2006 Nissan Altima
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Engine
Engine leads by volume: 352 of 824 complaints (43%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (42) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 1,091 in 2005 to 824 in 2006.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | vs. 2006 Midsize Cars |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,700–3,100 | 2,600–2,950 | 2,600–2,950 | 1,850–3,500 | 1,850–3,500 | |
| Combined MPG | 20–23 | 21–24 | 21–24 | 22–34 | 22–34 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 17–20 / 24–28 | 18–21 / 25–29 | 18–21 / 25–29 | 19–35 / 26–33 | 19–35 / 26–33 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 386–444 | 370–423 | 370–423 | 261–404 | 261–404 | |
| Complaints filed | 276 | 1,091 | 824 | 498 | 1,044 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 2 | 4 | 3 | 4 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 14 | 48 | 43 | 30 | 57 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 3 | 18 | 14 | 22 | 14 | |
| Injuries reported | 11 | 62 | 52 | 16 | 33 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | |
| Configurations compared | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2006 Nissan Altima have?
4 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2006 Nissan Altima?
Engine: 352 of 824 NHTSA complaints (43%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Nissan Altima get?
EPA rates it 21–24 MPG combined across 5 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2006 Nissan Altima?
EPA estimates $2,600–$2,950 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (5)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 4-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 27 mpg | 23 mpg | $2,700 | 386 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 21 mpg (high) | 29 mpg (high) | 24 mpg (high) | $2,600 (low) | 370 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 3 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 19 mpg | 25 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 26 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic (S5) | 6 | 3.5L | Front-Wheel Drive | Regular | Midsize Cars | 18 mpg (low) | 27 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | $2,950 (high) | 423 g/mi (high) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 352 | 5 | 11 | 5 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 79 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 32 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 72 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 47 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Steering | 15 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 32 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 45 | 28 | 0 | 42 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 38 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 228 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 15 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Other | 68 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (4)
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · Campaign 07V527000 · Nov 15, 2007
Defect: 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.
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.
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS · Campaign 07E087000 · Oct 25, 2007
Defect: 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.
Consequence: MISALIGNMENT OF THE LIGHTS DIMINISHES FRONTAL ILLUMINATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · Campaign 06V223000 · Jun 21, 2006
Defect: CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2.5L ENGINES MAY EXPERIENCE EXCESSIVE ENGINE OIL CONSUMPTION AS A RESULT OF IMPROPER PERFORMANCE OF THE PISTON RINGS.
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.
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.
SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 06V046000 · Feb 14, 2006
Defect: 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.
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.
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.