Is the 2006 Nissan Altima a bad year?
824 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 345, 8.4× a quiet Altima year.
Consider selling
Half of all engine complaints about the 2006 Nissan Altima were filed between 47k and 118k miles. You're at 84,000 miles.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2006 Altima owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 84,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| EngineSTANDS OUT | 342 (42%) | 48k–119k miles · around this mileage | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Body structureSTANDS OUT | 221 (27%) | 84k–127k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 79 (10%) | 23k–106k miles · around this mileage | CV axle / CV joint replacement (one side) $300–$1,500 · Automatic transmission replacement $2,500–$7,000 |
| Electrical system | 72 (9%) | 59k–132k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 43 (5%) | 60k–119k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Speed control | 38 (5%) | 61k–114k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Fuel system | 32 (4%) | 62k–138k miles · around this mileage | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Stability control | 21 (3%) | 59k–126k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Suspension | 18 (2%) | 41k–88k miles · around this mileage | Ball joint replacement (one joint) $200–$500 · Control arm replacement (one arm) $200–$900 |
| Steering | 15 (2%) | 46k–108k miles · around this mileage | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Exhaust | 10 (1%) | 51k–104k miles · around this mileage | Exhaust leak repair $200–$1,500 · Catalytic converter replacement $500–$4,000 |
| Brakes | 26 (3%) | 23k–78k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Tires | 9 (1%) | 2k–29k miles · mostly behind | — |
| Exterior lighting | 9 (1%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 84,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 824 complaints: 43 mention a crash · 14 mention a fire · 34 report an injury · 22 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Nov 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
In owners' own words
The crankshaft position sensor is malfunctional. Upon research, it was discovered other owners of the same vehicle experienced the same problem.
I can drive around town or where ever. I can stop at a place, shut the car down, and get back in it and it acts like it does not want to crank.
Recall id# 6827 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.
Unedited excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, chosen by mileage (nearest 84,000 miles), not by content. Unverified.
Recalls for the 2006 Nissan Altima: 4
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…
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.
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.
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.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 42
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2006 Nissan Altima. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
Nissan; fuel tank is extremely difficult to fill
The Service Procedure provided in this bulletin is for the installation of Repair Plates on vehicles that have rust in the floor pan area
If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if…
Neighbouring years
2005 Altima: 1,090 complaints, consider selling · 2007 Altima: 471 complaints, keep it, but watch the transmission.
Every Nissan Altima year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · 2016 · 2017 · 2018 · 2019 · 2020 · 2021 · 2022 · 2023 · 2024 · 2025 · 2026 · All Altima years side by side
Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Armada · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Maxima · Nissan Murano · Nissan Pathfinder · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note · Nissan Xterra. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2006 Nissan Altima a bad year?
824 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine complaints: 345, 8.4× a quiet Altima year. At 84,000 miles the tool says: Consider selling. Half of all engine complaints about the 2006 Nissan Altima were filed between 47k and 118k miles. You're at 84,000 miles.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 Nissan Altima?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: engine (342), body structure (221), transmission and drivetrain (79), electrical system (72), air bags (43). Half of the engine complaints were filed between 47k–118k miles.
How many recalls does the 2006 Nissan Altima have?
4 recall campaigns list this model year: Engine (NHTSA 07V-527), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 07E087000), Engine (NHTSA 06V-223), Suspension (NHTSA 06V-046). A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.