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:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
1 / 0
Average Mileage:
29,100 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 transmission problems

transmission problem

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2006 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #9

Sep 252021

Altima

  • 137,000 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 the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator after coming to a complete stop. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights appeared during the failure. The contact was able to pull the vehicle off the road and into the entrance of a parking lot. She then stated that the vehicle independently lurched forward through a fence and rolled down a hill and into a five-lane road. The air bags did not deploy during the incident. A police report was not filed and the contact was injured. With the assistance of a fellow motorist, the contact was able to move the vehicle to a nearby independent mechanic. The mechanic attempted to jumpstart the vehicle but the vehicle failed to start up. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was given a case number. The contact also spoke with three dealers (Dealers unknown) and they each offered no assistance. The vehicle had yet to be repaired and remained in the possession of the mechanic. The failure mileage was approximately 137,000

- Parma, OH, USA

problem #8

Dec 162010

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles
I have had my engine replaced as a recall but windsor Nissan has no record when I asked for the report. I went in to the dealer on 12/16/10 at 5:30 pm because I was having problems as the gear shift was getting stuck in park and couldn't move at all. I read the book which says to push the shift lock release button which will let me move the gear shift temporarily. I then contacted the dealer who in turn told me to bring the car in to check it out. They wanted to charge me $110 just to see it until I disputed that. Afterwards, he told me that the shift lock control unit needs to be replaced, he couldn't explain to me why the car just up and started to act up or what leads to that. I have an older model Nissan Altima and it runs better than the 2006. I have had more problems with the new car than I had with the old one. I have also had to replace the back brake lights 6 times within the year because it continues to blow out as well as the over head light on the inside of the car. The only thing that confuses me is the gear shift, now I'm subject to pay $300 for this part being replaced because it isn't covered in the warranty and no one could tell me exactly what causes this problem. I need to know what is causing the problem and what can be done to keep this from happening in the future. I have contacted other mechanics who seem to feel that this shouldn't have happened especially because the car is only 4 1/2 years old.

- New Brunswick, NJ, USA

problem #7

Dec 012009

Altima

  • 36,000 miles
We purchased a used 2006 Nissan Altima, with in a month of purchasing this vehicle we were unable to get the car out of park or into park. We thought it might have something to do with the winter weather, because it was periodically happening. It is now summer and it happens every time we start the car. It even happens when we have been driving the car and pull in to a parking spot, we are unable to get the car into park. We have been overriding the lock mechanism by inserting a metal tool into it, but it is quite inconvenient every time we drive the car to have to do this!

- Jefferson City, MT, USA

problem #6

Jan 152010

Altima

  • 31,500 miles

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

1-2 times a week, I have to repeatedly push hard on the brake to get the car out of park. I am not parking on any kind of incline. This has gone on for several months. Now twice in the last 2 months, I go to get ready to park the car, and my gearshift will go to neutral but will not go into reverse or park. I tried costing the car a bit, tried driving it forward a bit, I even shut the car off in neutral, nothing worked. Finally, while in neutral, I revved the engine a little bit and gearshift smoothly started working again.

- Burlington, NC, USA

problem #5

Mar 282010

Altima

  • 47,000 miles
Regular driving. I went to park car and could not take out of gear only able to put the car in neutral and leave key in ignition. The car rolled into and was stopped by curbing, thankfully, before rolling into a busy road. The shift lock solenoid on Nissan Altima locked up. The shift lock solenoid and shift lock control module were replaced and old parts kept by dealer.

- Danville, VA, USA

problem #4

May 252007

Altima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 8,100 miles
Altima 2006 w/ 3.5L engine/ auto trans. Car was making a loud roar type noise heard at idle from inside the car for about a week and an appointment was made at the dealer to get it checked out. The night before it went in for service, the car got stuck in 5th gear while sitting at a light and stalled. Car was restarted and proceeded to stay in 5th gear. The problem went away overnight and was ok driving to the service center. We picked up the car and it was "fixed". we were told it was a bad fuel pulsar thing. The noise went away, however the stalling and gear sticking did not. The car went back in and this time they told us it was a bad camshaft positioning sensor. I explained to the service mgr that the camshaft has nothing to do with the transmission. He insisted this was the problem and the car was "fixed" once again. Guess what, the car stalled and stuck in 5th gear that evening. Back to the shop !!... this time on a tow truck. I told them to keep the car as long as needed until it is fixed. They tell us that the car is "fixed" once again. This time they say the entire computer is no good and needs to be replaced. I'll pick up the car on Monday. Lets see if it is "fixed" now. I guess I should be happy to not be stuck with a 2.5L oil burner- fire trap.

- Farmingdale, NY, USA

problem #3

Aug 182006

Altima 4WD 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 600 miles

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

I own a Nissan Altima 2006 bought it brand new. It has now been 2 times in the past month most recently yesterday where they detected transmission failure... it was fixed, yet in the middle of my hectic daily commute to work it stops gaining speed causing major traffic backup I'm just lucky no one crashed in to me!

- Lakewood, CA, USA

problem #2

Jun 152006

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 200 miles
: the contact stated a noise was heard coming from the engine; there was excessive oil consumption and the transmission slips at various speeds. The noise from the engine was observed before the engine excessive oil consumption was discovered. The dealership was alerted and directed the contact to add oil every 700 miles. The dealer explained something is wrong with the pistons therefore; the engine needs to be replaced. It will take up to two months for the replacement engine to be available. The manufacturer was alerted and explained oil should continue to be added.

- Mesa, AZ, USA

problem #1

Jun 132006

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,500 miles
Nissan has admitted via a letter that certain vehicles (mine is one) are subject to high oil consumption and the result could be a fire in the vehicle. Nissan has attempted to correct this by: Changing the oil and filter, promising to monitor the level - subject to another trip to the dealer- at 700 subsequent miles, they will then provide an unknown 'fix' to the issue if the oil level has decreased to their satisfaction, if no noticeable decrease in their perception, then monitor another 700 miles - return to dealer again and have them review, possible fix is to replace the engine at that time. The concern is that when one purchases a new vehicle, if the manufacture knew of the defect and potential hazard, then the sale should not have been allowed. Further, a new vehicle now needs to be monitored and returned to the dealer every 700 miles - I can not think of an example of more inconvenience. The safety hazard of a fire or breaking down - all in a vehicle with 1500 miles on it is incredulous. I can not let my family drive in the car and am concerned with my own safety. A 22000 vehicle that is brand new should not be allowed to be sold and have consumers asked to continue to operate the vehicle. I do hope this is investigated. I understand that a total of 80000 Altima were affected. I would like to know when the manufacturer was aware of this problem, why it did not stop sales immediately and why the manufacturer will not just fix the issue. I also understand that the vehicles within the VIN range that are on Nissan dealer lots are being sent back to have the engines replaced. Next, a problem at 1500 miles with the transmission occurred. The vehicle experienced problems in shifting and maintain gear. This resulted in the service engine light illuminating and the dealer 'getting a part' to fix it. I would like to know what the issue is with the transmission that had only 1500 miles on it to malfunction.

- Turnersville, NJ, USA

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