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 1 of 7)

problem #137

Jan 112023

Altima

  • 217,636 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 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 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.

- Bowling Green, KY, USA

problem #136

Oct 282022

Altima

  • 175,000 miles
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 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.

- Aumsville, OR, USA

problem #135

Mar 012016

Altima

  • miles
2006 Nissan Altima. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle engine issues and crankshaft sensors recall. The consumer stated the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle shut off, while driving below 30 mph. The consumer discovered a recall had been issued for her make, model and year. However, she was informed the recall covered specific vehicle identification numbers and hers was not included/

- Newark, NJ, USA

problem #134

Jun 102015

Altima

  • 116,000 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 vehicle was previously serviced for NHTSA campaign number: 07V527000 (engine and engine cooling); however, while driving at low speeds, the engine stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the engine. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be duplicated. The failure recurred multiple times. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 116,000.

- Bel Air, MD, USA

problem #133

Sep 222010

Altima 4-cyl

  • 6,620,214 miles
Engine vibration: Broken motor mount.

- Lawrenceville, GA, USA

problem #132

Aug 012014

Altima

  • miles
2006 Nissan Altima. Consumer writes in regards to crankshaft position sensor recall issues. The consumer stated the vehicle stalled twice, without warning and for no apparent reason, while in traffic. The consumer referenced recall # 07V52700. However, the consumer was informed, her vehicle was not included in the recall.

- Tukwila, WA, USA

problem #131

Apr 072014

Altima 4-cyl

  • 169,000 miles

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

A "service engine soon" light indicates.

- Jonesboro, GA, USA

problem #130

Jul 102013

Altima

  • 101,000 miles
I own a 2006 Nissan Altima ser. I have had the motor replaced and the entire clutch kit and slave cylinder replaced. After having the clutch parts replaced the pedal stuck to the floor a small handful of times. Now, it is nearly a daily occurrence and it is consistently lasting longer and longer each time. It still allows for sporadic shifting in non specific gears while the pedal is on the floor. I can pick up the pedal with my foot and put it back in place but when it apply any pressure it falls back to the floor and stays there until I pick it back up with my foot. This issue has nearly caused to be in several accidents, all of which I narrowly avoided by quickly maneuvering my vehicle off the road.

- Ludowici, GA, USA

problem #129

Jun 162012

Altima 4-cyl

  • 142,599 miles
I bought the car in May 2009. Up until June 2013, no problems other than regular maintenance. Car overheats and has been since June 2013 on and off. Have had battery replaced 2 times, tune up, crank shaft sensor replaced, broken seal replaced (that keeps oil/coolant) in car. Have had problems with car not starting, engine turns over but won't start. I have to keep putting anti-freeze in car before I drive it every few days if I don't the heater blows out hot air, then cold which is when overheating occurs. White smoke coming out of exhaust pipe. Been to local mechanic 3 times, and they keep charging to fix it ($500 so far). They did tune up, replace battery and fixe the broken seal. I'm a nervous wreck driving it because I'm afraid I'll get stuck somewhere.

- East Quogue, NY, USA

problem #128

Aug 232013

Altima 4-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that vehicle consumed oil at an alarming rate. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was found that the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number 06V223000 (engine and engine cooling). The failure mileage was 76,000. Updated 09/30/13 the consumer was informed the vehicle had an oil consumption problem. Updated 10/22/13

- Macungie, PA, USA

problem #127

Jul 012013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 158,000 miles

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

Vehicle stalled while driving in heavy traffic while on my way home. After several minutes, vehicle started and I was able to drive home. Sel came on and error code said "crankshaft position sensor". took it to my local garage and was told this was a very common problem on Nissan Altima. Contacted dealership and was told there was no issue with this car or sensor but they could reprogram the ECM to fix it. Went online and I see numerous issues with this sensor. Nissan mechanic admitted the sensor was faulty and that the replacement part was redesigned to correct the error and includes a cam shaft position sensor as well since they go out frequently as well. If Nissan is aware of issue and has redesigned the replacement part, why no recall. I am out $150 which is no big deal, but a vehicle stalling on a highway when Nissan knows the part is faulty is extremely concerning to me.

- Carlisle, PA, USA

problem #126

May 182013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 113,000 miles
While traveling on the interstate we stopped at a rest area. When trying to leave the rest area the car would not start. After a few tries it finally started and the check engine light came on. Continue to have problems starting the car. I took the car to my mechanic and he ran a diagnostic test on it. He called and said it was a sensor. After looking up the diagnostic code he told me my car had a recall for the problem and to contact the dealership. I called the dealership and they told me my car did not have a recall on it. My husband went to the dealership and they told him the same thing and that only some of the 2006 Altima's were in the recall and mine was not one of them. The check engine light is still on, it is still hard to start and I have had it stall out on me once when I was slowing down in traffic. All the problems that I am having were listed in the recall but the dealership still insists it is not on a recall list.

