Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (automatic and manual transmissions, CVT, axles, driveshaft, 4WD/AWD).
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 the vehicle stalled upon the depression of the accelerator after coming to a complete stop. The contact was uncertain if any warning lights appeared during the failure. The contact was able to pull the vehicle off the road and into the entrance of a parking lot. She then stated that the vehicle independently lurched forward through a fence and rolled down a hill and into a five-lane road. The air bags did not deploy during the incident. A police report was not filed and the contact was injured. With the assistance of a fellow motorist, the contact was able to move the vehicle to a nearby independent mechanic. The mechanic attempted to jumpstart the vehicle but the vehicle failed to start up. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and was given a case number. …
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.
UNKNOWN: While driving the car will stall. After restarting it, the car will then be stuck in fifth (highest) gear. The SES (Service engine soon) light comes on. The first time this happened, after the next trip, the SES light went out. Then the same thing happened. This is a danger because if this happens in heavy traffic, it could lead to a collision.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving approximately 45 MPH, the clutch malfunctioned causing the driver to lose control and crash into a median guardrail. There were no injuries and a police report was filed. When depressing the clutch, the pedal would not release and would remain stuck. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who replaced the clutch, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 52,000.
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. …
Was leaving store and when pulled out onto road, I was involved in a crash! Left the scene and then was taken by private vehicle to local emergency room and from there, airlifted with brain injury! Was almost across the road and vehicle stalled and wouldn't accelerate and stalled and caused a horrible accident. The vehicle that hit me got me in passenger rear as he was traveling up highway and threw me and went air borne and knocked a telephone pole in half and done damage to front as well. Air bags didn't deflate at all. I am making attempt to make Nissan aware and opportunity to make right. I have researched what could cause this and recalls are effective while I'm going to state unknown to cause, as there are several reasons on forum as to what could cause this. Takata recall for air bags but unknown on other. ...updated 07/11/17
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.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at 70 MPH, the vehicle decelerated to 30 MPH without warning. The check engine light illuminated and the contact noticed load roaring noises. The contact maneuvered to the emergency lane and the vehicle stalled. The contact discovered oil leaking from the front of the engine. The vehicle was towed to a mechanic who diagnosed that the catalytic converter, engine, radiator, transmission, and engine cooling system failed. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure persisted. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 103,000. . . .updated 07/21/15 updated 10/19/217
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the accelerator pedal was depressed but the vehicle did not accelerate pas 30 MPH. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the head gasket failed and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. Approximately seven months later, the vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be serviced. The mechanic observed that the transmission was leaking and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failures. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Nissan Altima. The contact stated that while driving at low speeds, the clutch ceased depressed to the floor. In addition, the vehicle was unable to shift gears. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the clutch and the engine needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired however, a year and a half later the failure recurred. The dealer was not made aware of the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage 150,000.
Transmission complaints in other Altima years
Frequently asked questions
How common are transmission problems on the 2006 Nissan Altima?
NHTSA has 79 complaints about the transmission & drivetrain of the 2006 Nissan Altima, 10% of the model year's 824 complaints. The component named most often is manual transmission (15 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Nissan Altima transmission problems?
No. NHTSA lists no transmission & drivetrain 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 transmission problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 57,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 3 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to transmission & drivetrain 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.