2006 Nissan FRONTIER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
616 owner complaints analyzed
4 distinct recall campaigns
80,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 556 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 200 of 616 complaints (32.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 214 | 34.7% |
| Fuel system concerns | 86 | 14.0% |
| Engine operation | 54 | 8.8% |
| Steering behavior | 41 | 6.7% |
| Braking behavior | 35 | 5.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 12 | 1.9% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 200 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 136 |
| Engine | 82 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 61 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 56 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank | 39 |
| Electrical System | 29 |
| Steering | 24 |
Power Train: 200; Fuel System, Gasoline: 136; Engine: 82; Fuel/Propulsion System: 61; Engine And Engine Cooling: 56; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank: 39; Electrical System: 29; Steering: 24
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 32 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 110 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 107 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 120 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 150 |
| 150,000 and above | 37 |
Under 25,000: 32; 25,000 to 49,999: 110; 50,000 to 74,999: 107; 75,000 to 99,999: 120; 100,000 to 149,999: 150; 150,000 and above: 37
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (150). 60 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 9 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 21 |
| 2009 | 46 |
| 2010 | 120 |
| 2011 | 53 |
| 2012 | 56 |
| 2013 | 66 |
| 2014 | 51 |
| 2015 | 42 |
| 2016 | 41 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2018 | 28 |
| 2019 | 26 |
| 2020 | 12 |
| 2021 | 7 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2006: 9; 2007: 5; 2008: 21; 2009: 46; 2010: 120; 2011: 53; 2012: 56; 2013: 66; 2014: 51; 2015: 42; 2016: 41; 2017: 17; 2018: 28; 2019: 26; 2020: 12; 2021: 7; 2022: 5; 2023: 5; 2024: 3; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 214 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 86 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 54 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10157237 · 2006-05-11 (May 11, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED SLIGHTLY BACKWARD WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT ON AN INCLINE. THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATION FOR THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT OWNED TWO OTHER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES THAT DID NOT EXHIBIT THIS PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10157237 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10289916 · 2009-10-26 (October 26, 2009)
PURCHASED A USED 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER 9/18/09 FROM FRESNO ACURA. APPROX 2 WEEKS LATER I DROP IT BACK OFF AT THE DEALERSHIP, DUE TO THE HEATER NOT WORKING & A SHUDDER IN THE TRANSMISSION. FINDINGS RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION OIL COOLER RUPTURED AND FLUID LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION & VICE VERSA, I FOUND OUT THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID WAS GOING INTO RADIATOR. DEALERSHIP WOULD NOT HONOR TRANSMISSION WARRANTY DUE TO THE RADIATOR NOT BEING UNDER WARRANTY AND TRANSMISSION CONTAMINATION WAS EFFECTED BY RADIATOR . THIS IS SO WRONG, UNJUST AND CORRUPT. POSSIBLE …
Owner-reported narrative. 88,460 miles reported. Look up ODI 10289916 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10253006 · 2008-12-29 (December 29, 2008)
I PURCHASED A USED 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB SE THIS APRIL 2008 EVERYTHING WAS RUNNING GREAT UNTIL THIS MONTH OF DECEMBER 23 MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON OUT OF THE BLUE AND MY FUEL GAUGE DOESN'T WORK PROPERLY SO I FILLED IT UP WITH GAS MAYBE IM JUST LOW ON GAS BUT WHEN I FILLED UP MY TANK MY GAUGE DIDN'T GO UP SO I BROUGHT IT TO MY MECHANIC TO FIX THE PROBLEM HE TOLD ME THAT MY FUEL SENSOR IS TRIPPING OUT AND ITS GOING TO COST ME $150 TO DROP THE GAS TANK PLUS THE PRICE OF THE SENSOR WHICH I DON'T HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH IT COST SO I TOLD …
Owner-reported narrative. 46,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253006 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10253168 · 2008-12-30 (December 30, 2008)
