2006 Nissan Altima Problems

Above Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Altima. Part of Generation 3 — 2002–2006.

20052007
Complaints
1,043
per 10K Sold
44.9
US Sales
232,457
Crashes
58
Fires
18
Injuries
70
Fatalities
—
Recalls
0

Worst 2006 Nissan Altima Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#1179 complaints

Body Structure

Avg mileage:118,013 mi
Crash-related:2
#2166 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:112,107 mi
Crash-related:3
Fires:6
#3137 complaints

Engine & Cooling

Avg mileage:124,397 mi
Crash-related:2
Fires:1
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2006 Nissan Altima.

Body Structure
179
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
118,013
Engine Problems
166
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
6
Avg Miles
112,107
Engine & Cooling
137
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
124,397
Electrical Faults
62
complaints
Crashes
3
Fires
2
Avg Miles
99,378
Transmission / Drivetrain
46
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
99,544
Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine
38
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
4
Avg Miles
22,284
Unintended Acceleration
37
complaints
Crashes
5
Fires
—
Avg Miles
77,663
Airbags
34
complaints
Crashes
22
Fires
—
Avg Miles
104,614
Structural Problems
25
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
98,910
Fuel System
24
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
197,238
Electronic Stability Control
21
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
1
Avg Miles
93,103
Manual Transmission
15
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
34,194
Steering Defects
15
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
1
Avg Miles
76,955
Structure:Frame And Members:Underbody Shields
12
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
168,650
Hydraulic Brakes
11
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
34,493
Brakes
10
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
80,111
Headlight/Taillight Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Automatic Transmission
9
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
32,738
Suspension Failures
9
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Seat-Related Issues
8
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
89,247
Tire Defects
8
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
41,377
Wheel Issues
7
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
57,921
Structure:Frame And Members
6
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
88,375
Suspension:Rear
6
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
123,694
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control:Catalytic Convertor
5
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
92,133
Air Bags:Frontal
4
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Gasoline Fuel System
4
complaints
Crashes
—
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—
Power Train:Clutch Assembly
4
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
—
Avg Miles
—

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2006 Nissan Altima. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Other Nissan Altima Years

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2006 Nissan Altima — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2006 Nissan Altima reliable?
Verdict: Above Average Complaints. The 2006 Nissan Altima has 1,043 NHTSA complaints, 58 crash-related, and 0 recall campaigns. The most common issue is Body Structure with 179 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2006 Nissan Altima?
Top reported problems: Body Structure (179 complaints, avg 118,013 mi); Engine Problems (166 complaints, avg 112,107 mi); Engine & Cooling (137 complaints, avg 124,397 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2006 Nissan Altima?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 104,774 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2006 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA complaints for the 2006 Nissan Altima include 58 crash-related reports, 18 fire reports, 70 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2006 Nissan Altima have any recalls?
No NHTSA recall campaigns have been issued for the 2006 Nissan Altima as of the latest data sync. Verify by VIN for the most current status — new recalls can be issued years after a model year ships.
Should I buy a 2006 Nissan Altima?
Slightly worse than average. Most owners are fine; problem clusters are concentrated around specific components. Check the issues table below and match against the specific car's mileage.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Altima reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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