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:
5 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
4 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,562 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 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #16

Jun 082013

Altima

  • 115,000 miles

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

6/08 - car lurched and tried to stall on interstate and check engine light came on. Was able to drive to mechanic's shop. Issue was determined to be the crankshaft position sensor by mechanic, and part was replaced with an oem part but this did not resolve the problem so the sensor was removed and replaced with the sensor that was pulled out. Was able to drive to dealership from mechanic's shop on 6/15 (yes, he had the car for a week). Issue was determined to be crankshaft position sensor, which was replaced. One day and 20 miles later the problem has manifested itself...check engine came on and car does not want to start. This sensor was part of a previous recall for 2006 Altima but I was told my car (when checking VIN) was not part of the recall. I have to take the car back to the Nissan dealership.

- Simpsonville, KY, USA

problem #15

May 112013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 81,000 miles
I was driving on the freeway in Texas going 70 miles an hour on cruise control then two unexpected jerks in the engine happened and loss of speed and the service engine soon light came on.

- San Marcos , TX, USA

problem #14

Oct 232006

Altima

  • 300 miles
The vehicle was purchased new in 2006. Two weeks later the car would not crank and the engine had to be replaced. Shortly after, I noticed that the heating system did not work in the vehicle. When I placed my foot on the brake, the heat blew out cold air. I knew there was something wrong, therefore I called the dealership to report this problem and was told "that is the way new models are made". this problem was not fixed. In the winter when the car is not moving (such as at a red light) cold air blows in the car, not heat. I have experienced rattling noises with my car. It can be heard when the car is driven as if something is loose. I took the car to the dealership in 2011 to have it checked. I got the car fixed by an independent mechanic and the noise continued. Each year I have gotten my rotors and brake pads replaced in the front and rear. I do not think this is normal. I have had my car 5.5 years with 79K miles. Problems have occurred with the electrical part of the car. The lights have become deemed when I drove on 2 occasions, the passenger door will not lock, the seat does not adjust all the way down, and sometimes when I press the alarm button on my key, my windows have went down automatically.

- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

problem #13

Apr 042012

Altima 4-cyl

  • 115,000 miles

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

While driving at 55 mph in highway, there was a brief speed interruption without warning. Then service engine soon light was on. I took the vehicle to the local mechanic for a diagnostic test. The test results showed a failure with the crank shaft sensor. The mechanic replaced the crank shaft sensor but the repair did not remedy the issue. It happens only on highway speed.

- Ellicott City, MD, USA

problem #12

Feb 272012

Altima 4-cyl

  • 77,000 miles
Crankshaft position sensor signal.

- Huber Heights, OH, USA

problem #11

Dec 032011

Altima 6-cyl

  • 1 miles
I have a 2006 Nissan Altima, that is constantly 5-7 mph off. I am getting concerned because this is a hazard as I have been asked by the local city police for me to pick up my speed a little as I am restraining the flow of traffic by driving at or below what I believe is the speed limit. Also, I am really concerned since the factory tells you to use a certain size of tire, with me using their recommendation, this will cause the wheels to spin faster than what I am actually really going, thus saying I am traveling farther (mileage) than what I truly am. This, I believe is effecting my gas mileage as my tires are having to spin faster than what is needed and thus causing me to use more fuel. Please help me consider my options or do you know if there is a recall on the speed sensor, drive/powertrain, wheels, etc. Someone who drives 10 mph on the interstate is a hazard, I believe. I am having all kinds of vehicles and semi-trucks pass me on the interstate and I feel the safety of my family is at risk in driving this vehicle. (my current mileage (supposedly is: 43500 miles) I may have traveled less than that. Can you help me get this issue resolved? here is a cbs story on the issue: www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/03/13/earlyshow/main2562144.shtml please help, my families safety could be at risk as well as other passengers who own or are on the road around these cars. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Portland, TN, USA

problem #10

Oct 262011

Altima

  • 49,000 miles

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

This 2006 nisaan Altima is experiencing the exact same malfunctions as in previous recalls. The crank sensor is causing the car to abruptly stop running if driven at low speed. Incident almost occurred on pa turnpike during am rush hour traffic and finally stopped at a traffic light in a residential area in mid-day. I had to put caution lights on immediately and hope that I didn't cause an accident. Please re investigate this matter. It is such a major concern and needs immediate attention once again I see. Thanks so much!

