Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Nissan Frontier owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
Traveling down the road in stop and go traffic I looked in my rearview mirror and then back to the vehicle in front of me. I was doing 15-20 MPH and saw they had stopped and I was in danger of a collision if fast action wasn't taken. When depressing the brake pedal in a panic manner the vehicle did not slow due the accelerator being depressed at the same time as the brake due to the closeness of the pedal. This resulted in a accident involving 3 autos including my 2006 Frontier se 4x4. This problem has been noted several times before by the cpsc.
I had backed out of a park spot and put Nissan 2006 Frontier 2wd crew cab in drive and it took off like a rocket, I had my foot as hard on the brake as possible and there are skid marks the whole way to where I hit a parked car. My air bag deployed and the truck was totaled. It damaged 3 new scions.
On several occasions I have hit various items due to the fact that the gas and break peddle are to close to each other , the truck jumps uncontrollably as you press the brake and the gas down simultaneously. I feel this is a dangerous design defect.
I was driving down a steep hill and applied the brakes they went to the floor and I had no brakes, I went over an embankment. I continued to pump breaks and they finally came up enough to stop me in the field. The air bags deployed.
Brake hard to avoid collision with deer crossing highway and vehicle did not stop quickly as expected. Due for disc brake pad replacement in the future and this incident prompted a check of brake components. Discovered left and right rear axle seals, pinion seal and rear differential cover leaking differential fluid. Rear brake calipers, brake pads, parking brake assemblies and rotors were covered with differential fluid. Entire rear differential assembly overpressurized due to faulty, poorly designed OEM check relief valve, resulting in failure of all seals. Same concern as in service bulletin ntb-10-008. Same problem with Nissan Frontier, xterra, titan and armada models. Nissan admits that fluid from the rear axle leaking onto the brake pads is a concern, but will not address why the axle seals are failing at an alarming and premature rate. …
Driving on busy road at approximately 40mph when my truck started to shake, I slowed my truck to approximately 37 MPH, when it sounded like my truck exploded. I could not stop and could barely turn the steering wheel enough to get out of traffic just to smash into the curb where I finally came to a stop. The drive shaft came apart, grabbing the emergency brake cable, winding it around one part of the drive shaft, leaving me stranded with minors on the side of the road waiting for a wrecker to tow my truck. Had I have been on the interstate, doing the speed limit (70mph) when this happened, my children and I would have flipped nose over tail, possibly be struck by traffic and seriously injured or killed.
I have a 2006 Nissan Frontier with a v6 engine and automatic transmission. This is a on going problem. The brake pedal is to close to the accelerator pedal. The brake pedal can be depressed lower than the accelerator pedal. This can cause your foot to depress the accelerator pedal when braking. This is especially bad when backing a trailer. I almost hit a tree when backing a utility trailer. It is extremely scary when launching a boat. The truck and driver could end up in the lake. I had two dealers to check the brakes. They say this is normal. One technician thought Nissan had a problem with the brakes on the Frontier not just my truck. I complained to Nissan but didn't receive any help.
When in reverse and required to look over your right shoulder and body/foot is positioned slightly to right and brake is applied hard to stop will cause the gas pedal to be depressed at same time causing vehicle to surge backwards at a fast speed. The above applies to the automatic model and could cause someone to be crushed against a building or run over a pedestrian. The same could would apply if vehicle is in drive and body is positioned slightly to the right as foot brake is applied quickly.
I own a 2006 Nissan Frontier nismo with 65K miles. Took vehicle to dealer for routine maintenance and recall work. Dealer noticed left rear axle seal leaking which covered brakes and emergency brake with axle oil which in turns makes the brakes ineffective putting my life and child's life and many others in danger. There are many other cases just like this one regarding other frontiers with leaking rear axle. Please investigate this issue before it is too late. Make Nissan issue a recall!
I have a 2006 Nissan Frontier pickup id # [redacted] . I had to replace the front rotors at 20,000 miles and now at 40,000 miles I am having to replace both front and rear rotors. I am 60 years old and have not changed my driving style. These brakes seem to be wearing out at about three times the rate of the brakes of any previous vehicle that I have known. This seems to be a design defect.
Brake complaints in other Frontier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2006 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA has 22 complaints about the brakes of the 2006 Nissan Frontier, 4% of the model year's 617 complaints. The component named most often is pedals and linkages (2 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Nissan Frontier brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2006 Nissan Frontier, though it has 4 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2006 Nissan Frontier brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 49,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 0 fires and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.