NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Power Train complaints
220 reportsClear category filter114,231 miles · Apr 25, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
LAST TIME I CHANGED MY OIL ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THEY WERE CONFUSED AT WHY I HAD OIL IN MY RADIATOR. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A GOOD SIGN! YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, MY TRUCK HAD NO POWER AND IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED MOVING IN THE ROAD. THE TRUCK WAS RUNNING, BUT WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN A GEAR AND MOVE FORWARD. I HAD IT TAKEN TO A…
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LAST TIME I CHANGED MY OIL ABOUT A MONTH AGO, THEY WERE CONFUSED AT WHY I HAD OIL IN MY RADIATOR. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT A GOOD SIGN! YESTERDAY WHEN I WAS DRIVING TO WORK, MY TRUCK HAD NO POWER AND IT EVENTUALLY STOPPED MOVING IN THE ROAD. THE TRUCK WAS RUNNING, BUT WOULD NOT ENGAGE IN A GEAR AND MOVE FORWARD. I HAD IT TAKEN TO A LOCAL SHOP TO LOOK IT OVER AND AFTER A TEST DRIVE AND LOOKING AT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUIDS, THEY SAID I HAD A CROSS CONTAMINATION OF THE TWO SYSTEMS AND IT CAUSED THE PROBLEM. THEY CALLED THE NISSAN DEALER AND THEY SAID THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND THEY HAVE A LAW SUIT I CAN JOIN TO GET REIMBURSED FOR THE EXPENSE OF REPLACING THE CVT. (CONTINUOUSLY VARIABLE TRANSMISSION) IT WILL COST ABOUT $4,200. I LOOKED ONLINE AND IT LOOKS LIKE NISSAN ALSO HAS AT CVT REPLACEMENT PROGRAM. I WISH I WOULD HAVE KNOWN ABOUT THIS SO I COULD HAVE HAD IT REPLACED AND NOT PUT IN DANGER. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10509539
101,000 miles · Apr 19, 2013
Power Train
TRANSMISSION HAD BEGUN TO BUMP WHEN CHANGING GEARS. AT TIMES IT WAS HARD SHIFTING. ON 2-10-13 WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE TRUCK STARTED TO RUN HOT. I STOPPED AND HAD TO PUT WATER IN THE OVERFLOW TANK. CONTINUED ON THE INTERSTATE AND TRUCK DID NOT RUN HOT ANYMORE. SINCE THEN, THE TRANSMISSION HAS GOTTEN WORSE. SOME TIMES…
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TRANSMISSION HAD BEGUN TO BUMP WHEN CHANGING GEARS. AT TIMES IT WAS HARD SHIFTING. ON 2-10-13 WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE, THE TRUCK STARTED TO RUN HOT. I STOPPED AND HAD TO PUT WATER IN THE OVERFLOW TANK. CONTINUED ON THE INTERSTATE AND TRUCK DID NOT RUN HOT ANYMORE. SINCE THEN, THE TRANSMISSION HAS GOTTEN WORSE. SOME TIMES THE TRANSMISSION VIBRATES WHEN CHANGING GEARS. MANY PEOPLE ON THE INTERNET ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508862
102,000 miles · Apr 18, 2013
Power Train
I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I FEEL SOME VIBRATION, DID NOT PAY ATTENTION UNTIL I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, I THOUGHT THAT FLUID MAY BE LOW, BUT WHEN I CHECKED I FOUND THAT FLUID WAS DISCOLORED. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR LEAKING IN TRANSMISSIO…
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I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I FEEL SOME VIBRATION, DID NOT PAY ATTENTION UNTIL I GOT OFF THE HIGHWAY WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED, I THOUGHT THAT FLUID MAY BE LOW, BUT WHEN I CHECKED I FOUND THAT FLUID WAS DISCOLORED. I TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC AND HE TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR LEAKING IN TRANSMISSION, AND THAT HE HAD SOME OTHER NISSAN TRUCKS SAME YEAR WITH SAME PROBLEM. HE SUGGESTED TO REPLACED RADIATOR AND FLUSH TRANSMISSION, IT COST ME $600.00, BUT NOW MY TRANSMISSION IS GETTING WORSE EVERYDAY AND WORSE OF ALL IS THAT I AM STILL PAYING FOR THIS TRUCK THAT PROBABLY IS GOING TO BREAK DOWN ANY MOMENT. I READ SOME OF THE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PARTICULAR VEHICLE AND SCARED ME JUST TO KNOW THAT I WILL HAVE TO PAY FOR A TRANSMISSION REPAIR PLUS CONTINUE TO PAY FOR THE LOAN OF THIS TRUCK. AND NISSAN SEEMS LIKE IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. PLEASE SEND ME ANY NOTIFICATION ABOUT A RECALL, I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508749
