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
824 reports, newest first.
Structure, Sep 24, 2016
RUSTED FLOOR BOARD WITHIN 4 YEARS OF LIFE OF VEHICLE.
Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 22, 2016
MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA'S VIN NUMBER IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR RECALL ANNOUNCED IN 2007 THAT DEALS WITH THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR BEING OVERHEATED, WHICH CAUSES THE CAR TO CUT OFF WHEN TRAVELING AT LOW SPEEDS OR WHEN STOPPED AT STOPLIGHTS OR STOP SIGNS. I FIRST EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM IN THE BEGINNING OF AUGUST AND IT HAS CONTINUED EVER SINCE. I EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM DAILY WITH MY CAR AND IT HAS CAUSED ME TO ALMOST GET INTO ACCIDENTS MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT FOR SOME REASON THE VIN NUMBER ON MY CAR ISN'T ELIGIBLE FOR THE RECALL THAT FIXED THE PROBLEM. WHEN I AM DRIVING AND STOPPED AT A STOP SIGN OR STOPLIGHT IMMEDIATELY MY CARS ENGINE TEMPERATURE GAUGE DROPS BELOW COLD, THEN THE CAR BEGINS TO RATTLE, THEN AFTER A FEW SECONDS THE CAR WILL CUT OFF. IT ALSO HAPPENS WHEN I TRAVEL AT LOW SPEEDS, SUCH AS 10MPH, WHICH HAS CAUSED TO ALMOST GET INTO ACCIDENTS A MULTITUDE OF TIMES. THE PROBLEM OCCURS ON ANY ROAD AS LONG AS I'M STOPPED OR GOING BELOW 10MPH. THE PROBLEM OCCURS EVERYDAY NOW AND AT EVERY STOP I MAKE AND IT IS VERY DANGEROUS. SINCE NISSAN KNOWS OF THIS ISSUE IN CARS OF THE SAME YEAR AND MODEL, I WOULD LIKE MY VIN NUMBER TO BE INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF THOSE THAT CAN PARTICIPATE IN THE RECALL. I HAVE HAD MANY MECHANICS LOOK AT THE CAR BUT NONE OF THEM KNOW HOW TO FIX IT.
Structure, Sep 13, 2016
THE FLOORBOARDS HAVE RUSTED RIGHT THROUGH TO THE OUTSIDE. THIS SHOULD NOT HAPPEN WITH NORMAL WEAR. WE HAVE JUST BEEN ALERTED TO THIS BY THE MECHANIC AND IT IS SO ADVANCED HE ADVISES WE DON'T USE THE CAR! REPAIRING IT IS PROBABLY MORE THAN THE CAR IS WORTH!
Structure, Sep 13, 2016
I HAVE OWNED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA FOR THE LAST 6 YEARS THAT HAS 126,000 MILES ON IT. DURING A RECENT INSPECTION THE MECHANIC FOUND SEVERE RUSTING AND A SIGNIFICANT HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOOR PAN; YOU COULD SEE THE INTERIOR CARPET FROM UNDERNEATH THE CAR. IT LOOKS LIKE THE FLOOR HAS BEEN ERODING FOR QUITE SOME TIME. AFTER SEARCHING FOR THIS ISSUE ONLINE, I LEARNED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN ALTIMAS FROM 2002 TO 2006 RELATING TO A FAULTY DESIGN IN A DRAIN (THOSE WERE A NISSAN REPS OWN WORDS). I'M FRUSTRATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING THIS KNOWN ISSUE. I'D HOPE THAT NISSAN CAN BE COMPELLED TO BE TRANSPARENT AND FORTHCOMING WITH KNOWN ISSUES WHICH MAY BE A RISK TO CUSTOMERS' SAFETY.
Structure, Sep 10, 2016
IT SEEMS LIKE THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM WITH OLDER ALTIMAS. APPARENTLY THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE FORMS A RUST PROBLEM WHICH CAN CAUSE ONE TO FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR. THE IMAGE I ATTACHED SHOWS THE FLOORBOARD NOT ONLY RUSTING BUT COMING OFF, AND I CAN PUSH ON THE BOTTOM OF THE CARPET FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY CAR. NISSAN KNEW OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2008 AND HAS NOT OFFERED ANY OBVIOUS STATEMENTS NOR RECALLS. THIS IS POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND IS AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR (FOR BOTH SIDE FLOORBOARD REPLACEMENT, IT CAN COST 3000)
Structure, Sep 10, 2016
EXCESSIVE RUSTING OF THE FLOORBOARDS. A GAPING HOLE IS IN THE FLOOR GOING THROUGH TO THE OUTSIDE OF THE CAR. THIS IS FRUSTRATING BECAUSE THIS CAR HAS BEEN GARAGE KEPT AT HOME AND AT WORK.
