NHTSA vehicle safety data

2006 Nissan Altima Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2006 Nissan Altima has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns and 824 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Nissan dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2006 Nissan Altima, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

Pre-purchase inspection checklist → Reliability & 5-year cost forecast →

2006 Nissan Altima owner complaints

Owners have filed 824 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Nissan Altima, describing incidents dated September 22, 2005 to September 10, 2025.

Most-cited components

Engine 352 complaints
Structure 221 complaints
Power Train 79 complaints
Electrical System 72 complaints
Unknown or Other 64 complaints
Air Bags 43 complaints

Of the 824 complaints on file, 43 report a crash and 14 a fire; across all 824 complaints, owners report 52 injuries (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).

Newest complaints

ODI #11697384 · Filed November 4, 2025
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that since owning the vehicle, the brakes, brake pads, or brake rotors were replaced every year to a year and a half. The contact became aware of the failure while depressing the brake pedal with an abnormal, grinding sound coming from the…
ODI #11692456 · Filed October 9, 2025
I have replaced the water pump, the belt, the thermostats, the rotors, the brakes, the fuel pump, the evap vent valve solenoid, the spark plugs, and fuel injectors and my car is STILL throwing the codes P-0462 and P-447. I've checked the wires and they are good. My car keeps misfiring and stalling…
ODI #11654471 · Filed April 14, 2025
Cvtc transmission stalls almost got my kids and my pregnant daughter hit I bought the car only 2 months ago

Read all 824 complaints

Owner-reported

2006 Nissan Altima mileage at failure

640 of the 824 complaints on file for the 2006 Nissan Altima give the vehicle's mileage when the problem happened.

Mileage at failure by component, from owners' complaints to NHTSA
Component	Median	Middle half	Based on
Engine	Median 85,000 miles	Middle half 45,000–120,000 miles	Based on 272 complaints
Structure	Median 100,000 miles	Middle half 85,000–125,000 miles	Based on 175 complaints
Power Train	Median 55,000 miles	Middle half 20,000–105,000 miles	Based on 68 complaints
Electrical System	Median 95,000 miles	Middle half 50,000–130,000 miles	Based on 48 complaints

A component's median is its 50th percentile, and its middle half runs from its 25th to its 75th percentile.

Owners give the mileage themselves, often as a round number, and NHTSA doesn't check it. A complaint that names several components counts under each one, and mileages that can't be right, such as 999,999, or 50 miles on a five-year-old car, are left out.

These figures describe the complaints owners filed. They don't predict when a particular vehicle will have a problem, and vehicles that never had one aren't counted.

Most complaints NHTSA received since May 17, 2021 give no mileage. So that they aren't undercounted, each one received since then that gives a mileage also stands in for those that gave none, which can put a component's median above most of the mileages it is based on.

Mileage from NHTSA's complaints file of October 31, 2026. How these figures are worked out

CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR FAILURE/ENGINE STALL

NHTSA #07V527000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported November 14, 2007 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 653,910 vehicles

Owners notified December 31, 2007 · Vehicles built January 24, 2004 – October 23, 2006 (per NHTSA) · Recall influenced by NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

THIS IS AN EXPANSION OF A PREVIOUS CAMPAIGN (06V223).CUSTOMERS CAN ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

FMVSS 108/HALOGEN HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES

NHTSA #07E087000 · Exterior Lighting — Headlights · NHTSA notice

Reported October 25, 2007 · GENERA CORPORATION

Potentially affected: 4,654 vehicles

Owners notified October 25, 2007

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

MISALIGNMENT OF THE LIGHTS DIMINISHES FRONTAL ILLUMINATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

THIS RECALL ONLY PERTAINS TO AFTERMARKET TYC HEADLAMPS AND HAS NO RELATION TO ANY ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT INSTALLED ON NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED BY NISSAN.CUSTOMERS MAY CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY: 1-800-424-9153); OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION

NHTSA #06V223000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported June 21, 2006 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 85,000 vehicles

Owners notified June 9, 2006 · Vehicles built January 1, 2006 – May 31, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER PERFORMANCE OF THE PISTON RINGS.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

REAR SUSPENSION SUBFRAME

NHTSA #06V046000 · Suspension — Rear · NHTSA notice

Reported February 13, 2006 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 759 vehicles

Nissan campaign PB016 · Owners notified February 27, 2006 · Vehicles built January 24, 2006 – January 27, 2006 (per NHTSA)

Defect description

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.

Safety consequence

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.

Manufacturer remedy

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.

Notes

NISSAN RECALL NO. PB016.CUSTOMERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV.

2006 Nissan Altima 4-DR.

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 5, Passenger: 5

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: 3, Passenger: 3

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

Not Rated

Safety Technology

824 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Nissan Altima.

Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ODI #11697384

Incident: July 1, 2009 · Filed: November 4, 2025

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that since owning the vehicle, the brakes, brake pads, or brake rotors were replaced every year to a year and a half. The contact became aware of the failure while depressing the brake pedal with an abnormal, grinding sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially serviced at a dealer; however, due to the recurring brake failure, the contact suspected that the dealer might have intentionally caused the frequent brake failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic once the failure returned; however, the vehicle experienced the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.

Electrical System; Engine; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11692456

Incident: September 10, 2025 · Filed: October 9, 2025

I have replaced the water pump, the belt, the thermostats, the rotors, the brakes, the fuel pump, the evap vent valve solenoid, the spark plugs, and fuel injectors and my car is STILL throwing the codes P-0462 and P-447. I've checked the wires and they are good. My car keeps misfiring and stalling now and my fuel pump doesn't have a fuel level sensor. The float bar is brand new as well as the fuel pump. And my dashboard speedometer is 10 miles off. I've tried everything and it's still throwing the same codes.

Suspension; Power Train; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11654471

Incident: April 2, 2025 · Filed: April 14, 2025

Cvtc transmission stalls almost got my kids and my pregnant daughter hit I bought the car only 2 months ago

Air Bags

ODI #11646414

2 injuries

Incident: March 2, 2025 · Filed: March 5, 2025

Me and my fiancé had just picked the kids up from my mom’s. Got about 2 miles down the road and all of a sudden i heard a loud boom and a flash of light like a shot gun had went off in my ear. When I heard the boom my left side from my face to my hip felt like I had been hit. At the same time it happen with me it happen on the passenger side where my fiancé was sitting. I was able To pull to the side of the rd. I got out call law enforcement and looked around my car and it had not been hit so I open my door to get my kids out and that’s when I seen it was the airbags . They exploded and the reason I didn’t notice them when I got out of the car is because they was not inflated they had exploded. There is a huge hole in the top of each side air bag, it busted the inside of my passenger side door and threw shrapnel over to my driver side dash. He and I both are hurting on the side the airbags went off and he has a artificial hip on the side it hit him so I’m hoping it didn’t do anything to his hip

Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11593405

Incident: September 13, 2019 · Filed: June 10, 2024

The fuel gauge stopped working. Fuel gauge shows full all the time. Error code is P0462. Mechanic replaced fuel pump module assembly and this did not fix the problem. Check engine light is on and will not go off and the code will not clear.

Engine

ODI #11575612

Incident: February 27, 2024 · Filed: March 5, 2024

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 - 70 MPH, the vehicle began emitting white smoke coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact pulled to the side of the road and allowed the vehicle to cool off and added oil to the engine and the smoke subsided. The contact became aware of oil around the bumper of the vehicle. The contact was able to continue to drive the vehicle however, oil had to be added often for the vehicle to operate as intended. The dealer was contacted to schedule an appointment however, the vehicle had not been taken to the dealer. The dealer confirmed there was no recall or warranty coverage on the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 105,000.

Power Train; Electrical System; Vehicle Speed Control

ODI #11558113

Incident: November 25, 2023 · Filed: December 2, 2023

I started my vehicle, as usual, and when driving at a very slow speed (neighborhood speed limits) I approached a very busy intersection and the car just stopped. Not only did it stop, it would not steer and a bunch of warning lights came on the dashboard. Tav I believe, oil, check engine light. Even with the key in the acc mode, the power steering was not functioning. Everything just stopped functioning. I know this vehicle was recalled for the same exact thing back in 2008, but obviously it wasn't permanently fixed. Recall #07v-527. If I would have been in the middle of an intersection and this happened I could have been killed.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11546668

Incident: September 25, 2023 · Filed: September 26, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed at approximately 30 MPH. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the crankshaft position sensor and the camshaft were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed by the dealer that there was no assistance available. The contact was not made aware of the diagnosis. The contact was informed by the dealer of NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V527000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 209,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Air Bags

ODI #11530962

Crash 1 injury

Incident: June 5, 2023 · Filed: July 7, 2023

The contact owned a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while exiting the highway, the contact lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree, causing several damages to the front of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy, causing several injuries to the contact's right eye, cuts, and bruises to the left side of the contact's body. The contact sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 210,000.

Steering; Engine

ODI #11518959

Incident: April 23, 2023 · Filed: April 25, 2023

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while his sister was driving at an undisclosed speed, the steering wheel was shaking, and the vehicle stalled. The contact's sister turned off the vehicle. Additionally, the contact stated that after refueling, multiple attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local dealer; however, the failure could not be duplicated. The contact stated that an oil change was completed. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Other Nissan Altima model years

Check your 2006 Nissan Altima VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Nissan Altima at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

Check a Nissan VIN