Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (accelerator pedal, throttle, sudden acceleration, cruise control).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Nissan Altima owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I started my vehicle, as usual, and when driving at a very slow speed (neighborhood speed limits) I approached a very busy intersection and the car just stopped. Not only did it stop, it would not steer and a bunch of warning lights came on the dashboard. Tav I believe, oil, check engine light. Even with the key in the acc mode, the power steering was not functioning. Everything just stopped functioning. I know this vehicle was recalled for the same exact thing back in 2008, but obviously it wasn't permanently fixed. Recall #07v-527. If I would have been in the middle of an intersection and this happened I could have been killed.
Takata when the airbag deploy which almost caused my life. I have 20 some fractured ribs and spine fractures as well. Also my footpedal speed up without my knowledge and was stuck. I don't know if the lights had anything to do with it but traffic was stopped on the highway. 'parts of this document have been redacted to protect personally identifiable information pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 U.S.c. 552(b)(6).' updated 12/06/18
While pulling to a stop light, the car engine shut off without warning. I put the car in park, turned off & attempted to restart the car. It wouldn't immediately start. This happens spontaneously in drive-thrus, stoplights and when coming to complete or near complete stops in traffic as well. Most recently I was exiting the interstate exit and the car stopped as a slowed to turn left off the exit, almost resulting in a car rear ending my vehicle at 50 miles per hou. The ses (service engine soon) light is displayed and even after having an oil change and tune up the light is still illuminated, confirming it's an ongoing issue outside of standard maintenance. I've been provided a reference number and dropped the car at Nissan dealership today to diagnose. Im fearful of my safety operating the vehicle at this point.
In both accidents, within 30 days of each other, the car was stopped, in park once and in neutral the other. When the engine was turned on by me and put into drive gear, it suddenly lunged forward at tremendous speed, without my foot touching the accelerator, colliding with the another vehicle. I reported it to Nissan service at the time. They said there was no problem and didn't put it in their service report. Three days ago, the tow tuck driver showed me the defective throttle positioning sensor causing the car to roar into life and go from 1000 to 2000 rpms in an instant. Nissan almost caused my and other's death! I drove the car for one year with my foot firmly on the brake each time I started it. Criminal! Help! Updated 12/17/14. Updated 01/21/15. Updated 01/26/15. Updated 04/15/15
I was in the process of pulling into a driveway and parking my car, when all of a sudden the car accelerated. I had my foot on the brake. The car continued to pick up speed. I hit my friends house. I put the car in park to stop the car. Their was damage to my car, my friends garage, the car in the garage, a freezer, and a brick wall. My car took on a life of its own. I felt I had no control over the car. On several occasions, when I would be at a complete stop, and would go to take off, the car would hesitate, then all of a sudden it would take off at approximately 55-65 miles per hour. I thought this was just something the car was set up to do. I feel that's what happen to my car that day. My car was only 5 months old.
My car would stall and shut off while driving. It happened one driving about 20mph and then a few times in traffic. Then would not crank to start. Check engine light came on. Had the codes read and it was po725 speed sensor po335 camshaft sensor. I had both parts replaced 2 times. Car still has a hard start and check engine light is still on. There is a recall from Nissan for this problem on 2006 Nissan Altima recall id#90579. I called Nissan and they said my VIN is not affected??
When I drive the vehicle, the engine light constantly pops on and off the car consumes a large amount of oil each week, I have to check the oil and keep a case of oil with the filter in my truck to constantly fill it up. The car drains gas like crazy, and it's slow and driving and sluggish. The car has cut off on me in the middle of driving where I had to spend over $500 to get it repaired.
The vehicle threw a code for the camshaft sensor had that replaced then the vehicle threw a code for the crankshaft sensor. Midas replaced two of them still could not clear the code. The vehicle will start in drive but it will sputter while stopped like it is going to stall. When slowing down or coming to a stop the car will shut off and is very difficult to get started again.
Crankshaft sensor is bad causing the car to stall at any time - even at high speeds. It has happened while driving slowly through a neighborhood as well as on an interstate causing the car to be difficult to steer to get off the road. This is very dangerous! Check engine light came and computer says that its the crankshaft/camshaft sensor that needs replacing.
When check engine light is on, the car speed suddenly drop to below 10 miles per hour. This happened twice: one was on 03/14/2016, another was two years ago. Both cases happened on local roads with speed limit below 50 miles per hour. I turned on emergency light and tried to stop the car. Turned off the car, and restarted it. The car speed was back to normal.
Acceleration complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are acceleration problems on the 2006 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 38 complaints about the speed control & acceleration of the 2006 Nissan Altima, 5% of the model year's 824 complaints. The component named most often is cruise control (1 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Nissan Altima acceleration problems?
No. NHTSA lists no speed control & acceleration recall for the 2006 Nissan Altima, though it has 3 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Nissan Altima acceleration problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 85,000 miles, and 23% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 4 injuries to speed control & acceleration problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.