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2006 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

More warning signs than most Frontier years

Owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Frontier are substantially higher than the model-year median of 64.

About this comparison →
617Owner complaints

Model-year median: 64

4Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
77
200366
2004532
2005617
2006520
2007136
200837
2009
Compare all Frontier years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
220Fuel System, Gasoline
174Engine
82Engine And Engine Cooling
74Fuel/propulsion System
61
All reported categories
Steering
34Electrical System
31Air Bags
26Fuel System, Other
22Unknown Or Other
19Service Brakes, Hydraulic
16Vehicle Speed Control
14Suspension
9Seat Belts
8Structure
8Service Brakes
5Equipment
4Tires
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Visibility
2Wheels
2Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
1Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Insert, Padding
1Parking Brake
1Seats
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Trailer Hitches
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

559 reports with mileage · 58 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 220 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 174 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 82 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

13 crash reports2 fire reports10 injury reports

What owners actually said

617 reports
92,000 miles · Aug 16, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

MY 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER'S RADIATOR COOLER TANK RUPTURED FORCING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES CAUSING "CATASTROPHIC FAILURE" AT 92000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER (12000 MILES OUTSIDE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE FAULTY RADIATOR). THIS IS APPARENTLY AN "UNCOMMON", BUT KNOWN PROBLE…

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MY 5-SPEED AUTOMATIC 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER'S RADIATOR COOLER TANK RUPTURED FORCING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINES CAUSING "CATASTROPHIC FAILURE" AT 92000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER (12000 MILES OUTSIDE THE EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE FAULTY RADIATOR). THIS IS APPARENTLY AN "UNCOMMON", BUT KNOWN PROBLEM WITH NISSAN TRUCK AND SUV MODELS. I WAS TRAVELING AT 65 MPH ON INTERSTATE 70 NEAR FREDERICK, MARYLAND WHEN THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE OCCURRED. I LOST ALL FORWARD MOMENTUM BUT WAS ABLE TO MANEUVER THE TRUCK TO THE SHOULDER BEFORE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. I HAD IT CHECKED BY AN INDEPENDENT SHOP IN MOUNT AIRY, MARYLAND AND THEY QUOTED THE REPLACEMENT OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION AT $4350. AFTER MAKING INQUIRES WITH THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT THE CAR NEW IN 2006, THEIR INITIAL ESTIMATE WAS BETWEEN ROUGHLY $6000 - $10000 FOR REPLACEMENT OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION! THEY WERE ABLE TO NEGOTIATE DOWN WITH NISSAN CORPORATE AND THE FINAL COST OF REPLACEMENT OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WAS $3000. MY TRANSMISSION FAILED WITHOUT ANY SIGN OR WARNING AT 65 MPH ON A 3 LANE INTERSTATE - THE FINANCIAL BURDEN TO FIX THE PROBLEM HURTS, BUT IT COULD HAVE GONE MUCH WORSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10470860

80,000 miles · Aug 14, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED IMMEDIATELY. WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE INDICATE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK) AND WAS REPAIRED. AFTER THE REPAIR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED IMMEDIATELY. WHILE FUELING THE VEHICLE THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE INDICATED EMPTY. THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER'S RECALL FOR THE FUEL SENSOR AND THE VEHICLE TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER SERVICED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10470617

52,000 miles · Aug 3, 2012
Suspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE AXLE SEAL HAD LEAKED ONTO THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PADS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND TH…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EMERGENCY BRAKE ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DISCOVERED THAT THE REAR PASSENGER'S SIDE AXLE SEAL HAD LEAKED ONTO THE EMERGENCY BRAKE PADS. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000. UPDATED 09/21/12*LJ UPDATED 09/26/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10469124

52,626 miles · Jul 26, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 5 MPH WHEN A POPPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER BUT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST DID NOT COMPLETELY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING COLUM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 5 MPH WHEN A POPPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER BUT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST DID NOT COMPLETELY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,626 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,700. UPDATED 8/23/12 *CN UPDATED 09/06/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10467800

127,000 miles · Jul 25, 2012
Power Train

TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR FAILURE RESULTING IN MIXED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT. I HAVE JUST DISCOVERED THIS SINCE I WAS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND A QUICK FIX IF I HAD JUST KNOWN ABOUT IT. MANY ARE BYPASSING THE TRANSMISSION COOLER DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A K…

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TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR FAILURE RESULTING IN MIXED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT. I HAVE JUST DISCOVERED THIS SINCE I WAS HAVING TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND A QUICK FIX IF I HAD JUST KNOWN ABOUT IT. MANY ARE BYPASSING THE TRANSMISSION COOLER DUE TO THIS PROBLEM. A QUICK INTERNET SEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND PERVASIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10467737

89,000 miles · Jul 25, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CONFIRMED THE VIN FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 50 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER CONFIRMED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY CONFIRMED THE VIN FAILED TO QUALIFY FOR REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000 ( FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILIARY TANK). THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,500.

