SERVICE INFORMATION Changes or modifications to the front seat assembly trim materials may affect the proper operation of the Front Seat-Mounted Side-Impact Supplemental Air Bags and Passenger Occupant Classification Sensor and could result in serious personal injury or death. Nissan STRONGLY RECOMMENDS AGAINST making any change to seat trim materials from the factory equipped condition. This specifically applies to replacing the seat trim with non-factory materials; adding leather/cloth seat covers, seat pads, or seat storage pouches, etc. around or over the seat back and the passenger seat cushion. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Nissan Altima airbags problems
severe 39 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $1,100 · see airbags across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
39
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$1,100
25crashes
36injuries
What stands out
Owners have filed 39 airbags complaints with NHTSA against this vehicle, but no formal recall covers the issue — the federal record reflects what manufacturers have admitted, not everything owners are reporting.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering airbags on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
NISSAN: SRS PRECAUTIONS DURING SERVICE;IMPROPER MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING INCORRECT REMOVAL AND INSTALLATION OF THE SRS, CAN LEAD TO A SERIOUS INJURY OR DEATH CAUSED BY UNINTENTIONAL ACTIVATION OF THE SRS ON ALL NISSAN MODELS WITH THE SRS SYSTEMS. UPDATED 2/21/14.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS) safely is included in the "RESTRAINTS" section of the Electronic Service Manual (ESM) for each vehicle. IMPORTANT: Turn the ignition switch OFF, disconnect both battery terminals, and wait at least 3 minutes before performing any service on the SRS. See this bulletin for further detail.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
This cluster documents severe and recurring airbag failures across 39 complaints. The core problem splits into two categories: non-deployment and malfunction.
Non-deployment accounts for the largest share of complaints. Owners describe high-speed impacts (30–65 mph) with guardrails, trees, other vehicles, and buildings—damage severe enough for total loss—yet airbags never deployed. Police and emergency responders at multiple scenes noted the structural damage should have triggered deployment. Injuries include spinal damage, fractured shoulders, knee and thigh bruising, concussions, and windshield lacerations requiring stitches and imaging.
Unintended deployment and catastrophic malfunction also appear. One owner reports dual airbags exploding violently while parking, causing facial and torso injury and door damage. Another suffered fractured elbow requiring surgery with metal plates and 75 screws after low-speed airbag deployment.
Occupant sensor failures generate a secondary complaint stream. Passenger airbag warning lights illuminate intermittently or stay permanently lit, leaving owners uncertain whether the airbag will function in a crash. Dealers quote $1,600–$1,900 for sensor or module replacement but often cite parts unavailability. One manufacturer told an owner the vehicle was too old to receive assistance.
Partial deployment failures also documented: driver airbags deployed while passenger units failed, or front airbags worked but rear side curtain airbags did not, leaving rear-seat children unprotected and injured.
Nissan has declined warranty coverage, blamed vehicle age, and in one case stated the failure was "not their concern."
Same Nissan Altima airbags reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Non-deployment in frontal impacts
Airbags failed to deploy during frontal or multi-vehicle collisions despite significant structural damage. Owners report striking other vehicles head-on, rear-ending vehicles, hitting guardrails, trees, and buildings at speeds ranging from 20 to 65 mph. Law enforcement and collision professionals noted the damage severity should have triggered deployment.
When: Throughout vehicle lifespan; mileage range 59,000–210,000
Symptoms owners cite: No airbag deployment during high-impact collisions; Vehicle struck with enough force to cause total loss; Damage to bumper, fenders, hood requiring replacement; Owner or emergency responder confusion about non-deployment
Repairs/costs cited: No repairs documented for non-deployment events; vehicles totaled
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: NTB-08-055-A referenced in one complaint; manufacturer stated inability to assist for vehicle over a decade old; one stated 'not their concern'
Unintended deployment at low speed
Airbags deployed during low-speed impacts or minor collisions causing injuries to occupants. Owners report deployment-related burns, broken bones, and soft tissue damage from airbag force itself, rather than crash impact.
