See attached document for complaint.
2006 Nissan Frontier engine problems
155 complaints (25% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 98,500. 3 crashes reported.
- owner complaints
- 155
- of this car's complaints
- 25%
- typical mileage
- 98,500
- crashes
- 3
- recalls
- 1
Which part fails
- Cooling system: radiator assembly9
- Engine4
- Exhaust system2
- Cooling system2
- Exhaust system: emission control: catalytic convertor1
At what mileage
Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.
0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+
Nissan Frontier engine problems in other years
Specific symptoms reported on the 2006 Nissan Frontier engine
Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.
Check engine light 92Stalling 48Loss of power 16Overheating 15Won't start 6Engine failure 5
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- 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 number 10V517000 · Recall details
Related investigations
Fuel smell and loss of motive power
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a petition dated February 5, 2026, requesting an investigation into model year (MY) 2006 Nissan Frontier vehicles. The petition alleged that the vehicles pose an imminent fire hazard due to a powerful and persistent odor of raw gasoline emanating from the vehicle, indicating a breach in fuel system integrity. The petition also alleged that the vehicles can experience sudden engine stalling during startup and operation, creating an unreasonable risk of collision or loss of vehicle control. The petition further asserted these symptoms are identical to conditions addressed in previous the federal safety agency recalls (Recalls 10V‑075, 07V‑435, and 10V‑517) arguing that the issues persist in the 2006 MY Nissan fleet despite these past actions and asserting that a safety defect is not subject to expiration. The subject vehicle is a model year 2006 vehicle that has been in service for approximately 20 years. Standard automotive components including fuel hoses, rubber seals, gaskets, electrical relays, and engine sensors have a finite useful lifecycle and are subject to environmental exposure, operational stress, and natural degradation over extended time frames. ODI routinely distinguishes between a manufacturing or design defect and normal lifecycle wear-out, such as in Denial of DP18002, 87 FR16823, finding underbody component issues late in vehicle life to be indicative of normal wear and tear failures. Isolated component failures on high-age vehicles do not, in themselves, establish the presence of an actionable safety defect across a vehicle fleet. ODI conducted a technical review of available information, which included consumer complaint information, related recall information, and other relevant data in possession of the agency. After review, ODI determined the cited recall campaigns do not provide compelling support for the petition’s allegations. Recall 07V‑435 pertained exclusively to model year 1997-2001 Nissan Pathfinder and Infiniti QX4 vehicles to address corrosion of the lower fuel filler tube bracket in specific salt-belt states and did not involve the MY 2006 Nissan Frontier platform. Merely experiencing a general symptom such as a fuel odor on a 20-year-old vehicle does not establish a link to a localized corrosion issue on an entirely different vehicle generation produced years prior, and the Agency is not aware of a trend of fire complaints on subject vehicles with over 20 years of exposure. Recall 10V‑075 addressed a fuel sender float arm contacting an internal tank embossment causing the fuel gauge on certain MY 2006 and 2008 Frontier vehicles to inaccurately display fuel level when empty. That campaign was directed strictly at instrument gauge accuracy and engine stalling from fuel exhaustion, not a physical fuel leak or breach of fuel system integrity. Recall 10V-17 addressed silicon oxide accumulation on Engine Control Module relay contacts within the Intelligent Power Distribution Module on select MY 2005-2006 vehicles. After approximately 20 years of operational service and environmental exposure, engine stalling can be caused by a wide range of normal, age-related maintenance conditions, and the presence of engine stalling on a 20-year-old vehicle does not, by itself, indicate the presence of the original manufacturing defect addressed in Recall 10V‑517. Associating general, late-life vehicle symptoms with historic recall campaigns on multi-decade-old vehicles does not satisfy the requirement to present specific data establishing a defect trend that poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Furthermore, the federal safety agency’s oversight of recall execution ensures that campaign parameters (such as affected VIN ranges and build dates) are chosen based on specific defect determinations; therefore, individual component degradation on high-age vehicles outside these parameters is more likely to represent routine wear and tear rather than an unaddressed safety defect trend. the federal safety agency does not believe that the issues presented indicate the likely existence of a safety-related defect that would warrant a formal investigation. After full consideration of the available information, and of the federal safety agency’s enforcement priorities, the petition is denied. the federal safety agency reserves the right to take additional action if warranted by future circumstances.
DP26003
What 2006 Nissan Frontier owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
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 contact stated that the dealer later called back and stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal sound and upon performing a diagnostic test, the dealer advised that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
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
On June 30, July 6 and 9th 2021 I was driving down the street at 50 miles p/hr. And the truck just stopped in the middle of the road. No engine just stopped. I called the agencyAnd reported this according to the October 28th 2010agency campaign number 10V517000 engine Control Model. It was recalled and supposedly repaired. The person I talked to Kathyrn said that it had been recalled and fixed so it was no longer a recall problem. This vechile is a safety recall and still is, It should be fixed, it was evidently not fixed before.
On 2/2/2019, I took my vehicle to aamco transmissions to have my transmission checked, because prior to this date I was experiencing alot of jerking and other issues, especially on the highway. After aamco techs looked over my transmission, I was contacted & informed that I had a defective radiator that had contaminated my transmission, due to the radiator leaking coolant into my transmission. I was also informed that nissan had a lawsuit regarding this very problem, which I was in shock, since no one had ever advised me through mail, email, or even word of mouth. My frontier is a 2006, but I purchased the vehicle in may of 2007, & on 2/2/2019, my frontier only had 80,034 miles on it. I'm disabled, & I need my vehicle for doctor appts, & for my two children as well. The most frustrating part of it all is, I take my frontier to the local nissan to have them do the oil changes & tire rotations whenever its due, & they always check all of my fluids at the same time. In addition, this issue arouse in 2006 before I purchased the frontier, but nothing was ever conveyed to me about any issues with this particular year or model. Since there were 3-4 models affected between 2005 thru 2010. I had aamco replace the radiator & transmission, which cost me $4,000.00, & my frontier only had 80,000 miles on it, I've never heard or even experienced such an issue, especially with such low mileage before! I even reached out to nissan corporate office, but they did not feel responsible for the $1,500.00, which they are because they are the ones that put defective radiators into their products, but did not send out any notifications about this potential problem that a owner could have. My family or myself could've easily been hurt because of their negligence in not notifying consumers/owners. Do they not care about their customers, or is it just about the all mighty dollar!!
Ipdm module and ECM systems failure 4.0 l v-6 check engine light came on also battery light
Fuel sending unit working sporadically and triggered check engine light. Fuel gauge is marking half tank then slowly went up, but fuel tank was filled up. There is also a recall on radiator leaking antifreeze into transmission but has not happened yet.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan frontier. The contact stated that while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle stalled with the four-wheel drive and check engine warning lights illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic where the contact was informed that the intelligent power distribution module needed to be replaced. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was contacted however, no further assistance was provided. The failure mileage was 130,000.
For three consecutive times I have been having a problem with my car. When I drive it for a few miles after I turn it off and I wanted to start it again I have to wait like an hour to go on again. I have take it a couple of times to the dealer and had charge me $ 450.00 and two or three years after same problem but they never had told me what the problem is. What can I do in this case?
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan frontier. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle loss motive power and stalled without warning. The contact restarted the vehicle and the check engine warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure recurred twice. An unknown dealer was contacted and the contact was informed that the radiator failed which allowed coolant fluid to enter the transmission. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 106,000.
Questions about the 2006 Nissan Frontier engine
Does the 2006 Nissan Frontier have engine problems?
Owners have filed 155 complaints about the engine of the 2006 Nissan Frontier, 25% of all its complaints.
At what mileage do 2006 Nissan Frontier engine problems start?
The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 98,500 miles.
Was there a recall on the 2006 Nissan Frontier engine?
Yes, 1 recall: 10V517000. Check your VIN to see if your car still needs the free repair.
What year does the Nissan Frontier have bad engine?
The Nissan Frontier model years with the most engine complaints are 2005 (186 complaints), 2006 (155 complaints) and 2007 (133 complaints).
Other 2006 Nissan Frontier problems
Fuel system 251Transmission 220Steering 34Electrical 31Airbags 26Brakes 22Acceleration 14Suspension 9Body 8Seat belts 8Tires 4Locks 3Visibility 3Wheels 2Driver assistance 1Seats 1
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