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2006 Nissan Altima problems

The most common problem on the 2006 Nissan Altima is engine and cooling, typically around 85,000 miles. It has 1.9 times the complaints of a typical Altima model year.

Typical year1.9x the typical complaints
Year score
49/100
Owner complaints
824
Recalls
3
Service bulletins
80
Worst area
Engine
Fuel economy
21-24mpg
Typical repair
$370

The worst 2006 Nissan Altima problems

Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.

Problems by type

Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.

Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Nissan Altima

Stalling 113Check engine light 105Oil consumption 68Engine failure 37Jerking 31Won't start 28Fire or smoke 18No deployment 17Hesitation 17Grinding brakes 15Fuel pump 13Airbag light 11Overheating 11Fuel gauge 10Adaptive cruise 8Won't shift 8Brake failure 7Knocking 7Harsh shifting 7Headlights 7Loss of power 7Fuel smell 5

Trouble codes owners of the 2006 Nissan Altima mention

P0335 7P0725 4P0340 2P0462 2

Recalls 3

Engine and engine coolingReported November 14, 2007 · 653,910 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
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 the condition, the engine may stop running without warning while the vehicle is driven at a low speed increasing the risk of a crash.
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.

Recall number 07V527000 · Recall details

Engine and engine coolingReported June 21, 2006 · 85,000 vehicles affected
What is wrong
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5l engines may experience excessive engine oil consumption as a result of improper performance of the piston rings.
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.
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.

Recall number 06V223000 · Recall details

Suspension: rearReported February 13, 2006 · 759 vehicles affected
What is wrong
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.
Risk
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.
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.

Recall number 06V046000 · Recall details

See all 3 recalls for the 2006 Nissan Altima

Technical service bulletins for the 2006 Nissan Altima 80

Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.

See all 80 bulletins for the 2006 Nissan Altima

2006 Nissan Altima fuel economy

Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.

EngineDriveCityHighwayCombined
2.5L 4‑cylFWD2127-2923-24
3.5L 6‑cylFWD18-1925-2721

What 2006 Nissan Altima owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Nov 4, 2025 · Brakes · 10,000 miles · PA

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.

Filed Oct 9, 2025 · Electrical, Engine · LA

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.

Filed Apr 14, 2025 · Acceleration, Suspension · AR

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

Filed Mar 5, 2025 · Airbags · GA · 2 injuries

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

Filed Jun 10, 2024 · Fuel system · IL

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.

Filed Mar 5, 2024 · Engine · 105,000 miles · IL

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.

Filed Dec 2, 2023 · Acceleration, Electrical · UT

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.

Filed Sep 26, 2023 · Engine · 209,000 miles · FL

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 the federal safety agency 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.

Filed Jul 7, 2023 · Airbags · 210,000 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

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.

Filed Apr 25, 2023 · Engine, Steering · 200,000 miles · TX

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.

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Compare the 2006 Nissan Altima

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Other model years

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Questions about the 2006 Nissan Altima

Is the 2006 Nissan Altima reliable?

Owners have filed 824 complaints about the 2006 Nissan Altima, 1.9 times a typical Altima model year.

What is the 2006 Nissan Altima year score?

The 2006 Nissan Altima scores 49 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Altima: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Nissan Altima?

Engine and cooling, with 352 complaints, typically around 85,000 miles. Next is body (221).

How many recalls does the 2006 Nissan Altima have?

3 recalls, covering engine and engine cooling and suspension.

Was there a recall on the 2006 Nissan Altima engine?

Yes, 2 recalls: 07V527000, 06V223000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.

What year does the Nissan Altima have bad engine?

The Nissan Altima model years with the most engine complaints are 2002 (682 complaints), 2003 (559 complaints) and 2005 (395 complaints).

What gas mileage does the 2006 Nissan Altima get?

Official estimates for the 2006 Nissan Altima range from 21 to 24 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.5L 4-cyl, FWD) gets 21 city and 27-29 highway.

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