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2006 Nissan Frontier Transmission Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the transmission system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Transmission reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
17
Latest Aug 27, 2014
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
3%
of 616 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Nissan Frontier submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 17 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming transmission

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EngineTransmission
Filed Aug 27, 2014

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.

NHTSA ID
10628916
Incident
Jun 3, 2014
Mileage
99,000 mi
EnginePowertrain (other)Transmission
Filed Jan 7, 2013

2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TGW 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.

NHTSA ID
10491303
Incident
May 4, 2012
EngineTransmission
Filed Apr 23, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE. THE VEHICLE HAD BECOME INOPERABLE AS A RESULT OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TEST RESULTS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED REPLACING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 92,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 06/21/12*LJ

NHTSA ID
10456145
Incident
Apr 16, 2012
Mileage
92,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Apr 18, 2012

THE VEHICLE WAS EXPERIENCING PROBLEMS SHIFTING INTO OVERDRIVE, THEN ONCE IN OVERDRIVE, I WAS LOSING THE CAPABILITY TO ACCELERATE ON THE HIGHWAY AND OTHER AREAS OF SPEEDS GREATER THAN 40 MPH. I NOTICED TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKING FROM THE TRANSMISSION AND TOOK IT TO AN AUTO REPAIR SHOP. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HAD FAILED COMPLETELY ALLOWING RADIATOR FLUID TO MIX INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THE REPAIR FOR A NEW RADIATOR AND INSTALLATION, AS WELL AS A RIGOROUS FLUSHING OF THE TRANSMISSION COST $599.00. I AM CURRENTLY, AS OF THIS DAY, IN NEED OF A NEW, USED, OR REBUILT TRANSMISSION BECAUSE OF DAMAGE CAUSED BY THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WITHIN THE RADIATOR. *JS

NHTSA ID
10455717
Incident
Nov 15, 2011
Mileage
90,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Aug 29, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SLIP AND HESITATE WHEN SHIFTING GEARS. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE DECELERATED AND VIBRATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THERE MAY BE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000. UPDATED 09/21/11 *BF UPDATED 09/30/11

NHTSA ID
10422406
Incident
Aug 12, 2011
Mileage
78,000 mi
EngineTransmission
Filed Jul 25, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION SHIFTED INTO LIMP MODE AND THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS ENGAGED. A LOCAL MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED, BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

NHTSA ID
10415041
Incident
May 1, 2011
Mileage
50,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 22, 2011

DRIVING MY NISSIAN FRONTIER, EXPERIENCED EMMISSION LIGHTS. REPLACE ONE CATALYIC CONVERTER. JUST AFTER 80, 000 THE SECOND ONE GOES, AND I HAVE TO REPLACE IT. THEN THE TRANSMISSION STOPS SHIFTING. THE RADIATOR ROTS AND COOLANT CONTAMINATES THE TRANSMISSION, AND BOTH ARE SHOT. THERE ARE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM, AND NISSAN IS NOT RECALLING IT, AND IF IT IS OVER 80 THOUSAND THEY DO NOT COVER IT, EVEN THOUGH IT IS A BAD DESIGN AND KNOW TO NISSAN. THEY EXTENDED THE RADIATOR COVERAGE, BUT ONLY TO 80 THOUSAND MILES. MOST FAILURES ARE JUST OVER THAT MILEAGE. *TT

NHTSA ID
10414737
Incident
Jul 20, 2011
Mileage
109,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 20, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH THE VEHICLE WOULD START LUNGING FORWARD AND THE GEARS WERE SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE EVENTUALLY STALLED AND THEN TOWED TO A INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THEY ADVISED HIM THAT THE TRANS COOLANT LINE HAD RUPTURED INSIDE THE RADIATOR CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO DIE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOR THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 130,000.

NHTSA ID
10402178
Incident
May 20, 2010
Mileage
130,000 mi
Fuel systemTires & wheelsTransmission
Filed Jan 21, 2011

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE IN REFERENCE TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER (10V075000-FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILIARY TANK). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALER TO BE REPAIRED; HOWEVER, IMMEDIATELY AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER THE FAILURE RECURRED. HE ALSO STATED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR GAUGE HAD MALFUNCTIONED SINCE THE DAY THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED. THE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENTAL PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE TRANSMISSION ALSO FAILED WHEN THE VEHICLE STALED AND HE WAS UNABLE TO GET IT RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS INSPECTED BY A DEALER WHO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 47,000.

