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Engine & cooling

2006 Nissan Altima Engine problems

Owners have filed 352 complaints about the 2006 Nissan Altima's engine & cooling with NHTSA - 43% of all its complaints, most recently on October 9, 2025. They describe 5 crashes, 11 fires and 5 injuries. Stalling, loss of power, oil consumption, overheating, head gaskets, timing chains and engine failure.

Complaints
352
Recalls
2
Crashes
5
Fires
11
Injuries
5
Deaths
0

Engine recalls for the 2006 Nissan Altima

Engine and engine cooling

07V527000653,910 vehicles affected

The problem
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.
The risk
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.
The fix
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.

Engine and engine cooling

06V22300085,000 vehicles affected

The problem
Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5L engines may experience excessive engine oil consumption as a result of improper performance of the piston rings.
The risk
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.
The fix
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.

Engine complaints

Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

I have replaced the water pump, the belt, the thermostats, the rotors, the brakes, the fuel pump, the evap vent valve solenoid, the spark plugs, and fuel injectors and my car is STILL throwing the codes P-0462 and P-447. I've checked the wires and they are good. My car keeps misfiring and stalling now and my fuel pump doesn't have a fuel level sensor. The float bar is brand new as well as the fuel pump. And my dashboard speedometer is 10 miles off. I've tried everything and it's still throwing the same codes.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11692456
Engine & cooling

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...

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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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11575612
Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed at approximately 30 MPH. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the crankshaft position sensor and the camshaft were replaced; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the contact was informed by the dealer that there was no assistance...

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available. The contact was not made aware of the diagnosis. The contact was informed by the dealer of NHTSA Campaign Number: 07V527000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and the contact was provided a case number. The failure mileage was approximately 209,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11546668
SteeringEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Steering · EngineNHTSA 11518959
Electrical systemEngine & cooling

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 on

Filed Incident Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11515684
Engine & cooling

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...

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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.

Filed Incident Engine and engine cooling · EngineNHTSA 11506071
Engine & cooling

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving approximately 35 MPH, abnormal amounts of smoke was coming from the exhaust tip. The contact stated that she had to add more oil to the vehicle every week. The contact stated that she had not noticed any oil spots on the driveway. The contact stated that the check engine warning light illuminated and remained illuminated. The contact had not taken the vehicle to a local dealer. The vehicle had not been diagnosed nor repaired. The contact had...

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researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 06V223000 (Engine and Engine Cooling). The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 175,000.

Filed Incident Engine and engine coolingNHTSA 11492609
SteeringEngine & coolingFuel system

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.

Filed Incident Steering · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11489231
Electrical systemEngine & coolingFuel system

The car won't start

Filed Incident Electrical system · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11443410
SteeringElectrical systemEngine & coolingFire

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 dpending 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

Filed Incident Steering · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11431146
SuspensionElectrical systemEngine & cooling

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...

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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.

Filed Incident Suspension · Electrical system · EngineNHTSA 11361576
Transmission & drivetrainEngine & cooling

Tl* 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.

Filed Incident Power train · EngineNHTSA 11329417
Engine & cooling

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...

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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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11302325
Engine & cooling

Tl* 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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11289708
Engine & cooling

Tl* 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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11267153
Seats & seat beltsEngine & coolingFuel system

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).

Filed Incident Seats · Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11265331
Engine & coolingFuel system

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

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11257109
Engine & cooling

Tl* 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...

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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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11242354
BrakesEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Unknown or other · Service brakes · EngineNHTSA 11234277
Engine & coolingFuel system

Tl* 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.

Filed Incident Engine · Fuel / propulsion systemNHTSA 11219514
Electrical systemAcceleration & cruise controlEngine & cooling

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.

Filed Incident Electrical system · Vehicle speed control · EngineNHTSA 11217011
Engine & cooling

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...

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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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11191066
Engine & cooling

Tl* 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.

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11190856
Engine & cooling

Crankshaft sensor when I was driving my car at a speed of 40 miles an hour my car shut off check engine light came on car would not start how to have the car towed the mechanic pulled the code it came up as cam shaft sensor and crank shaft sensor I asked mechanic why the car shut off while driving and almost causing me to get into an accident he told me that will happen when the crankshaft and camshaft sensors go off

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11190846
Engine & cooling

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan altima. While driving 45 mph exiting the highway, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact took the vehicle to wesley chapel nissan (28519 fl-54, wesley chapel, fl 33543, (813) 751-1300) to be diagnosed, but the results were unknown. The dealer flushed the fuel system, but the failure recurred. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and informed the contact that there were no recalls and the warranties were expired. The failure mileage...

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was 123,000. The consumer stated the vehicle experienced engine stalling, running hard during idle, several engine warning lights illuminated, and excessive oil consumption. The transmission began not shifting or downshifting into a lower gear, and the exhaust needed to be replaced. *Js *js

Filed Incident EngineNHTSA 11187148

Nissan Altima engine complaints by year

Altima engine problems, every year

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) complaints and recalls, checked . Complaints are owners' own reports and are not verified. How we use the data

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