Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
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).
The contact owned a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while exiting the highway, the contact lost control of the vehicle and struck a tree, causing several damages to the front of the vehicle. The air bags did not deploy, causing several injuries to the contact's right eye, cuts, and bruises to the left side of the contact's body. The contact sought medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed and deemed a total loss by the insurance company. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 210,000.
Hydroplaned while entering a toll Plaza on 9/22/2021. Crashed into the cement jersey wall and guardrail. Car was totaled with front end, driver's side, and driver's side rear-end damage. Airbags did not deploy. The vehicle is being housed at a tow lot and will be available for inspection until I receive a duplicate copy of my title from DMV. My safety was put at risk due to the fact the airbags did not deploy upon front-end impact. The vehicle was towed directly to the tow lot from the crash scene and the issue has not been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or service center. The vehicle has only been inspected on scene by highway patrol, police, and tow company representatives. There were no prior warnings, messages, or symptoms of the problem prior to the failure. The only warning lamp illuminated at the time of incident was the service engine soon light.
Me and my fianc had just picked the kids up from my mom's. Got about 2 miles down the road and all of a sudden i heard a loud boom and a flash of light like a shot gun had went off in my ear. When I heard the boom my left side from my face to my hip felt like I had been hit. At the same time it happen with me it happen on the passenger side where my fianc was sitting. I was able To pull to the side of the rd. I got out call law enforcement and looked around my car and it had not been hit so I open my door to get my kids out and that's when I seen it was the airbags . They exploded and the reason I didn't notice them when I got out of the car is because they was not inflated they had exploded. There is a huge hole in the top of each side air bag, it busted the inside of my passenger side door and threw shrapnel over to my driver side dash. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated while his wife was driving at 45 MPH and attempting to make a left turn, when another vehicle crashed the front driver side bumper. Air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained facial laceration, fractured right shoulder and bruises on both thighs and the contact was the front passenger side sustained injuries on his right knee and but his head and left leg was also cut with broken window glass. The contact stated they were taken to the hospital to seek medical attention and his wife had surgery at a later time on her face and right shoulder. The vehicle was not driveable. The insurance adjuster deemed the vehicle was a total loss. A police report was filed. Upon investigation the contact associated the failure with manufacturer communication number: ntb-08-055-a, however the VIN was not included. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Nissan Altima. The owner stated that the vehicle was operated by her daughter's boyfriend with the daughter in the vehicle as a passenger. While traveling 35 MPH, the driver made a turn and collided into a guardrail. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The driver sustained substantial bruising to the left knee and required x-rays. The passenger sustained a cut to the front of the forehead from hitting and shattering the windshield, which required x-rays and an mri. The passenger also sustained internal bruising and whiplash to the neck and spine. The police had the vehicle towed to a police impound towing lot. The vehicle was destroyed. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that it was not their concern and nothing could be done to assist. The dealer was not contacted or made aware of the failure. …
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 20 MPH and attempting to engage the brakes, the vehicle failed to slow down and crashed into a building. The front driver and passenger side air bags deployed. The contact sustained injuries to the right arm due to the air bags that required medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was completely destroyed and was towed to an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 116,974.
While driving home at night the vehicle hit an obstruction in the road. The air bags impact shattered the elbow of the driver. The air bag also damaged the drivers nose. The driver underwent surgery and had metal plates and 75 screws inserted into her arm to create a new elbow. After surgery the driver had to attend physical therapy for 6 months to learn how to use the new elbow. The driver is also now undergoing a new surgery to have a deviated septum repaired caused by injury of the air bag.
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
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Nissan Altima. While driving 30 MPH, the brake pedal was depressed, but the contact rear ended another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. The contact sustained injuries to the neck, upper back, and right foot. Medical attention was required. The vehicle was destroyed and towed. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 111,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 35 MPH and veering left, the contact's vehicle was impacted on the front passenger side by an oncoming vehicle. The air bags had not deployed. A police report was filed. The contact was injured and received medical attention. The vehicle was towed to a tow yard. The approximate failure mileage was 93,000.
Airbag complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2006 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 43 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Nissan Altima, 5% of the model year's 824 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (4 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Nissan Altima airbag problems?
No. NHTSA lists no air bags 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 airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 27 crashes, 0 fires and 40 injuries to air bags 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.