ERROR CODE P0463 THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL NISSIAN REQUIRES A FUEL PUMP ASSY TO REPAIR. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 51,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10253168 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10230927 · 2008-06-13 (June 13, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT CONTROL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WOULD SPORADICALLY STALL. SPEED WAS NOT A FACTOR DURING THE FAILURES. AFTER THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL, IT WOULD TAKE A LONG TIME TO AUTOMATICALLY RESTART. THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND PROVIDE A REMEDY. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A MECHANIC, WHO STATED THAT THE GASOLINE DELIVERY PUMP WAS POTENTIALLY DEFECTIVE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, BUT BECAUSE…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10230927 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10241625 · 2008-09-09 (September 9, 2008)
MY FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME ON MY 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER 4X4 CREW CAB NISMO. I LIVE IN SOUTH DAKOTA AND MY WIFE AND 3 YEAR OLD DAUGHTER DRIVE AND RIDE IN THIS VEHICLE, WITH THE WINTER MONTHS COMING AND HOW DANGEROUSLY COLD IT GETS IN SOUTH DAKOTA, THIS COULD BE A LIFE THREATENING PROBLEM. NOT TO MENTION IF THE TRUCK STALLED ON THE ROAD IT COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. MY TRUCK HAS APPROX. 46,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 46,190 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241625 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158652 · 2006-05-31 (May 31, 2006)
ATTEMPTED TO MAKE A TURN AND ALMOST DIDN'T MAKE IT. THOUGHT THE POWER STEERING WENT OUT. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER WHO CHECKED THE VEHICLE AND CONCLUDED THAT A BEARING IN THE STEERING COLUMN HAD FROZEN. ORDERED A NEW STEERING COLUMN SECTION AND TOLD ME THEY WOULD CALL ME WHEN THE PART COMES IN. I AM STILL DRIVING THE TRUCK AND IT STILL IS DIFFICULT TO STEER AND FAILS TO RETURN TO CENTER ON OCCASION. AM AFRAID THE BEARING WILL FREEZE AND CAUSE ME TO HAVE AN ACCIDENT BEFORE THEY FIX IT. SUGGEST NISSAN MAY HAVE GOTTEN SOME DEFECTIVE STEERING CO…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,910 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158652 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10158719 · 2006-05-31 (May 31, 2006)
ON APRIL 10, 2006 I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER 2WD TRUCK. I TOOK IT IN ON MAY 30, 2006 TO THE DEALERSHIP FROM WHICH I PURCHASED, KEY NISSAN IN HARDEEVILLE SOUTH CAROLINA, DUE TO A NOISE IN THE STEERING COLUMN. THEY ADVISED ME THAT THE NOISE WAS CAUSED DUE TO THE FAILURE OF THE BEARINGS IN THE STEERING COLUMN AND THE VEHICLE WAS HAZARDOUS TO DRIVE. I AM STILL WAITING FOR THE REPAIRS TO BE COMPLETED. PLEASE CHECK TO MAKE SURE THAT THIS HAZARDOUS CONDITION IS NOT COMMON IN ALL OTHER 2006 NISSAN FRONTIERS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10158719 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10161413 · 2006-07-04 (July 4, 2006)
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE HIT VARIOUS ITEMS DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE GAS AND BREAK PEDDLE ARE TO CLOSE TO EACH OTHER , THE TRUCK JUMPS UNCONTROLLABLY AS YOU PRESS THE BRAKE AND THE GAS DOWN SIMULTANEOUSLY. I FEEL THIS IS A DANGEROUS DESIGN DEFECT. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 400 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161413 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10257387 · 2009-02-04 (February 4, 2009)
2006 NISSAN FRONTIER KING CAB FUEL GAUGE SENSOR MALFUNCTION , 47 KMILES ON TRUCK REPORTED 600 DOLLAR REPAIR AT DEALER, INTERNET SEARCH , VERY COMMON NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL AND REPAIR, FAULT IS CORROSION ON FUEL TANK ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 47,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10257387 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10301719 · 2010-01-21 (January 21, 2010)
06 FRONTIER FUEL SENDING UNIT GONE HAYWIRE. GAS GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY. HAVE SEEN HUNDREDS OF THE COMPLAINTS W/SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN DOESN'T SEEM TO WORRIED ABOUT THE PROBLEM, SEEING THERE IS NO RECALL. SURE HOPE ME OR MY FAMILY IS NOT STUCK IN A VULNERABLE SITUATION BECAUSE OF IT. I'M HEARING THAT ITS A SHORT IN THE WIRING OF THE UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK THAT DOESN'T SOUND TO GOOD TO ME. VEHICLE IS OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 46,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10301719 at NHTSA ↗