Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
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 owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that since owning the vehicle, the brakes, brake pads, or brake rotors were replaced every year to a year and a half. The contact became aware of the failure while depressing the brake pedal with an abnormal, grinding sound coming from the vehicle. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was initially serviced at a dealer; however, due to the recurring brake failure, the contact suspected that the dealer might have intentionally caused the frequent brake failure. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic once the failure returned; however, the vehicle experienced the same failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 10,000.
The car was parked in a driveway for 6 hours in 10 degree weather. It was required to move the car to allow another vehicle to leave when the Nissan was driven forward to re-park the vehicle and the brakes were applied the peddle was rock hard and no brakes were available causing a collision with a garage door. The dealership diagnosed the problem as a vacuum valve, integral with a vacuum hose. The dealer tested the car at 7:30 am on 1/16/2012 when the car had been sitting for over 24 hours in 23 degree weather, the brake pedal was hard (however not rock solid) once the pedal was pumped twice the brakes worked accordingly. The theory was the valve was not functioning in the cold weather. …
I have owned the car for almost 6 years. My boyfriend does the servicing - oil changes, brakes, fluid/belt changes, etc. On a regular, documented basis. When car is lifted, I always do a check underneath. Car had been fine. Oil changed in October 2014, all good. New tires put on by good year in December 2014, all good - just let me know to have back brakes changed soon. March 22, my boyfriend was changing oil and putting new pads/shoes on car. While lifted, I did my check and saw rust hanging underneath on driver's side. After taking off the rust and getting to solid metal, found a approx 5x5in size hole in my floorboard. Rest of base of car looks perfect, so far. Car should not be rusting like this.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Nissan Altima. While driving 60 MPH, the contact's vehicle crashed into the rear of a semi-truck during inclement weather after depressing the brake pedal which failed to respond. The air bags failed to deploy. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a yard and destroyed from the impact. The vehicle was not inspected and diagnosed by a repair facility or dealer. The driver sustained neck pains and whiplash, which required medical treatment. The manufacturer was notified of the crash. The failure mileage was not available.
Takata recall my car gives me a headache when im driving its smells wierd.and the air does not stay cold my check engine light wont stat off please help my brakes feel wierd when I ride they feel like they dont want to stop and its LED in this car its unsafe for me and my children and my son bleeds out his nose when he rides in the car
The 2006 Nissan Altima, both 2.5e & 3.5e have a significant design flaw regarding the brake pedal. The brake pedal is soft & allows the driver to simultaneously depress both pedals! My niece had a nasty accident due to this and I myself almost did. This problem needs to be addressed immediately.
My entire drivers side and passneger side floor board has rotted out completely. Im talking I can put my foot through it. I head all of it fall out driving down the I-90. This car is rust free from florida. This is such bs and is unsafe to drive.
I had the vehicle reviewed on April 23, 2013 with your elhart michigan Nissan service department. I can't tell you how disappointed I am. I was told that the rear brakes pins and slides had no lubrication in them when my wife personally watched the mechanic lubricate them when the most recent pads were installed 2 weeks ago. One of the pins is an aftermarket because the existing one was frozen at the servicing and needed to be replaced. I questioned the Nissan shop manager who called me regarding the recommendation of the owners manual for maintenance of this particular area of the vehicle and he indicated that it is not mentioned. I am now in my words "stuck" with a safety part of my car which I must watch religiously and I can expect to spend $1000's of dollars in parts and maintenance. …
Brakes do not engage when car has been left in cold, usually below freezing. Brakes usually engage after I hit the pedal once, twice hard. Dealership stated master cylinder problem and replaced; now less than two weeks later same thing is occurring however not as cold and not as frequent as during the major cold spell in area. Dealership has it again overnight to see if they can replicate issues. Spent major bucks on master cylinder and am afraid to trust my car's brakes, plus perhaps having to spend more money on a different issue. Have seen others respond to this issue but find no major recalls; only a Nissan service campaign at some point to check brake pads and master cylinder for leakage. I have no idea if dealership ever checked my pads/master cylinder, been going to same location for almost 7 years.
So after my husband replaced a faulty brake caliper on the left rear of my Altima he proceeded to rotate the tires. It was then he discovered my driver side floor pan completely rusted out. We had been noticing a "wet car" smell on occasion, but I would never have imagined this. I am so disgusted. To beat it all, Nissan won't rectify this?? That's bull@$#t. I had a 1995 Altima that I drove for over a decade with over 200000 miles on it before I traded it in. The reliability of it was what prompted me to purchase another. Though my husband can replace the damaged area, the point is he shouldn't have to. I promise you this, it is the last Nissan anything I'll ever buy. I guess that's what I get for not buying American engineered/made/conceived (karma bit me in the butt). I'll go back to Ford for sure.
Brake complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 26 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Nissan Altima, 3% of the model year's 824 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Nissan Altima brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes 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 brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 10,000 miles, and 58% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 2 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes 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.