CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2006 Nissan Altima has a trend of engine & transmission problems.

Excessive oil consumption is the main problem reported by owners. Nissan did a recall back in 2006 for oil consumption due to bad piston rings, but many owners report to us that the recall didn't fix the problem. The dealer only had to check the oil consumption rate. Typically 1 qt per 1,000 miles is "acceptable" per OEM standards ... that's a lot of oil!

The 2006 Altima also has a defect trend of CVT transmission failure showing up around the 100,000 mile mark.

It's an expensive repair at over $2,000 average repair cost. For more information see Nissan Altima CVT defect info on NissanProblems.com.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
3 / 6
Injuries / Deaths:
2 / 0
Average Mileage:
92,403 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Nissan Altima engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 9)

problem #165

Feb 272024

Altima

  • 105,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

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.

- Pontiac, IL, USA

problem #164

Apr 232023

Altima

  • 200,000 miles
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.

- Ralls, TX, USA

problem #163

Oct 132022

Altima

  • miles
The crankshaft or camshaft sensor has went out which causes it to stall or immediately die, which is a safety hazard yes the check engine light was

- Pocahontas, AR, USA

problem #162

Jan 112023

Altima

  • 217,636 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving 55 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact was able to veer to the side of the road. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to the residence of the contact's friend. The dealer was notified of the failure and informed the contact there was no record that the vehicle was previously repaired under a recall related to the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that they could not assist as the VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V527000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 217,636.

- Bowling Green, KY, USA

problem #161

Oct 042021

Altima

  • miles
Vehicle is experiencing excessive oil consumption. I had to replace rack and pinion steering and vehicle is using excessive amounts of power steering fluid. I purchased both headlight assemblies due to not being able to align properly.

- Lancaster, SC, USA

problem #160

May 012020

Altima

  • miles
The car won't start

- Lewistown , PA, USA

problem #159

Aug 312021

Altima

  • miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Last year i had the same issues with my 2003 nissan sentra gxe that i am now facing with my 2006 nissan altima. The serpentine belt comes off because of the harmonic balance and this ones ac clutch locked up and is wobbling plus my transmission acts irratic snd the starter csused the cwr to stall and catch fire! Th3 stress and agony of depending all my savings fixing the car to end up stuck anyways and this is ongoing problems that keep reoccuring in all piece of sh** nissans and they want more money id like to file a lawsuit ! #BOYCOTT NISSAN

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #158

Sep 012006

Altima

  • miles
The rear suspension has always been an issue. While driving the wheel will scrape against the wheel well. You can't fit more the two people in the back seat due to this issue. The two front exterior headlights don't provide adequate lighting to even see the car in front of you. Its extremely low/dense lighting even after changing out the bulbs. The electrical ignition switch to start the car has always been a problem. I have to turn the key, wait, turn it again, wait for the dashboard lights to come on, then finally the car will start. The power train gear control is another waiting game. To put the car in drive, I first have to slowly shift though each gear before finally putting into drive. Once I do put it into drive the car will suddenly jolt forward before I'm able to start driving the car. I recently had the transmission replaced cause it just stopped while in motion and struggled to start up again. It finally did, but it couldn't drive over 1st gear. I had to tow the car home. Also, few yrs back I had the head gasket replaced cause the car would shut off while I was driving. It would also not start up again if I had just turned off the engine. It needed time to cool off before restarting for me. And as of this moment, the car is in the shop again. This time it needs a new engine. While it's idling, it's making a very loud clunking sound. It's just never ending with this car. I know there were many recalls on the engine, exterior lighting and rear suspension but I never got the notices.

- Highland, CA, USA

problem #157

Nov 012018

Altima

  • 150,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the clutch ceased depressed to the floor. In addition, the vehicle was unable to shift gears. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the clutch and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, a year and a half later the failure recurred. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 150,000.

- Carmel, IN, USA

problem #156

Dec 102019

Altima

  • 117,000 miles
Excessive oil consumption. My car starts to get difficult to drive about every 200-300 miles. Start to hear a clunk, when I add oil it is ok but only gets 16-18 miles a gallon vs the 28-30 it should get. Engine is burning through 2 quarts of oil every week. This make model and year already has a recall on it but the web site is saying that my VIN number has no open recalls. This car is the same as the cars covered by the recall. It can't be a coincidence that my vehicle and hundreds of others, from the same year are doing the same thing but. Nissan is only covering certain ones. Nissan needs to fix this problem for all 2006 Altima's with excessive oil consumption. It is costing $12 a week fir oil and my gas mileage is down by 1/3.