When: 20–40 mph impacts
Symptoms owners cite: Airbags deployed during low-speed crash; Burns to arms and chest from airbag contact; Fractured elbow requiring surgery and metal plate insertion; Broken bones and facial injuries from airbag impact
Repairs/costs cited: One case: elbow surgery with metal plates and 75 screws; 6 months physical therapy; subsequent deviated septum surgery
Catastrophic unintended deployment at standstill
Driver experienced sudden, violent airbag deployment with no collision. Vehicle was stationary or being parked when dual airbags (driver and passenger side) ignited simultaneously, causing loud noise, facial and torso injuries, and door damage. Shrapnel scattered across interior.
When: During parking maneuver; low speed
Symptoms owners cite: Loud boom and flash of light while parking; Dual airbags exploded with holes in side panels; Shrapnel scattered across dashboard and door; Face-to-hip injury on both driver and passenger; Door panel busted
Repairs/costs cited: Not repaired; vehicle incident evaluated for child safety concerns regarding occupant with artificial hip
Passenger side occupant sensor malfunction
Passenger airbag on/off indicator light illuminates intermittently or remains permanently lit, signaling occupant sensor failure. Light activates when adult passengers of normal or heavy weight are seated properly, or flashes without clear pattern. Owners unable to determine if airbag will function in a crash.
When: Throughout ownership; reported at 79,000–154,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Passenger airbag warning light illuminates intermittently or constantly; Light remains on despite properly seated adult passenger; Unsafe to transport passengers without knowing if airbag will deploy; No consistent weight threshold identified by dealer
Repairs/costs cited: One dealer estimate: $1,617.26 for passenger side occupant sensor replacement; one repair recommended spiral cable replacement; one estimate $1,900 total airbag system replacement; parts unavailable at dealership delaying repair
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: One dealer said parts unavailable; request for rental car denied by manufacturer; one manufacturer stated vehicle over a decade old and unable to assist; one dealer refused to diagnose until owner brought daughter in with vehicle
Driver and passenger airbag warning light illumination
Airbag warning indicator light illuminates intermittently on instrument panel during normal driving. Light may flash or remain steady. Owners report lack of clear explanation from dealer and parts shortages preventing diagnosis and repair.
When: Various points in ownership; 79,000–131,500 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Airbag warning light illuminates while driving; Light illuminates at various speeds on normal road conditions; Intermittent illumination pattern; Check engine light may also illuminate simultaneously
Repairs/costs cited: Diagnosis required: air bag wiring harness and air bag module replacement recommended; spiral cable replacement recommended in one case; $115 diagnostic fee charged
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Parts unavailable at dealership; manufacturer denied rental car assistance during repair wait
Partial or selective deployment failure
During multi-occupant crashes, some airbags deployed while others failed. Front airbags deployed but rear side airbags did not, or driver airbag functioned while passenger airbag remained inert. Child passengers seated in rear suffered injuries when side curtain airbags failed to protect.
When: 65 mph head-on and side impact crashes
Symptoms owners cite: Driver side airbag deployed; passenger side airbag did not; Front airbags deployed; rear side airbag failed; Passenger struck door panel due to missing side airbag protection; Child passenger with broken bones around eye from door strike
Repairs/costs cited: One case: child (5 years old) suffered broken bones around right eye; vehicle destroyed
Synthesized from 39 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had airbags trouble with your 2006 Nissan Altima?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the airbags problem on the 2006 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 39 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $1,100.
At what mileage does the airbags typically fail?
Across the 23 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most airbags failures cluster between 71,500 and 120,000 miles, with the median around 98,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 71,500; a quarter make it past 120,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $1,100 for airbags repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to airbags?
No active recalls currently cover airbags issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Nissan/Altima.
Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities. Repair cost estimates are
independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area. Some links on this page are affiliate links.