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 1 of 3)

problem #55

Jan 222024

Frontier

  • 110,000 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 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.

- Duluth, GA, USA

problem #54

Jan 111991

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 107,500 miles
I bought the truck from a private party. As it was not registered, I have not tried. I subsequently overview, that the transmission was not normal. I looked at the worst default of the Frontier on the internet and I find that everyone has a problem radiator crack leaked into transmission fluid. I have been to the garage. They said there was coolant in the oil transmission. I had to replace the transmission and radiator coolant radiator bypass. It cost me $ 2,408 cad

- Jonquiere Quebec,Canadag7x7v4, DC, USA

problem #53

Nov 012014

Frontier 4WD 6-cyl

  • 9,400 miles
While driving, the truck stalled on a hill due to transmission failure. Truck began rolling backwards into traffic. Transmission failure was caused by radiator coolant leaking into transmission. This is a known issue by Nissan, and a safety concern.

- Chimacum, WA, USA

problem #52

Jan 052015

Frontier

  • 126,000 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 the vehicle was serviced under NHTSA campaign number: 10V517000 (engine, engine cooling); however, after the remedy was performed, the dealer stated that the vehicle was inoperable due to the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 126,000.

- Husdson, FL, USA

problem #51

Nov 092014

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 100,100 miles
Transmission blew due to radiator fluid leaking into transmission. Known problem by Nissan, yet no recall issued and deadline to be part of class action lawsuit has passed.

- San Francisco, CA, USA

problem #50

Oct 282014

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 64,000 miles
My vehicle shuddered and felt to slip out of gear while driving! because of this known issue of leaking coolant causes transmission failure. I bought this Frontier with very low miles and was never told of this potential issue from the dealership. It should be a safety recall as it prevents the vehicle from accelerating and if you are driving can cause an accident. I am now reading that Nissan owners have no idea this is happening until too late. Once the coolant is mixed with the transmission fluid this lethal combination kills the valves, seals and torque converter -- rendering your entire transmission useless. I read that this issue is currently contained to the 2005?2010 model years. I have a 2006 with 64K miles! it is only time until this issue causes multiple accidents since this issue happens while cars are driving. Please push Nissan for a recall. I should not have to pay for a known engineering / manufacturing defect.

- Kenmore, WA, USA

problem #49

Jul 192013

Frontier

  • 198,558 miles

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

Vehicle ran hot, was towed to dealership. Needed a new radiator transmission fluid mixing with antifreeze.

- Mccomb, MS, USA

problem #48

Aug 262014

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 11,800 miles
The automatic transmission radiator cracked and coolant leaked into the transmission rendering it useless.

- Pflugerville, TX, USA

problem #47

Jul 052014

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 87,000 miles
Hello fellow "nissaners"! well, was so happy with this truck and my wife as well, because that was her first idea to purchase this good-looking vehicle. Our son was driving our Frontier to school and back home a few years ago, then to a local university. Everybody were so happy! then my son mentioned that truck is behaving very strange: Heavy shaking/jumping at highway speeds around 60-65 mph. I didn't believed it till I draw myself. True! a few times I felt like heavy hit from behind, looks like someone ended up to truck's rear side! then I searched web and after some exploration realized the problem is radiator coolant contaminates with automatic transmission fluid! how"! I opened radiator cup and saw milky substance on it and transmission fluid was not a clear pink color, it was more like pinkish milk shake color! that was it!!! after almost $32K were paid in full and happy family for a few years, now a huge frustration and helplessness!!! dealers "offer a help" only if we pay full price for transmission and radiator to change - about $6K. I have not so much money!!! I heard Nissan refusing a recall on this huge issue. Mr. Nissan or whoever you are, please do something about it, are you sleeping well every night"! we don't!!! are you (Mr. Nissan) afraid to go bankrupt of this big problem - I've bet you are! but think of those people who are behind the wheels of your trucks and SUVS and on this cars one day might get stuck in middle of fast highway because of this failure...!!! I really hope somebody can hear us out there. Please do something!!! please!!! other Frontiers, pathfinders, xterras - please write your complaints!!! don't seat and wait when something will happen, or till something happens!!! thank you!!!

- Carmichael, CA, USA

problem #46

May 202014

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 98,500 miles
Radiator coolant failure leaked into transmission causing it to fail...

- Butler, TN, USA

problem #45

May 122014

Frontier

  • 89,000 miles

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

I am yet another victim of the transmission/radiator problem along with hundreds, possibly thousands of other customers. Defective radiator allowed coolant to mix with transmission which is now outrageously expensive to repair.

