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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Steering complaints

34 reports
Clear category filter
52,626 miles · Jul 26, 2012
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 5 MPH WHEN A POPPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER BUT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST DID NOT COMPLETELY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING COLUM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS TRAVELING 5 MPH WHEN A POPPING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE STEERING COLUMN. THE CONTACT CONFIRMED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO STEER BUT THE POWER STEERING ASSIST DID NOT COMPLETELY FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS CONFIRMED THAT THE STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 52,626 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 52,700. UPDATED 8/23/12 *CN UPDATED 09/06/2012 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10467800

91,000 miles · Jul 2, 2012
Steering

STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE (1" PLAY IN ALL DIRECTIONS) RESULTING IN DIFFICULTY AT TIMES CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE (APPEARS THE INTERNAL BEARINGS OR SIMILAR MECHANISM HAS FAILED). I FEAR THIS MAY LEAD TO A CRASH DUE TO INABILITY TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10463985

34,000 miles · Jun 19, 2012
SteeringUnknown Or Other

2006 NISSAN FRONTIER - STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE, AND PHYSICALLY MOVES, WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. THE STEERING HAS ALSO BECOME VERY TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. A DEADLY COMBINATION!!!!!!!!!! CAME TO A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, AFTER TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE FOR APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES. WHILE STOPPED I NOTICED ALO…

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2006 NISSAN FRONTIER - STEERING WHEEL HAS BECOME VERY LOOSE, AND PHYSICALLY MOVES, WHILE OPERATING VEHICLE. THE STEERING HAS ALSO BECOME VERY TIGHT AND DIFFICULT TO STEER VEHICLE. A DEADLY COMBINATION!!!!!!!!!! CAME TO A TRAFFIC SIGNAL, AFTER TRAVELING ON THE INTERSTATE FOR APPROXIMATELY 300 MILES. WHILE STOPPED I NOTICED ALOT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING WHEEL AND STEERING BECAME VERY TIGHT AT SLOW SPEEDS. THE MOVEMENT IN THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY PRONOUNCED MOVING RIGHT AND LEFT UP TO TWO INCHES IN EITHER DIRECTION. I SHOWED MY WIFE AND KIDS, WHO WERE IN THE VEHICLE, AND I BECAME VERY CONCERNED FOR OUR SAFETY, AS WE STILL HAD NEARLY 100 MORE MILES TO DRIVE TO REACH OUR DESTINATION. NO DEALERSHIP WAS IN OUR VICINITY, SO I DROVE VEHICLE BACK HOME TWO DAYS LATER. ON THE RETURN TRIP I WAS VERY AWARE AND NERVOUS FOR THE SAFETY OF MYSELF AND FAMILY, I HAVE NEVER HAD A STEERING WHEEL MOVE LIKE THAT (AND IT SHOULDN'T). WAS CONCERNED AND VERY NERVOUS THE STEERING COULD EITHER FAIL OR THE AIRBAG COULD INADVERTENTLY DEPLOY CAUSING RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH TO MY FAMILY OR OTHER MOTORIST. I CALLED MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP (CARRIAGE NISSAN, GAINESVILLE GEORGIA) ON 6-18-2012 TO DISCUSS MY OBSERVATIONS AND THEY INFORMED ME THEY HAD NOT HEARD OF ANY ISSUES OR PROBLEMS WITH STEERING. UNFORTUNATELY FOR NISSAN, AFTER I INVESTIGATED MY ISSUE ON THE INTERNET, "I AM NOW CONVINCED THAT NISSAN IS WELL AWARE OF THESE PROBLEMS WITH STEERING ISSUES, AS THEY HAVE BEEN REPORTED NUMEROUS TIMES TO NISSAN USA CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS". ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET, BY FRONTIER TRUCK OWNERS, NISSAN DEALERS ARE REPLACING STEERING COLUMNS TO FIX THIS DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION PROBLEM. IT IS OF CONCERN TO ME THAT THE NHTSA HAS NOT FORCED NISSAN TO CORRECT THIS POTENTIALLY LIFE THREATENING ISSUE, BY FORCING A RECALL, SINCE IT APPEARS NISSAN HAS NO INTENTIONS OF VOLUNTARILY FIXING THEIR PROBLEM. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10462198

28,436 miles · Mar 24, 2011
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND BEGAN TO HAVE DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WAS R…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DRIVER WAS TRAVELING AN UNKNOWN SPEED WHEN THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO EXHIBIT AN ABNORMAL NOISE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL AND BEGAN TO HAVE DIFFICULTY TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 28,436 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 29,300.

NHTSA ODI #10392746

73,500 miles · Mar 16, 2011
Fuel System, GasolineSteering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING COLUMN HAD BECOME EXTREMELY LOOSE AND HE COULD EASILY MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT A BEARING FOR THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD OR WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILU…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE STEERING COLUMN HAD BECOME EXTREMELY LOOSE AND HE COULD EASILY MOVE IT BACK AND FORTH. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT A BEARING FOR THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD OR WORN OUT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 73,500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 76,750. UPDATED 05/04/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL SENDING FAILED AND HE HAD TO PAY OUT OF HIS OWN POCKET, BEFORE FINDING OUT MONTHS LATER A RECALL WAS ISSUED. UPDATED 09/01/11

NHTSA ODI #10390364

80,537 miles · Mar 1, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingSteering

ON 08-18-10, I WAS BACKING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY WITH MY 06 NISSAN FRONTIER, UPON ENTERING THE STREET, THE STEERING COLUMN MADE A LOUD POP AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE, MOVING LEFT TO RIGHT, UP AND DOWN 3/4' OUTSIDE THE MANUFACTURED TOLERANCES. I HAD THE TRUCK EVALUATED, 08-18-10, AT MURRAYS NISSAN, MUSKOGEE, OK 74403, 918-68…

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ON 08-18-10, I WAS BACKING DOWN THE DRIVEWAY WITH MY 06 NISSAN FRONTIER, UPON ENTERING THE STREET, THE STEERING COLUMN MADE A LOUD POP AND THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME LOOSE, MOVING LEFT TO RIGHT, UP AND DOWN 3/4' OUTSIDE THE MANUFACTURED TOLERANCES. I HAD THE TRUCK EVALUATED, 08-18-10, AT MURRAYS NISSAN, MUSKOGEE, OK 74403, 918-683-6605, AND THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT REPLACED, 2ND TIME. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE STEERING REPAIR WOULD BE $980.00, AND NISSAN WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH REPAIRS AT 80,000 MILES. THEY STATED THAT THE BEARING WAS BAD AND THE ENTIRE STEERING COLUMN HAD TO BE REPLACED, ADMITTING, 'THIS WAS THE FIRST TIME THEY HAD ENCOUNTERED THIS TYPE OF FAILURE IN THIS REVISED MODEL.' AFTER REPAIRING THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT, I PICKED UP THE VEHICLE, AND RESEARCHED THE DEFECT AND DISCOVERED OVERWHELMING EVIDENCE THAT THERE IS A MAJOR STEERING DEFECT WITH THIS MODEL, AND YEAR, FURTHER VALIDATED BY SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FILED WITH THIS AGENCY, INCLUDING HIGH-SPEED TOTAL STEERING LOCKUP, RESULTING IN COLLISIONS. ON 02-15-11, 87,000 I RETURNED TO HAVE THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT REPLACED, 3RD TIME/CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED OFF, 3RD TIME/REVIEWED FOR A STEERING RECALL STATUS UPDATE DUE TO INCREASED STEERING ISSUES. NISSAN WOULD NOT ASSIST WITH THE STEERING REPAIR, AT A COST OF $988.00, AND INDICATED THAT THE EMISSION CONTROL CANISTER FAILED, $700.00. ON 02-18-11, AFTER 3 DAYS VOID OF ANY REPAIRS, I PICKED UP THE TRUCK BEING REASSURED THAT IT WAS SAFE TO DRIVE. I FILED A REQUEST WITH NISSAN NA CUSTOMER SATISFACTION ON 02-22-11. NISSAN NA CALLED ON 02-25-2011, REFUSING ASSISTANCE ON THE STEERING AND EMISSION CONTROL CANISTER FAILURE. WE OWN 4 NISSAN FRONTIERS AND 1 ARMADA FROM 2001-2009, 06 TRUCK HAVING MULTIPLE REPAIR ISSUES SINCE PURCHASE EVIDENCED THROUGH NISSAN SERVICE RECORDS. MY SON, AGE 16, DRIVES THIS TRUCK DAILY TO WORK AND SCHOOL AND TRANSPORTS HIS 9-YEAR-OLD BROTHER. I FEEL THAT THE STEERING AND EMISSION CONTROL CANISTER FAILURE SHOULD BE CONSIDERED UNDER RECALL PROVISIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384866

42,849 miles · Feb 5, 2011
Steering

STEERING WHEEL HAD NOTICEABLE STIFFNESS, DIFFICULTY TURNING, AND CLICKING NOISE. HAD TO HAVE THE STEERING COLUMN REPLACED, DUE TO IT BEING FAULTY. NISSAN IS SAYING THIS VEHICLE IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL FOR THE CORROSION OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND WILL NOT REIMBURSE ME FOR THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10380843

51,000 miles · Jan 7, 2011
Steering

STEERING WHEEL VIBRATES, CHANGE TIRES ALL FOUR, RE-BALANCE FRONT TIRES, CHANGE BRAKES ALL FOUR, TRUCK HAS 52,000.00 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10375048

72,500 miles · Oct 19, 2010
Steering

I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH WITH MY 8 YEAR OLD SON IN THE TRUCK WHEN I CAME IN TO A CURVE AND THE STEERING WOULD NOT TURN. I HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE GET OUT OF THE TRUCK IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND GET THE STEERING BROKE LOOSE SO I COULD MOVE THE TRUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NOW THE STEERING COLUMN H…

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I WAS DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AT 70 MPH WITH MY 8 YEAR OLD SON IN THE TRUCK WHEN I CAME IN TO A CURVE AND THE STEERING WOULD NOT TURN. I HAD TO STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE INTERSTATE GET OUT OF THE TRUCK IN HEAVY TRAFFIC AND GET THE STEERING BROKE LOOSE SO I COULD MOVE THE TRUCK TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NOW THE STEERING COLUMN HAS A LOT OF MOVEMENT IN EVERY DIRECTION. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE NISSAN DEALER SHOP AND WAS TOLD THE BEARING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD AND THAT THE REPAIR WOULD BE ABOUT $980.00. THE SERVICE TECH SAID HE HAD SEEN THIS A SEVERAL TIMES. NISSAN SAID THEY WOULD NOT PAY FOR IT BECAUSE THE TRUCK WAS OUT OF WARRENTY. THE TRUCK HAS 74,000 MILES ON IT NOW. IT HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED. I THINK NISSAN SHOULD TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SAFETY ISSUES LIKE THIS ON AUTOMOBILES WITH THIS LOW OF MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361177

28,257 miles · Aug 17, 2010
Steering

WE BOUGHT A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER 2WD PICKUP. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS A LITTLE LOOSE BUT THE DEALER ASSURED US IT WAS OK. THE VEHICLE HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT AND WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BEARING HAS FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACED AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND RECURRENT PROBLEM ON CERTAIN NISSAN VEHICLES. THIS IS …

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WE BOUGHT A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER 2WD PICKUP. THE STEERING COLUMN WAS A LITTLE LOOSE BUT THE DEALER ASSURED US IT WAS OK. THE VEHICLE HAS 28,000 MILES ON IT AND WE ARE BEING TOLD THAT THE STEERING COLUMN BEARING HAS FAILED AND MUST BE REPLACED AND THAT THIS IS A COMMON AND RECURRENT PROBLEM ON CERTAIN NISSAN VEHICLES. THIS IS AN IMMEDIATE SAFETY ISSUE AS THE FAILURE OF THE BEARING LEADS TO LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL. WHEN WE CONTACTED THE DEALER WE WERE TOLD THAT NO RECALL HAS BEEN ISSUED, ALTHOUGH MANY COMPLAINTS WERE RECEIVED. FURTHER RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THE BEARING BEING SOLD FOR REPLACEMENT IS THE SAME AS THE ORIGINAL PART AND MAY FAIL AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350159

Official recalls

4

10V517000 · 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

2

DP26003 · 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.