2006 Nissan Altima Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 189 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2006 Nissan Altima, 23% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 54,700 miles. The words owners use most often: “oil consumption” (16% of reports).
- 189engine and engine cooling complaints
- 54,700median miles at failure
- 2mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $560typical repair cost reported by owners
- 38%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Oil consumption: mentioned in 31 of 189 complaints (16%)
- Position sensor: mentioned in 29 of 189 complaints (15%)
- Service engine: mentioned in 17 of 189 complaints (9%)
- Crank shaft: mentioned in 16 of 189 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the 2006 Nissan Altima at $560, and half of them between $360 and $610.
Based on 11 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2006–2011), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 140 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 189 complaints, 2 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 1 an injury.
Nissan Altima engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 Altima | 1 | 1% | 118,000 |
| 2020 Altima | 5 | 3% | — |
| 2019 Altima | 9 | 4% | 108,000 |
| 2017 Altima | 1 | 0% | 148,000 |
| 2014 Altima | 3 | 0% | 4,520 |
| 2013 Altima | 8 | 0% | 2,150 |
| 2012 Altima | 4 | 1% | 35,503 |
| 2011 Altima | 6 | 2% | 95,836 |
| 2010 Altima | 4 | 1% | 1,849 |
| 2009 Altima | 10 | 1% | 69,870 |
| 2008 Altima | 21 | 2% | 60,000 |
| 2007 Altima | 44 | 9% | 28,000 |
| 2006 Altima | 189 | 23% | 54,700 |
| 2005 Altima | 259 | 24% | 72,490 |
| 2004 Altima | 109 | 39% | 67,000 |
| 2003 Altima | 450 | 51% | 77,500 |
| 2002 Altima | 594 | 57% | 87,000 |
| 2001 Altima | 59 | 37% | 70,000 |
| 2000 Altima | 49 | 31% | 81,500 |
| 1999 Altima | 8 | 9% | 104,000 |
| 1998 Altima | 14 | 11% | 108,833 |
| 1997 Altima | 7 | 6% | — |
| 1996 Altima | 8 | 9% | 84,000 |
| 1995 Altima | 28 | 16% | 40,000 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: On certain passenger vehicles equipped with a 2.5l engine, the crankshaft position sensor can overheat causing a brief interruption in the signal output from the sensor.
Risk: If the interruption in the signal from the crankshaft position sensor is so brief that the electronic control module (ecm) logic does not have time to diagnose the condition, the engine may stop running without warning while the vehicle is driven at a low speed increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the ecm free of charge. Certain my 2006 altimas which have been previously remedied under recall campaign 06v223 (nissan r0606) are not included in this recall since the reprogramming for 06v223 also included this reprogramming. The recall began on december 31, 2007. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Engine and engine cooling
Problem: Certain passenger vehicles equipped with 2.5l engines may experience excessive engine oil consumption as a result of improper performance of the piston rings.
Risk: If the oil is not maintained at least at the minimum level, engine damage can occur and in extreme cases result in an engine fire.
Fix: Dealers will reprogram the electronic control module (ecm or engine computer). Your vehicle will also be inspected to determine if it has been consuming engine oil at a higher than normal rate. In a small percentage of vehicles, engine replacement will be needed. On june 9, 2006, nissan notified owners of the possibility of excessive oil consumption and the importance of maintaining the oil at a proper level. Follow-up letter to owners advising them of the status of the recall was sent during august 2006. Followup letter to owners was sent on november 15, 2006. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the vehicle decelerated while the accelerator pedal was depressed at approximately 30 MPH. The check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the vehicle was taken to an…
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…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2006 Nissan Altimas have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 189 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the 2006 Nissan Altima (23% of the 824 complaints for this model year). Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Nissan Altima engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems start?
The median reported mileage is 54,700 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the 2006 Nissan Altima?
Owners report a typical cost of $560 (half paid between $360 and $610), from 11 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the 2006 Nissan Altima?
The most frequent phrase is “oil consumption”, in 31 of 189 complaints, followed by “position sensor” (29).
Other 2006 Nissan Altima problems
- Structure problems (221)
- Engine problems (166)
- Power Train problems (79)
- Electrical System problems (72)
See all 2006 Nissan Altima problems or engine and engine cooling problems across all Altima years.