Engine, Sep 6, 2016
TRANSMISSION JERKS
Engine, Sep 3, 2016
BETWEEN 3,000 MILE INTERVAL OIL CHANGES, THERE IS SIGNIFICANTLY AMOUNT OF OIL CONSUMPTION. THERE IS NO WHITE OR BLUE SMOKE THAT IS VISIBLE FROM THE MUFFLER, NO OIL LEAKS ARE VISIBLE AND NO BURNING ODOR. WHEN CHECKING OIL FLUID BETWEEN 3,000 MILE INTERVALS, HAVE NOTICED THE OIL FALLING BELOW MINIMUM LINE ON DIPSTICK. ON THAT SAME NOTE, THE DRIVE WAY DOES NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF OIL LEAK COMING FROM THE CAR.
Structure, Aug 29, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO SEVERE FRAME CORROSION. THE INDEPENDENT TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FLOORBOARD NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 101,980.
Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2016
DRIVER AND PASSENGER FLOOR PANELS RUSTED OUT. SAFETY ISSUE. CAR WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION. RESEARCH INDICATES THIS IS COMMON PROBLEM...WELL KNOWN TO NISSAN. NISSAN MANAGEMENT UNRESPONSIVE AND UNCOOPERATIVE.
Structure, Other or unspecified, Aug 22, 2016
FLOORBOARD RUSTING/ DRIVER SIDE FLOORBOARD COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT HOLE HOLE APPROXIMATE SIZE 24 INCH WIDTH X 36 INCH LENGTH
Wheels, Aug 20, 2016
TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS OF 65-70 MPH, THE LEFT REAR TIRE(ECOPIA EP422 A/S P215/60R 16) RUPTURED ON THE INTERIOR SIDEWALL/SUSPENSION SIDE LEAVING A GAPPING HOLE 3X8 INCHES FROM THE TIRE RIM TOWARD THE TREADS. NO VISIBLE DAMAGE FROM SHARP OR FOREIGN OBJECT WAS VISIBLE WHERE TIRE RUPTURED. THE BRIDGESTONE TIRE HAD ONLY 9000 MILES, VERY GOOD TREADS(MORE THAN 4/32")ROTATED ON PRESCRIBED MILAGE INTERVALS FROM DATE OF PURCHASE(4/29/2014) AND JUST BEFORE THIS EXTENDED ROAD TRIP, ALONG WITH TIRE PRESSURE CHECKED WITH 29 PSI~NITROGEN. TIN#OBX8E2813 DATE OF TIRE FAILURE~7/11/2016. FORTUNATELY, ABLE TO CONTROL VEHICLE COMING TO A SAFE STOP ON THE FREEWAY SHOULDER. TIRE NO LONGER PRODUCED BY BRIDGESTONE, THEREFORE TWO NEW MATCHING TIRES WERE PURCHASED TO REPLACE THE OPPOSITE, GOOD TIRE AND THE FAILED TIRE.
Power train, Other or unspecified, Aug 20, 2016
JUST LIKE WITH OTHER NISSAN RECALLS. MY CAN SHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS BAD AND IS CAUSING MY CAR TO DIE/QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING IT
Other or unspecified, Aug 11, 2016
AT AROUND 65K MY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO FAIL EVEN THOUGH I HAD REPLACED THE FLUID TWICE BY THAT MILEAGE AND TOOK IT TO THE DEALER I HAD AND EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT THE DEALER SAID IS WAS A BROKEN MOTOR MOUNT BUT IT WAS NOT TO TOO SOON AFTER THAT MY TRANSMISSION STARTED TO BANG ALOT AND KEEP READING ONLINE IT IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION AND NOW AROUND 90K THE TRANSMISSION FINALLY FAILED.
Structure, Aug 11, 2016
FLOOR BOARD HAS RUSTED OUT ON THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE.
Power train, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 9, 2016
PURCHASED THIS CAR USED FROM A DEALERSHIP 3 WEEKS AGO. WITHIN 1 WEEK THE CAR STALLED WHILE DRIVING. STARTED IT BACK UP WITH NO PROBLEMS. TOOK CAR ON A 750 MI. ROAD TRIP AND WHILE DRIVING 75MPH ON CRUISE CONTROL THE CAR BUCKED. AFTER REACHING OUR DESTINATION AND TURNING THE CAR OFF WE HAD TROUBLE RESTARTING IT. WHEN IT FINALLY STARTED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AND CODES CAME UP FOR THE CAM AND CRANK SHAFT SENSORS. REPLACED THESE SENSORS AND CLEARED CODES. DROVE CAR AWAY AND WITHIN 5MILES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN AND AGAIN EXCESSIVE CRANKING WHEN TRYING TO START THE CAR. BROUGHT IT BACK TO MECHANIC AND THE BRAND NEW CAM SENSOR THAT WAS REPLACED LESS THAN 24HRS BEFORE TESTED OUT BAD. REPLACED SENSOR AGAIN AND CLEARED CODE AND CODE CAME UP FOR HIGH SPEED INPUT SENSOR ALONG WITH THE SAME CODES FOR CAM SHAFT AND CRANK SHAFT SENSORS. AGAIN TROUBLE STARTING VEHICLE. DROVE CAR 750MI. BACK HOME WITHOUT TURNING THE CAR OFF FOR FEAR OF NOT BEING ABLE TO START AGAIN. DEALING WITH A NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO TRY AND GET THIS FIXED. THIS ISSUE WAS UNDER RECALL BEFORE. THE BUCKING OF THE CAR WHILE DRIVING AT 75MPH WAS TERRIFYING AND SERIOUSLY DANGEROUS!