- Mountaintop, PA, USA

problem #155

Jul 012018

Altima

  • 110,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that he needed to add a quart of oil to the vehicle every two and a half weeks. The contact stated that the oil warning indicator was illuminated. The contact called landers Nissan (located at 371 goodman rd E, southaven, ms 38671, (662) 349-5557) and was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the valve needed to be replaced. The contact associated the failure with NHTSA campaign number: 06V223000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 110,000.

- Southaven, MS, USA

problem #154

Sep 152019

Altima

  • 29,500 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact received a recall notification for NHTSA campaign number: 07V527000 (engine and engine cooling). While driving various speeds, the vehicle stalled and the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was placed into neutral, then park, and the vehicle restarted. The vehicle was taken to royal Nissan (9325 airline hwy, baton rouge, la 70815, (225) 924-0400) and the contact was informed that the recall repairs could not be performed until the valve cover gasket and camshaft were replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 29,500.

- Baton Rouge, LA, USA

problem #153

May 262019

Altima

  • 73,567 miles
My drivers seat is stuck reclined and it won't move anymore (parked).my drivers door won't unlock (parked). My engine continuously rattles and the car stalls (driving normal street or highway).the fuel gauge doesn't work accurately (parked driving on street highway or idiling). The brakes and rotors are constantly getting replaced and squeaked since the day I got the car ( stopping).

- Allentown, PA, USA

problem #152

Sep 132019

Altima

  • miles
Fuel pump has been replaced 3 times and fuel filter keeps clogging and fuel sending unit wont work.

- Little Rock, AR, USA

problem #151

Aug 142012

Altima

  • 137,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. While driving 45 mph, the vehicle seized and the check engine warning indicator illuminated. The contact also noticed smoking coming from the driver's side tale pipe. The contact would have to turn the vehicle off and back on for it to resume normal operation. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the engine control module needed to be reprogrammed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact referenced NHTSA campaign number: 06V223000 (engine and engine cooling). After the engine recall repair was completed, the contact noticed the oil levels were low after 300 miles of driving. There were no leaks present. The manufacturer was made ware of the failure and provided case number: 36648884. No further action was taken. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000.

- Las Vegas, NV, USA

problem #150

Mar 012019

Altima

  • miles
I have had to replace my engine twice, my emergency breaks stopped working and the I think it's called the transmission but anyways my car tends to jerk and hesitates to crank sometimes. I have had my starter looked at and replaced and also battery but it still happens. I have had three different mechanics look into it and the couldn't figure it out.

- Bishopville, SC, USA

problem #149

Mar 012019

Altima

  • 136,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. While driving various speeds, the engine suddenly vibrated, the check engine indicator illuminated, and the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the fuel pump was faulty. The fuel pump was replaced and the failure was remedied. Also, the fuel gauge would display inaccurate readings and was inoperable past the half fuel mark. The contact stated that the engine shook and vibrated due to low oil levels. The cause of the failures was not diagnosed. The manufacturer and local dealer were not notified. The failure mileage was 136,000.

- Bayshore, NY, USA

problem #148

Feb 092019

Altima

  • 140,000 miles
When I drive the vehicle, the engine light constantly pops on and off the car consumes a large amount of oil each week, I have to check the oil and keep a case of oil with the filter in my truck to constantly fill it up. The car drains gas like crazy, and it's slow and driving and sluggish. The car has cut off on me in the middle of driving where I had to spend over $500 to get it repaired.

- Bayshore, NY, USA

problem #147

Feb 042014

Altima

  • 119,000 miles
My 2006 Altima started making a tick sound around 80,000 miles and around 115,000 miles in 2014 my engine failed. While at a red light my engine sounded like I had rocks in a tin can. My engine was still under federal warranty but Nissan wouldnt help me because they said I should have brought the car in but I was out of dealer warranty so I didnt know. I asked them about the excessive oil consumption recall and they said my car was not part of it but after months of research I concluded that it was due to my efn being listed under the recall information report provided by Nissan, they still didn't acknowledge my issue. I ended up replacing the engine myself in 2014 for a total of $3600 and $1000 for labor and have been driving it since. I called Nissan, I submitted my complaint by mail and I told them my engine was under warranty until 150,000 miles federally (I had 120,000 at the time) but they just overlooked my complaint and never did anything about it.

- Reseda, CA, USA

problem #146

Mar 082019

Altima

  • 117,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. While driving 40 to 45 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the camshaft sensor and crankshaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer and dealer were not contacted. The failure mileage was 117,000.

- Staten Island, NY, USA

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