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:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
61,564 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 steering problems

steering problem

Find something helpful? Spread the word.
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Nissan Altima:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

2006 Nissan Altima Owner Comments

problem #15

Apr 232023

Altima

  • 200,000 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 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.

- Ralls, TX, USA

problem #14

Oct 042021

Altima

  • miles
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.

- Lancaster, SC, USA

problem #13

Aug 312021

Altima

  • miles
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 depending 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

- Miami, FL, USA

problem #12

Feb 132021

Altima

  • 130,000 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 while driving out of the driveway and making a left turn, the steering wheel turned 360 degrees. The check engine light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the steering column failed and needed to be replaced. The mechanic informed the contact that if she continued to drive the vehicle, the steering wheel may seize and cause the brakes to fail as well. The contact then contacted the manufacturer but was informed that the vehicle was over the warranty coverage and offered no assistance. The failure mileage was 130,000.

- Youngstown, OH, USA

problem #11

Dec 042017

Altima

  • 68,000 miles
All incidents in parking lots during manuvering into or out of parking spaces. Throttle goes wideopen, car lurches forward or backward, completely out of driver control for approx. 10 to 15 seconds.

- Concord, NC, USA

problem #10

Feb 132017

Altima

  • 75,000 miles
My 2009 Nissan Altima's electronic steering column lock malfunctioned and my girlfriend and I were stranded in the middle of a snow storm. We had to call triple a to have the car towed after waiting for 2 hours in below freezing temperatures. There was no indication that this would happen in the years leading up to when it occurred. The car was stationary when this happened. We then paid $1191.50 to have this fixed and ended up missing a day of work. In further reading, I found out that this is a common problem and that there was a period of time where owners could have this fixed. Neither the dealer that I bought the car from or the dealer that services the car informed me of this issue.

- Boston, MA, USA

problem #9

Jul 112016

Altima

  • 169,050 miles

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

This vehicle has given me a lot of problems from steering to brakes took the boots transmission. It was hard shifting going through an intersection all the sudden it popped and the transmission gave out

- Fairfield, CA, USA

problem #8

Apr 022014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 108,456 miles
I was traveling home around 9:45 pm from chalmette, la when the car gave no warning signs that it was going to stop. I keep coasting the car home and it died. Had the car told to the dearlership in slidell, la on 4/3/14. I was advised by Mr. Dale shockley that they will have to keep the car. Called around 0845 to check what is wrong but they had not looked at it. Around 11:30 Mr. Shockley called to say the transmission was gone. I asked them how that happen because there is no oil under my car part. The manager stated that this just happen and they never know when it was going to go out. I asked them why they did not see it and the manager stated again they go out unsucceply. These people wanted to keep my car and told me it was going to cost them $4,045 plus other work. This is a disgrace. Did they see this black girl to rob her. I need to know if the part next to the transmission has a recall?

- New Orleans, LA, USA

problem #7

Nov 252011

Altima

  • 46,000 miles
When I turn a corner the steering is sticking. Feels like it is locking up then go loose. The power fluid is full that is not the problem.

- Manistee, MI, USA

problem #6

Jan 082007

Altima

  • miles
I have also experienced problems with the steering wheel vibrating recently. I got my rear rotors and pads replaced at the manufacture and thought this would cure the problem, then was told that I needed to get my front rotors and brake pads done to prevent the vibration in the steering wheel. I just got my rotors and pads replaced in the car 9 months ago. I think there is something seriously wrong with this car. I believe the transmission is about to play out. My car has been jerking when I drive. It appears to be "pulling". I asked the manufacture about this and the Nissan dealership reported no problems with the engine or transmission. I called Nissan main office regarding the re-call and the rep just told me that there was only one recall on my car, when I saw 4 online regarding the make, model, and year of my car. How does anyone know which cars have a recall or problem unless they are reported?

- Tuscaloosa, AL, USA

problem #5

Jul 082009

Altima

  • 54,000 miles

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

The contact owns 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the vehicle was pulling. The dealer preformed several alignments, the tie rod was replaced and two sets of new tires were installed to the front of the vehicle but to no avail. The manufacturer was contacted but did not offer any assistance. The failure mileage was 54,000.