NHTSA ID
10378162
Incident
Jan 21, 2006
Mileage
47,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Dec 18, 2010

2006 NISSAN FRONTIER MANUAL SHIFT 5 SPEED 4 CYLINDER - CLUTCH ASSEMBLY WENT BAD AT 34,000 MILES. NOW AT 60,000 MILES CLUTCH IS BAD AGAIN. DIFFERENT DRIVER. I HAVE DRIVEN A CLUTCH ALL MY ADULT LIFE (55). NEVER HAD THIS PROBLEM BEFORE WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE. NUMEROUS INSTANCES IN INTERNET FORUMS OF SIMILAR REPORTS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10371166
Incident
Dec 18, 2010
Mileage
34,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Dec 17, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT, THE CONTACT TRIED TO APPLY PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR PEDDLE BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR WHICH DAMAGED THE TRANSMISSION. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10371037
Incident
Dec 4, 2010
Mileage
100,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Oct 6, 2010

2006 NISSAN FRONTIER REAR BRAKE FAILURE DUE TO LEAK IN THE REAR AXLE SHAFT. THE SEALS IN THE REAR AXLE FAILED ALLOWING OIL TO COMPLETELY COAT THE REAR BRAKES ON BOTH SIDES RENDERING THEM ESSENTIALLY USELESS. REPAIR REQUIRED COMPLETE REPLACEMENT OF REAR AXLE SHAFT SINCE NISSAN WILL NOT REPLACE JUST THE SEALS. HAD REPAIR COMPLETED BY THE SAME DEALERSHIP THAT I PURCHASED THE TRUCK FROM. NISSAN PAID A PORTION, BUT IT DIDN'T EVEN COVER HALF OF THE PARTS, LET ALONE THE LABOR. I FOOTED THE MAJORITY OF THE BILL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10359486
Incident
Aug 15, 2010
Mileage
80,000 mi
BrakesTransmission
Filed Aug 25, 2010

BRAKES FAILURE DUE TO REAR AXLE LEAK . MYSELF AND 10000'S OTHERS HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR SEALS FAILURE DUE TO A FAULTY AIR VENT THAT CLOGS AND HOT AIR WILL BUILD UP AND THE SEALS WILL FAIL AND THE OIL GET ALL OVER THE REAR BRAKES CAUSES THE BRAKES TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ID
10351859
Incident
Aug 1, 2010
Mileage
90,000 mi
Transmission
Filed Jul 13, 2010

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THE VALVE BOX THAT CONTROLS THE SHIFTING WITHIN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR THE REPAIRS BUT THEY WERE AWAITING MANUFACTURER APPROVAL BEFORE PROCEEDING WITH REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

NHTSA ID
10342984
Incident
Jun 2, 2010
Mileage
70,000 mi
Heating & air conditioningFuel systemTransmission
Filed Mar 29, 2010

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT FUEL GAUGE DID NOT WORK AND SHE WOULD HAVE TO PERIODICALLY CHECK THE ODOMETER TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE TANK. SHE CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS REFERRED TO THE MANUFACTURER WHO ADVISED HER TO FILE A COMPLAINT WITH NHTSA. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 70,000. UPDATED 6/1/10 *CN THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT ACTING PROPERLY AND THE AIR CONDITIONER WAS NOT WORKING. UPDATED 06/04/10.*JB

NHTSA ID
10322627
Incident
Mar 29, 2009
Mileage
60,000 mi
EngineFuel systemTransmission
Filed Mar 3, 2010

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD THE TRUCK SHUDDERS AND SHAKES AND CANNOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. I HAD NO PICK UP WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE AND HAD CARS SPEEDING BY ME AT 75MPH WHILE I WAS BARELY ABLE TO DRIVE THE TRUCK. THE TRUCK WOULD DRIVE FINE AND THAN THIS WOULD HAPPEN OUT OF NOWHERE. I TOOK IT TO AAMCO AND FOUND OUT I HAD WATER IN THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR. I HAD TO PAY $2500.00 TO HAVE MY TRANSMISSION REBUILT AND A NEW RADIATOR INSTALLED. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ON NISSANS PART BECAUSE IT WAS A FAULTY RADIATOR THAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM AND COULD HAVE CAUSED A SEVERE ACCIDENT. I HAVE HEARD OF ALOT OF COMPLAINTS REGARDING THIS SAME PROBLEM BUT NISSAN REFUSES TO DUE A RECALL. I HAVE THE SAME FUEL GAUGE PROBLEM THAT WAS JUST RECALLED AND I RAN OUT OF GAS BECAUSE OF IT. I FEEL THAT THIS NEEDS TO BE INVESTIGATED BEFORE SOMEONE IS KILLED IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THEIR TRANSMISSION JUST STOPS WORKING WHILE DRIVING ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR

NHTSA ID
10316068
Incident
Feb 15, 2010
Mileage
100,000 mi
Transmission
Filed May 11, 2006

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE ROLLED SLIGHTLY BACKWARD WHILE STOPPED AT A LIGHT ON AN INCLINE. THE CONTACT'S FOOT WAS NOT ON THE BRAKE AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN DRIVE. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED AND DETERMINED THIS WAS NORMAL OPERATION FOR THIS VEHICLE. HOWEVER, THE CONTACT OWNED TWO OTHER AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION VEHICLES THAT DID NOT EXHIBIT THIS PROBLEM.

NHTSA ID
10157237
Incident
May 2, 2006
Mileage
400 mi

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.

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Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .