2006 Nissan ALTIMA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
824 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
90,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 649 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Structure:Body is the most frequently named component, appearing in 179 of 824 complaints (21.7%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 110 | 13.3% |
| Braking behavior | 68 | 8.3% |
| Transmission and shifting | 57 | 6.9% |
| Steering behavior | 33 | 4.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 25 | 3.0% |
| Fuel system concerns | 13 | 1.6% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Structure:Body | 179 |
| Engine | 166 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 137 |
| Unknown Or Other | 64 |
| Electrical System | 62 |
| Power Train | 46 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 38 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 37 |
Structure:Body: 179; Engine: 166; Engine And Engine Cooling: 137; Unknown Or Other: 64; Electrical System: 62; Power Train: 46; Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine: 38; Vehicle Speed Control: 37
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 104 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 51 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 92 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 135 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 198 |
| 150,000 and above | 69 |
Under 25,000: 104; 25,000 to 49,999: 51; 50,000 to 74,999: 92; 75,000 to 99,999: 135; 100,000 to 149,999: 198; 150,000 and above: 69
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (198). 175 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 70 |
| 2007 | 50 |
| 2008 | 29 |
| 2009 | 24 |
| 2010 | 55 |
| 2011 | 42 |
| 2012 | 43 |
| 2013 | 80 |
| 2014 | 80 |
| 2015 | 126 |
| 2016 | 86 |
| 2017 | 55 |
| 2018 | 27 |
| 2019 | 25 |
| 2020 | 6 |
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2023 | 6 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 4 |
2005: 4; 2006: 70; 2007: 50; 2008: 29; 2009: 24; 2010: 55; 2011: 42; 2012: 43; 2013: 80; 2014: 80; 2015: 126; 2016: 86; 2017: 55; 2018: 27; 2019: 25; 2020: 6; 2021: 8; 2022: 2; 2023: 6; 2024: 2; 2025: 4
Pattern summary
Structure:Body leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 110 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 68 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 57 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10160737 · 2006-06-26 (June 26, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE CRUSING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND AUTOMATICALLY SHUT OFF. THE DASH LIGHTS STARTED TO GET DIM SECONDS BEFORE THE INCIDENT OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE'S STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP AFTER THE VEHICLE STALLED AND ROLLED TO A STOP. THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL WHEN PARKED, ALTHOUGH IT WAS ONLY ABLE TO BE SHIFTED INTO PARK AFTER 3 ATTEMPTS. THE VEHICLE STARTED UP NORMALLY AFTER THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN PARK. THIS INCIDENT OCCURRED DURING THE AFTERNOON DURING DAMP ROAD CONDITIONS. THE VEHICLE W…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160737 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10192308 · 2007-06-02 (June 2, 2007)
ALTIMA 2006 W/ 3.5L ENGINE/ AUTO TRANS. CAR WAS MAKING A LOUD ROAR TYPE NOISE HEARD AT IDLE FROM INSIDE THE CAR FOR ABOUT A WEEK AND AN APPOINTMENT WAS MADE AT THE DEALER TO GET IT CHECKED OUT. THE NIGHT BEFORE IT WENT IN FOR SERVICE, THE CAR GOT STUCK IN 5TH GEAR WHILE SITTING AT A LIGHT AND STALLED. CAR WAS RESTARTED AND PROCEEDED TO STAY IN 5TH GEAR. THE PROBLEM WENT AWAY OVERNIGHT AND WAS OK DRIVING TO THE SERVICE CENTER. WE PICKED UP THE CAR AND IT WAS "FIXED". WE WERE TOLD IT WAS A BAD FUEL PULSAR THING. THE NOISE WENT AWAY, HOWEVE…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10192308 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10151303 · 2006-02-27 (February 27, 2006)
I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA ON DECEMBER 28, 2005. AT 60 - 65 MPH I HEARD A LOUD AND STEADY HUMMING SOUND UNDER THE HOOD AND A WHISTLING SOUND THROUGH THE WHEELS. ON DECEMBER 30, 2005 AT APPROXIMATELY 11:54 AM WHILE EXITING HIGHWAY 59 SOUTH ON THE RAMP TO BELTWAY 8 NORTH IN HOUSTON, TEXAS THE STEERING WHEEL FAILED TO PERFORM IN THE NORMAL WAY. I HAD STEPPED ON THE BRAKE AS I ENTERED THE RAMP AND THE CAR STARTED TO MAKE WIDE SWERVING ARCS FROM SIDE TO SIDE. WHEN I TRIED TO CENTER THE STEERING WHEEL IT WOULD JUST SWERVE. THINKING I NEED…
Owner-reported narrative. 81 miles reported. Look up ODI 10151303 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10157683 · 2006-05-16 (May 16, 2006)
