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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
45,000 miles · Jan 16, 2009
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrashInjury

HIT BY A SHERIFF CAR AND WAS FLIPPED 3 TIMES IN A NISSAN FRONTIER NISMO....SUPPOSEDLY WITH FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS ALONG WITH ROLL OVER AIR BAGS. NOT ONE DEPLOYED. HAD TO GET CUT OUT OF CAR AND FLOWN INTO TRAUMA ROOM. IN AND OUT OF CONSCIENCE AND NOT FEELING LEGS. NOW SEVERE BACK AND NECK PAIN. SORE ABDOMENS AND LOWER DISC DISEA…

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HIT BY A SHERIFF CAR AND WAS FLIPPED 3 TIMES IN A NISSAN FRONTIER NISMO....SUPPOSEDLY WITH FRONT AND SIDE AIR BAGS ALONG WITH ROLL OVER AIR BAGS. NOT ONE DEPLOYED. HAD TO GET CUT OUT OF CAR AND FLOWN INTO TRAUMA ROOM. IN AND OUT OF CONSCIENCE AND NOT FEELING LEGS. NOW SEVERE BACK AND NECK PAIN. SORE ABDOMENS AND LOWER DISC DISEASE. NOTHING DONE TO CORRECT PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10255384

60,000 miles · Jan 3, 2009
Power Train

THE RIGHT SIDE REAR AXLE SEAL FAILED IN JUNE 2008 CAUSING DIFFERENTIAL FLUID TO COAT THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY LEADING TO MY EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. IT COST ME ABOUT $600 IN 2008. IN JANUARY 2009, THE LEFT SIDE REAR AXLE SEAL FAILED IN CAUSING DIFFERENTIAL FLUID TO COAT THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY LEAD…

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THE RIGHT SIDE REAR AXLE SEAL FAILED IN JUNE 2008 CAUSING DIFFERENTIAL FLUID TO COAT THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY LEADING TO MY EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. IT COST ME ABOUT $600 IN 2008. IN JANUARY 2009, THE LEFT SIDE REAR AXLE SEAL FAILED IN CAUSING DIFFERENTIAL FLUID TO COAT THE ENTIRE REAR BRAKE ASSEMBLY LEADING TO MY EMERGENCY BRAKE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY. IT COST ME ABOUT $600 IN 2009. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253652

51,000 miles · Dec 30, 2008
Fuel System, Other

ERROR CODE P0463 THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL NISSIAN REQUIRES A FUEL PUMP ASSY TO REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253168

46,000 miles · Dec 29, 2008
Fuel System, Other

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…

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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 MY MECHANIC TO TURN OFF THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND HE TOLD ME TO COME BACK THE NEXT DAY IF THE PROBLEM STILL EXIST SO I WENT HOME AND THE NEXT DAY WHEN I STARTED MY TRUCK THE CHECK ENGINE WAS GONE AND MY FUEL GAUGE WENT UP ALL THE WAY LIGHTNING FAST SO I WAS VERY HAPPY BUT NOT FOR LONG AFTER 5 DAYS THE PROBLEM OCCURRED AGAIN I WAS LOW OF GAS ABOUT 1/4 TANK AND THE LIGHTS WERE ON AGAIN SO ANOTHER DISAPPOINTMENT SO I RESEARCH THIS PROBLEM AND I FOUND THAT IM NOT ALONE WITH THIS PROBLEM THERE'S ALOT OF PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT OWN NISSAN VEHICLES THAT ARE NEWER THAT HAS A FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM AND THIS IS A MAJOR DEFECT AND NISSAN SHOULD CONSIDER THIS A RECALL THIS COULD LEAD TO A BIG PROBLEM WHEN YOUR FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY ESPECIALLY WHEN DRIVING AND ALL OF A SUDDEN YOUR OUT OF GAS AND IT CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR EVEN DEATH ESPECIALLY WHEN YOUR DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY I HOPE MY COMPLAINT WILL TAKE EFFECT AND TO NOTIFY NISSAN ABOUT THIS PROBLEM WE ARE TALKING SAFETY FOR THE CONSUMERS JUST LIKE ME THANK YOU..... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253006

38,000 miles · Dec 27, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL SENDING UNIT ON THE TRUCK FAILED AT ABOUT 38K MILES. THE GAGE IS SLOW TO RESPOND TO A FILL-UP 30-60 MINUTES TO REGISTER FULL. IT FUNCTIONS NORMALLY UNTIL AROUND HALF A TANK, THEN THE NEEDLE DROPS TO E AND THE EMPTY TANK LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER REFUELING THE TRUCK SEVERAL TIMES IT WAS STILL HALF FULL OF FUEL. THE CHECK ENG…

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THE FUEL SENDING UNIT ON THE TRUCK FAILED AT ABOUT 38K MILES. THE GAGE IS SLOW TO RESPOND TO A FILL-UP 30-60 MINUTES TO REGISTER FULL. IT FUNCTIONS NORMALLY UNTIL AROUND HALF A TANK, THEN THE NEEDLE DROPS TO E AND THE EMPTY TANK LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER REFUELING THE TRUCK SEVERAL TIMES IT WAS STILL HALF FULL OF FUEL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON SINCE THE START OF THE PROBLEM. ONLINE BOARDS HAVE INDICATED THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM ON THIS TRUCK. A CODE SCANNER AT A PARTS STORE ALSO SAID THAT IT WAS A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT. I WILL PROBABLY REPLACE THE PART MYSELF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252928