- Edison, NJ, USA

problem #4

Jul 152009

Altima

  • 70,000 miles
Today while driving, my daughter stopped at a stop sign, and when she proceeded to turn right, her steering wheel locked up and she also lost the use of the brakes at the same time. What is happening"??" luckily she was not hit by another car, but had she been on the interstate in the rain (or even fair weather), she may have been killed or maimed for life. This has never happened before, to me or anyone I know. I am very concerned about her safety. The vehicle is a 2006 Nissan Altima. Please tell me how I should proceed, the car was taken to a shop and nothing is showing up on computer diagnostics. She will begin her first semester of college in a month, and will be commuting over 30 miles each way, 3 times per week, over bodies of water (namely, lake pontchartrain). Please I am very worried what may happen if it happens again when she is on the interstate!!! I checked Nissan's recall database, and it mentions the engine going dead for no reason, but my daughter said the engine did not go off, the steering locked as if the car were in park.

- Slidell, LA, USA

problem #3

Feb 222007

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,869 miles
Purchased new 2006 Nissan Altima in January 2007. Took car back within 2 weeks to dealership due to steering, pulling to the left, always correcting the steering & swaying felt in the rear during highways speeds of 100 km. Dealership check & completed front wheel alignment road tested & said car was fine. Took car back within 3 days for the same problem, the tech went for a road test with me and said there was nothing wrong with steering, that it was normal. Steering continues to pull, this seems to be problem that mostly likey we be identified once a accident happens.

- Dartmouth, Nova Scotia Canada, 00, USA

problem #2

Apr 172006

Altima 4WD 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 1,000 miles
I purchased a 2006 Altima Nissan 2.5 special edition in Feb 2006. Within a 6 months time frame I have had 2 engine replacements. This still hasn't corrected the oil consumption problem nor the clicking sound. I have also been informed that the clicking and grinding sound may be attributed to bad tires. So I took it to another company that deals in tires and was informed my tires were in great condition. Then on Jan 22 I was told I needed a new steering wheel to help with the sound and vibrations. My Nissan sounds and rides like a truck. Nissan needs to just live up to the fact that some of the 2006 models were just not built correctly and compensate the consumers that are feeling the affects of buying a lemon.. why would they put their reputation in jeopardy. Do they not realize this could turn into a class action law suit. Several of my friends have had their cars bought back under the lemon law but I'm getting the run around from one of the Nissan reps. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know that after replacing 2 engines in a 6 month period to know my car is a lemon.. Nissan has lost my respect due to the non caring nature they have represented.

- Mooresville, NC, USA

problem #1

Dec 302005

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 81 miles
I purchased a 2006 Nissan Altima on December 28, 2005. At 60 - 65 mph I heard a loud and steady humming sound under the hood and a whistling sound through the wheels. On December 30, 2005 at approximately 11:54 am while exiting highway 59 South on the ramp to beltway 8 North in houston, Texas the steering wheel failed to perform in the normal way. I had stepped on the brake as I entered the ramp and the car started to make wide swerving arcs from side to side. When I tried to center the steering wheel it would just swerve. Thinking I needed to slow down more to get better control of the car, I stepped on the brake again, that time the car started to spin around. It was completely out of control. An oncoming vehicle hit me from behind and that vehicle was hit by another vehicle. Miraculously, there were no injuries. However, I was headed into a very busy stretch of beltway 8 and had the failure occurred there, severe injuries and death would have been the outcome. The weather on that day was sunny and in the high 70's. there was nothing on the road to prevent traction. I reported the incident to the dealership, who then told me it had to be handled by Nissan. Five weeks later Nissan sent a representative to check the car out and they reported no manufacturing defects. The car is awaiting parts to repair the body work, but I have serious reservations about a re-occurrence of this problem. I know that it was something that malfunctioned on the car and I feel at the mercy of the manufacturer. They are endangering my life and the life of others.

- Houston, TX, USA

Not what you are looking for?