I WAS IN THE PROCESS OF PULLING INTO A DRIVEWAY AND PARKING MY CAR, WHEN ALL OF A SUDDEN THE CAR ACCELERATED. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE. THE CAR CONTINUED TO PICK UP SPEED. I HIT MY FRIENDS HOUSE. I PUT THE CAR IN PARK TO STOP THE CAR. THEIR WAS DAMAGE TO MY CAR, MY FRIENDS GARAGE, THE CAR IN THE GARAGE, A FREEZER, AND A BRICK WALL. MY CAR TOOK ON A LIFE OF ITS OWN. I FELT I HAD NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS, WHEN I WOULD BE AT A COMPLETE STOP, AND WOULD GO TO TAKE OFF, THE CAR WOULD HESITATE, THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN IT WOULD TAKE…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,100 miles reported. Look up ODI 10157683 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10150536 · 2006-02-17 (February 17, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A NOISE COMING FROM THE TRANSMISSION WHETHER THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN OR IDLING. THE DEALERSHIP DETERMINED THE CLUTCH HAD BURNED, THE FLY WHEEL HAD HEAT DAMAGE AND THE PRESSURE PLATE WAS WARPED. THOSE COMPONENTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THIS DID NOT REPAIR THE PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 890 miles reported. Look up ODI 10150536 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10160069 · 2006-06-17 (June 17, 2006)
NISSAN HAS ADMITTED VIA A LETTER THAT CERTAIN VEHICLES (MINE IS ONE) ARE SUBJECT TO HIGH OIL CONSUMPTION AND THE RESULT COULD BE A FIRE IN THE VEHICLE. NISSAN HAS ATTEMPTED TO CORRECT THIS BY: CHANGING THE OIL AND FILTER, PROMISING TO MONITOR THE LEVEL - SUBJECT TO ANOTHER TRIP TO THE DEALER- AT 700 SUBSEQUENT MILES, THEY WILL THEN PROVIDE AN UNKNOWN 'FIX' TO THE ISSUE IF THE OIL LEVEL HAS DECREASED TO THEIR SATISFACTION, IF NO NOTICEABLE DECREASE IN THEIR PERCEPTION, THEN MONITOR ANOTHER 700 MILES - RETURN TO DEALER AGAIN AND HAVE THEM REVIEW,…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10160069 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140111 · 2005-10-18 (October 18, 2005)
IGNITION SWITCH STICKS IN LOCK POSITION. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO THE LEFT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10140111 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10140432 · 2005-10-21 (October 21, 2005)
RECENTLY PURCHASED 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED LOUD RATTLING NOISE AT HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAY, SWAYING IN STEERING AND VIBRATION FROM FRONT TIRE(S). TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY DROVE IT AND SAID COULD NOT HEAR ANYTHING. TOOK BACK A FEW DAYS LATER, WHEREUPON THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NEED VEHICLE FOR A WHOLE DAY AND WOULD NOT FIX IT RIGHT THEN AND THERE, THAT I WOULD HAVE TO COME BACK. I TOOK TO ANOTHER NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND EXPLAINED PROBLEM TO THEM. THEY TOOK OFF THE FRONT AIR DEFLECTOR AND IT FIXED LOUD RATTLING. HOWEVER, STILL HA…
Owner-reported narrative. 6 miles reported. Look up ODI 10140432 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10166513 · 2006-08-25 (August 25, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHEN THE IGNITION WAS TURNED, THERE WAS A LOUD BANG FROM THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. AFTERWARDS, SMOKE CAME FROM THE FRONT END, BELOW THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW, AND BRIEF FLAMES ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. THE VEHICLE HOOD WAS OPENED TO REVEAL THE BATTERY HAD EXPLODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A SERVICE DEALER, WHERE THE DEALER TESTED AND REPLACED THE BATTERY. THERE WAS NO DETERMINATION MADE AS TO THE CAUSE OF THE EXPLOSION.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10166513 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10190037 · 2007-04-24 (April 24, 2007)
2006 NISSAN ALTIMA CUSTOMER RECEIVED RECALL LETTER AND HAS BEEN UNABLE TO GET CAR FIX AND CAN'T LET THE CAR SIT AND PAY CAR NOTE AND INSURANCE**CC THE CONSUMER STATED A NEW ENGINE WAS INSTALLED IN THE VEHICLE DUE TO A RECALL. THREE WEEKS LATER, THE VEHICLE WENT INTO LIMP MODE AND THE SPEED DECREASED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED AND THE CONSUMER WAS LATER INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED A NEW TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER RETURNED THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND UPON INSPECTION THEY STATED THE WIRING HARNESS WAS UNPLUGGED. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 12,334 miles reported. Look up ODI 10190037 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10160026 · 2006-06-16 (June 16, 2006)
PURCHASED 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA LAST DAY OF APRIL. SINCE THEN THE FOLLOWING HAS OCCURRED....1. FIVE DAYS AFTER THE PURCHASED DATE FUEL PUMP REPLACED. CAR WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO START 2. SINCE THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO PERFORM ANY DETAILING SERVICE ON THE DATE OF PURCHASE IT WAS AGREED I COULD BRING IT BACK AT A LATER DATE. ON 20 MAY DURING DETAILING SERVICE A 6" STRIP OF PAINT PEELED OFF THE FRONT BUMPER. BUMPER WAS SENT TO LOCAL PAINT SHOP IN DAPHNE AL. FOR REPAIR...ASK THE DEALERSHIP FOR PAPERWORK ON THE RE-PAINT, TO DATE HAVE NOT RECEIVED PAP…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10160026 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10175989 · 2006-12-12 (December 12, 2006)
BRAND NEW 2006 ALTIMA 2.5S DEVLIVERED TO ME WITH A BAD FUEL PUMP. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. BUT WENT OFF AFTER I FILL UP. THEN CAME BACK ON WITH THE FUEL LIGHT SHOWING. HAD TO TAKE IT BACK WITH JUST 85 MILES ON IT. HAD TO GO BACK DOWN TO DEALER. SERVICE TECH SAID I COULDNT GET A LOANER CAR IT WASNT COVERED UNDER THE WARRENTY. I LIVED 45 MILES AWAY, THEY WOULDNT TAKE ME HOME. FINALLY WENT TO THE SALESMAN AND HE GLADLY GAVE ME ANOTHER CAR TO DRIVE UNTIL IT WAS FIXED 3 DAYS LATER. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 60 miles reported. Look up ODI 10175989 at NHTSA ↗