- Springfield, VA, USA

problem #44

Mar 292014

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 76,651 miles
I bought my 2006 Nissan Frontier in for regular maintenance, during the dealer inspection they noticed a noise coming from the engine. The noise is a whining sound and I thought nothing of the noise until they stated that its the timing chain and that it needs to be replaced. From the research I did the timing chain is supposed to be a non-serviceable item and should last the entire life of the vehicle. Upon further investigation I found that this was a known defect that Nissan motor Corp is aware of. Nissan motor Corp had issued tsb's for this item and they have even been part of a class action lawsuit. Why were Nissan owners not made aware of this issue? now I am faced with a $1,500 repair decision. From what I have also read if this chain breaks it can have serious safety issues for the driver, why has Nissan not set up a recall for this issue.

- Naugatuck, CT, USA

problem #43

Mar 072014

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 116,589 miles
Radiator coolant leaked into the transmission, destroying the transmission. Transmission needed to be replaced, costing over $4500.

- Pleasant Hill, CA, USA

problem #42

Sep 112013

Frontier

  • 160,000 miles
Driving 2006 Nissan Frontier truck on hill at stop sign went to go and trans did not pull. Rolled back into a tree. Found out about defective radiator but no recall"??" useless class action law suite $5500 to fix.

- Rock Hill, SC, USA

problem #41

Feb 102014

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 30,000 miles
My Nissan Frontier began making a slight engine noise at about 30,000 miles ( I am hearing impaired). The noise became more noticeable when accelerating. At about 39,000 miles someone else heard the noise and told me my timing chains were about to break due to a common Nissan defect and not to drive the car as the engine could lock up while driving without any warning. Although there was a service bulletin by Nissan in 2007 and 2009 (ntb09-128) I was not made aware of the danger of driving this vehicle. I feel the timing chain tensioning system is defective on these vehicles and is dangerous to the public. If the system fails the driver would be unable to accelerate or maintain their speed and expose them to the risk of being rear ended if their vehicle suddenly stalls. I would not have expected an engine with only 30,000 miles to fail. Had they notified me in 2007 or 2009 of the problem I could have had it repaired under my extended warranty. I had to pay to have this common and dangerous defect repaired.

- Carrollton, TX, USA

problem #40

Jan 152013

Frontier

  • 70,000 miles
My Nissan dealer told me I need timing chain guides and it would cost me $1600, then I go on line and Nissan new about this problem in 2009. They said if I had 60,000 miles they would have covered this, they new this was going to happen and did not tell me. This is fraud and something should be done about this.this problem is happening all over the country on these vehicles. What are you going to do about this?

- Norfolk, MA, USA

problem #39

Jan 032014

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 127,000 miles
I have a 2006 Nissan Frontier with cross contamination of radiator fluid and transmission fluid. The dealer states the known defect is beyond the 100,000 mile cutoff for the extend manufacturers warranty that deals with this common and well known defect. The estimated cost of repair is $4800 with the full burden resting on me for a common and well known manufacturing defect that could have been avoided had Nissan recalled the vehicles and made the repairs as soon as they were aware. There is a class action lawsuit but again my vehicle is outside of the parameters of the lawsuit. I don't quite know what to do as I like most everyone don't have $5000 sitting around and unfortunately my credit is in horrible shape so I can't get a loan to pay for it nor can I qualify for a loan to trade it in. How in the world can I ever justify buying another Nissan product knowing they don't produce a safe, quality product and they are not willing to fix defective equipment.

- Greenbrier, TN, USA

problem #38

Jun 072012

Frontier

  • 1,000 miles
Was parked at store with truck running when it ran hot. With further look it was the transmission oil mixing with the coolant. Replaced radiator. Now transmission is slipping and now not pulling.

- Cullman, AL, USA

problem #37

Nov 292013

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 158,983 miles
The Nissan Frontier radiator contaminated the transmission with coolant thus causing the transmission to malfunction in a busy traffic area. This issue caused my vehicle to shutter thus forcing the traffic to the rear of me to lock up brakes to avoid hitting me. To my dismay, this problem is known by Nissan who refuses to fix the issues. To prove the issue is larger than Nissan admits, choose transmission repair shops in any area, make a phone call and tell them you own a Nissan Frontier, you will need say no more, the shop manager will without prompt say "you have transmission issues due to the radiator contaminating the transmission, you will have to rebuild/replace the transmission." It is up to the NHTSA to protect the consumer from fraudulent companies such as Nissan. A recall is the only course of action...most consumers cannot afford the cost of a transmission (upwards or 7000 dollars) and will drive their Nissan regardless of the danger the transmission slippage causes. It is now time for the recall before someone is injured or killed.

- Chester, VA, USA

problem #36

Oct 112013

Frontier 6-cyl

  • 109,000 miles
When set in D, the RPM's dropped. Next day driving 20 sec. And looses all power. Can shift the gear stick, but the transmission does not engage. No audible warning or anything like that. Just stopped driving. Got code P1759 and P1769. Needs new transmission and radiator because the coolant leaked into transmission. $5500 is the quote from the dealer.

- Haiku, HI, USA

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