NHTSA ODI #10467607

25,000 miles · Jul 10, 2012
Fuel/propulsion System

BEEN SMELLING GAS FOR OVER A YEAR. THEN DRIVING HOME ON 07/05/2012 FUEL PUMP STARTED SPEWING GAS TOOK 18 GALLONS GAS TO DRIVE 10 MILES BEFORE I NEW WHAT WAS GOING ON . FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLEY HAS MULTIPLE STRESS FRACTURES ALL OVER THE TOP AND FITTINGS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A LONG TIME PROBABLE FROM NEW. NISSAN WILL NOT FIX. SAYS …

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BEEN SMELLING GAS FOR OVER A YEAR. THEN DRIVING HOME ON 07/05/2012 FUEL PUMP STARTED SPEWING GAS TOOK 18 GALLONS GAS TO DRIVE 10 MILES BEFORE I NEW WHAT WAS GOING ON . FUEL PUMP ASSEMBLEY HAS MULTIPLE STRESS FRACTURES ALL OVER THE TOP AND FITTINGS THAT HAVE BEEN THERE FOR A LONG TIME PROBABLE FROM NEW. NISSAN WILL NOT FIX. SAYS MY VIN IS NOT IN THE RECALL . I HAVE THE FUEL PUMP WITH PHOTOS OF THE STRESS FRACTURES THANKS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10465154

88,000 miles · Jul 2, 2012
Power Train

AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHEN CHANGING GEARS. ALSO IT FELT AS IF I WAS DRIVING OVER GROVES IN THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME OF MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT I WAS 4K MILES OVER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I NEVER EVEN KNEW I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRA…

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AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SLIPPED WHEN CHANGING GEARS. ALSO IT FELT AS IF I WAS DRIVING OVER GROVES IN THE ROAD WHILE DRIVING. I TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO INFORMED ME OF MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT I WAS 4K MILES OVER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. I NEVER EVEN KNEW I HAD AN EXTENDED WARRANTY, I GUESS NISSAN DIDN'T WANT TOO MANY PEOPLE TO KNOW EVEN THOUGH MY VEHICLE IS REGISTERED WITH THEM. MY MECHANIC SAID THIS PROBLEM WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE NISSAN DESIGN AND SINCE IT WAS PAST THE 80K MILE WARRANTY IT WAS NOT COVERED. RADIATOR WAS REPLACED. I CALLED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY WOULD NOT EXTEND OR HONOR ANY WARRANTY. MY MECHANIC TOLD ME TO WATCH MY TRANSMISSION, BECAUSE THAT WILL BE THE NEXT TO GO. MY ONLY HOPE IS NISSAN DOES THE RIGHT THING (FORCED IF NECESSARY) AND REPAIRS OR REPLACES WHAT IS CLEARLY A FAULTY DESIGN. THIS HAS THE POSSIBILITY OF CAUSING ACCIDENTS AT THE WORST AND ABANDONMENT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD OF A FAMILY AT BEST. GET THEM TO FIX THIS ISSUE AND PROTECT THE DRIVERS ON THE ROAD PLEASE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10464012

91,000 miles · Jul 2, 2012
Steering

STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE (1" PLAY IN ALL DIRECTIONS) RESULTING IN DIFFICULTY AT TIMES CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE (APPEARS THE INTERNAL BEARINGS OR SIMILAR MECHANISM HAS FAILED). I FEAR THIS MAY LEAD TO A CRASH DUE TO INABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10463985

84,000 miles · Jun 23, 2012
Power Train

THE TRUCK BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHUDDER INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN OVERDRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55-65MPH). A COUPLE WEEKS LATER TRANSMISSION STARTING SHIFTING REALLY HARD, WITH CORRESPONDING CLUNKING SOUND EVERY TIME IT SHIFTED BETWEEN GEARS. I TOOK IT TO MY REGULAR LOCAL MECHANIC WHO FOUND COOLANT MIXED IN TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE T…

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THE TRUCK BEGAN TO VIBRATE AND SHUDDER INTERMITTENTLY WHILE IN OVERDRIVE AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS (55-65MPH). A COUPLE WEEKS LATER TRANSMISSION STARTING SHIFTING REALLY HARD, WITH CORRESPONDING CLUNKING SOUND EVERY TIME IT SHIFTED BETWEEN GEARS. I TOOK IT TO MY REGULAR LOCAL MECHANIC WHO FOUND COOLANT MIXED IN TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO A RUPTURED ATF LINE INSIDE THE RADIATOR. HE STATED THAT HE HAD INSPECTED NUMEROUS TRUCKS OF SAME VINTAGE THAT ALSO HAD TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO THE SAME RADIATOR DEFECT CAUSING CONTAMINATION OF TRANSMISSION FLUID. HE ADVISED ME THAT MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REBUILT OR REPLACED AT THIS POINT. HE RECOMMENDED I CONTACT NISSAN DEALER REGARDING THIS COMMON DEFECT AND INFORMATION ABOUT WARRANTY COVERAGE. I SPOKE TO 2 LOCAL NISSAN DEALERS ON THE PHONE AND WAS TOLD WARRANTY ON RADIATOR ONLY HAD BEEN EXTENDED TO 80000 MILES. AT THIS TIME MY TRUCK HAS 86000 MILES AND PARTS AND SERVICE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM WOULD NOT BE COVERED BY NISSAN. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10462843

Official recalls

4

10V517000 · Engine And Engine Cooling

Oct 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.

10V075000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank

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.

08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal

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.

06V092000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

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

2

DP26003 · 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.