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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 →
617Owner complaints

Model-year median: 64

4Recall campaigns

View recall details →

2Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
77
200366
2004532
2005617
2006520
2007136
200837
2009
Compare all Frontier years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
220Fuel System, Gasoline
174Engine
82Engine And Engine Cooling
74Fuel/propulsion System
61
All reported categories
Steering
34Electrical System
31Air Bags
26Fuel System, Other
22Unknown Or Other
19Service Brakes, Hydraulic
16Vehicle Speed Control
14Suspension
9Seat Belts
8Structure
8Service Brakes
5Equipment
4Tires
4Latches/locks/linkages
3Visibility
2Wheels
2Chest Clip, Buckle, Harness
1Electronic Stability Control (esc)
1Insert, Padding
1Parking Brake
1Seats
1Service Brakes, Electric
1Trailer Hitches
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

What owners actually said

617 reports
80,000 miles · Nov 5, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM I'M HAVING WITH MY 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. I CALLED NISSAN AND MENTIONED THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS AND THEY WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED. AT THIS POINT THE ONLY WAY I CAN BE SURE THAT MY VEHICLE HAS GAS IN IT IS TO TRACK THE MILES EVERY TIME I FILL UP THE FUEL TANK. THE F…

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THIS IS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM I'M HAVING WITH MY 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. I CALLED NISSAN AND MENTIONED THE RECALL NOTICE FOR THIS AND THEY WOULD NOT GUARANTEE THAT IT WOULD BE COVERED. AT THIS POINT THE ONLY WAY I CAN BE SURE THAT MY VEHICLE HAS GAS IN IT IS TO TRACK THE MILES EVERY TIME I FILL UP THE FUEL TANK. THE FUEL GAUGE IS USELESS AND IF I FILL IT UP IT IMMEDIATELY SAYS IT IS EMPTY, THE YELLOW LIGHT COMES ON AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. EVEN THE NISSAN RECALL NOTICE SAYS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE BUT WHEN I CALLED THEM THEY SAID I "MIGHT" NOT BE COVERED..... 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AT APPROX 80,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. INITIALLY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE FUEL REACHED APPROX 1/4 TANK FULL. NOW, SES LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED AND ACTUAL GAS GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ADDRESSED MANY MANY TIMES ON VEHICLE FORUMS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE NO IDEA OF HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY VEHICLE AND THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR AN ACCIDENT ON A MAJOR ROAD DUE TO A REAL GAS OUTAGE. THERE HAS BEEN A SAFETY BULLETIN ABOUT THIS BUT NO RECALL YET TO MY UNDERSTANDING AND HAS OCCURRED THROUGHOUT MANY DIFFERENT NISSAN TRUCK MODELS FROM THE XTERRA, PATHFINDER, AND FRONTIER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10364204

60,000 miles · Nov 2, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY FRONTIER IS EXPERIENCING A FUEL GAUGE AND/OR A FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE. THE GAUGE WILL READ EMPTY WHEN THERE IS FUEL AND IN TURN WILL INDICATE THERE IS FUEL WHEN IT IS RUNNING OUT. I HAVE RUN OUT OF FUEL ON AT LEAST 3 OCCASIONS ONE OF WHICH WAS QUITE DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY OFFERED TO PAY …

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MY FRONTIER IS EXPERIENCING A FUEL GAUGE AND/OR A FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE. THE GAUGE WILL READ EMPTY WHEN THERE IS FUEL AND IN TURN WILL INDICATE THERE IS FUEL WHEN IT IS RUNNING OUT. I HAVE RUN OUT OF FUEL ON AT LEAST 3 OCCASIONS ONE OF WHICH WAS QUITE DANGEROUS AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY OFFERED TO PAY HALF OF THE COSTS (WHICH THEY SAY WERE UNKNOWN) TO REPAIR THIS. I BELIEVE THIS FAILURE FALLS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000 AND IS A SAFETY RECALL. THUS NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD FULLY ACCOUNTABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE OF A KNOWN SAFETY PROBLEM. THE ABOVE FAILURE DATE AND MILEAGE ARE APPROXIMATE.

NHTSA ODI #10364650

39,000 miles · Nov 1, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

ON APPROXIMATELY 10/9/2010, MY FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY (APPROX. 39K MILES ON THE VEHICLE). WITH ABOUT 1/4 TANK FULL, I FILLED THE TANK BUT THE GAUGE DID NOT REGISTER "FULL". AFTER A DAY OR TWO, THE GAUGE REGISTERED CORRECTLY. IT HAS BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THIS TIME AND NOW THERE IS A "SERVICE ENGINE SO…

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ON APPROXIMATELY 10/9/2010, MY FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING CORRECTLY (APPROX. 39K MILES ON THE VEHICLE). WITH ABOUT 1/4 TANK FULL, I FILLED THE TANK BUT THE GAUGE DID NOT REGISTER "FULL". AFTER A DAY OR TWO, THE GAUGE REGISTERED CORRECTLY. IT HAS BEEN WORKING INTERMITTENTLY SINCE THIS TIME AND NOW THERE IS A "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT APPEARING. THIS PROBLEM IS WIDELY REPORTED BY NISSAN TRUCK OWNERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10363572

55,000 miles · Oct 21, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

2006 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AT APPROX 55,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. INITIALLY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE FUEL REACHED APPROX 1/4 TANK FULL. NOW, SES LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED AND ACTUAL GAS GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ADDRESSED MANY MANY TI…

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2006 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY AT APPROX 55,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. INITIALLY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY WHEN THE FUEL REACHED APPROX 1/4 TANK FULL. NOW, SES LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED AND ACTUAL GAS GAUGE INTERMITTENTLY WORKS. THIS IS WELL DOCUMENTED PROBLEM ADDRESSED MANY MANY TIMES ON VEHICLE FORUMS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAVE NO IDEA OF HOW MUCH GAS IS IN MY VEHICLE AND THE POTENTIAL EXISTS FOR AN ACCIDENT ON A MAJOR ROAD DUE TO A REAL GAS OUTAGE. THERE HAS BEEN A SAFETY BULLETIN ABOUT THIS BUT NO RECALL YET TO MY UNDERSTANDING AND HAS OCCURRED THROUGHOUT MANY DIFFERENT NISSAN TRUCK MODELS FROM THE XTERRA, PATHFINDER, AND FRONTIER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10361591

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

42,700 miles · Oct 18, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE WHEN HE TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILIARY TANK. UPON RECEIVING HIS VEHICLE FROM THE AUTHORIZED DEALER THE FUEL GAUGE BEG…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT EXPERIENCING A FAILURE WHEN HE TOOK IT TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER TO BE REPAIRED FOR THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILIARY TANK. UPON RECEIVING HIS VEHICLE FROM THE AUTHORIZED DEALER THE FUEL GAUGE BEGAN TO DISPLAY IMPROPER READINGS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE IT WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 42,700 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000. UPDATED EVOQ 12/03/10*JB

NHTSA ODI #10361025

65,000 miles · Oct 15, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REFUELED THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE 70 MPH WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL WAS EMPTY AND THE LOW FUEL LEVEL WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE REFUELED THE VEHICLE AND PROCEEDED TO DRIVE 70 MPH WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL WAS EMPTY AND THE LOW FUEL LEVEL WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED. IN ADDITION, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD ONLY DISPLAY ACCURATE FUEL LEVELS WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS APPROXIMATELY THREE-QUARTERS FULL AND WOULD FAIL WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS DOWN TO THREE EIGHTS OF A TANK. THE FAILURE BEGAN TWO MONTHS PRIOR AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 71,000. UPDATED 01/20/11 *BF

NHTSA ODI #10360702

72,000 miles · Oct 8, 2010
Power Train

BOTH REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKED AT 70K MILES. PINION SEAL ALSO LEAKS. OIL LEAKED ALL OVER BRAKES SYSTEM. WAS TOLD THAT IF NOT CAUGHT IN TIME THE ENTIRE REAR AXLE WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. FIRST AND LAST NISSAN I WILL BUY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359855

65,000 miles · Oct 7, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY AND THE FUEL AND SERVICE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO SET THE TRIP ODOMETER TO MONITOR FUEL USAGE TO AVOID RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS THE EMISSIONS TEST BECAUSE OF…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE FUEL GAUGE DROPPED TO EMPTY AND THE FUEL AND SERVICE LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT HAD TO SET THE TRIP ODOMETER TO MONITOR FUEL USAGE TO AVOID RUNNING OUT OF FUEL. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT PASS THE EMISSIONS TEST BECAUSE OF THE DEFECTIVE FUEL GAUGE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10359536

80,000 miles · Oct 6, 2010
Power Train

2006 NISSAN FRONTIER REAR BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO LEAK IN THE REAR AXLE SHAFT. THE SEALS IN THE REAR AXLE FAILED ALLOWING OIL TO COMPLETELY COAT THE REAR BRAKES ON BOTH SIDES RENDERING THEM ESSENTIALLY USELESS. REPAIR REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF REAR AXLE SHAFT SINCE NISSAN WILL NOT REPLACE JUST THE SEALS. HAD REPAIR COMPLE…

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2006 NISSAN FRONTIER REAR BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO LEAK IN THE REAR AXLE SHAFT. THE SEALS IN THE REAR AXLE FAILED ALLOWING OIL TO COMPLETELY COAT THE REAR BRAKES ON BOTH SIDES RENDERING THEM ESSENTIALLY USELESS. REPAIR REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF REAR AXLE SHAFT SINCE NISSAN WILL NOT REPLACE JUST THE SEALS. HAD REPAIR COMPLETED BY THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM. NISSAN PAID A PORTION, BUT IT DIDN'T EVEN COVER HALF OF THE PARTS, LET ALONE THE LABOR. I FOOTED THE MAJORITY OF THE BILL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10359486

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.