IS NOT DEFECTIVE(ONLY HAD THE CAR 3 WEEKS). I AM STILL WAITING TO HEAR FROM THE DEALERSHIP ON HOW THEY WILL HANDLE THIS PROBLEM. *NM

  12. Suspension, Jun 12, 2006

    I PURCHASED A 2006 ALTIMA 2.5 S IN MAR 2006, IT DRIVES GOOD WITH LESS NOTICEABLE WEAVE ON BLACKTOP HIGHWAYS, HOWEVER IT IS UNSTABLE DRIVING ON INTERSTATE EVEN AT 60-70 MPH, IT DRIFTS LEFT AND RIGHT WITHOUT MOVING STEERING WHEEL, YOU HAVE TO STEADY MAKE CORRECTIONS IN STEERING WHEEL MOVEMENT TO KEEP IT FROM UNSAFELY DRIFTING IN THE OTHER LANE. THE DEALER HAS ROTATED TIRES, BALANCED. EVEN TOOK A RIDE WITH ME AND SAID HE NOTICED NOTHING REALLY. I DROVE ANOTHER CAR AT DEALERSHIP JUST LIKE IT, IT DOES THE SAME THING ON INTERSTATE, I DRIVE 100 MILES DAILY TO AND FROM ON INTERSTATE SO IT IS NOT AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. THIS PROBLEM COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY BECAUSE IT IS EVIDENT THE CAR IS UNSTABLE FOR INTERSTATE USE, ALMOST UNDRIVEABLE IF WIND BLOWING SLIGHTLY. *NM

  13. Engine and engine cooling, Jun 11, 2006

    RISK OF ENGINE FIRE IN NISSAN ALTIMAS AND THE AUTOMAKERS RESPONSE TO POSSIBLE FIRES AND INJURIES HAS BEEN "CHECK OIL EVERY 700 MILES". THIS IS NOT ACCEPTABLE. I HAVE A FAMILY AND WILL NOT RISK POTENTIAL INJURIES TO MY KIDS BY EXPOSING THEM TO MY NEW 2006 ALTIMA. I HAVE OWNED IT FOR ONLY TWO MONTHS AND THE REASON I PURCHASED IT WAS AS A FAMILY CAR. THERE SHOULD BE SOME ACTION ON PART OF NISSAN USA. WILL A DEATH OR SERIOUS INJURY BE THE MOTIVATOR? *JB

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. Electrical system, Visibility, Apr 13, 2006

    THE HEATER/AIR CONDITIONING BLOWER TENDS TO NOT OPERATE PERIODICALLY! EXAMPLES: ON A COLD MORNING, THE CAR HAD TO BE RETURNED HOME SINCE THERE WAS NO BLOWER. ON A DAMP DAY, THE INTERIOR WINDOWS COULD NOT BE DEFOGGED DUE TO NO BLOWER. ON A DAMP MORNING, THE FROST ON THE EXTERIOR OF THE WINDSHIELD COULD NOT BE CLEARED BY THE DEFROST SETTING SINCE THE BLOWER FAILED TO OPERATE. WE WONDER HOW SAFE THIS VEHICLE WOULD BE DURING A PERIOD OF FREEZING RAIN! OR DURING A SNOWFALL? PLEASE ADVISE ON WHAT ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN TO REMEDY THIS SERIOUS DEFECT. [XXX] *JB UPDATED 07/16/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

  18. Electrical system, Apr 4, 2006

    PURCHASED NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 IN SEPT.05, FROM DAY 1 I HAD PROBLEMS WITH IT STARTING. AFTER SERVICE HAD THE CAR FOR 2 MONTHS I INVOKED THE LEMON LAW AND RECEIVED ANOTHER NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. THE DEALER DOESN'T KNOW WHAT TO DO THEY SAID THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY 2 NEW ALTIMA 2006 THEY'VE HAD A PROBLEM WITH. THEN I FOUND OUT THESE ARE THE ONLY 2 WITH FACTORY NAVIGATION SYSTEM. *JB

  19. Steering, Feb 27, 2006, crash

    I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA ON DECEMBER 28, 2005. AT 60 - 65 MPH I HEARD A LOUD AND STEADY HUMMING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD AND A WHISTLING SOUND THROUGH THE WHEELS. ON DECEMBER 30, 2005 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:54 AM WHILE EXITING HIGHWAY 59 SOUTH ON THE RAMP TO BELTWAY 8 NORTH IN HOUSTON, TEXAS THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO PERFORM IN THE NORMAL WAY. I HAD STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AS I ENTERED THE RAMP AND THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE WIDE SWERVING ARCS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. WHEN I TRIED TO CENTER THE STEERING WHEEL IT WOULD JUST SWERVE. THINKING I NEEDED TO SLOW DOWN MORE TO GET BETTER CONTROL OF THE CAR, I STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AGAIN, THAT TIME THE CAR STARTED TO SPIN AROUND. IT WAS COMPLETELY OUT OF CONTROL. AN ONCOMING VEHICLE HIT ME FROM BEHIND AND THAT VEHICLE WAS HIT BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. MIRACULOUSLY, THERE WERE NO INJURIES. HOWEVER, I WAS HEADED INTO A VERY BUSY STRETCH OF BELTWAY 8 AND HAD THE FAILURE OCCURRED THERE, SEVERE INJURIES AND DEATH WOULD HAVE BEEN THE OUTCOME. THE WEATHER ON THAT DAY WAS SUNNY AND IN THE HIGH 70'S. THERE WAS NOTHING ON THE ROAD TO PREVENT TRACTION. I REPORTED THE INCIDENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, WHO THEN TOLD ME IT HAD TO BE HANDLED BY NISSAN. FIVE WEEKS LATER NISSAN SENT A REPRESENTATIVE TO CHECK THE CAR OUT AND THEY REPORTED NO MANUFACTURING DEFECTS. THE CAR IS AWAITING PARTS TO REPAIR THE BODY WORK, BUT I HAVE SERIOUS RESERVATIONS ABOUT A RE-OCCURRENCE OF THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW THAT IT WAS SOMETHING THAT MALFUNCTIONED ON THE CAR AND I FEEL AT THE MERCY OF THE MANUFACTURER. THEY ARE ENDANGERING MY LIFE AND THE LIFE OF OTHERS. *JB

  20. Power train, Feb 17, 2006

    DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN OR IDLING. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE CLUTCH HAD BURNED, THE FLY WHEEL HAD HEAT DAMAGE AND THE PRESSURE PLATE WAS WARPED. THOSE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM.