99,800 miles · Apr 18, 2013
EnginePower Train
WHEN DRIVING, A "RUMBLING" NOISE WOULD COME AND GO AND A "WHINING" NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING. THE RUMBLING NOISE WAS NOT CONSISTENT BUT WOULD SOUND LIKE A WAS DRIVING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROUND. IT WOULD USUALLY APPEAR AROUND 40-60 MPH WHEN I WOULD LET OFF THE GAS AND "COAST" AND TRY TO PRESS THE GAS AGAIN. I DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS…
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WHEN DRIVING, A "RUMBLING" NOISE WOULD COME AND GO AND A "WHINING" NOISE WHILE ACCELERATING. THE RUMBLING NOISE WAS NOT CONSISTENT BUT WOULD SOUND LIKE A WAS DRIVING ON THE SIDE OF THE ROUND. IT WOULD USUALLY APPEAR AROUND 40-60 MPH WHEN I WOULD LET OFF THE GAS AND "COAST" AND TRY TO PRESS THE GAS AGAIN. I DID NOT KNOW THERE WAS A "WARRANTY EXTENSION". I WAS NOT NOTIFIED. TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE SHOP ONLY TO FIND OUT MY TRANSMISSION WAS GOING OUT DUE TO THE FACT I HAVE RADIATOR COOLANT (ANTIFREEZE) IN MY TRANSMISSION FLUID; (OVER A GALLON) CAUSE BY A FACTORY DEFECT. SOMETHING TO DO WITH A TRANSMISSION PIECE GOING THROUGH THE RADIATOR AND LEAKING. MILEAGE FOR MY TRUCK IS RIGHT AT 99,800. BARELY MADE THE 100,000 MILES 3000 DOLLAR SO-CALLED NISSAN WARRANTY EXTENSION.. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10508700
60,000 miles · Apr 11, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE CHECK COOLANT LEVEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE CHECK COOLANT LEVEL WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT, THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE FOR THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 99,700. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505956
97,000 miles · Apr 10, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel/propulsion SystemPower Train
I HAVE A NISSAN FRONTIER THAT HAS HAD FAILED IN A NUMBER OF THINGS WHICH ARE NOT WEAR AND TEAR. THEY ARE DESIGN FLAWS. THE FUEL GAUGE MODULE. THE RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION LEAK FLAW. BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE RADIATOR, NOW A PERFECTLY WORKING TRANNY NEEDS REBUILT. I ALSO HEAR THE TENSIONER FOR THE TIMING CHAIN IS A DEFECTIVE DESI…
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I HAVE A NISSAN FRONTIER THAT HAS HAD FAILED IN A NUMBER OF THINGS WHICH ARE NOT WEAR AND TEAR. THEY ARE DESIGN FLAWS. THE FUEL GAUGE MODULE. THE RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION LEAK FLAW. BECAUSE OF THE DESIGN OF THE RADIATOR, NOW A PERFECTLY WORKING TRANNY NEEDS REBUILT. I ALSO HEAR THE TENSIONER FOR THE TIMING CHAIN IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN. MY FRONTIER BEGAN FALLING APART BEFORE THE 100.000 MILES WITH DESIGN FLAWS. NISSAN NEVER AGAIN. A SIMPLE WARNING LETTER THAT MY RADIATOR NEEDED A $300 REPAIR WOULD HAVE SAVED ME $4,000 LATER AND NOT LEAVE ME STRANDED IN TRAFFIC. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505832
135,000 miles · Apr 9, 2013
EnginePower Train
TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING LEAVING HER STRANDED IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. TRANSMISSION WAS FOUND TO HAVE RADIATOR FLUID IN IT AS WELL AS TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET IT IS OBVIOUS THAT NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE I…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED COMPLETELY WHILE MY DAUGHTER WAS DRIVING LEAVING HER STRANDED IN A BUSY INTERSECTION. VEHICLE WAS TOWED. TRANSMISSION WAS FOUND TO HAVE RADIATOR FLUID IN IT AS WELL AS TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE COOLING SYSTEM. AFTER INVESTIGATING THIS ISSUE ON THE INTERNET IT IS OBVIOUS THAT NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THE ISSUE WITH FAULTY RADIATORS FOR A LONG TIME. (WHEN I WAS STILL UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY.) HAD NISSAN INFORMED OWNERS THIS COULD HAVE RESOLVED WITH A RADIATOR CHANGE THAT I WOULD HAVE GLADLY DONE AT MY EXPENSE. NOW I'M LOOKING AT OVER $4000.00 IN REPAIR COSTS. SHAME ON NISSAN! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10505664