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Aug 9, 2016, fire
"TAKING RECALL"I GOT A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA WHEN I LOOK UNDER THE COVER I SAW THE CONNECTORS THAT GOES TO SPARK PLUG MELTED BY OVER HEAT (SMALL FIRE)MY ENGINE CONTROL MODULE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IT READ SENSOR ONE TIME CRANKSHAFT NEXT TIME UP AND DOWN STREAM SENSOR LOT OF DIFFERENT READINGS WHICH IS NOT SAFE FOR ROAD WHICH MAY LEAD TO ACCIDENT.
Structure, Aug 9, 2016
I LOOKED UNDER MY CAR THIS EVENING AND FOUND A LARGE RUSTED OUT HOLE IN THE DRIVER'S SIDE FLOORBOARD. THE PASSENGER SIDE FLOORBOARD ALSO SEEMS TO BE RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
Structure, Aug 8, 2016
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS PREMATURE CORROSION ON THE FLOORBOARDS ACROSS THE FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES OF THE VEHICLE. DUE TO THE CORROSION, HOLES COULD BE SEEN THROUGH THE FLOORBOARDS. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE DEALER AND MECHANIC CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED TO BE REPAIRED USING A PATCH KIT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 120,000. UPDATED 10/07/16*LJ *TR
Vehicle speed control, Electronic stability control (ESC), Engine, Aug 2, 2016
MY CAR WAS PREVIOUSLY SERVICED FOR A CAMPAIGN POSTED ON YOUR WEBSITE, BUT THE PROBLEM WAS NOT FIXED. I SHOULD BE ENTITLED TO HAVE THIS PROBLEM RE WORKED AND FIXED. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THE CAR STALLS OUT WITHOUT WARNING, CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. IT STALLS OUT WHILE DRIVING AND WHILE IDLE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2016
THE FLOORBOARDS ARE RUSTING. PIECES HAVE BEEN FALLING FROM BOTH THE PASSENGER AND DRIVER'S SIDE.
Other or unspecified, Jul 26, 2016
CAR WILL SLOW CRANK RANDOMLY, IT DOES IT COMPLETELY INTERMITTENT, EVEN WHEN ITS COLD OR HOT, THE FUEL PUMP WORKS PERFECTLY, THE STARTER IS NEW, IT HAS NEW CRANK AND CAM SENSORS, THE BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR ARE IN WORKING FINE, THE SPARK PLUGS AND IGNITION COILS ARE BRAND NEW, IT HAS BEEN DOING THIS SINCE I FIRST BOUGHT IT, IT HAD 148,000 MILES, SOMETIMES I HAD TO PUSH THE KEY TWICE OR MORE, THE ENGINE WILL CRANK WITH THE STARTER BUT WILL SIMPLY NOT TURN ON, AFTER I DO IT TWICE OR MORE THEN IT STARTS, I HAVE TRIED EVERY TRICK IN THE BOOK TO SEE IF IT STOPS HAPPENING RANDOMLY, I JUST WANT THIS CAR TO WORK FINE OR JUST NOT WORK AT ALL, I DONT LIKE THIS GAME. I HAVE HAD OVER THREE PROFESSIONAL MECHANICS TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND NOBODY KNOWS WHAT IT IS, IT JUST DOES IT WHENEVER IT WANTS. NO MATTER THE WEATHER OR ENGINE TEMPERATURE OR VOLTAGE OR FUEL PRESSURE,
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2016
NISSAN MECHANIC THE 5 SPEED AUTO IN THE 3.5L ALTIMA IS COMPLETEY DIFFERENT AND IS KNOWN TO HAVE VALVE BODY ISSUES FROM THE BUSHES DISTORTING IN THE SOLENOIDS AND CAUSING THEM TO HAND UP AND CAUSE HARD SHIFTS
Other or unspecified, Jul 20, 2016
THIS IS THE SECOND NISSAN ALTIMA THAT HAS BEEN ON WITH ME AND MY FAMILY THAT THE TRANSMISSION HAS GONE OUT AND COSTING US A FORTUNE THE 2005 NISSAN ALTIMA AND NOW THIS 2006 I WAS SITTING AT A RED LIGHT I GOT THE GREEN LIGHT TO GO WHEN I STEPPED ON THE GAS ALL THE SUDDEN THERE WAS A POP WITH SOME GRINDING AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO
Steering, Power train, Engine, Jul 20, 2016
THIS VEHICLE HAS GIVEN ME A LOT OF PROBLEMS FROM STEERING TO BRAKES TOOK THE BOOTS TRANSMISSION. IT WAS HARD SHIFTING GOING THROUGH AN INTERSECTION ALL THE SUDDEN IT POPPED AND THE TRANSMISSION GAVE OUT