2006 Nissan Frontier

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2006 Nissan Frontier
BUILT 2026-08-02

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Frontier Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2006 highlighted. 1998: 129 complaints 1998 1999: 78 complaints 2000: 189 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 124 complaints 2002 2003: 77 complaints 2004: 66 complaints 2005: 532 complaints 2006: 616 complaints 2006 2007: 520 complaints 2008: 136 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2010: 59 complaints 2010 2011: 64 complaints 2012: 78 complaints 2013: 48 complaints 2014: 42 complaints 2014 2015: 33 complaints 2016: 42 complaints 2017: 38 complaints 2018: 25 complaints 2018 2019: 28 complaints 2020: 22 complaints 2021: 17 complaints 2022: 110 complaints 2022 2023: 62 complaints 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 7 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2006: 616 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1998129
199978
2000189
2001134
2002124
200377
200466
2005532
2006616
2007520
2008136
200937
201059
201164
201278
201348
201442
201533
201642
201738
201825
201928
202022
202117
2022110
202362
202417
20257
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

POWER TRAIN 32%

32% of complaints: power train — 200 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

I PURCHASED MY TRUCK WITH ABOUT 1900 MILES ON IT. I WAS A VERY PROUD OWNER, DOING EVERYTHING IN MY POWER TO KEEP MY TRUCK DEPENDABLE AND RELIABLE BY GETTING ALL SCHEDULED MAINTENANCE PLUS PREVENTATIVE CARE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20130104

2006 NISSAN FRONTIER - A DEFECT THAT PERMITS CROSS-CONTAMINATION OF ENGINE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID, ULTIMATELY CAUSING THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION TO NEED SUBSTANTIAL REPAIRS OR FAIL ENTIRELY. THE TRUCK WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171107

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 22%

22% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 136 distinct reports on file.

ENGINE 13%

13% of complaints: engine — 82 distinct reports on file.

CRASH INJURY
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 10%

10% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 61 distinct reports on file.

Show complaint excerpts

THE FUEL SENSOR IS NOT RELAYING ACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. WHEN VEHICLE IS NEAR EMPTY TANK THE TANK FUEL GAUGE WILL OFTEN STILL READ 1/4 TANK LEVEL. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON WHICH CODES ALERTED ON DIAGNOSTICS RELAY BACK TO THE SENSOR ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171129

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 9%

9% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 56 distinct reports on file.

CRASH FIRE DEATH

SAFETY TIMELINE

2006 — complaint volume: 616
R 20060424 — fuel system, gasoline

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 UNSCREW

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.

Campaign 06V092000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070817 — equipment

CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE. THE INTERNAL PART NUMBERS WITHIN HOPKINS ARE: 1010476

Remedy: HOPKINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL HARNESS WITH A REVISED HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT HOPKINS AT 800-835-0129.

Campaign 07E046000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090126 — air bags

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, MA

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. THE

Campaign 08V690000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100322 — fuel system, gasoline

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 EMBO

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 BE

Campaign 10V075000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20100712 — suspension

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN

Remedy: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Campaign 10E019000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20101206 — engine and engine cooling

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) ASSEM

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.

Campaign 10V517000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20120611 — DP (closed 20161022)

Transmission Failures

I 20260330 — DP (open)

Fuel smell and loss of motive power

R Date not on file — exterior lighting

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.

Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2006 Nissan Frontier — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (200 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (136 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine issues (82 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06V092000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E046000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 08V690000 (air bags) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V075000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10E019000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V517000 (engine and engine cooling) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2015 ▲ 2009 ▲ 2017

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2007 ■ 2000

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2006 Nissan Frontier reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2006 Nissan Frontier is rated "significantly worse".

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Nissan Frontier?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 32% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2006 Nissan Frontier have?

7 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.