2006 Nissan Frontier problems, complaints & recalls

2006 Nissan Frontier recalls (2)

• Recall 10V517000Oct 28, 2010747,480 vehicles
  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) 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.

  Risk: 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.

• Recall 10V075000Mar 3, 201080,689 vehicles
  FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK

  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.

  Risk: 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.

NHTSA defect investigations

• DP26003Opened Mar 30, 2026Closed Oct 9, 2026

  Fuel smell and loss of motive power

  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…

• DP12004Opened Jun 11, 2012Closed Oct 22, 2016

  Transmission Failures

  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…

Recent 2006 Nissan Frontier complaints

Excerpts of the newest owner complaints, lightly cleaned of personal details. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

1. Filed Sep 16, 2026NMAirbagsElectrical System

   I have two recalls, I´m living in [XXX] and I drive this vehicle here. I don´t know where they can solve this problems. NHTSA Recall Number23E-012 NHTSA Recall Number10V-517 I have set a letter in the Upload Files section INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

   NHTSA complaint #11764830 · source
2. Filed Apr 1, 2026GAFuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion

   Whenever I fill ip the tank I get a fuel smell inside the vehicle. I do not overfill the tank and always stop filling when the fuel pump stops the first time. I have not been able to identify a leak and have not seen fuel leaking under the vehicle. The smell is strong for about the first 1/4 tank of use.

   NHTSA complaint #11728559 · source
3. Filed Feb 24, 2026FLElectrical System

   The truck has been stalling while driving or won't start. The ECM relay was recalled and was taken care of Thursday, February 19. However, the truck still stalls while driving and won't start at times. I've asked Nissan to look at the IPDM to see if there was any consequential damage, but they won't without paying a fee for a diagnostic test. This is a major safety issue that needs to be fixed. The recall was from 2010, but we have only owned the vehicle since 2024 and had…

   NHTSA complaint #11720086 · source
4. Filed Feb 12, 2024110,000 miGAEngine

   The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed that the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. Additionally, the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The dealer later called the contact and informed the contact that the bank #1 and #2 cam sensors and the coil packs needed to be replaced. The…

   NHTSA complaint #11571478 · source
5. Filed Jan 28, 2024NMElectrical SystemEngine

   Truck will turn on once in awhile and I was told it is the ipdm module and that there's a recall on the part. What can I do to get the part sent to me since there is a recall and the mechanic told me that with a recall I can get the part sent to me at no cost to me

   NHTSA complaint #11568324 · source
6. Filed Jan 28, 2024NMElectrical System

   The truck will start once in awhile has been taken to the shop and they said they ipdm module is the problem and that there's a recall on that part.

   NHTSA complaint #11568323 · source
7. Filed Oct 26, 2023KYAirbags

   The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact…

   NHTSA complaint #11552103 · source
8. Filed Sep 29, 2023NCAirbags

   The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was unavailable. The local dealer was contacted, and it was confirmed that the part was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool…

   NHTSA complaint #11547382 · source

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Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data, as of Oct 10, 2026. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. View this vehicle on NHTSA.gov Methodology