How to decode a 2006 Nissan Altima VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 2006 Nissan Altima VIN

The World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is the first three characters of a Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), key in distinguishing the vehicle’s manufacturer, model year, and place of manufacture. For instance, Nissan Altimas produced in 2006 have the WMI “1N4,” indicating they are manufactured by Nissan North America, Inc., based in Franklin, Tennessee, United States. This WMI specifically points to these vehicles being passenger cars. By using the WMI, one can easily decode essential information about the vehicle, ensuring accurate identification and tracing of its origins and specifications. This system facilitates a universal understanding across the global automotive industry.

List of WMI Codes for a 2006 Nissan Altima

WMI: 1N4

Model Years Covered: 1993-2024
Example VIN: 1N4BL11D06N304941
Manufacturer Name: Nissan North America, Inc.
Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
City: Franklin
State or Province: Tennessee
Country: United States

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 2006 Nissan Altima VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

Engine type
Transmission
Model or trim
Body style
Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 2006 Nissan Altima:

Known VDS for a 2006 Nissan Altima
BL11D	AL11D	AL11E	BL11E

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 2006 Nissan Altima VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 2006 Nissan Altima VIN — Year Code

Year Code	Year
6	2006

11th Character in the 2006 Nissan Altima VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 2006 Nissan Altima Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

Plant Code	Plant City	Plant State	Plant Country	Plant Company Name	Example VIN
C	Smyrna	Tennessee	United States	Smyrna Plant	1N4AL11E06C111916
L	Aguascalientes City	Aguascalientes	Mexico	Aguascalientes Plant	1N4AL11D36L110296
N	Canton	Mississippi	United States	Canton Plant	1N4BL11D06N304941

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 2006 Nissan Altima

The final 6 characters in a 2006 Nissan Altima’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Nissan Altima’s VIN below:

How to find a 2006 Nissan Altima’s VIN?

Locating the VIN number on your 2006 Nissan Altima is key for identification. Here’s how to find it:

Check the dashboard on the driver’s side of your Nissan Altima. The VIN can be seen through the windshield on the lower corner where the dash meets the glass.
Inspect the driver’s door jamb on your 2006 Nissan Altima; the VIN is typically found on a label or sticker where the door latches.
Look under the hood of your Nissan Altima; the VIN may be stamped on the engine block or on a metal plate affixed to the firewall.
Examine the trunk area of your Nissan Altima, as the VIN might also be located in the spare tire well or on the trunk lid.
If you have documentation like the insurance card, registration, or owner’s manual for the 2006 Nissan Altima, the VIN should also be printed there.

What info can a 2006 Nissan Altima VIN reveal?

Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year, indicating that it is a 2006 Nissan Altima, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
Manufacturing Details: The VIN also provides information about the specific manufacturing details, including the production location at the Smyrna Plant in Tennessee, United States, offering a glimpse into the vehicle’s origin and assembly.
Engine Specifications: The VIN denotes a 2.5L In-Line engine designed by Nissan, model QR25DE with a water cooling system, and features a dual overhead cam (DOHC) valve train design and four cylinders, providing insights into the vehicle’s performance capabilities.
Body Class and Doors: This VIN reveals that the vehicle is classified as a Sedan/Saloon, with a four-door configuration, establishing both the model’s functional design and accommodation capacity.
Drive Type: The VIN specifies the drive type as 4x2, which can help in understanding the vehicle’s handling characteristics and drive configuration.
Fuel Type: The VIN indicates that the vehicle primarily operates on gasoline, providing potential buyers or owners with crucial information regarding the vehicle’s fuel considerations.
Safety Features: Safety features encoded within the VIN include front airbags for the driver and passenger, curtain airbags located in the 1st row for both the driver and passenger, and side airbags in the 1st row, illustrating the vehicle’s commitment to occupant safety.
Seat Belt and Gross Vehicle Weight Rating: The VIN specifies manual seat belts and categorizes the vehicle within Gross Vehicle Weight Rating Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less), offering insights into safety measures and legal vehicle use categorizations.

Don’t have your 2006 Nissan Altima’s VIN handy? Try our license plate lookup instead!

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Sample VIN Decode Report for a 2006 Nissan Altima

Vehicle Spec	Value
Body Class	Sedan/Saloon
Cooling Type	Water
Curtain Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Displacement (CC)	2500.0
Displacement (CI)	152.55936023683
Displacement (L)	2.5
Doors	4
Drive Type	4x2
Engine Configuration	In-Line
Engine Manufacturer	Nissan
Engine Model	QR25DE
Engine Number of Cylinders	4
Front Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Fuel Type - Primary	Gasoline
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating From	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Gross Vehicle Weight Rating To	Class 1: 6,000 lb or less (2,722 kg or less)
Model	Altima
Model Year	2006
Plant City	Smyrna
Plant Company Name	Smyrna plant
Plant Country	United States
Plant State	Tennessee
Seat Belt Type	Manual
Side Air Bag Locations	1st Row (Driver and Passenger)
Valve Train Design	Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC)
Vehicle Descriptor	1N4AL11E*6C
Vehicle Type	Passenger Car
Sample_VIN	1N4AL11E06C111916