CarComplaints.com Notes: Radiators are still cracking, leaking coolant and destroying transmissions. Which is a shame when you consider that otherwise, this would be a great small pickup truck.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 1
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 1
Average Mileage:
100,131 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2006 Nissan Frontier engine problems

engine problem

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2006 Nissan Frontier Owner Comments (Page 2 of 3)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #35

Oct 022013

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 159,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I have a 2006 Nissan Frontier that is having complete transmission failure due to the known issue of radiator fluid contaminating the lines to the transmission and causing internal failure. I have been quoted $5,000 in repairs for the radiator and transmission. There is a class action lawsuit against Nissan for this very issue for several models. The dealership acknowledged the lawsuit, however, said a settlement or recall has not been issued at this point and they could not discuss it any further with me. They suggested I trade the car in and buy another from them, even suggesting another Frontier.

- Huntsville, AL, USA

problem #34

Aug 192013

Frontier

  • 148,320 miles
I got a check engine light on my Nissan Frontier and brought it to the Nissan dealership to have checked and was told I would need to replace the entire transmission and radiator because engine coolant has leaked into the transmission and is destroying the transmission a quick search it seems there are hundreds if not more of people with this same issue of Nissan having a poor design and putting many people at risk by having their transmissions seize up at any given time while driving. Having coolant leak into the transmission is not a normal wear and tear issue and is gross negligence on behalf of Nissan to ignore this problem.

- Toano, VA, USA

problem #33

Jul 122013

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 86,972 miles
Had a bad vibration in the drive line at a low speed. Thought it might be a U-joint. Began a search on line and found an article on the Frontier's anti-freeze mixing with the transmission fluid and coolant entering the transmission causing failure. I checked the overflow tank and it had trans fluid on top of the coolant and the radiator had a red foam coming out. Took it to the Nissan dealer and it was confirmed.

- Tyler, TX, USA

problem #32

Jul 022013

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 103,100 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

Radiator fluid leaked into transmission due to faulty manufacturing causing transmission to break and be chile to stall.

- Highland , NY, USA

problem #31

May 282013

Frontier

  • 125,000 miles
I was driving on a major highway when all of a sudden the automatic transmission downshifted into second gear. The Frontier immediately slowed down. I was driving in front of a tractor trailer and just missed getting rear ended. I've since found out that Nissan has been aware of the radiator leaking and cross contaminating with the transmission fluid and blowing out the transmission. This is a dangerous situation with these vehicles involved and Nissan should be responsible for correcting their defect regardless of vehicle mileage. This vehicle needs to be recalled and fixed.

- Howell, NJ, USA

problem #30

May 202013

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 82,156 miles
I bought a used 2006 Frontier 2 years ago and only put 20,000 miles on it and now the coolant is mixing with the transmission fluid and they want to pay 2500 dollars to help fix it. And this bull crap. Nissan needs to man up and stand behind there vehicles. Dissatisfied customers can spread the word. Never buy a Nissan.

- Fort Valley, GA, USA

problem #29

Oct 152012

Frontier

  • 91,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while stopped at a traffic stop, the contact depressed the accelerator pedal but the vehicle would not respond. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for diagnosis. The technician stated the transmission would have to be replaced because radiator fluid was leaking into the transmission. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The approximate failure mileage was 91,000.

- Tamarac, FL, USA

problem #28

Feb 012013

Frontier

  • 75,000 miles
Coolant has entered transmission fluid, this can cause the vehicle to become immobile in traffic, intersections, etc.

- Brooksville, FL, USA

problem #27

May 072013

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 97,731 miles
Hello, I have a 2006 Frontier on it's way to the dealership right now having the radiator & transmission replaced. That is caused from the coolant mixing with the transmission. I don't know how Nissan can say this isn't a safety issue when your vehicle can stop in the middle of highway traffic due to your transmission dying. Recall needed! thank you!

- Willmar, MN, USA

problem #26

Apr 242013

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 114,231 miles
Last time I changed my oil about a month ago, they were confused at why I had oil in my radiator. They said it was not a good sign! yesterday when I was driving to work, my truck had no power and it eventually stopped moving in the road. The truck was running, but would not engage in a gear and move forward. I had it taken to a local shop to look it over and after a test drive and looking at the transmission and radiator fluids, they said I had a cross contamination of the two systems and it caused the problem. They called the Nissan dealer and they said this is a common problem and they have a law suit I can join to get reimbursed for the expense of replacing the cvt. (continuously variable transmission) it will cost about $4,200. I looked online and it looks like Nissan also has at cvt replacement program. I wish I would have known about this so I could have had it replaced and not put in danger.

- Wenatchee, WA, USA

problem #25

Sep 152010

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 60,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving 30 mph, the transmission failed and the check coolant level warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a dealer for diagnosis where the contact was advised that coolant was leaking into the transmission. As a result, the transmission and the radiator would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 60,000 and the current mileage 99,700.

- Bancover, WA, USA

problem #24

Apr 132012

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 97,000 miles
I have a Nissan Frontier that has had failed in a number of things which are not wear and tear. They are design flaws. The fuel gauge module. The radiator/transmission leak flaw. Because of the design of the radiator, now a perfectly working tranny needs rebuilt. I also hear the tensioner for the timing chain is a defective design. My Frontier began falling apart before the 100.000 miles with design flaws. Nissan never again. A simple warning letter that my radiator needed a $300 repair would have saved me $4,000 later and not leave me stranded in traffic.

