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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD · 3 NHTSA variants

2006 Nissan FrontierRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls and 617 owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Frontier. Most complaints involve power train (220) and fuel system, gasoline (174). The EPA rates it 16–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–21mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
7campaigns
Latest Oct 2010
Owner complaints
617
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

7 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 28, 2010NHTSA 10V517000

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

SuspensionReported May 20, 2010NHTSA 10E019000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported Mar 3, 2010NHTSA 10V075000
See all 7 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

617 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2006 – Sep 2026
  1. Power train220
  2. Fuel system, gasoline174
  3. Engine82
  4. Engine and engine cooling74
  5. Fuel/propulsion system61
  6. Steering34
  7. Electrical system31
  8. Air bags26
  9. Fuel system, other22

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Frontier model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998131
199987
2000205
2001143
2002139
200377
200466
2005532
2006617
2007520
2008136
200937
201059
201164
201280
201348
201442
201533
201644
201738
201825
201928
202023
202120
2022112
202368
202422
202510
202611
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
13
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

220 reports1 crash1 fire
“2 months after purchasing the vehicle (with 98,410 miles) it started to shutter around 40 and 60 mph. At a little over 100,000 miles it began to slip in 5th gear (overdrive). It has been getting worse in the last 1,000s. Both Nissan or the local dealer are willing to offer any financial assistance.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 11, 2022Power trainODI 11451557

Fuel system, gasoline

174 reports
“The contact owns a 2006 Nisan Frontier. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to accurately display the amount of fuel in the fuel tank. The contact stated that the failure was more evident once the fuel tank was at the quarter mark. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer confirmed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V075000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 30, 2022Fuel system, gasolineODI 11471696

Engine

82 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed that the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. Additionally, the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The dealer later called the contact and informed the contact that the bank #1 and #2 cam sensors and the coil packs needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer later called back and stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal sound and upon performing a diagnostic test, the dealer advised that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 12, 2024Engine and engine cooling, EngineODI 11571478
All 2006 Frontier problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Frontier 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192321$2,950423
Frontier 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172219$3,300468
Frontier V6 2WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
Frontier V6 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151917$3,650523
Frontier V6 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
Frontier V6 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
  • Frontier 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 23 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier V6 2WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier V6 4WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier V6 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier V6 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2006 Nissan Frontier as of Nov 9, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 1771Vehicle 1946
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2006 Frontier questions

How many recalls does the 2006 Nissan Frontier have?

7 safety recalls as of Nov 9, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2006 Nissan Frontier problems?

Owners filed 617 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (220), fuel system, gasoline (174), engine (82). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2006 Nissan Frontier get?

The EPA rates the 2006 Nissan Frontier at 16–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026