2006 Nissan Altima Engine Problems
Owners have filed 166 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the 2006 Nissan Altima, 20% of all complaints for this model year. Half of the reports with a mileage happened before 110,500 miles. The words owners use most often: “engine cooling” (22% of reports).
- 166engine complaints
- 110,500median miles at failure
- 3mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $1,100typical 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.
- Engine cooling: mentioned in 36 of 166 complaints (22%)
- Position sensor: mentioned in 27 of 166 complaints (16%)
- Crank shaft: mentioned in 21 of 166 complaints (13%)
- Excessive oil: mentioned in 14 of 166 complaints (8%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the 2006 Nissan Altima at $1,100, and half of them between $900 and $4,700.
Based on 9 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2013–2019), 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 problems happen?
Based on 136 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 166 complaints, 3 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 2 an injury.
Nissan Altima engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Altima | 5 | 12% | — |
| 2023 Altima | 6 | 20% | — |
| 2022 Altima | 7 | 23% | — |
| 2021 Altima | 6 | 9% | 51,000 |
| 2020 Altima | 33 | 21% | 12,738 |
| 2019 Altima | 48 | 21% | 52,000 |
| 2018 Altima | 14 | 6% | 22,228 |
| 2017 Altima | 39 | 10% | 51,850 |
| 2016 Altima | 86 | 16% | 53,000 |
| 2015 Altima | 66 | 7% | 55,000 |
| 2014 Altima | 77 | 7% | 67,500 |
| 2013 Altima | 158 | 7% | 61,000 |
| 2012 Altima | 68 | 16% | 80,000 |
| 2011 Altima | 36 | 15% | 86,069 |
| 2010 Altima | 50 | 13% | 68,000 |
| 2009 Altima | 107 | 7% | 80,000 |
| 2008 Altima | 54 | 5% | 100,000 |
| 2007 Altima | 31 | 7% | 121,000 |
| 2006 Altima | 166 | 20% | 110,500 |
| 2005 Altima | 141 | 13% | 97,000 |
| 2004 Altima | 30 | 11% | 92,000 |
| 2003 Altima | 117 | 13% | 122,438 |
| 2002 Altima | 92 | 9% | 124,000 |
| 2001 Altima | 7 | 4% | 133,543 |
| 2000 Altima | 4 | 3% | 136,673 |
| 1997 Altima | 1 | 1% | 131,000 |
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.
I have replaced the water pump, the belt, the thermostats, the rotors, the brakes, the fuel pump, the evap vent valve solenoid, the spark plugs, and fuel injectors and my car is STILL throwing the codes P-0462 and P-447. I've checked the wires and they are good. My car keeps misfiring and stalling…
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 65 - 70 MPH, the vehicle began emitting white smoke coming from the rear end of the vehicle. The contact pulled to the side of the road and allowed the vehicle to cool off and added oil to the engine and the…
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…
Frequently asked questions
Do all 2006 Nissan Altimas have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 166 owner complaints about engine for the 2006 Nissan Altima (20% 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?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
At what mileage do engine problems start?
The median reported mileage is 110,500 miles: half of the reports with a mileage came before that.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the 2006 Nissan Altima?
Owners report a typical cost of $1,100 (half paid between $900 and $4,700), from 9 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the 2006 Nissan Altima?
The most frequent phrase is “engine cooling”, in 36 of 166 complaints, followed by “position sensor” (27).
Other 2006 Nissan Altima problems
See all 2006 Nissan Altima problems or engine problems across all Altima years.