Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Nissan Titan owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact's son owns a 2006 Nissan Titan. The contact stated while his son was driving approximately 35-45 MPH, the vehicle stalled inadvertently. The contact was unsure whether there were any warning lights illuminated. The contact's son was able to restart the vehicle and continued to drive; however, the failure reoccurred several times while driving. The vehicle was taken to Pep Boys and diagnosed the failure as a vehicle dynamic control switch, acceleration, and power train systems failure. The vehicle was not repaired. Additionally, the contact stated that the instrument cluster had failed. The dealer was not notified of the failures. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and informed the contact that the VIN was not included in any recalls. The failure mileage was approximately 153,000.
So back in October 2023 ,I noticed a lot of things go wrong at once lime the radiator had to be replaced because it was leaking everywhere. The steering went bad and started leaking. The rear main seal started leaking. The clock spring went bad. there isntons of water always in the passenger floorboard and passenger door. The fuel gauge is all over the place and never reads right. The oil pressure gauge always has been on high. The engine light, air bag light slip light, and abs light have always been on. The right rear window stopped going up and the controls on the drivers door sometimes work and sometimes don't. The Manuel shifter has never worked and I cannot put the transmission in 2,3, or 4th gear from a stand still. Always been weird knocking sound in the suspension
My vehicle, which I bought used with about 140,000 miles on it had cracked exhaust manifolds, which I replaced. Both were cracked and one actually fell to pieces when unbolted. One replacement cracked after about 15,000 miles, but was able to have it braised. Now, at about 180,000 miles they a spewing carbon monoxide into the cab again. This is a serious health and safety issue, and from checking Titan club web sites, it seems to be a widespread issue. I DO NOT DRIVE OFF ROAD OR SUBJECT THE TRUCK TO ABNORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. I appreciate your time and consideration. [redacted]
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Nissan Titan. The contact stated while idling, the front of vehicle caught fire. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact was able to extinguish the vehicle with a fire hydrant his neighbor provided at the moment. A fire department did file a report. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. A dealer was not contacted. The VIN was associated to NHTSA campaign number: 10V517000 (engine and engine cooling). The manufacturer had not been informed of failure. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.
On 05/22/2015, traveling on interstate highway at or near posted speed in mild sunny weather. The truck just shut off in lane of traffic. There was no hesitation, noise, alarm, warning lights just shut down. There was no power steering or power brakes. Pulled vehicle over to rh shoulder and tried to restart it with out success.on 05/18/2015, I had the truck serviced and inspected at a Nissan dealership in anticipation of this road trip. The truck passed dealer inspection. I had the truck towed to a Nissan dealer service center and after several days the dealer told me the ECM had failed and shorted out the ignition switch. The repair bill was a little over $1400. I am not objecting to the cost of repair....I am concerned about the truck just stopping on the highway without warning. …
While waiting for my wife to come out of a store with truck running I noticed a light flickering in the store window. My wife came out of the store and got into the truck. While backing out I noticed the flickering light in the window coming with me. When I stopped the truck I noticed smoke coming up over my hood then the cab of the truck started to get warm. I noticed a burning smell and told my wife that I think my truck was on fire. I got out of the truck, went to the front and saw the condenser fan motor on fire. I was able to extinguish the fire with a can of coke that was on the ground. A little while later it flamed up again and had to get a bucket of water from the store clerk. The fire caused over $4100.00 in damage. I had a recall on this condenser fan motor, had it taken care of in February 2012. Caught fire on 09/02/2013.
I drove my 2006 Nissan Titan le to mcdonald's on elk street which is like 5 miles away from my house when you got food came back to my house which is 1700 swanson drive space 43 when inside came back out radiator blew out the bottom replaced radiator and then transmission started going out electrical units relays going out replaced but still truck is acting up really bad I have replaced the radiator transmission bracket tons and tons of fluids a bunch of electrical fuses really tired of working on my truck transmission is going out and I don't feel like I should have to pay for this problem when it all occurred at one time I have this trucks financed I still owe $17,000 on it and it barely runs I would like to proceed on maybe figuring out a way to help me get a new transmission or getting a different vehicle.
My 06 Titan 4wd had just had repairs to the transmission done 2-3 days prior to the incident. My truck had been running in my driveway with the ac and radio going for some time while I was doing various cleaning and other stuff outside. I was sitting in the drivers seat cooling off with my eyes closed when my neighbor came running out screaming that my truck was on fire. When I looked at the hood flames were visible and smoke. She called the fire dept while I used the hose to extinguish the fire the best I could until the fire dept arrived. A Nissan rep investigated the fire and said it was not the company problem. Shortly later I receive the recall concerning the ac unit and that it May lead to fire. We had no insurance at the time but it was still under warranty. Is this legal?
Tl contact owns a 2006 Nissan Titan. Approximately three minutes after the contact exited the vehicle, flames erupted from underneath the hood. The manufacturer inspected the vehicle, but refused to inform the contact of what caused the fire. The manufacturer stated that they would repair the vehicle under warranty. The current and failure mileages were 5,900. Updated 02-01-08. The consumer stated as of 08/20/07 he still does not have the vehicle back and does not know what defect was found in the investigation. The consumer stated the dealer seemed to think it was the condenser belt. Updated 02/01/08
I think it was in 2009 when I took my vehicle to Nissan to check engine light and light smoke out of exhaust. Ran diagnostic and found out that catalytic converters broke up and broken material went back (suckback) into engine and damaged piston rings which was causing it to smoke. Told me I needed to replace engine cause it was pretty much no good. This truck was 3 yrs. Old at the time. Warranty was out and was and cost me a fortune to replace engine and exhaust system. I had no idea til now how many 2006 Titan owners have had the same issue. This has to be recalled.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 armada, titan, Infiniti qx56 and model year 2005-2006 frontier, pathfinder and xterra vehicles. The intelligent power distribution module (ipdm) assembly contains an engine control module (ECM) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ECM relay inside the ipdm assembly. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on December 6, 2010. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Engine complaints in other Titan years
Frequently asked questions
How common are engine problems on the 2006 Nissan Titan?
NHTSA has 75 complaints about the engine & cooling of the 2006 Nissan Titan, 17% of the model year's 430 complaints. The component named most often is exhaust system (7 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Nissan Titan engine problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 10V-517 (engine and engine cooling, Oct 28, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Nissan Titan engine problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 4% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 0 crashes, 4 fires and 2 injuries to engine & cooling 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.