2006 Nissan Altima problems, complaints & recalls

Updated Oct 10, 2026 from NHTSA data · How we count

Owners have filed 28 complaints with NHTSA about the 2006 Nissan Altima, most often about engine. There are 0 recalls for this model year.

Complaints: 28
Recalls: 0
Crashes: 4
Fires: 1
Injuries: 6
Median mileage: 137,000 mi

Key facts

Engine is the most-reported problem area, named in 13 of 28 complaints (46%).
Electrical System (8) and fuel, hybrid & EV propulsion (6) follow.
Half of the complaints that list mileage happened before 137,000 mi.
Owners reported 4 crashes, 1 fire and 6 injuries.
It ranks 14th of 22 Nissan Altima model years by our severity-weighted complaint score (1st = worst).
That is 12% fewer complaints than the 2005 model year (32).

A complaint can mention more than one problem area, so categories add up to more than the total.

Most-reported components

Component (as filed with NHTSA)	Complaints
Engine	11
Electrical system	8
Fuel/propulsion system	6
Air bags	4
Power train	4
Steering	4
Engine and engine cooling	2
Unknown or other	2

When problems happen (mileage)

Mileage at the time of the problem, for 2006 Nissan Altima complaints that list mileage.

2006 Nissan Altima recalls (0)

No recalls on file.

Recent 2006 Nissan Altima complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Filed Nov 4, 202510,000 miPABrakes
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…
NHTSA complaint #11697384 · source
Filed Oct 9, 2025LAElectrical SystemEngineFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
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…
NHTSA complaint #11692456 · source
Filed Mar 5, 2025GA2 injuredAirbags
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…
NHTSA complaint #11646414 · source
Filed Jun 10, 2024ILFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion
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.
NHTSA complaint #11593405 · source
Filed Mar 5, 2024105,000 miILEngine
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…
NHTSA complaint #11575612 · source
Filed Dec 2, 2023UTElectrical SystemAcceleration & Cruise ControlTransmission & Drivetrain
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,…
NHTSA complaint #11558113 · source
Filed Sep 26, 2023209,000 miFLEngine
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…
NHTSA complaint #11546668 · source
Filed Jul 7, 2023210,000 miCACrash1 injuredTowedAirbags
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…
NHTSA complaint #11530962 · source

Compare the 2006 Nissan Altima with another vehicle →

Other 2006 Nissan models

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology