2006 Nissan Frontier: jerking or lurching

Filed Mar 12, 2021 · Engine, Transmission · 80,000 miles · MD

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!!

Filed Oct 15, 2020 · Transmission · 160,000 miles · TN

2006 nissan frontier transmission failing due to engine coolant and transmission fluid mixing. Truck started jerking at times just cruising usually between 40 and 50 MPH then worse. Coolant reservoir and radiator was noticed in components. Took it to dealership and gave me a price of 5300 to replace radiator and transmission and flush all systems. I had been reading reviews on these models and was hoping this wasn't the issue on mine. As soon as I noticed the fluid contamination I was sick. Had no idea of this problem. Alot of reviews say steer clear of these vehicles. This frontier is my 3rd owned nissan vehicle. Never again!!!!!!!!

Filed Nov 16, 2016 · Acceleration, Engine · 80,000 miles · LA

While driving my 2006 nissan frontier the truck would not respond to the accelerator being pressed and then began jerking. The check engine light came on and it has been doing this for a couple of days. I took it to my mechanic and he said is was the radiator leaking into the transmission and destroying the transmission which nissan knows about the defct but has chosen not to fix. If I was traveling at a high speed on the interstate and the truck did not respond to the accelerator and started to jerk a collision would have happened. The fact that nissan knew about this defect and chose not to inform me of the problem causes considerable alarm.

Filed Oct 25, 2016 · Transmission · 133,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan frontier. While driving up an incline at approximately 35 MPH, the vehicle jerked without warning. The failure recurred numerous times. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the radiator was leaking coolant into the transmission and the transmission and radiator needed to be replaced. The radiator was replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that when the ignition was turned to the on position, there was an abnormal noise coming from the radiator. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer where it was not diagnosed or repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 133,000.

Filed Oct 25, 2016 · Engine, Transmission · 144,000 miles · MO

Driving on a trip transmission started slipping and jerking. Had to drive slow in third gear with it still slipping. Radiator fluid was foamy. Truck still in driveway. Four to five hour trip on highway with some hills didn't think I would make it home. A few years back we received a service notice of failed radiator. Took truck to nissan and they would not replace unless there was a problem.

Filed Aug 27, 2014 · Engine, Transmission · 99,000 miles · NC

Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan frontier. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle began jerking and the transmission failed. The contact also stated that vehicle would not accelerate properly and began to over heat as the check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnosis and the mechanic stated that there was a cracked atf line that ran through the engine coolant chamber, in the radiator, which caused contamination. As a result, the radiator needed to be replaced and the transmission needed to be rebuilt. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 99,000.

Filed Sep 25, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 99,000 miles · IA

I have a 2006 nissan frontier and for the last 9 or 10 months it becomes "herky-jerky" at various speeds. I only drive this vehicle in the winter so yesterday I took it in to the dealership and today they informed me the coolant had leaked into the transmission. The dealership informed me the cost for the repair is $6500. I asked them if this was something normal and they said it was unusual. I did some checking on the internet and found out there was a settlement agreement regarding this defect. Other sites directed me to make a complaint with you because this appears to be a widespread problem and due to the fact the settlement agreement was essentially worthless. Given this I am filing this complaint with you in hopes this will turn into a recall. Also, made a claim today with nissan and expecting a case worker to call back tomorrow. If they do not agree to pay for the cost of the damage I will take them to small claims. Of note, I have only sued one entity before in my life (49yo) and it was nissan back in 1997 and I won. It was a defect in the wiring of my previous frontier. I can say nissan likes to play hard ball and not settle or admit to any of their faults. I gave them more than sufficient evidence and was very patient in this prior claim, but they kept denying. I learned my lesson that time and this time I will not be so patient and will inform them I will taken more expeditiously this time.

Filed Mar 29, 2013 · Transmission · 190,000 miles · NJ

While driving vehicle and accelerating, the transmission hesitated to shift and then jumped into gear causing a lurch in the vehicle.

Filed Sep 7, 2012 · Transmission · 114,863 miles · NC

I was making a left turn across traffic in my 2006 nissan frontier when I lost all forward momentum in the middle of the intersection. The truck felt like it was in neutral and would not go into gear. I was stuck in the middle of the intersection blocking traffic for about 15 seconds while cars honked and went around me. After about 15 seconds the check engine light came on and it jerked into gear. I had the code check and they said it was a fault in the transmission. I did some research and found out about the faulty radiator problem that could allow coolant into transmission. I checked my coolant for signs and sure enough I had grey sludge floating all in my coolant which is a sign of cross contamination. I called a local aamco (transmission mechanic) to ask him about it and he knew all about the issue and said he rebuilds at least one nissan transmission a week due to coolant destroying the transmission. He recommended that I bypass the radiator cooler right away and change the transmission fluid in order to reduce damage. He said that since it has already shown since of contamination that it was just a matter of time it failed again and for good. He said a rebuild would cost between $3k & $4k, which is something I cannot afford. I am scared every time I have to cross traffic that it will fail and I will be in a serious accident. Why would nissan ignore fixing this issue while it was minor and allow its customers the possibility of being in a serious accident much less making them pay thousands of dollars that many do not have to fix a safety issue.

Filed May 20, 2011 · Transmission · 75,000 miles · GA

Radiator leaking fluid into transmission causing transmission to work improperly and causing vehicle to jerk and become unsafe. Took to dealer in august 2010 and dealer said there was no problem. I do have service record stating this. Took back to dealer as problem persisted and now dealer says I need a new transmission that, of course is no longer covered by any warranty. Nissan was aware of this problem and issued a service bulletin to replace radiators, but did not notify owners. Also, dealer and company will not give me answer to problem even though I have asked repeatedly. Please help.

Filed Dec 13, 2009 · Fuel system · 10 miles · FL

I am an owner of 2006 nissan frontier crewcab se. Since day one at random while filling the fuel tank it pukes gas out onto side of truck, ground and me. The dealership where I purchased my truck were jerks, said it was the pump design at the station. Just dismissed me, "try another station." I have since talked to other owners having the same problem. This a health, safety, and environmental hazard.