Problems · NHTSA complaints

2006 Nissan Frontier problems

Owners filed 617 complaints about the 2006 Nissan Frontier with NHTSA between Mar 2006 and Sep 2026. The most-cited component is power train (220).

Complaints
617
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
13
Reported by owners
Fires
2
Reported by owners
Injuries
13
People reported injured
Deaths
1
Reported to NHTSA
01 —By component

Complaints by component

One complaint can cite several components
  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
  10. Service brakes, hydraulic16
  11. Vehicle speed control14
  12. Suspension9
  13. Seat belts8
  14. Structure8

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

Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
02 —Trend

When complaints were filed

Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
View as table
Model yearComplaints filed per calendar year
20069
20075
200821
200946
2010120
201153
201256
201366
201451
201542
201641
201717
201828
201926
202012
20217
20225
20235
20243
20250
20264

Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.

03 —Owner reports

Top problems in owners’ words

Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first

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 reports2 related recalls
“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

Engine and engine cooling

74 reports1 crash1 fire1 related recall
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RADIATOR CRACKED, WHICH CAUSED TRANSMISSION FLUID AND RADIATOR COOLANT TO MIX TOGETHER. THE FAILURE EVENTUALLY CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO BANISTER NISSAN OF NORFOLK (1250 N MILITARY HWY, NORFOLK, VA 23502) WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS AND THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,967.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 20, 2018Engine and engine cooling, Power trainODI 11152898

Fuel/propulsion system

61 reports
“Whenever I fill ip the tank I get a fuel smell inside the vehicle. I do not overfill the tank and always stop filling when the fuel pump stops the first time. I have not been able to identify a leak and have not seen fuel leaking under the vehicle. The smell is strong for about the first 1/4 tank of use.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 1, 2026Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11728559

Steering

34 reports1 crash
“The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while pulling out of his driveway, he noticed that the steering wheel was significantly loose. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they were not aware of that failure. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 8, 2021SteeringODI 11443083
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026

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