- Winter Park, FL, USA

problem #23

Feb 012013

Frontier 6-cyl

  • miles
2006 Nissan Frontier. Consumer writes in regards to several vehicle recall notices and other mechanical failures. The consumer stated his vehicle showed signs of engine problems, the second year after he purchased it. When the consumer took the vehicle to the dealer for the fuel system recall, he was informed the vehicle had an oil leak, and the engine was bad and needed to be replaced, after only having the vehicle for three years. The consumer stated the gas gauge has since stopped working again. The engine stalled on several occasions. The consumer stated he has since received a recall notice regarding the engine. The consumer took the vehicle to the dealer, to have the recall performed. However, the dealer stated after the repairs were completed, there was still a major problem with the engine, but it was not a part of the recall.

- Manassas Park, VA, USA

problem #22

Dec 192012

Frontier 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • 110,000 miles
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the transmission cooling system failed and allowed radiator fluid to leak into the transmission causing it to fail. The manufacturer was contacted about the failure. The transmission was replaced at owner's expensive. The failure mileage was 110,000 and the current mileage was 111,500. Updated 5/15/13 updated 05/31/2013

- New Smyrna Beach, FL, USA

problem #21

Nov 252012

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 102,000 miles
The transmission has been compromised due to a faulty radiator. The radiator leaked coolant into the transmission contaminating the transmission fluid. I noticed the vehicle would occasionally shudder and when I had it checked out discovered the problem. Hard to believe Nissan did practically nothing to notify owners of the problem because it sure was evident that the local Nissan dealership was aware of the problem as well as a couple of transmission shops I've visited.

- Albany, GA, USA

problem #20

Jan 102012

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 1,016,200 miles
Radiator failed causing antifreeze to enter the transmission, and transmission fluid to enter the radiator.

- Winder, GA, USA

problem #19

Jan 132013

Frontier 6-cyl

  • miles
Hasn't happened yet, but from all the complaints from 2005-2010 Nissan pathfinder, xterra and Frontier owners concerning major transmission failures while driving due to cross contamination from a failed transmission fluid line running through the radiator, it's only a matter of time. This defect has been known by Nissan for years and as a band-aid solution offered extended warranty coverage for these specific components to 8 years/80,000 miles, knowing full well most problems have a record of occurring just after 100,000 miles. Class action law suits against Nissan for this defect are now pending in the state of New York. This defect and Nissan's lack of concern for preventative action placed this in the 2nd worst problem on carcomplaints.com top vehicle problem trends of 2012 list. As more and more of these model years approach 100,000 miles, more and more catastrophic failures with potential for injury and loss of life will occur. Repair after the failure is quite expensive; enough to warrant scrapping the vehicle for those that can't afford the repair bill. Time to hold Nissan accountable for the problem they have created and allowed the public to bear responsibility for. A recall of all affected models to install an improved automatic transmission line in the oil cooler or rerouting the line to a different add-on oil cooler is needed.

- Grantsburg, IL, USA

problem #18

May 042012

Frontier 6-cyl

  • Automatic transmission
  • miles
2006 Nissan Frontier. Consumer writes in regards to catastrophic transmission failure. The consumer stated while traveling at approximately 45 mph from home, the vehicle completely stalled in the middle of an intersection. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop, where an inspection revealed radiator fluid and transmission fluid mixed together.

- Deansboro, NY, USA

problem #17

Sep 062012

Frontier

  • 92,000 miles
My Nissan was having issues so I took it to my mechanic. He informed me that Nissan was having an issue with a part that wore out and leaked coolant into transmission and transmission fluid into the radiator. I called my local dealership to see if it was recalled. They informed me I was a few thousand miles over my warranty and they could do nothing. I then saw the multitude of complaints about this issue and the dealership said Nissan paid for some vehicles out of warranty. That alone proves they knew about this issue. I paid for a new radiator ($600) and hoped for the best with my transmission. I am in the navy so I can't afford to replace the transmission. Now my luck has run out and I can no longer drive my vehicle. I have a 3 month old at home and need to have two cars for my wife. This is an issue Nissan knows about and it is due to a faulty part they installed. It could have been fixed ahead of time and solved a lot of issues. When is there going to be a recall" people are getting stranded and Nissan and the government knows. Does someone need to die for you to notice and act" it would seem that people being stranded and spending thousands of dollars because of a manufacturing defect is not enough. I need to know if I have to go try to buy another car or wait and hope my government protects us.

- Waldorf, MD, USA

problem #16

Jul 302012

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 92,000 miles
My 5-speed automatic 2006 Nissan Frontier's radiator cooler tank ruptured forcing coolant into the transmission through the transmission cooler lines causing "catastrophic failure" at 92000 miles on the odometer (12000 miles outside the extended warranty on the faulty radiator). This is apparently an "uncommon", but known problem with Nissan truck and SUV models. I was traveling at 65 mph on interstate 70 near frederick, Maryland when the transmission failure occurred. I lost all forward momentum but was able to maneuver the truck to the shoulder before causing an accident. I had it checked by an independent shop in mount airy, Maryland and they quoted the replacement of the radiator and transmission at $4350. After making inquires with the Nissan dealership where I bought the car new in 2006, their initial estimate was between roughly $6000 - $10000 for replacement of the radiator and transmission! they were able to negotiate down with Nissan corporate and the final cost of replacement of the radiator and transmission was $3000. My transmission failed without any sign or warning at 65 mph on a 3 lane interstate - the financial burden to fix the problem hurts, but it could have gone much worse.

- Mount Airy, MD, USA

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