2006 Nissan Altima: Reliability Data
Source: NHTSA — 1043 complaints
1043
Total Complaints
90,000mi
Median Mileage
Body
Top Issue
58
Crash Reports
When Do Complaints Happen?
Distribution of NHTSA complaints by vehicle mileage at time of report.
53,006
25th Percentile
90,000
Median Mileage
120,000
75th Percentile
What Fails?
Most reported component issues from NHTSA complaints.
Body
179
Engine
166
Engine And Engine Cooling
137
Unknown Or Other
64
Electrical System
62
Power Train
46
Engine
38
Vehicle Speed Control
37
Air Bags
34
Structure
25
Severity Assessment
58
Crashes
18
Fires
70
Injuries
0
Deaths
Sample Complaint Reports
"I WAS TRAVELING ON THE HIGHWAY ABOUT 40 MPH, WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE MADE A LEFT HAND TURN IN FRONT, CAUSING ME TO HAVE A HEAD ON CRASH. DRIVERSIDE AIR BAG OPERATED PREFECT. RIGHT FRONT AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY NOR THE RIGHT SEAT BELT LOCK CAUSING PASSENGER TO HIT FRONT DASH. *JB"
"IGNITION SWITCH STICKS IN LOCK POSITION. WAS TOLD BY SERVICE DEPARTMENT TO JERK THE STEERING WHEEL HARD TO THE LEFT. *JB"
"RECENTLY PURCHASED 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. IMMEDIATELY NOTICED LOUD RATTLING NOISE AT HIGH SPEED ON FREEWAY, SWAYING IN STEERING AND VIBRATION FROM FRONT TIRE(S). TOOK TO DEALERSHIP. THEY DROVE IT AND SAID COULD NOT HEAR ANYTHING. TOOK BACK A FEW DAYS LATER, WHEREUPON THEY TOLD ME THEY WOULD NEED VE..."
Source: NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Names and identifying details omitted.
When Were Complaints Filed?
Number of complaints by the year the issue occurred.
When Does Each Component Fail?
Median mileage at complaint for top components.
Body
179 complaints
25th: 85,561 mi
Median: 101,540 mi
75th: 127,000 mi
Engine
166 complaints
25th: 85,000 mi
Median: 110,500 mi
75th: 140,250 mi
Engine And Engine Cooling
137 complaints
25th: 24,000 mi
Median: 64,000 mi
75th: 84,500 mi
Unknown Or Other
64 complaints
25th: 81,575 mi
Median: 101,815 mi
75th: 130,000 mi
Electrical System
62 complaints
25th: 63,407 mi
Median: 108,000 mi
75th: 137,500 mi
Where Are Complaints Coming From?
Top states by complaint count.
CA: 83
FL: 82
PA: 74
NY: 70
TX: 64
NJ: 55
IL: 48
OH: 46
MD: 44
MA: 42
Who Files Complaints?
13.7%
Original Owners
86.3%
Second+ Owners
Nissan Altima — Other Years
See how this model compares across different model years.
| Year | Complaints | Crashes |
|---|---|---|
| 1993 | 150 | 25 |
| 1994 | 120 | 37 |
| 1995 | 216 | 49 |
| 1996 | 117 | 27 |
| 1997 | 141 | 40 |
| 1998 | 141 | 20 |
| 1999 | 110 | 29 |
| 2000 | 199 | 34 |
| 2001 | 201 | 29 |
| 2002 | 1321 | 41 |
| 2003 | 1099 | 61 |
| 2004 | 334 | 18 |
| 2005 | 1358 | 71 |
| 2007 | 597 | 39 |
| 2008 | 1373 | 73 |
| 2009 | 2149 | 55 |
| 2010 | 538 | 40 |
| 2011 | 317 | 18 |
| 2012 | 575 | 39 |
| 2013 | 2970 | 104 |
| 2014 | 1376 | 74 |
| 2015 | 1188 | 61 |
| 2016 | 778 | 43 |
| 2017 | 498 | 32 |
| 2018 | 314 | 16 |
| 2019 | 326 | 40 |
| 2020 | 266 | 27 |
| 2021 | 96 | 11 |
| 2022 | 50 | 8 |
| 2023 | 33 | 8 |
| 2024 | 55 | 13 |
Active Recalls (4)
Federal safety recalls issued for this vehicle.
Rear
Campaign 06V046000 | 13/02/2006
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.
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.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Campaign 06V223000 | 21/06/2006
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.
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
Headlights
Campaign 07E087000 | 25/10/2007
MISALIGNMENT OF THE LIGHTS DIMINISHES FRONTAL ILLUMINATION WHICH COULD RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
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 07V527000 | 14/11/2007
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.
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. OWNER
General Vehicle Maintenance
Based on the most common issues reported for this vehicle.
- Follow the manufacturer's maintenance schedule in your owner's manual
- Don't ignore warning lights — early diagnosis prevents expensive repairs
- Keep records of all maintenance and repairs
- Use OEM or equivalent-quality parts for repairs
- Address unusual noises, vibrations, or smells promptly
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Data source: View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov | NHTSA ODI Complaints Database. Public domain.
Methodology: Complaint counts and mileage distributions are computed directly from consumer-reported NHTSA complaints. This data represents reported issues, not failure rates — vehicles without complaints are not represented. Full methodology.
Data through: 2026-03-28