190,000 miles · Mar 29, 2013
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE AND ACCELERATING, THE TRANSMISSION HESITATED TO SHIFT AND THEN JUMPED INTO GEAR CAUSING A LURCH IN THE VEHICLE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504936
130,000 miles · Mar 26, 2013
EnginePower Train
ON MY 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER MY RADIATOR COOLANT MIXED IN WITH MY TRANSMISSION OIL AND IT CAUSED MY TRANNY TO BLOW OUT AND ALSO FOR MY TIMING BELT TO GET MESSED UP AND SO I HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANNY AND RADIATOR AND TIMING BELTS AT A TOTAL OF OVER 4 THOUSAND DOLLARS. I REALLY THINK NISSAN SHOULD MAKE THIS A RECALL REGARDLESS OF YOU…
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ON MY 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER MY RADIATOR COOLANT MIXED IN WITH MY TRANSMISSION OIL AND IT CAUSED MY TRANNY TO BLOW OUT AND ALSO FOR MY TIMING BELT TO GET MESSED UP AND SO I HAD TO REPLACE MY TRANNY AND RADIATOR AND TIMING BELTS AT A TOTAL OF OVER 4 THOUSAND DOLLARS. I REALLY THINK NISSAN SHOULD MAKE THIS A RECALL REGARDLESS OF YOUR MILEAGE BECAUSE IF THEY DON'T HUNDREDS AND THOUSAND OF PEOPLE WILL STOP BUYING NISSAN. PLEASE INFORM ME OF ANYTHING WITH THE INVESTIGATION WITH NISSAN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10504617
42,000 miles · Mar 8, 2013
Power Train
THE CLUTCH TO THE 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER FAILED WHILE DRIVING. AN ODOR WAS DETECTED PRIOR TO THE EVENT. WHEN I TRIED TO CHANGE GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER MOVE AND THE GEAR STICK MOVED FREELY THROUGHOUT ALL SIX FORWARD PROPELLING GEARS AS WELL AS REVERSE. THE WRITER WAS ON A RURAL ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND NO OTHER CARS W…
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THE CLUTCH TO THE 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER FAILED WHILE DRIVING. AN ODOR WAS DETECTED PRIOR TO THE EVENT. WHEN I TRIED TO CHANGE GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD NO LONGER MOVE AND THE GEAR STICK MOVED FREELY THROUGHOUT ALL SIX FORWARD PROPELLING GEARS AS WELL AS REVERSE. THE WRITER WAS ON A RURAL ROAD WHEN THIS HAPPENED AND NO OTHER CARS WERE INVOLVED. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED. THE EVENT REPEATED APPROX 200 MILES LATER IN NEAR THE SAME LOCATION BY THIS WRITER'S HOME. THE CLUTCH WAS REPLACED. ROUGHLY 150 MILES LATER, THE SMELL PERSISTED (IN THE THIRD CLUTCH). THIS WRITER FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE INTO THE DEALER IN ORDER TO DIAGNOSE THE CAUSE FOR THE PREMATURE FAILURE OF THE CLUTCH. THE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO FIND ANYTHING DURING A "VISUAL INSPECTION" IN WHICH THE TRANSMISSION WAS REMOVED TO REVEAL THE PARTS INVOLVED. THIS WRITER WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS CLUTCH MATERIAL ON THE FLYWHEEL WHICH INDICATES THAT THE THIRD CLUTCH IS INDEED BEGINNING TO FAIL. THIS WRITER HAS DRIVEN MANUAL TRANSMISSION FOR 16 YEARS AND HAS ANOTHER VEHICLE WITH 115,000 MILES ON IT. IT HAS THE ORIGINAL CLUTCH IN IT AND THIS WRITER ALONG WITH MY SPOUSE DROVE THIS VEHICLE FOR 90,000. MY FEAR IS THAT THE CLUTCH WILL FAIL ON ONE OF THE RAILROAD CROSSINGS AND I WILL NOT HAVE MUCH TIME TO REMOVE MY CHILDREN FROM THEIR CAR SEATS. THE CLUTCH IN THE FRONTIER IS THE SAME CLUTCH THAT IS USED IN THE NISSAN XTERRA OF THE SAME YEAR AND MAKE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10502140
