Should I buy a 2006 Nissan Altima with documented engine problems?

Depends on the price and the specific vehicle. Documented engine issues should be priced into the purchase — if the seller is asking full retail, negotiate down by the expected repair cost. A pre-purchase inspection from an independent shop tells you whether THIS specific vehicle has already shown the symptoms or not.

2006 Nissan Altima engine problems

severe 287 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $3,100

Complaints

287

Recalls

Crashes

Avg fix

$3,100

Related recalls

severe NHTSA 06V223000 21/06/2006

CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH 2

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.

severe NHTSA 07V527000 14/11/2007

ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A 2

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.

What owners are reporting 11 most recent

engine · filed 12/30/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS. THE FAILURE WAS EXPERIENCED SEVERAL TIMES. THE DEALER PERFORMED A DIAGNOSTIC WHICH LOCATED A FAILURE AT THE CAMSHAFT SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURE ADVISED THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT R…

engine · filed 12/24/2018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO BE RESTARTED AND PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME WHERE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE CRANK SENSOR WAS FAULTY. THE DEALER (GREENACRES NISSAN, 5353 LAKE WORTH RD, GREENACRES, FL 33463, (561) 899-4294) ST…

engine · filed 12/20/2006

I WAS RECENTLY CONTACTED VIA PHONE THAT MY NISSAN ALTIMA MAY BE PART OF A NATIONAL RECALL FROM NISSAN MOTORS USA. [HOW COME I DID NOT RECEIVE ANY MAIL NOTIFICATION?] I BROUGHT MY CAR IN NOVEMBER/ 2006. THUS, I CALLED AND BROUGHT MY CAR TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALER [WONDRIES NISSAN]. THE SERVICE MANAGER ASSURED ME THAT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT WOULD RUN A SERIES OF TEST AND IT SHOULDN'T TAKE LONG…

engine · filed 12/19/2014

THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WENT OUT LAST EVENING. I WAS DRIVING THE 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA AT 35MPH WHEN THE POWER SEEMED TO SLOW, I PUSHED THE GAS AND NOTHING WAS HAPPENING, AND IMMEDIATELY IT RETURNED TO NORMAL POWER, THOUGH THIS OCCURRENCE TURNED ON THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. AFTER ARRIVING AT MY FIRST DESTINATION ALL WAS FINE AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS STILL ON. WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR TO LEAVE …

engine · filed 12/19/2008

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. WHILE DRIVING LESS THAN 60 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL AND START INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP AND THEY STATED THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 07V527000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 38,000.

engine · filed 12/19/2006

TL* - THE CONTACT LEARNED THAT THERE IS A SAFETY RECALL ON 2006 NISSAN ALTIMAS AND SHE HAS NOT RECEIVED THE SAFETY RECALL. THE CONTACT SAID THAT THERE IS BLACK MUD IN THE MOTOR. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT IF SHE KEEPS DRIVING THE CAR SHE WILL RUIN THE MOTOR AND THAT IT WOULD COST $1600. TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM.

engine · filed 12/19/2006

TL* - THE CONTACT CALLED NISSAN MOTORS TO INFORM THEM THAT PASSER BY SAID CAR WAS ON FIRE. HE THEN HEARD A LOUD EXPLOSION AND NOTICED SMOKE BEHIND HIM. NISSAN SAID THAT THE VEHICLE IS SAFE AND HAD A RECALL ON THE ENGINE. WHEN HE ASKED TO HAVE THE ENGINE REPLACED, THE DEALER DECLINED TO DO SO. THE DEALER ADVISED CONTACT TO CHANGE AND CHECK OIL EVERY 700 MILES. THE DEALER OFFERED THE CONTACT …

engine · filed 12/18/2014

I HAVE BEEN LOSING OIL FOR A COUPLE OF YEARS NOW AND I JUST KEPT PUTTING IT IN ABOUT ONCE A MONTH. NOBODY COULD FIND OUT WHERE IT WAS COMING FROM. I KEPT ASKING AT OIL CHANGES. I JUST RECENTLY HAD IT IN TO REPLACE THE VALVE COVER GASKET AND TUNE UP ($1200.00) BECAUSE VALVE COVER WAS LEAKING OIL INTO THE SPARK PLUGS AND ALL OVER.. WELL, THEY FIXED IT AND I NOTICED IT SOUNDED LIKE IT WAS OUT OF …

engine · filed 12/18/2013

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN ALTIMA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE LUNGED FORWARD ABNORMALLY AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. ADDITIONALLY, THE VEHICLE WAS HESITANT TO START. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAM…

engine · filed 12/18/2006

TL*- THE CONTACT CALLED REGARDING CAMPAIGN NUMBER 06V223000. THE CONTACT IS NOT VERY HAPPY THAT THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP WILL HAVE TO REPLACE THE ENGINE ON THE VEHICLE AND WANTS TO KNOW IF IT'S NORMAL PROCEDURE FOR THE DEALERSHIP TO PUT IN A NEW ENGINE ON A FAIRLY NEW VEHICLE. REPAIR INVOICE IS AVAILABLE IF NEEDED.

Common questions

How serious is the engine problem on the 2006 Nissan Altima?

It's a meaningful issue. 287 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $3,100.

At what mileage does the engine typically fail?

Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.

What does it cost to fix?

Independent shops typically charge around $3,100 for engine 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 engine?

Yes — 2 active recall(s) cover engine issues on this vehicle. Recall fixes are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status. Use the VIN decoder at the top of the page to check if your specific vehicle is affected.