What Owners Report NHTSA ODI · 2,175,102 complaints · MY1998–2026

2006 Nissan Altima

Typical pattern

10.1% of complaints about the 2006 Nissan Altima came in the first year, which is unremarkable for a 2006 vehicle — around the middle of the 250 model-years on record. The median complaint arrives at 8.2 yr in service. The most-reported system is structure (224 complaints), typically at 9.1 yr or about 100,250 miles.

Complaints
1,041
Median age at failure
8.2 yr
Median mileage
90,000 n=798
Crash / fire / tow
9.1% of reports
Safety recalls
4

When each system is reported — middle 50% of complaints

System
0y2y4y6y8y10y12y14y
Structure
224 reports · 100,250 mi
9.1 yr
2.2%
Engine cooling
190 reports · 55,000 mi
3.4 yr
3.7%
Engine
166 reports · 111,000 mi
9.5 yr
10.2%
Power train
80 reports · 54,000 mi
5.3 yr
5%
Electrical system
72 reports · 95,000 mi
8.2 yr
9.7%
Other
64 reports · 102,000 mi
10.0 yr
7.8%
Air bags
43 reports · 93,000 mi
9.2 yr
65.1%
Speed control
38 reports · 85,000 mi
7.8 yr
13.2%
Fuel / propulsion
24 reports · 130,000 mi
13.5 yr
4.2%
Electronic stability control (esc)
21 reports · 98,000 mi
10.8 yr
4.8%
Suspension
18 reports · 90,000 mi
4.6 yr
16.7%
Steering
16 reports · 70,000 mi
10.8 yr
18.8%

Safety recalls — NHTSA campaigns

07V527000 2007-11-14
Engine cooling

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.

07E087000 2007-10-25
Exterior lighting:headlights

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.

06V223000 2006-06-21
Engine cooling

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.

06V046000 2006-02-13
Suspension:rear

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.

In owners’ own words

Air bags mileage not reported 1 mo in service crash / fire / tow
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
Air bags 500 mi 10 mo in service
I PURCHASE 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA FROM EASTERN CAROLINA NISSAN IN MAY 2006. I HAVE BEEN HEARING A RATTLING NOISE 1 WEEK AFTER PURCHASE. I NOTIFIED NISSAN AND THEY STATED THAT IS WAS SPARK KNOCKING BUT WHEN I CONTACTED THEM TO INQUIRE ON SERVICE REPORT, NOT NOTED. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON/OFF DURING DRIVING. THE DOORS LOCK WHEN KEYS ARE IN AND CAR IS STARTED/OFF. *NM
Air bags 70,000 mi 1.9 yr in service crash / fire / tow
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE REAR SIDE AIR BAG ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE FIVE YEAR OLD, WHO WAS SEATED IN THE REAR PASSENGER SEAT AND WEARING A SEAT BELT, STRUCK THE DOOR PANEL AND SUFFERED BROKEN BONES AROUND THE RIGHT EYE. THE REST OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND TOWED. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 70,000.
Electrical system mileage not reported 1 mo in service
IGNITION SWITCH STICKS IN LOCK POSITION. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO THE LEFT. *JB

Other Altima model years

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