Official recalls
4Oct 28, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Mar 3, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Dec 29, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Mar 30, 2006
ON CERTAIN KING CAB TRUCKS, IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT DEFORMATION OF THE VEHICLE'S BODY COULD CAUSE THE FUEL FILLER CAP TETHER TO BE STRETCHED TO THE POINT OF UNSCREWING THE FUEL FILLER CAP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS MAY RESULT IN A FUEL SPILL WHICH IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL CAP TETHER PIN ASSEMBLY WITH A MODIFIED ONE FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 24, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2DP26003 · Fuel Smell And Loss Of Motive Power
Opened Mar 30, 2026 · No close date supplied
Status: open (inferred from source dates) · Engine And Engine Cooling; Fuel System, Gasoline
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated February 5, 2026, requesting an investigation into model year (MY) 2006 Nissan Frontier vehicles. The Petitioner alleges that the vehicle poses an imminent fire hazard due to “[a] powerful and persistent odor of raw gasoline” that he says “emanates from the vehicle” and “indicat[es] a breach in fuel system integrity.” He further alleges that the vehicles can experience sudden engine stalling “during startup and operation,” which he believes could cause collisions or loss of vehicle control. The Petitioner further alleges these symptoms are identical to conditions addressed in previous NHTSA recalls (10V-517, 07V-435, and 10V-075) and that the issues persist in the 2006 MY Nissan fleet despite these past actions. ODI is opening this Defect Petition to evaluate the Petitioner’s allegations and determine whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11718552.
Additional source detail variants (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated February 5, 2026, requesting an investigation into model year (MY) 2006 Nissan Frontier vehicles. The Petitioner alleges that the vehicle poses an imminent fire hazard due to “[a] powerful and persistent odor of raw gasoline” that he says “emanates from the vehicle” and “indicat[es] a breach in fuel system integrity.” He further alleges that the vehicles can experience sudden engine stalling “during startup and operation,” which he believes could cause collisions or loss of vehicle control. The Petitioner further alleges these symptoms are identical to conditions addressed in previous NHTSA recalls (10V-517, 07V-435, and 10V-075) and that the issues persist in the 2006 MY Nissan fleet despite these past actions. ODI is opening this Defect Petition to evaluate the Petitioner’s allegations and determine whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11718552.
Fuel System, Gasoline
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) received a Petition dated February 5, 2026, requesting an investigation into model year (MY) 2006 Nissan Frontier vehicles. The Petitioner alleges that the vehicle poses an imminent fire hazard due to “[a] powerful and persistent odor of raw gasoline” that he says “emanates from the vehicle” and “indicat[es] a breach in fuel system integrity.” He further alleges that the vehicles can experience sudden engine stalling “during startup and operation,” which he believes could cause collisions or loss of vehicle control. The Petitioner further alleges these symptoms are identical to conditions addressed in previous NHTSA recalls (10V-517, 07V-435, and 10V-075) and that the issues persist in the 2006 MY Nissan fleet despite these past actions. ODI is opening this Defect Petition to evaluate the Petitioner’s allegations and determine whether to grant or deny the Petition. The Petition can be viewed at NHTSA.gov under NHTSA Number 11718552.
DP12004 · Transmission Failures
Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
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