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:
22 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
31 / 0
Average Mileage:
72,913 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 seat belts / air bags problems

seat belts / air bags problem

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2006 Nissan Altima Owner Comments (Page 1 of 2)

problem #33

Jun 052023

Altima

  • 210,000 miles

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

The contact owned a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while exiting the highway, the contact lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree, causing several damages to the front of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy, causing several injuries to the contact's right eye, cuts, and bruises to the left side of the contact's body. The contact sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 210,000.

- Irvine, CA, USA

problem #32

Sep 222021

Altima

  • miles
Hydroplaned while entering a toll Plaza on 9/22/2021.  Crashed into the cement jersey wall and guardrail.  Car was totaled with front end, driver's side, and driver's side rear-end damage.  Airbags did not deploy.  The vehicle is being housed at a tow lot and will be available for inspection until I receive a duplicate copy of my title from DMV.  My safety was put at risk due to the fact the airbags did not deploy upon front-end impact.  The vehicle was towed directly to the tow lot from the crash scene and the issue has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center.  The vehicle has only been inspected on scene by highway patrol, police, and tow company representatives. There were no prior warnings, messages,   or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure.   The only warning lamp illuminated at the time of incident was the service engine soon light. 

- North Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #31

Sep 122020

Altima

  • 122,649 miles
The contact owned a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 45 mph and attempting to make a left turn, when another vehicle crashed the front driver side bumper. Air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained facial laceration, fractured right shoulder and bruises on both thighs and the contact was the front passenger side sustained injuries on his right knee and but his head and left leg was also cut with broken window glass. The contact stated they were taken to the hospital to seek medical attention and his wife had surgery at a later time on her face and right shoulder. The vehicle was not driveable. The insurance adjuster deemed the vehicle was a total loss. A police report was filed. Upon investigation the contact associated the failure with manufacturer communication number: Ntb-08-055-a, however the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 122,649.

- Daytona Beach, FL, USA

problem #30

Aug 152017

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles

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

"takata recall" my Nissan Altima 2006 airbag dashboard light is permanently lit up, clearly indicating airbag icon malfunction as per the Nissan Altima car manual, currently as per Nissan corporation my vehicle is not under any recall, however indications point to the air bag, I have reach out to them to confirm whether if this specific year model was manufacture with a takata airbag, they have Dodge the question. With that being said, under the circumstances, are they under any obligation to confirm the information requested. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).'

- Durham, NC, USA

problem #29

Aug 242018

Altima 4-cyl

  • 160,000 miles
Takata when the airbag deploy which almost caused my life. I have 20 some fractured ribs and spine fractures as well. Also my footpedal speed up without my knowledge and was stuck. I don't know if the lights had anything to do with it but traffic was stopped on the highway. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).' Updated 12/06/18

- Winston-Salem, NC, USA

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problem #28

Apr 292018

Altima

  • 131,500 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. Approximately one week ago, the contact noticed that the passenger side air bag indicator was illuminated, which was a safety concern. The vehicle was taken to the dealer (lithia Nissan of fresno, 5580 N blackstone ave, fresno, ca 93710) where it was determined that the contact would have to pay for diagnostic testing. The dealer referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was over a decade old; therefore, they would not be able to assist with the repair. There were no recalls associated with the vehicle. The vehicle had not been repaired. The failure mileage was 131,500.

- Madera, CA, USA

problem #27

May 032017

Altima

  • miles

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

The airbag light stay

- Birmingham, AL, USA

problem #26

Jan 172018

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles
The contact owned a 2006 Nissan Altima. While driving 60 mph, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of a semi-truck during inclement weather after depressing the brake pedal which failed to respond. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a yard and destroyed from the impact. The vehicle was not inspected and diagnosed by a repair facility or dealer. The driver sustained neck pains and whiplash, which required medical treatment. The manufacturer was notified of the crash. The failure mileage was not available.

- Covington, LA, USA

problem #25

Dec 022017

Altima

  • 6 miles
I was involved in an accident on December 2,2017 and the air bags never inflate. It was a big collision and they didn't function like they were supposed to. I was on a city street when the accident occurred making a left turn.

