Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
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).
The contact owns a 2006 Nisan Frontier. The contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to accurately display the amount of fuel in the fuel tank. The contact stated that the failure was more evident once the fuel tank was at the quarter mark. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer who diagnosed that the fuel pump needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The dealer confirmed that the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V075000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 120,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while refueling, the fuel top-off clicked however, moments later fuel started spilling out of the filler neck onto the ground. The cause of the failure was not determined. The local dealer and manufacturer were notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The approximate failure mileage was 133,000.
A gasoline leak has developed on the fuel tank hose fill adapter that is a molded fixture of the gas tank. In which there is no replacement part or fix for the hose fill adapter gasoline leak but to replace the whole gas tank, which cost hundreds of dollars. I alerted Nissan to the problem that a catastrophic situation could occur related to this grave engineering mistake. Because there are millions of people still driving this type of vehicle and others with the same gas tank design. Nissan said that it is not their problem because the vehicle is out of warranty, and there is no recall, on what I believe to be grave danger for all who owns a Nissan vehicle with this type of gas tank design. My opinion is that a warning bulletin or re-call should be issued immediately for this dangerous problem that many motorist may already have.
Whenever I fill ip the tank I get a fuel smell inside the vehicle. I do not overfill the tank and always stop filling when the fuel pump stops the first time. I have not been able to identify a leak and have not seen fuel leaking under the vehicle. The smell is strong for about the first 1/4 tank of use.
When I first bought my vehicle I seen nothing pretty much wrong with it. After a week of driving with it I start noticing problem with the tires, not a big deal. I fixed that, then I notice that my vehicle starts acting up in changing gears, as well as heating up. So I check the radiator, that I notice transmission fluid inside the radiator. So I called the Nissan dealership after hearing a recall, due to this issue. They tell me that I would need $3500.00 as a deposit, before they do anything because it is possibility that not only the radiator needs to be changed, but that they would have to change the transmission also if they see it needs to be changed. All this in less than a month. So I change the radiator myself. Now a month later the transmission is acting up on me. So I ask what good is a recall if I have to pay to get it fixed. …
Shortly after purchasing the vehicle used in late December 2014. I was receiving a p0463 code the gas gauge randomly started dropping to below empty and the light would go on just after filling up the tank (full). The gauge stays at empty with the light on all the time until it reaches around 1/4 tank or less and will go down sometimes until empty again. However it has run out of gas on me multiple times in intersections when it says I have 1/4 or 1/8th tank which leads to a major safety concern. I am forced to use the trip meter all the time while driving my vehicle. This is directly related to the fuel sending unit issue that has affected all other 2006 frontiers (and other years as well). Although Nissan only replaced 'some' it is the same part and issue that has affected all frontiers that have had this issue. …
A few weeks ago I noticed that the fuel gauge on my truck would drop to empty and the low fuel indicator light would turn on immediately after filling up. After I drove around a few miles, the fuel gauge would go back up to it's normal level. However, over the course of the last few weeks it has gotten worse and worse to the point where it almost always reads empty. After looking online, I found that there was a recall on my year, make, and model for faulty fuel sensors (NHTSA campaign #10V075000). However, after calling Nissan and providing them with my VIN, they informed me that my truck was not part of the recall. After researching this online, I've found that many, many people are in the same situation as me. …
Transmission started slipping and then lost reverse.and finally just kept slipping and wouldn't move more than a few hundred feet ,and would turn off and wouldn't restart until the transmission cooled off,and when it restarted the idle or tachometer would jump into the red line area even though the truck wouldn't drive past 20 MPH. Coasting on the freeway I would pull to the side and have cars drive around mr while trying to push it off the shoulder,looking for an off ramp to go to the nearest transmission shop I could find..secondly I had to replace my fuel sender and or. …
The transmission on my truck suddenly went out with no warning during my morning commute in heavy traffic on the 202 loop in phoenix. Shifting to a different gear had the same effect as stepping on the gas, which was that the engine revved with no increase or decrease in speed. I had to coast across 4 lanes of fast moving traffic. It was an incredibly dangerous situation. I am told by the Nissan dealership that transmission fluid mixed with coolant and that it was a catastrophic failure. I have received no notices of any kind from Nissan and was shocked to learn that this is a known, commonly occurring defect and that the defect manifests instantaneously and without warning most of the time. …
Took vehicle to local Nissan dealership for noise that appeared to be coming from transmission with a slight rowing sound when transmission shifted between 40 MPH and 45 MPH. Shop manager informed me truck needed a new timing chain and fuel tank sending unit. After making repairs to the timing chain which the shop manager specifically indicated that the problem was with the timing chain, my truck still has the same exact problem. These repairs were made at my expense. Now the dealership want me to pay for additional repairs that May not be the problem when they specifically assured me that the timing chain was the problem. I feel that the real problem with my vehicle is the radiator and transmission, which is a nation-wide problem with Nissan Frontier truck transmission and other Nissan vehicles. Nissan is responsible for a re-call on these vehicle. (will seek Nissan corp. …
Related recalls
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2006 and model year 2008 frontier, xterra and pathfinder vehicles. The molded fuel tank shells can deform, causing the fuel sender float arm to contact an embossment molded into the tank shell causing the instrument panel fuel gauge to show that the vehicle has approximately one quarter…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel level sending unit inside the fuel tank with a new one that has a modified float arm. This service will be performed free of charge.
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
On certain king cab trucks, in a severe side impact crash, there is a possibility that deformation of the vehicle's body could cause the fuel filler cap tether to be stretched to the point of unscrewing the fuel filler cap.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel cap tether pin assembly with a modified one free of charge. The recall began on April 24, 2006. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Fuel System complaints in other Frontier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2006 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA has 251 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2006 Nissan Frontier, 41% of the model year's 617 complaints. The component named most often is storage › auxillary tank (39 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Nissan Frontier fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-075 (auxillary tank, Mar 3, 2010); NHTSA recall 06V-092 (filler pipe and cap, Mar 30, 2006). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Nissan Frontier fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 56,000 miles, and 2% before 25,000 miles.
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.