  21. Tires, Nov 30, 2005, crash

    AS I WAS CONCLUDING MY BUSINESS DAY BY DRIVING HOME, MY FRONT RIGHT TIRE WENT FLAT. CAR DRIVEN TO A LOCAL TIRE DEALER, HE REFUSES TO FIX TIRE AND SAYS TAKE IT BACK TO DEALER BECAUSE THE TIRE WAS A FACTORY DEFAULT. MY SIGNIFICANT OTHER RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP WITH THE CAR ON NOVEMBER 2, 2005. SERVICE DEPARTMENT INFORMED HIM THAT THE TIRE DAMAGE WAS MY FAULT, AND REFUSED TO PROVIDE ME WITH A NEW TIRE. A FEW DAYS LATER, I NOTICED THAT MY ENGINE COVER WAS HANGING. I CALLED MY SALESMAN, AND HE INFORMED ME THAT IT PROBABLY OCCURRED WHEN THE TIRE WENT FLAT. NISSAN REPLACED THE TWO SCREWS, AND I WAS ON MY WAY. ALTHOUGH I HAD EXPERIENCED CHALLENGING TIMES WITH THE CAR, NOTHING PREPARED ME FOR THE HORRIFIC EXPERIENCE THAT OCCURRED ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 2005. I SLOWLY DROVE DOWN THE GRASSY INCLINE AND PROCEEDED LEFT. I AM CERTAIN THAT I WAS NOT GOING FASTER THAN FIVE MILES PER HOUR BECAUSE 1) I WAS ON A HILL, 2) MY MOTHER WAS IN THE CAR, 3) I WAS TURNING LEFT, AND 4) I WAS ENTERING A TWO-LANE STREET. THE CAR WAS ON THE STREET, AND I WAS STRAIGHTENING THE CAR TO ENSURE THAT WE WERE SAFELY IN THE RIGHT LANE TO CONTINUE DOWN THE STREET. WHILE I WAS COMPLETING THESE ACTIONS, THE CAR SUDDENLY TURNED LEFT AS IF IT HAD A LIFE OF ITS OWN. IN ORDER TO AVOID HITTING AN SUV AND A MAILBOX, I HAD TO STEER FOR MY LIFE, MY MOTHER''S LIFE, AND THIS NOW MANIAC CAR. I ENDED UP GOING UP THE EMBANKMENT, DOWN THE EMBANKMENT, UP AND DOWN AGAIN. FINALLY, I WAS ABLE TO STOP THE CAR AT MY DECEASED UNCLE''S DRIVEWAY. AMAZINGLY, ONLY MY TIRE AND TIRE AXLE WERE DESTROYED. MY MOTHER AND I WERE SAFE. I AM NOW CERTAIN THAT AFTER TWO TIRE INCIDENTS, SEEING MY CAR SWERVE ON THE HIGHWAY, AND LISTENING TO IT CLICK AFTER POSSESSING IT FOR FIVE DAYS THAT THIS CAR IS FAULTY. *NM

  22. Tires, Oct 21, 2005

    RECENTLY PURCHASED 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED LOUD RATTLING NOISE AT HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAY, SWAYING IN STEERING AND VIBRATION FROM FRONT TIRE(S). TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY DROVE IT AND SAID COULD NOT HEAR ANYTHING. TOOK BACK A FEW DAYS LATER, WHEREUPON THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NEED VEHICLE FOR A WHOLE DAY AND WOULD NOT FIX IT RIGHT THEN AND THERE, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK. I TOOK TO ANOTHER NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED PROBLEM TO THEM. THEY TOOK OFF THE FRONT AIR DEFLECTOR AND IT FIXED LOUD RATTLING. HOWEVER, STILL HAVING PROBLEM WITH ROUGH RIDE, NOISY TIRES, AND SEEMS LIKE MOTOR DRAGS AT TAKE OFF. I HAVE A DAUGHTER AND AFTER READING ALL THE COMPLAINTS HERE, FEEL LIKE NO ONE IS PROTECTING CONSUMERS-AT ALL. I'M WORRIED TIRES ARE JUST LIKE 2005 MODELS. TODAY WILL BE THE THIRD TIME TAKING IT TO DEALERSHIP. I ALSO WORK FOR A LAWYER AND NOTICE AIEG HAS HAD POTENTIAL LAWSUITS FOR CONTINENTAL TIRES. *NM

  23. Electrical system, Oct 18, 2005

    IGNITION SWITCH STICKS IN LOCK POSITION. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO THE LEFT. *JB

  24. Air bags, Oct 18, 2005, crash

    I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 40 MPH, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A LEFT HAND TURN IN FRONT, CAUSING ME TO HAVE A HEAD ON CRASH. DRIVERSIDE AIR BAG OPERATED PREFECT. RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR THE RIGHT SEAT BELT LOCK CAUSING PASSENGER TO HIT FRONT DASH. *JB