- Horsham , PA, USA

problem #9

Feb 082011

Altima 4-cyl

  • 98,377 miles
On several occasions my car as suddenly cutoff, while driving!!!! luckily, nobody was ever physically hurt. Mentally and emotionally it scared the crap out of several people, including myself. While on the expressway I've started to notice my car automatically slowing down after a certain speed, without me even touching the brakes. For awhile I stopped getting on the expressway, in fear of my car completely stopping with cars driving behind me at a faster pace. Also, at 55 + miles/hr my tires start to wobble and there's a scrubbing noise with the wobble sometimes. It feels like my back tires are about to fall off. I've bought 3 sets of tires already, and tomorrow will be my 4th set. This is ridiculous and very unsafe!!!!! please help me, thanks.

- Memphis, TN, USA

problem #8

Jun 222006

Altima

  • 60,000 miles
I purchased my 2006 Nissan Altima SE-R around 4/18/2008 with around 34,000 miles. A few days later, I noticed the clutch pedal was sticking down to the floor and wouldn't come back up. Before I could take it to the dealer, the car clutch gave up on me and had to get it tow to the dealer. Dealer then replace the clutch ($1000) after a few days, the clutch pedal was still sticking to the floor, so I took it back to the dealer. Dealer had the car for a few hours and then called me to say it was done (fix) after that, the car was fine for a while. A month ago, around 5/15/2010, clutch pedal started to stick to the floor again and wouldn't come up. I called a mechanic and he explained to me over the phone that most likely it's the master cylinder or slave that went out and needs replacement. Per this link ---> www.nissanforums.com/Altima-SE-R/112659-clutch-master-cylinder-trouble.html too many people are having the same issue and the Nissan dealers are pretty much saying that there's nothing it can be done, and on my opinion, this is a safety issue that needs to be fix. Nissan (mechanics) should know their cars and be able to have good judgment and say if something needs attention instead of telling us (customers) everything is fine, when is not.

- San Diego , CA, USA

problem #7

Mar 282009

Altima

  • 65,214 miles
The vehicle is slow in changing gears.

- Arlington, TX, USA

problem #6

Nov 172009

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 36,831 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 at a traffic light the vehicle accelerated on its own with his foot on the brake pedal. The failure has occurred once since he purchased the vehicle. The dealer stated that they didn't have anyone else file a complaint about the failure. No repairs were made to date. The failure mileage was 36831 and the current mileage was 37600.updated 03/12/10. Updated 09/21/10

- Greensburg, PA, USA

problem #5

Oct 092006

Altima

  • 200 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. While driving long distances between 60-70 mph, the vehicle surges when it comes to a complete stop. The failure occurred ten previous times and was taken to the dealer each time. The contact was informed that the vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred one month later. He has become so used to the failure, that he can feel it before it actually occurs. He applies the brakes 30 feet behind other vehicles to avoid a rear end crash. The contact must also shut off the vehicle to solve the failure on his own. The most recent failure occurred while his wife was exiting the vehicle. The failure mileage was 200 and current mileage was 11,500.

- Manchester , NJ, USA

problem #4

Nov 072007

Altima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
I was pulling into a parking space in front of the building where I work. I had my foot on the brake and the car accelerated and went over the curb, it accelerated a second time and sped between two trees, then between a tree and building and ended up facing the opposite direction of the parking spot on the sidewalk in front of the building. The car basically did a full "U" from the parking spot to the sidewalk. My feeling is that I had the wheel turned to the right to park in the parking spot and did not have time to straighten the steering wheel so the car continued to go to the right, hence the "U". the driver side air bags went off. I had on several occasions experienced the car hesitating when I would accelerate after stopping at a stop sign or light. The car would hesitate and then resume at a normal speed. Once the car resumed speed, the car seemed fine.

- Eagan, MN, USA

problem #3

May 122006

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
Speedometer is off by as much as 10 miles per hour.

- Egg Harbor Twp., NJ, USA

problem #2

Jul 212006

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 2,000 miles
The contact stated while traveling 75 mph on a highway and depressing the brake, control of the vehicle was lost. The vehicle would not slow down and spun sideways. When the vehicle finally came to a complete stop, it was facing the traffic. The vehicle was driven to the shoulder of the highway and then to the contact's residence. An appointment has been made with the dealer to inspect the vehicle on 7/31/06.

- Pittsburgh, PA, USA

problem #1

Apr 172006

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,100 miles
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 off at approximately 55-65 miles per hour. I thought this was just something the car was set up to do. I feel that's what happen to my car that day. My car was only 5 months old.

- Lafayette, LA, USA

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