IllustrationREAR DIFFERENTIAL PINION SEAL AND REAR AXLE SEAL LEAKS CAUSING GEAR OIL TO LEAK ON BRAKES CAUSING LOSS OF REAR BRAKES. FIRST AND LAST NISSAN! *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Frontier years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
320–25K
11025–50K
10750–75K
12075–100K
150100–150K
40150K+
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
Service Brakes, Hydraulic complaints
16 reportsAIR BAG FRONT SENSOR FAILURE AT 38000 MILES, FAILURE OF FUEL SYSTEM EVAPORATION VALVE AT 38500 MILES. FAILURE OF REAR DIFFERENTIAL SEAL AT 42,000 MILES, FAILURE OF REAR AXLE BEARING SEALS, GEAR OIL TO LEAKING ON PARKING BRAKE SHOES CAUSING SLIPPAGE AT 48,500. TRUCK HAS 49,000 AS OF 3/24/2012. *TR
REAR AXLE SEAL FAILURE CAUSED LUBRICANT TO COAT EMERGENCY BRAKE, RESULTING IN SLIPPAGE. *TR
DRIVERS SIDE REAR AXLE SEAL FAILED ALLOWING DIFFERENTIAL OIL TO LEAK ONTO BRAKE PADS AND ROTOR. THIS IS A VERY UNSAFE THING THAT COULD LEAD TO REDUCED BRAKING IN AN EMERGENCY AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED. *TR
BRAKE HARD TO AVOID COLLISION WITH DEER CROSSING HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE DID NOT STOP QUICKLY AS EXPECTED. DUE FOR DISC BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT IN THE FUTURE AND THIS INCIDENT PROMPTED A CHECK OF BRAKE COMPONENTS. DISCOVERED LEFT AND RIGHT REAR AXLE SEALS, PINION SEAL AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL COVER LEAKING DIFFERENTIAL FLUID. REAR BRAKE…
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BRAKE HARD TO AVOID COLLISION WITH DEER CROSSING HIGHWAY AND VEHICLE DID NOT STOP QUICKLY AS EXPECTED. DUE FOR DISC BRAKE PAD REPLACEMENT IN THE FUTURE AND THIS INCIDENT PROMPTED A CHECK OF BRAKE COMPONENTS. DISCOVERED LEFT AND RIGHT REAR AXLE SEALS, PINION SEAL AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL COVER LEAKING DIFFERENTIAL FLUID. REAR BRAKE CALIPERS, BRAKE PADS, PARKING BRAKE ASSEMBLIES AND ROTORS WERE COVERED WITH DIFFERENTIAL FLUID. ENTIRE REAR DIFFERENTIAL ASSEMBLY OVERPRESSURIZED DUE TO FAULTY, POORLY DESIGNED OEM CHECK RELIEF VALVE, RESULTING IN FAILURE OF ALL SEALS. SAME CONCERN AS IN SERVICE BULLETIN NTB-10-008. SAME PROBLEM WITH NISSAN FRONTIER, XTERRA, TITAN AND ARMADA MODELS. NISSAN ADMITS THAT FLUID FROM THE REAR AXLE LEAKING ONTO THE BRAKE PADS IS A CONCERN, BUT WILL NOT ADDRESS WHY THE AXLE SEALS ARE FAILING AT AN ALARMING AND PREMATURE RATE. A RECALL IS NEEDED FOR NISSAN TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DESIGN FLAW. ALL FLUIDS PERSONALLY CHANGED OUT AT 66,680 MILES ON 8/25/2011 AND THERE WAS NO EVIDENCE OF LEAKAGE ANYWHERE AT THAT TIME. *TR
TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND THEN BACK TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS DOING 15-20 MPH AND SAW THEY HAD STOPPED AND I WAS IN DANGER OF A COLLISION IF FAST ACTION WASN'T TAKEN. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL IN A PANIC MANNER THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DUE THE ACCELERATOR …
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TRAVELING DOWN THE ROAD IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC I LOOKED IN MY REARVIEW MIRROR AND THEN BACK TO THE VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. I WAS DOING 15-20 MPH AND SAW THEY HAD STOPPED AND I WAS IN DANGER OF A COLLISION IF FAST ACTION WASN'T TAKEN. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL IN A PANIC MANNER THE VEHICLE DID NOT SLOW DUE THE ACCELERATOR BEING DEPRESSED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE BRAKE DUE TO THE CLOSENESS OF THE PEDAL. THIS RESULTED IN A ACCIDENT INVOLVING 3 AUTOS INCLUDING MY 2006 FRONTIER SE 4X4. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN NOTED SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE BY THE CPSC. *TR
THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER WOULD SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT PADS AND TURNED THE FRONT ROTORS. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A TIRE ROTATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED ALL FOUR ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO CONTAMINATED BR…
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THE CONSUMER STATED THE LEFT FRONT CALIPER WOULD SEIZE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE FRONT PADS AND TURNED THE FRONT ROTORS. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE FOR A TIRE ROTATION, IT WAS DISCOVERED ALL FOUR ROTORS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONSUMER BELIEVED THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO CONTAMINATED BRAKE FLUID. UPDATED 02/14/11 *BF UPDATED 07/12/11 *BF UPDATED 07/18/11
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A STEEP HILL AND APPLIED THE BRAKES THEY WENT TO THE FLOOR AND I HAD NO BRAKES, I WENT OVER AN EMBANKMENT. I CONTINUED TO PUMP BREAKS AND THEY FINALLY CAME UP ENOUGH TO STOP ME IN THE FIELD. THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. *TR
BRAKES FAILURE DUE TO REAR AXLE LEAK . MYSELF AND 10000'S OTHERS HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SEALS FAILURE DUE TO A FAULTY AIR VENT THAT CLOGS AND HOT AIR WILL BUILD UP AND THE SEALS WILL FAIL AND THE OIL GET ALL OVER THE REAR BRAKES CAUSES THE BRAKES TO FAIL. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP ID # [XXX] . I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS AT 20,000 MILES AND NOW AT 40,000 MILES I AM HAVING TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT AND REAR ROTORS. I AM 60 YEARS OLD AND HAVE NOT CHANGED MY DRIVING STYLE. THESE BRAKES SEEM TO BE WEARING OUT AT ABOUT THREE TIMES THE RATE OF THE BRAKES OF ANY PREVIOUS…
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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP ID # [XXX] . I HAD TO REPLACE THE FRONT ROTORS AT 20,000 MILES AND NOW AT 40,000 MILES I AM HAVING TO REPLACE BOTH FRONT AND REAR ROTORS. I AM 60 YEARS OLD AND HAVE NOT CHANGED MY DRIVING STYLE. THESE BRAKES SEEM TO BE WEARING OUT AT ABOUT THREE TIMES THE RATE OF THE BRAKES OF ANY PREVIOUS VEHICLE THAT I HAVE KNOWN. THIS SEEMS TO BE A DESIGN DEFECT. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
Official recalls
410V517000 · 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
2DP26003 · 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.