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:
2 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
3 / 0
Average Mileage:
94,433 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 4 of 7)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #77

Jun 092010

Altima 4-cyl

  • 85,100 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. While driving at 35 mph, the check engine warning light illuminated. The dealer advised that the catalytic converter would need to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 85,100 and the current mileage was 95,996. Updated 08/11/10. The consumer stated the check engine light illuminated. When she arrived home and she check the oil only to discover there was no oil in the vehicle. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer. Upon inspection the consumer was advised a new engine was needed. Updated 08/17/10

- Groveland, FL, USA

problem #76

Jun 092010

Altima

  • 99,000 miles
I have a 2006 Nissan Altima that had been working fine up until yesterday. When I was driving to work yesterday, my car just stalled at a stoplight and then it was incredibly difficult to get it restarted. Thereafter, my car would stall at every stoplight and stop sign. The drivers that were behind me were clearly upset and frustrated and one driver almost rear ended me. I took my car to autozone so they could hook it up to their analysis computer and they stated that it was my crank shaft sensor. I am requesting that you look into this matter because a car that just stalls for no other reason than a faulty sensor is unacceptable. In addition, I did a web search and found that may people are having a problem with the same sensor.

- Medina, OH, USA

problem #75

Nov 202009

Altima

  • 56,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while driving at speeds of 60 mph, the vehicle misfired and the check engine light illuminated on the dashboard. The vehicle was taken to a local repair facility where he was advised by the mechanic that the crankshaft position sensor would need to be replaced. Although there was a recall for the failure (NHTSA campaign id number: 07V527000: Engine and engine cooing), the contact's VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not yet repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 56,000 and the current mileage was approximately 63,000.

- Canyon Lake , TX, USA

problem #74

Apr 262010

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 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 would stall, hesitate and fail to start intermittently. The vehicle stalled while driving various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that there was a related recall. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer who informed the contact that his vehicle was not included in the recall 07V527000 (engine and engine cooling). The vehicle was not repaired when the complaint was filed. The failure mileage was approximately 86,000. Updated 11/04/10

- Boilings Springs, SC, USA

problem #73

Mar 232010

Altima

  • 25,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the engine stalled at low speeds and at a traffic light. The service engine light was also illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed of recall 07V527000 (engine and engine cooling) and she was told that her vehicle was not included. The sensor was repaired at the owners expense. The manufacturer offered no assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 25,000. The current mileage was approximately 26,000.

- Baltimore , MD, USA

problem #72

Apr 282010

Altima

  • 84,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the vehicle stalled; the lower the speed, the more pronounced the failure was. When the failure occurred, the check engine light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was included in recall 07V527000 (engine and engine cooling). The contact was informed that the crankshaft position sensor needed to be replaced before the ECM was to be reprogrammed, which was the recalled component. The failure mileage was approximately 84,000. The current mileage was approximately 85,000.

- Missouri City , TX, USA

problem #71

Mar 152009

Altima 4-cyl

  • 70,000 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact noticed unusually low oil levels in the vehicle. The contact had to add oil every 700 miles. In addition, while driving 60 mph, the vehicle became difficult to control. The vehicle had not been taken to the dealer for further inspection. The contact stated that both NHTSA campaign id numbers 06V223000 (engine and engine cooling) and 06V046000 (suspension: Rear) caused the failure to occur; however, the manufacturer stated that his VIN was not included in either recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 70,000 and the current mileage was 86,000. Updated 06/25/10 updated 07/23/10

- Missouri City, TX, USA

problem #70

Aug 292009

Altima

  • miles
My brand new 2006 Nissan Altima 2.5S consumes oil little by little. First noticed around 35,000 miles until present. I add oil after 1,500 miles around 100-150ml. I do my oil changes 100-200miles before it's due of 3,000 miles from the very beginning, took a good care of the car and now I'm getting this kind of trouble. I've no doubt I got a defective unit.

- Skokie, IL, USA

problem #69

Mar 162010

Altima

  • 80,485 miles
I am filing this complaint to document a service engine soon light coupled with a rapid change in RPM and resulting engine stall. While no crash occurred, with the loss of power steering in the parking lot the vehicle almost impacted another coming in the opposite direction. A diagnostic check was run on the vehicle and showed a crankshaft position sensor circuit malfunction. This vehicle was part of recall campaign 06V223000 and had the engine replaced under warranty at approximately 58,000 miles. Under recall campaign 07V527000 which describes similar symptoms regarding the crankshaft position sensor, those vehicles fixed due to recall campaign 06V223000 are not eligible. However, it is possible that additional contributing factors may lead to the sensor malfunction. The vehicle is scheduled for maintenance to replace the sensor; however, at a cost of $370.

- Powder Springs, GA, USA

problem #68

Feb 102010

Altima

  • 65,498 miles
Right engine mount broken at 66K miles.

