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2006 Nissan AltimaProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 824 owner complaints about the 2006 Nissan Altima, most often about the structure. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2006 Nissan Altima
24
CarFlaw IndexYear to avoid3.1× the Altima median · #9 of 32 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints82491 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage100kStructure, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through November 4, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: IFCAR, Public domain.

Complaints by system

Where the 2006 Nissan Altima has problems

824 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Structure2215
Engine and engine cooling1896
Engine16610
Power train793
Electrical system726
Air bags4328
Vehicle speed control385
Fuel/propulsion system241
Electronic stability control (ESC)211
16 other systems11813

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2006 Nissan Altima recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 07V-527 · Nov 14, 2007 · 653,910 vehicles

Risk. 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…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Engine and engine cooling

Recall 06V-223 · Jun 21, 2006 · 85,000 vehicles

Risk. 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.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Suspension: rear

Recall 06V-046 · Feb 13, 2006 · 759 vehicles

Risk. IF THE BRACKET IS CRACKED, THE STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE MAY BE AFFECTED UNDER SEVERE DRIVING CONDITIONS.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.

Mileage at failure

When do structure problems start?

100kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 177 structure complaints. 45% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
5under 30k miles80under 100k miles97100k miles or more
Owner-reported costs

What owners say repairs cost

Dollar amounts owners wrote in their complaints when describing a repair or a quote. These are not price estimates; a system is shown only when at least 8 owners mentioned a cost.

Structure

21 owners mentioned a cost

$799median

Middle half: $500 – $1,700

Engine and engine cooling

13 owners mentioned a cost

$370median

Middle half: $260 – $500

Engine

9 owners mentioned a cost

$780median

Middle half: $375 – $3,600

If a problem is covered by a recall, the dealer fixes it for free. Some manufacturers also reimburse owners who paid for a repair before a recall was announced.

Best & worst years

2006 vs. every other Altima year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Altima median. How we score

'93'94'95'96'97'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2006 Nissan Altima safety ratings

2006 Nissan Altima 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2006 Nissan Altima frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2006 Nissan Altima side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Altima owners report

Recent structure complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

WHEN I LIFT MY CAR (NISSAN ALTIMA 2006 ) AT THE MECHANIC TO DO REPAIR JOB, I DISCOVERED A HUGE RUST HOLE AT THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SITE AT THE FRONT OF THE CAR, I SHOCKED, IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN, FOR ME AND FOR MY FAMILY. THE RUST IS DEEP, WIDE AND PENETRATING, MY MECHANIC ADVICE ME TO SELL IT OF…
Complaint 11405495 · Mar 30, 2021 · 71,600 miles
BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR ROUTINE MAINTENANCE ON 9/19/2018. PRIOR TO COMPLETING THE SERVICE THEY TOLD ME THAT THERE WAS RUSTING UNDERNEATH THE PASSENGER SIDE. I COULDN'T PICTURE WHAT THEY WERE DESCRIBING SO I ASKED TO SEE AND I TOOK A PICTURE. SUBSEQUENTLY, I WAS INFORMED BY…
Complaint 11288468 · Dec 11, 2019 · 90,000 miles
I TOOK MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA TO THE SHOP TO PURCHASE TIRES AND UPON PUTTING THE VEHICLE ON A LIFT, THE MECHANIC CALLED ME BACK TO SHOW ME A GAPING HOLE ON BOTH THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE AND FRONT PASSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IF THE CARPET WERE LIFTED, YOU COULD SEE THROUGH TO THE ROAD ON BOTH SIDES.…
Complaint 11268095 · Oct 12, 2019 · 113,043 miles

Own a 2006 Altima?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.