DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Nissan Altima steering problems
severe 15 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $700 · see steering across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
15
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$700
2crashes
1fire
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering steering 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.
DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item listed, if any should occur. - Most brake incidents fall into the following categories: a. Brake Noise: A squeak, squeal, clunk, or groan that occurs when the brakes are applied or released. b. Brake Judder: A vibration that can be felt in the vehicle, steering wheel or brake pedal when the brakes are applied. c. Pedal Feel: The effort needed to operate the brakes is too high or too low. SERVICE PROCEDURE 1. Verify the condition by road testing the vehicle with the customer. 2. Determine the specific brake incident based
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and follow the tips listed in this bulletin. - The ProCut PFM Series brake lathe has been chosen as the approved tool for rotor resurfacing. - The ProCut PFM Series brake lathe can be ordered from TECH-MATE at 1-800-662-2001. - ProCut technical support or service can be obtained by calling 1-800-543-6618. NOTE: Brake rotors may need to be resurfaced during routine brake repair or for brake "judder" incidents. - Brake judder: A brake pedal pulsation and/or steering wheel shimmy when braking that occurs when there is too mu
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗NISSAN: ALTIMA, MAXIMA, QUEST; POWER STEERING HOSE SERVICE PART CHANGE. THE HOSE NOW COMES WITHOUT THE PRESSURE SENSOR. DO NOT DAMAGE THE PRESSURE SENSOR UPON REMOVAL OR INSTALLATION. IF ONLY THE PRESSURE SENSOR NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, DO NOT REPLACE ANY HOSES.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Owners report steering failures ranging from partial loss of control to complete lockup. In one case, a driver lost steering response on a highway ramp exit, with the car making uncontrollable swerving arcs; braking made it worse and the vehicle spun, triggering a multi-car accident. Another owner's daughter experienced steering lockup and simultaneous brake failure at a stop sign. A third had the steering column physically fail at 130,000 miles, spinning 360 degrees with the check engine light on.
Steering pull is another recurring complaint. Multiple owners report their new or low-mileage Altimas pulling hard to the left at highway speeds, unresolved by repeated dealer alignments and tire replacements. One owner brought the car back three days after purchase for the same issue; the dealer claimed it was normal.
Steering wheel vibration during braking appears tied to brake work, with owners getting rear pads and rotors replaced, then front pads and rotors, without stopping the vibration. One owner replaced both headlight assemblies trying to correct alignment problems.
An electronic steering column lock failure immobilized one vehicle in a snowstorm; the owner paid $1,191.50 for repair and learned afterward this was a known common problem with a service period dealers never mentioned. Another owner reports steering sticking or locking intermittently on corners despite normal power steering fluid levels. A rack and pinion replacement on one vehicle resulted in ongoing excessive power steering fluid loss.
Same Nissan Altima steering reports on nearby years: 2005 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009
Failure modes owners describe
Steering wheel lockup and loss of control
Steering wheel becomes unresponsive or locks up during normal driving, particularly on highway ramps or turns. In one case, brakes also failed simultaneously. Vehicle exhibits wide swerving arcs that driver cannot correct.
When: Early ownership (60-65 mph highway ramp exit), low mileage incidents reported
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel fails to respond normally; Wide swerving arcs from side to side; Steering wheel locks as if in park; Simultaneous brake failure (one report); No warning signs before failure
Repairs/costs cited: No parts or repair costs specified. Nissan representative inspected one vehicle and reported no manufacturing defects. Another case required steering column replacement, cost not stated.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan inspection found no manufacturing defects in complaint #1. Vehicle in complaint #7 was out of warranty and offered no assistance.
Steering wheel vibration during braking
Steering wheel vibrates excessively, often attributed by dealers to brake issues. Owners report repeated brake pad and rotor replacements without resolving the vibration problem.
When: Varies; one owner had rotors/pads replaced 9 months prior to experiencing renewed vibration
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel vibration; Vibration during braking; Shaking steering wheel (one report)
Repairs/costs cited: Rear rotors and pads replaced; front rotors and brake pads subsequently replaced. Costs not specified.
Steering pull to one side
Vehicle pulls to the left during highway driving despite multiple dealer alignment attempts. Owners report pulling sensation and rear swaying at highway speeds, unresolved by standard alignment procedures.
When: Within 3 days of purchase (new 2006 Altima in January 2007); at 54,000 miles in another case
Symptoms owners cite: Steering pulls to the left; Rear swaying during highway speeds; Driver must continuously correct steering
Repairs/costs cited: Front wheel alignment performed. Tie rod replaced (one case). Two sets of new front tires installed (one case). Problems persisted despite repairs.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Dealership claimed pulling and swaying was normal after alignment check. Manufacturer offered no assistance in the case where tie rod was replaced at 54,000 miles.
Steering column failure
Steering column physically fails, allowing the steering wheel to turn 360 degrees or seize completely. Check engine light illuminates in at least one case.
When: At 130,000 miles (one documented case); low mileage case also reported
Symptoms owners cite: Steering wheel turns 360 degrees; Steering wheel seizes; Check engine light illuminates
Repairs/costs cited: Steering column replacement required. Cost not specified. Mechanic warned that continued driving could cause steering wheel to seize and cause brakes to fail.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Vehicle was out of warranty; manufacturer offered no assistance.
Electronic steering column lock malfunction
Electronic lock on steering column malfunctions, immobilizing the vehicle. Occurred while vehicle was stationary.
When: No mileage specified
Symptoms owners cite: Electronic steering column lock malfunction; Vehicle stranded
Repairs/costs cited: Repair cost $1,191.50. Owner reports this is a documented common problem with a known service period, but dealers did not inform customer of the issue.
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Owner identifies this as a common problem with a period where owners could have it fixed, implying manufacturer awareness but no proactive customer outreach.
Steering sticking on corners
Steering feels sticky or locking up intermittently when turning corners, then becomes loose again. Power steering fluid level is normal.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Steering sticks when turning corners; Feels like locking up then going loose; Normal power steering fluid level
Repairs/costs cited: Power steering fluid verified as full. No repairs documented.
Rack and pinion replacement with power steering fluid leak
Rack and pinion steering component requires replacement and vehicle subsequently experiences excessive power steering fluid consumption.
When: Timing not specified
Symptoms owners cite: Excessive power steering fluid consumption; Power steering fluid leakage
Repairs/costs cited: Rack and pinion steering replacement performed. Both headlight assemblies also replaced due to alignment issues. Excessive power steering fluid consumption persists. Costs not specified.
Synthesized from 15 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 0 most recent
Had steering 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 steering problem on the 2006 Nissan Altima?
It's a meaningful issue. 15 complaints have been filed and the failure mode causes operational problems for owners. Repairs average $700.
At what mileage does the steering typically fail?
Across the 11 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most steering failures cluster between 46,000 and 130,000 miles, with the median around 70,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 46,000; a quarter make it past 130,000. 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 $700 for steering 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 steering?
No active recalls currently cover steering 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.