NISSAN FRONTIER · model year

2006 NISSAN FRONTIER

831 NHTSA complaints, 23 crash reports, and 7 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2006NISSANFRONTIER carries 831 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 23 crashes, 3 fires, 23 injuries, and 1 fatality. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2006 FRONTIER is power train with 200 filings, followed by fuel system, gasoline (135) and engine (82). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 7 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2006 FRONTIER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

831
Complaints
23
Crashes
3
Fires
23
Injuries
1
Deaths

Total Complaints

831 filings

Crashes Reported

23 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

Above median complaint volume — review patterns below.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
POWER TRAIN200
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE135
ENGINE82
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM60
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING55
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK39
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM28
STEERING24
AIR BAGS20
UNKNOWN OR OTHER19
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION14
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC13
FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER13
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL13
STEERING:COLUMN10

Recalls (7)

06V09200030/03/2006

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

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.

08V69000029/12/2008

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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, PEN

10V51700028/10/2010

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 REDU

10E01900020/05/2010

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

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, ARM

06E06400017/07/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED

07E04600003/07/2007

EQUIPMENT

CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE. THE INTERNAL PART NUMBERS WITHIN HOPKINS ARE: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035,

10V07500003/03/2010

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK

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

Recent Complaints

20240212ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Mileage: 110,000

20240212ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 110,000

20240128ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The truck will start once in awhile has been taken to the shop and they said they ipdm module is the problem and that there's a recall on that part.

20240128ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Truck will turn on once in awhile and I was told it is the ipdm module and that there's a recall on the part. What can I do to get the part sent to me since there is a recall and the mechanic told me that with a recall I can get the part sent to me at no cost to me

20240128ENGINE

Truck will turn on once in awhile and I was told it is the ipdm module and that there's a recall on the part. What can I do to get the part sent to me since there is a recall and the mechanic told me that with a recall I can get the part sent to me at no cost to me

20231026AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

20230929AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

20230510EQUIPMENT

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier equipped with an aftermarket Angel View rearview mirror from Bulbhead.com, P/N: L22-1722. The contact stated that after entering the vehicle and closing the front driver’s side door, the glass mirror detached from the mirror housing and fell to the floor of the vehicle. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure.

20230424Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness

BRITAX E1C199S GROW WITH YOU, CLICKTIGHT The shoulder straps are too low and the head cradle is too high in the harness position. The harness shoulder straps are 2 inches below the red seat-belt guide for the booster. See picture. This is dangerous. See their own pictures on their website of both the boy and the girl who are in dangerous head positions.

20230424Insert, Padding

BRITAX E1C199S GROW WITH YOU, CLICKTIGHT The shoulder straps are too low and the head cradle is too high in the harness position. The harness shoulder straps are 2 inches below the red seat-belt guide for the booster. See picture. This is dangerous. See their own pictures on their website of both the boy and the girl who are in dangerous head positions.

20230325FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

A gasoline leak has developed on the fuel tank hose fill adapter that is a molded fixture of the gas tank. In which there is no replacement part or fix for the hose fill adapter gasoline leak but to replace the whole gas tank, which cost hundreds of dollars. I alerted Nissan to the problem that a catastrophic situation could occur related to this grave engineering mistake. Because there are millions of people still driving this type of vehicle and others with the same gas tank design. Nissan said that it is not their problem because the vehicle is out of warranty, and there is no recall, on what I believe to be grave danger for all who owns a Nissan vehicle with this type of gas tank design. My opinion is that a warning bulletin or re-call should be issued immediately for this dangerous problem that many motorist may already have.

20220907SEAT BELTS

Concern about the seatbelt notice. I have a constant blinking dash light about the passenger seatbelt!

20220630FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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.

Mileage: 120,000

20220611AIR BAGS

Air bag warning light comes on, stays on. Also, the "passenger air bag not on" light comes on, stays on. Took vehicle to a Nissan dealership (ABC Nissan, Phoenix, AZ) back in April, 2015, and they stated not sure what problem was. They "reset" the warning light? However, the same problem has returned. Feel unsafe driving vehicle with the airbag warning light coming on. Also, not sure if the driver side airbag is being also affected. I am unable to locate the "repair invoice" from ABC Nissan at this time to include with this report. My vehicle only has 43,000 miles at this time. It had around 33,000 miles back in April, 2015.

20220211POWER TRAIN

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.

20220210FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while refueling, the fuel top-off clicked however, moments later fuel started spilling out of the filler neck onto the ground. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.

Mileage: 133,000

20211215POWER TRAIN

I was at work, Which is 100% depended on my vehicle, as I work in the oilfield, I was out in the middle of nowhere, when I was getting back into my vehicle, I turned the key and the vehicle would not even turnover, I was forced to walk 5 miles to get to a job site that cell phone service to make a call for help, Took the truck to my mechanic, He said it was a transmission code coming up on his computer and that he was unable to fix, So I had to tow the vehicle a second time to Nissan in Grand Junction co. where they informed me that the Transmission and Radiator fluid has mixed together, Now I'm needing a new Transmission and coolant system at a price over $6000, They did let me know that this was a VERY common problem with this vehicle.

20211208STEERING

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.

Mileage: 111,000

20210709ENGINE

On June 30, July 6 and 9th 2021 I was driving down the street at 50 miles p/hr. And the truck just stopped in the middle of the road. No engine just stopped. I called the NHtSAAnd reported this according to the October 28th 2010NHtSA campaign number 10V517000 engine Control Model. It was recalled and supposedly repaired. The person I talked to Kathyrn said that it had been recalled and fixed so it was no longer a recall problem. This vechile is a safety recall and still is, It should be fixed, it was evidently not fixed before.

20210312ENGINE

ON 2/2/2019, I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AAMCO TRANSMISSIONS TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION CHECKED, BECAUSE PRIOR TO THIS DATE I WAS EXPERIENCING ALOT OF JERKING AND OTHER ISSUES, ESPECIALLY ON THE HIGHWAY. AFTER AAMCO TECHS LOOKED OVER MY TRANSMISSION, I WAS CONTACTED & INFORMED THAT I HAD A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR THAT HAD CONTAMINATED MY TRANSMISSION, DUE TO THE RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO MY TRANSMISSION. I WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT NISSAN HAD A LAWSUIT REGARDING THIS VERY PROBLEM, WHICH I WAS IN SHOCK, SINCE NO ONE HAD EVER ADVISED ME THROUGH MAIL, EMAIL, OR EVEN WORD OF MOUTH. MY FRONTIER IS A 2006, BUT I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN MAY OF 2007, & ON 2/2/2019, MY FRONTIER ONLY HAD 80,034 MILES ON IT. I'M DISABLED, & I NEED MY VEHICLE FOR DOCTOR APPTS, & FOR MY TWO CHILDREN AS WELL. THE MOST FRUSTRATING PART OF IT ALL IS, I TAKE MY FRONTIER TO THE LOCAL NISSAN TO HAVE THEM DO THE OIL CHANGES & TIRE ROTATIONS WHENEVER ITS DUE, & THEY ALWAYS CHECK ALL OF MY FLUIDS AT THE SAME TIME. IN ADDITION, THIS ISSU

Mileage: 80,000

Compare 2006NISSANFRONTIER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER have?
The 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER has 831 NHTSA complaints, 23 crashes, 3 fires, 23 injuries, and 1 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER?
Yes, the 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER has 7 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY:FILLER PIPE AND CAP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER?
The most-complained component for the 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER is POWER TRAIN with 200 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE and ENGINE.
Is the 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.