Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
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 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while pulling out of his driveway, he noticed that the steering wheel was significantly loose. The contact continued to drive the vehicle. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that they were not aware of that failure. The contact stated that the failure had been reoccurring while driving. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to NHTSA. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 111,000.
Highway driving at 55 MPH the engine stalled and stopped in mid-traffic resulting multiple system loss; including power steering. Warning lights that illuminated were service engine soon and, slip. Researching this combination with the associated engine failure shows a minimum failure of the cam shaft sensor and possible interference with engine cooling. Additional research shows that this a recall issue for frontiers. But, when I entered my VIN into your system to check recalls, the reponse is that there are no recalls for this vehicle. That seems in conflict with what is being said about there being a recall and the obvious extreme danger of engine and system failures at highway speeds
On a city street, went to paralell park and noticed the steering was stiff. After pulling out, noticed steering had stayed stiff and was hard enough to turn that it felt like the steering had locked. After taking the vehicle to be looked at by a mechanic, he informed us that it was a steering column shaft failure and it was a common problem with this model of Nissan, and for us to check to see if this was under recall as it should be.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier. While driving 45 MPH, the steering wheel became wobbly without warning. The failure occurred once. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the steering column and electronic power steering failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. Updated 07/13/16
My vehicle a 2006 Nissan Frontier p/u with nismo off road package has experienced a steering problem while driving. The steering wheel felt like the power steering pump had failed and shortly after the steering wheel became really loose side to side and up and down. I took the truck to the nearest Nissan dealer and was told that the nut that holds the steering wheel in place was loose and it would be no problem to fix. After 2 days I got a call from the asst. Service manager stating that the steering rack and steering column had to be replaced and the extended waranty would not cover the repairs. I then called Nissan of north America to see if they could assist in any way and was informed by the south east representative that there was nothing they would do because of the mileage on the vehicle. …
I was riding down the interstate when a loud pop came from the steering column, at that time the steering wheel got really loose, from side to side and up and down.I called sumbelt Nissan they said the bearing had failed in the column,either from not being pressed in correctly or it could not be the right size,they said take it easy and bring it in to replace the steering column because it could lock up driving down the road. At Nissan they replaced the column,but it came from the same person who made the incorrect steering bearing the first time. Nissan stated this had happened numerous times in the 2005 and the 2006 truck models. This is a direct manufacturer defect that can cause wreaks and bodily harm and they still wont recall these trucks. If you check these complaints you will find quite a few of them please investigate these claims before someone gets hurt.
On November 12, 2008, owner was driving a 2006 Nissan Frontier at approximately 40 MPH. There was a light rain. Suddenly, the steering loosened and the owner lost control of the vehicle, the vehicle rotated counter clockwise and collided into a brick column. Back in January of 2007, the steering column of the vehicle had been repaired by the dealership. It had been loose and wobbling on a number of occasions. Other times it would be as stiff and solid as it should have been. On 2 occasions, the Nissan dealership advise that there was nothing for them to fix as they could not find any problems upon test drives. The 3rd time at the dealership they 'replaced' certain components and/or parts of the steering column and said they were 'worn", although the vehicle was less than 2 years old. The vehicle was purchased new from an ocala florida Nissan dealership.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, there was a sudden loss of power steering without warning. In addition, the contact stated that the fuel gauge failed to display accurate fuel levels. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was advised that the fuel level sending unit inside the fuel tank needed to be replaced. Also, the vehicle was taken to a private mechanic where it was advised that the radiator fluid was leaking into the transmission. As a result, the radiator, the power transmission, and steering shaft needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and stated that the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 10V075000(fuel system, gasoline). The vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 42,000 and the current mileage was 102,000.
I was driving on the interstate at 70 MPH with my 8 year old son in the truck when I came in to a curve and the steering would not turn. I had to stop in the middle of the interstate get out of the truck in heavy traffic and get the steering broke loose so I could move the truck to the side of the road. Now the steering column has a lot of movement in every direction. I took the truck to the Nissan dealer shop and was told the bearing in the steering column was bad and that the repair would be about $980.00. The service tech said he had seen this a several times. Nissan said they would not pay for it because the truck was out of warrenty. The truck has 74,000 miles on it now. It has not been repaired. I think Nissan should take responsibility for safety issues like this on automobiles with this low of mileage.
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.
Steering complaints in other Frontier years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 2006 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA has 34 complaints about the steering of the 2006 Nissan Frontier, 6% of the model year's 617 complaints. The component named most often is column (10 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Nissan Frontier steering problems?
No. NHTSA lists no steering 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 steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 51,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 1 crash, 0 fires and 1 injury to steering 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.