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).
Purchased this car used from a dealership 3 weeks ago. Within 1 week the car stalled while driving. Started it back up with no problems. Took car on a 750 mi. Road trip and while driving 75mph on cruise control the car bucked. After reaching our destination and turning the car off we had trouble restarting it. When it finally started the service engine soon light came on. Took it to a mechanic and codes came up for the cam and crank shaft sensors. Replaced these sensors and cleared codes. Drove car away and within 5miles the check engine light came on again and again excessive cranking when trying to start the car. Brought it back to mechanic and the brand new cam sensor that was replaced less than 24hrs before tested out bad. Replaced sensor again and cleared code and code came up for high speed input sensor along with the same codes for cam shaft and crank shaft sensors. …
My 2006 Nissan Altima's VIN number is not eligible for recall announced in 2007 that deals with the crankshaft position sensor being overheated, which causes the car to cut off when traveling at low speeds or when stopped at stoplights or stop signs. I first experienced this problem in the beginning of August and it has continued ever since. I experience this problem daily with my car and it has caused me to almost get into accidents multiple times, but for some reason the VIN number on my car isn't eligible for the recall that fixed the problem. When I am driving and stopped at a stop sign or stoplight immediately my cars engine temperature gauge drops below cold, then the car begins to rattle, then after a few seconds the car will cut off. It also happens when I travel at low speeds, such as 10mph, which has caused to almost get into accidents a multitude of times. …
Vehicle was being drove down major highway when all of the sudden it loses all power, get off highway on edge put it in park, turn key completely off and try to restart car fails to start check engine light comes on and stays. Get code pulled shows crankshaft position sensor a. Get the crankshaft position sensor replaced and code cleared. Head home with car, does same exact thing that happened while on the highway in town. Have had everything else looked at and no one knows what to do to fix the problem. Car acts as if it's hard to start ever since this happened. Definitely won't be taking it out of town until something is done. Car will sit and crank and crank then eventually decides to start. Starter isn't issue it was previously replaced not even 2 months ago due to it going out.
On 5/23/19 my son was driving this car on the interstate when the car began to decelerate and completely stopped/shutdown on the highway. It's a blessing he was not injured/killed when this happened. The diagnostic check revealed a sensor that the fuel pump needed to be replaced, so after an expensive repair on 5/24/19.then on 5/25/19 while driving to work, the car began to do the exact same thing again and stopped on the highway. Nissan needs to address the issue with this car asap before someone gets seriously injured or killed!!!
I was driving on a highway at about 45 MPH, when my car's engine shut down. I panicked and had to coast over a lane to get to the highway shoulder. My car would not restart and I had to call for towing. The mechanic said it was a bad cam shaft sensor. I have replaced this sensor at least 4 times on this vehicle. It clearly is a defect by the maker. Nissan said it was not covered by their recall, yet so many nissans are still having he same issue.
"taking recall"I got a 2006 Nissan Altima when I look under the cover I saw the connectors that goes to spark plug melted by over heat (small fire)my engine control module service engine light came on it read sensor one time crankshaft next time up and down stream sensor lot of different readings which is not safe for road which May lead to accident.
My car was previously serviced for a campaign posted on your website, but the problem was not fixed. I should be entitled to have this problem re worked and fixed. The problem is that the car stalls out without warning, creating a dangerous situation. It stalls out while driving and while idle.
I was driving 2 weeks ago n I was donig about 45 or 50 when it just shut off by its self no warning or nothing n its costed me lots of money on top of just replacing almost the whole front suspension I was on a city sreet in motion when it just cut off 6
Dear sir/madam, I would like to take a moment and notify the problem that I have experienced recently with my 2006 Nissan Altima 2.5l engine. I was waiting on the signal to turn left when my car first shut off on me without any warning or signs. I turned off my ignition and tried to start my car, it started and I was able to drive home. Next morning, I left my home for grocery and I was driving on the side street and my car shut off on me again, but this time my car was moving on a two way street and luckily no car was behind me. Also, all lights turned on this time in my dashboard and the service engine soon light stayed on. I turned off the ignition switch and turned it back on, I got paniced but this time my car started after multiple attempts. …
I had a recall on my 2006 Nissan Altima 2.5l & I took it to the dealer in 2010 because the car engine will shut off when driven. It occurred multiple times & several times it occurred on a highway going at 60 miles per hours. I took it in to the dealer & the changed the part because of the recall. After battling for month to get my money back form the dealer the problem is occurring again. In 2012. I tried to trade it in but they under valued my car because of the recall history at $2,500. I need help & Nissan is refusing to pay full trade value on a recall. All I want is the problem fix permanently instead of having this ongoing problems. Nissan is not taking my concern seriously & I am getting rob on a problem that is not my fault.
Traction Control complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are traction control problems on the 2006 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 21 complaints about the stability & traction control of the 2006 Nissan Altima, 3% of the model year's 824 complaints.
Is there a recall for 2006 Nissan Altima traction control problems?
No. NHTSA lists no stability & traction control 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 traction control problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 98,000 miles, and 6% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 1 fire and 0 injuries to stability & traction control 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.