54,500 miles · Dec 26, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

WENT OUT ONE MORNING TO GO TO WORK AND THE FUEL GAUGE READ E. RE-STARTED THE TRUCK AND THE GAUGE WENT TO 3/4 TANK. DROVE TO WORK AND BACK,WENT SHOPPING, THAN RE-FUELED AND THE GAUGE WAS ON E AGAIN . THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AT THIS TIME. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON IT AND THAT MY WARRANTY…

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WENT OUT ONE MORNING TO GO TO WORK AND THE FUEL GAUGE READ E. RE-STARTED THE TRUCK AND THE GAUGE WENT TO 3/4 TANK. DROVE TO WORK AND BACK,WENT SHOPPING, THAN RE-FUELED AND THE GAUGE WAS ON E AGAIN . THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALSO CAME ON AT THIS TIME. CALLED DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALLS ON IT AND THAT MY WARRANTY WAS EXPIRED, TOOK THE TRUCK TO A MECHANIC WHO CLEANED A PART NEAR THE TANK AND CLEARED OUT THE CODES. IT WORKED FOR ABOUT A WEEK. DROVE THE TRUCK THAT WEEK AND RE-FUELED. GAS GAUGE STAYED ON E WITH THE SERVICE ENGINE BACK ON. CALLED DEALER AND THE COST IS AROUND $700. WAITING FOR THE PRICE FROM MY MECHANIC. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252848

33,000 miles · Dec 10, 2008
Air BagsInjury

WAS DRIVING DOWN A WASHBOARD PART OF A DIRT ROAD IN ROUTE TO 4WHEEL LIKE I NORMALLY DO AND THE 2006 FRONTIER NISMO CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON OTHER THEN THE SYSTEM BELIEVED IT WAS ROLLING OVER. THIS WAS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AWAY FROM CELL COVERAGE SO NO POLICE REPORT COULD BE MADE. I HAVE NOTICED MANY THREADS…

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WAS DRIVING DOWN A WASHBOARD PART OF A DIRT ROAD IN ROUTE TO 4WHEEL LIKE I NORMALLY DO AND THE 2006 FRONTIER NISMO CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED FOR NO REASON OTHER THEN THE SYSTEM BELIEVED IT WAS ROLLING OVER. THIS WAS OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE AWAY FROM CELL COVERAGE SO NO POLICE REPORT COULD BE MADE. I HAVE NOTICED MANY THREADS OF XTERRAS AND FRONTIERS ONLINE THAT HAVE BEEN GETTING THIS PROBLEM INCLUDING A YOUTUBE VIDEO OF AN XTERRAS DEPLOYING. NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE YET THE VEHICLE IS SITTING IN FRONT OF MY HOUSE AS I DECIDE WEATHER THERE IS A BUILDABLE CASE AGAINST NISSAN OR TO GIVE UP AND TRY FOR REPAIRS SOMEWHERE, THE INSURANCE ESTIMATE IS ~4,000$ USD. BOTH SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS, SEAT DAMAGE, SEATBELTS BROKEN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251263

40,000 miles · Dec 7, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

2006 NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP - GAS GAUGE IS SLUGGISH TO MOVE UPWARD AFTER A FILLUP. TAKES SEVERAL DAYS TO REGISTER ACCURATE TANK LEVEL. ALSO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON. OCCASIONALLY DROPS TO EMPTY AND EMPTY TANK INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN GRADUALLY MOVES TO CORRECT LEVEL. HAVE HAD IN SHOP SEVERAL TIMES…

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2006 NISSAN FRONTIER PICKUP - GAS GAUGE IS SLUGGISH TO MOVE UPWARD AFTER A FILLUP. TAKES SEVERAL DAYS TO REGISTER ACCURATE TANK LEVEL. ALSO, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY COMES ON. OCCASIONALLY DROPS TO EMPTY AND EMPTY TANK INDICATOR LIGHT COMES ON AND THEN GRADUALLY MOVES TO CORRECT LEVEL. HAVE HAD IN SHOP SEVERAL TIMES WITHOUT SUCCESS. VEHICLE HAS LESS THAN 50K MILES ON IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250990

Mileage unknown · Dec 1, 2008
SteeringCrashInjury

ON NOVEMBER 12, 2008, OWNER WAS DRIVING A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THERE WAS A LIGHT RAIN. SUDDENLY, THE STEERING LOOSENED AND THE OWNER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ROTATED COUNTER CLOCKWISE AND COLLIDED INTO A BRICK COLUMN. BACK IN JANUARY OF 2007, THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN RE…

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ON NOVEMBER 12, 2008, OWNER WAS DRIVING A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH. THERE WAS A LIGHT RAIN. SUDDENLY, THE STEERING LOOSENED AND THE OWNER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, THE VEHICLE ROTATED COUNTER CLOCKWISE AND COLLIDED INTO A BRICK COLUMN. BACK IN JANUARY OF 2007, THE STEERING COLUMN OF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRED BY THE DEALERSHIP. IT HAD BEEN LOOSE AND WOBBLING ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS. OTHER TIMES IT WOULD BE AS STIFF AND SOLID AS IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. ON 2 OCCASIONS, THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ADVISE THAT THERE WAS NOTHING FOR THEM TO FIX AS THEY COULD NOT FIND ANY PROBLEMS UPON TEST DRIVES. THE 3RD TIME AT THE DEALERSHIP THEY 'REPLACED' CERTAIN COMPONENTS AND/OR PARTS OF THE STEERING COLUMN AND SAID THEY WERE 'WORN", ALTHOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OLD. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW FROM AN OCALA FLORIDA NISSAN DEALERSHIP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250367

45,000 miles · Nov 30, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

AFTER REFUELING, FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. CODE CAN BE RESET, BUT ISSUE RECURS UPON NEXT FILL-UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250174

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.