- San Antonio, TX, USA

problem #67

Sep 102009

Altima

  • 95,760 miles

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

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The check engine light became illuminated on the instrument control panel. The vehicle was taken to the dealership for inspection. The technician stated that the crank shaft position sensor, catalytic converter, and engine speed sensor circuit needed to be replaced. No repairs were made. The current and failure mileages were 95760.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #66

Oct 202009

Altima

  • 78,000 miles
On my 2006 Nissan Altima with 2.5 liter engine, it would stop running at highway speeds from 70mph down to 5mph (in rush hour stop/go traffic). It also would intermittently fail to start properly by cranking for up to 45 seconds before start. This occurred over a period of 3 months and became worse quickly, with "service engine soon" on, so I took it to the dealership (grubbs Nissan, bedford, tx) where they diagnosed it as a faulty crankshaft position sensor (cps) so they replaced it for $204.34 total. This cps is an ongoing problem that Nissan says my vehicle is not part of the recall # 07V527000; there are over 650K vehicles that are potentially affected and I know my issue is directly related to the problems with this vehicle. New sensor is in; old part is not available.

- Fort Worth, TX, USA

problem #65

Sep 222009

Altima

  • 58,700 miles
Vehicle stalling while in motion usually while slowing to stop or when accelerating after being stopped. Ses light came on today when it stalled and I took it straight to dealership. They stated it was crank and cam sensors. They replaced them and charged me $260. Had to have engine replaced at 19, xxx miles under a recall. Car has 58,7xx miles now and this time I had to pay. Go online and find in excess of 160 consumer reports of this very cam and crank problem and everyone having to pay out of pocket for it when it is clearly a defect especially being that my engine was replaced so the defect is not just in the original engines. Service dept. Made no mention of there being a recall to me but being that I never got the recall notice when I had to have the engine replaced at 19, xxx (and I bought my car new and remained at same residence) I decided to just check online to see if others were having cam and crank problems. Comes a no surprise to see that others are having the same issues. I am mute therefore can't call you guys so I am filing my complaint online. Please note that I entered phone numbers only because I could not advance without doing so. Please send any and all replies via E-mail if speaking to someone who can represent me is an issue.

- Johnson City, TN, USA

problem #64

Sep 042009

Altima

  • 32,311 miles
Just had to replace a faulty crankshaft position sensor on my 2006 Nissan. I see that there were two prior NHTSA campaigns about this part, but apparently my VIN was not covered under them. Appear to be many complaints about this part from vehicles not under original campaigns. Had same issues as others - vehicle would not start and almost stalled several times while driving.

- Tempe, AZ, USA

problem #63

Aug 152009

Altima

  • 68,000 miles
2006 Nissan Altima; engine style is the 2.5L apparently there was a recall on this car; all dealing with the crankshaft position sensor; I was unaware of this; and now am stuck with footing the bill of a diagnostic and then the labor and parts fee. Nissan the dealership is not helping me at all and making me pay for this; not only that; but they are completely ignoring the issue at hand and not taking care of me; although I have purchased 2 vehicles from this particular location. I find it hard to believe that first I wasn't notified of the recall that happened in 2006 and second that I now have to pay for the mistake that they clearly made while others did not.

- Orange Park, FL, USA

problem #62

Jun 132009

Altima

  • 40,000 miles
I have a safety issue with my 2006 Nissan Altima 2.5 SE. My vehicle stalls while I am driving. The dealership has told me that the issue is the cam and crankshaft sensors and the reprogramming of my ecs. I noticed that this was a recall on other 2006 Nissan Altima's with 2.5L engines. However, I am told that my VIN is not included in the recall. Please respond with your findings please.

- Bowie, MD, USA

problem #61

Mar 022009

Altima

  • 90,000 miles
Excessive oil in crankshaft position sensor causing engine to stop running without warning. It almost caused an accident.

- Houston, TX, USA

problem #60

Feb 152009

Altima

  • 42,235 miles
My daughter has a 2006 Nissan Altima and while driving 3 days ago the car stalled at an intersection while she was about to turn left. She was then stuck in the middle of the road. I arrived and we got the car out of the street. Took it to courtesy Nissan in tampa and was told the problem was the cam and crank sensors. After researching the problem on the internet I found this problem was common and that Nissan has known about it for awhile. There is a recall on the ECM but Nissan told me it didn't cover the sensors. My daughter's car only has 42K miles and it couldn't be from extended wear and tear as suggested...ie other cars with the same complaint had many more miles listed. I am having the sensors replaced but I think it is unfair to consumers that Nissan is selling these cars with this defective problem and are not taking responsibility for the repair. My daughter could have been T-boned sitting in the middle of the road like that.

- Tampa, FL, USA

problem #59

Jun 172008

Altima

  • 33,000 miles
Had to replace engine on Nissan Altima 06 with only 33,000 mi dealer would not give the reason why. Front struts needs replacing after 39,000. Also replace transmission seal@39,000mi.

- Charleston, SC, USA

problem #58

May 292007

Altima

  • 59,038 miles
Vehicle failed to start on several occasions. The first time at 28,214 miles. Had vehicle towed to dealer after hours. Vehicle started for them next day. Dealer suggested it was a sensor acting up but no code was recorded. When it happened the second and third times, I was able to trick it into started by removing several fuses and clearing the engine of excess fuel. Car would start. I read about this trick on the internet. Finally the check engine light came on and the vehicle began to run rough and was even harder to start. Took vehicle in at 59,038 to have crank position sensor replaced.

- Acworth, GA, USA

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