- Lynwood, CA, USA

problem #24

Jun 302017

Altima

  • 154,000 miles
The contact owned a 2006 Nissan Altima. The owner stated that the vehicle was operated by her daughter's boyfriend with the daughter in the vehicle as a passenger. While traveling 35 mph, the driver made a turn and collided into a guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver sustained substantial bruising to the left knee and required X-rays. The passenger sustained a cut to the front of the forehead from hitting and shattering the windshield, which required X-rays and an mri. The passenger also sustained internal bruising and whiplash to the neck and spine. The police had the vehicle towed to a police impound towing lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that it was not their concern and nothing could be done to assist. The dealer was not contacted or made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 154,000.

- N Riverside, IL, USA

problem #23

Jun 092017

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles

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

Was leaving store and when pulled out onto road, I was involved in a crash! left the scene and then was taken by private vehicle to local emergency room and from there, airlifted with brain injury! was almost across the road and vehicle stalled and wouldn't accelerate and stalled and caused a horrible accident. The vehicle that hit me got me in passenger rear as he was traveling up highway and threw me and went air borne and knocked a telephone pole in half and done damage to front as well. Air bags didn't deflate at all. I am making attempt to make Nissan aware and opportunity to make right. I have researched what could cause this and recalls are effective while I'm going to state unknown to cause, as there are several reasons on forum as to what could cause this. Takata recall for air bags but unknown on other....updated 07/11/17

- Leighton, AL, USA

problem #22

Mar 152017

Altima

  • miles
Takata recall I was in a an accident as a passenger, we struck a tree head on and the passenger side airbag failed to deploy I was partially ejected through the windshield and suffered life threatening injuries as result.

- Barnesville, OH, USA

problem #21

Feb 112017

Altima

  • 202,000 miles
I was leaving a nail salon parking lot and a truck rammed into the front of my car police were called I got hit pretty good no airbag deployed I hit my fave on the wheel are other people having this problem in accidents

- Columbia, MS, USA

problem #20

Nov 132016

Altima

  • 93,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 35 mph and veering left, the contact's vehicle was impacted on the front passenger side by an oncoming vehicle. The air bags had not deployed. A police report was filed. The contact was injured and received medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.

- Scottsdale, AZ, USA

problem #19

May 152016

Altima

  • 111,000 miles
The contact owned a 2006 Nissan Altima. While driving 30 mph, the brake pedal was depressed, but the contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, upper back, and right foot. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.

- Phoenix, AZ, USA

problem #18

Apr 042016

Altima

  • 98,000 miles
Both air bag sensor keeps blinking.

- N. Bellmore, NY, USA

problem #17

Apr 202015

Altima

  • 90,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated the front passenger seat occupant sensor failed to detect when there was a passenger occupying the seat and the air bag indicator illuminated on the instrument panel. The dealer advised that the contact to bring the vehicle in for diagnostic testing. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 90,000.

- Yorktown Heights, NY, USA

problem #16

Jan 292008

Altima

  • 60,000 miles
While driving home at night the vehicle hit an obstruction in the road. The air bags impact shattered the elbow of the driver. The air bag also damaged the drivers nose. The driver underwent surgery and had metal plates and 75 screws inserted into her arm to create a new elbow. After surgery the driver had to attend physical therapy for 6 months to learn how to use the new elbow. The driver is also now undergoing a new surgery to have a deviated septum repaired caused by injury of the air bag.

- Newington, CT, USA

problem #15

Apr 212015

Altima 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 111,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the check engine and air bag warning indicators illuminated. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the mount brackets for the engine fractured and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000. Updated 10/12/2017

- North Chesterfield, VA, USA

problem #14

Feb 042015

Altima 4-cyl

  • miles
I was coming off 295 and hit a patch of black ice lost control of my car and hit a guardrail. The air bags never went off and everyone at the scene was trying to figure how or why they did not go off. My car is totaled.. updated 02/19/15 updated 3/30/2016 updated 9/20/2017

- Taunton, MA, USA

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