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2006 Nissan Altima Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2006 Nissan Altima has no open NHTSA recalls. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Floorboard rust and corrosion.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

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No open recalls on file. NHTSA lists no unrepaired safety recalls for this year, make and model. A recall can be issued at any time, and a specific car can still have one open — check yours by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2006 Nissan Altima.

Reported to NHTSA

Floorboard rust and corrosion

STRUCTURE

44 NHTSA complaints · 2016-04 → 2021-03

“I WAS TOTALLY SHOCKED TO FIND HOLES RUSTED THROUGH THE FLOORS OF OUR CAR. AS I RESEARCHED I HAVE FOUND THIS A HUGE PROBLEM, EVEN COVERED BY MAJOR TV NETWORKS. ...I REACHED OUT TO NISSAN AND THEY SAID THEY WOULDN'T DO ANYTHING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11123601
“THE FLOOR PANELS HAVE COMPLETELY RUSTED THROUGH AND WILL REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS YEAR AND MODEL OF ALTIMAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11079531
“I HAPPENED TO LOOK UNDER VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT MY DRIVERS SIDE FLOOR BOARD IS COMPLETELY RUSTED OUT. THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND I HAVE SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERNS WITH THIS. A WHOLE NEW FLOOR PAN WILL BE NEEDED TO HOPEFULLY FIX THIS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11033481

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Automatic transmission jerking and slipping on acceleration

POWER TRAIN

8 NHTSA complaints · 2016-07 → 2019-07

“JERKING TRANSMISSION.TRANSMISSION JERKS RANDOMLY WHEN ACCELERATING. OCCURS IN CITY DRIVING. THIS IS CONTINUOUS EVENT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11021283
“MY 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA HAS STARTED TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION SLIP. IT JERKS VERY HARD WHEN ACCELERATING. VERY UNSAFE TO DRIVE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10926041
“WHEN DRIVING THE CAR THE GEAR GETS STUCK AND YOU HAVE TO ALLOW IT TIME TO CATCH UP WITH THE ACCELERATOR SO YOU CAN TAKE OFF IF YOUR SITTING AT A LIGHT OR TRYING TO ACCELERATE SPEED WHEN DRIVING. IT ALSO JERKS AT TIMES WHEN DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10882037

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalling from crankshaft or camshaft sensor failure

ENGINE

46 NHTSA complaints · 2016-04 → 2025-10

“MY CAR BRIEFLY STALLS WHEN I DRIVE HIGHWAY IN EVERYDAY. MECHANICS SAID IT IS CRANKSHAFT SENSOR ISSUE. I CHANGED IT WITH MY EXPENSE IN 2013 BUT SAME PROBLEM HAPPENS AGAIN. WHEN I CALL NISSAN, IT SAID MY CAR IS NOT UNDER RECALL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11000587
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE HESITATED TO ACCELERATE AND STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10874203
“JUST LIKE WITH OTHER NISSAN RECALLS. MY CAN SHAFT POSITION SENSOR IS BAD AND IS CAUSING MY CAR TO DIE/QUIT IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC WHILE DRIVING IT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10897382

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment and airbag warning indicator issues

AIR BAGS

23 NHTSA complaints · 2016-05 → 2025-03

“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11530962
“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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11093348
“"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”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11244094

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Excessive oil consumption

ENGINE

12 NHTSA complaints · 2016-04 → 2022-10

“EXCESSIVE OIL CONSUMPTION. MY CAR STARTS TO GET DIFFICULT TO DRIVE ABOUT EVERY 200-300 MILES. START TO HEAR A CLUNK, WHEN I ADD OIL IT IS OK BUT ONLY GETS 16-18 MILES A GALLON VS THE 28-30 IT SHOULD GET. ENGINE IS BURNING THROUGH 2 QUARTS OF OIL EVERY WEEK”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11302325
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE NEEDED TO ADD A QUART OF OIL TO THE VEHICLE EVERY TWO AND A HALF WEEKS. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE OIL WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11289708
“CAR BURNING 3 QUARTS OF OIL WEEKLY, RESULTED IN CATALYTIC CONVERTER CODE, REPLACE CONVERTER, STILL BURNING ACCESSIVE OIL WITH SMOKE BELLOWING FROM TAIL PIPE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10979319

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD and 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

578 crashes 1990–2024

How the 578 occupant deaths break down

416

driver deaths

160

passenger deaths

2

not recorded by seat

578

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2005 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

43

complaints mentioning a crash

14

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2006 Nissan Altima reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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