- Bridgewater, PA, USA

problem #125

Jun 082013

Altima

  • 115,000 miles
6/08 - car lurched and tried to stall on interstate and check engine light came on. Was able to drive to mechanic's shop. Issue was determined to be the crankshaft position sensor by mechanic, and part was replaced with an oem part but this did not resolve the problem so the sensor was removed and replaced with the sensor that was pulled out. Was able to drive to dealership from mechanic's shop on 6/15 (yes, he had the car for a week). Issue was determined to be crankshaft position sensor, which was replaced. One day and 20 miles later the problem has manifested itself...check engine came on and car does not want to start. This sensor was part of a previous recall for 2006 Altima but I was told my car (when checking VIN) was not part of the recall. I have to take the car back to the Nissan dealership.

- Simpsonville, KY, USA

problem #124

Mar 112013

Altima 4-cyl

  • 76,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that the dealer inspected the vehicle and stated that the vehicle exhibited excessive oil consumption. The contact spoke with the manufacturer regarding NHTSA recall campaign id number: 06V223000 (engine and engine cooling) and was told that the vehicle was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 76,000 and the current mileage was 93,000.

- Macungie, PA, USA

problem #123

Dec 252012

Altima 4-cyl

  • 45,000 miles
'service engine soon' lite came on. Dealer scanned for trouble codes P0725, P0335. Was told the "crankshaft position sensor" needs replacing, and was charged $130. The dealer wants to charge me $425 to replace 'cps'. was told that there was no recall for this situation. Found out later thru the internet that there were 600 incidents concerning 'cps'. the dealer should fix this with no charge. NHTSA #07V527000 recall explains the problem. Also see recall id #67654 from Nissan.

- Timonium, MD, USA

problem #122

Mar 062013

Altima

  • 73,575 miles
My check engine light came on, and upon having the code read which stated there was an error with the crankshaft position sensor. Upon driving the car that day, I went to accelerate after stopping at a yield sign and the car shut off and all the start up lights appeared. I coasted off to the side of the road and was able to start it back up with no problems. The next day, I was able to get it in the shop, and my mechanic replaced the sensor which corrected the error. There is a recall for this very problem on many other Nissan vehicles, but mine was one of the few not included on the recalls for this same sensor malfunction, which I do not understand.

- Columbus, GA, USA

problem #121

Mar 072012

Altima 4-cyl

  • 125,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that when the ignition was started, a loud rattling noise emitted from the engine area. The failure occurred during the initial start up and when driving at various speeds. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who stated that the engine piston ring needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the problem and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 06V223000 (engine and engine cooling). The approximate failure mileage was 125,000. Updated 4/1/13 updated 04/03/13

- Paris, TX, USA

problem #120

Sep 082012

Altima 4-cyl

  • 114,000 miles
While driving on the I95 the car shut off and would not restart at 55mph. Thank god, I did not get into an accident and was able to coast over to the guardrail. I had to have my car towed to my mechanic that informed me it appeared to be the crankshaft sensor and said since it was a recall item I should have it brought to my local Nissan dealer. I had the car towed to miller Nissan in fairfield ct and informed them of my mechanics findings. They checked the car and told me it was the fuel pump and replaced it even with me expressing that my current mechanic already checked that. After replacing the fuel pump they called me back and said it still wasn't working. It ended up being the ECM along with another sensor!! I expressed how upset I was that this sensor failed why I was driving at a high speed on the highway! I am currently working with Nissan corporate recall department because everything I'm reading is still indicating that the crankshaft sensor could cause malfunctions in other sensors in the car!! I'm not happy that Nissan is charging me for the new fuel pump they installed along with the sensors totaling $1,943,00!!

- Trumbull , CT, USA

problem #119

Aug 062012

Altima 4-cyl

  • 65,000 miles
My service engine light came on and my vehicle's engine lurched forward, as if it was not getting gas. I made it home without incident. I thought I had purchased bad gas. The next morning my car would not start, it took several times for it to final start. This has happened on several occasions. I ran a scan and the scan said I needed to replace the crankshaft sensor which I did and it did no good. The engine is very hard to start and is consuming a lot of gas. This past weekend the engine started to buck when idling in traffic. I was afraid the engine was going to die and catch fire. I found a previous recall that sounds exactly like mine with the crankshaft sensor. I contacted Nissan about it and they said my engine was not part of the recall. This angered me that they do not take these things seriously enough to include all 2.5L engines for that year. The recall id # 67703 - engine and engine cooling is the one I'm referring too.

- Norfolk, VA, USA

problem #118

May 082012

Altima 6-cyl

  • miles
While I was driving the "service engine soon" light came on & stayed on then my car became sluggish & I pulled to the side of the road & it cut off, it wouldn't start after trying to restart it 4 or 5 times, then it started back up & I began to drive & the car jerked then became sluggish once again & cut off, "service engine soon" light remained on.

- Canton, MI, USA

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