7.7

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$1,780
Average Mileage:
91,650 miles
Total Complaints:
12 complaints

Most common solutions:

  1. replace timing chain and guides (11 reports)
  2. not sure (1 reports)
Get notified about new defects, investigations, recalls & lawsuits for the 2006 Nissan Frontier:

Unsubscribe any time. We don't sell/share your email.

problem #12

Apr 102019

Frontier 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 104,000 miles

This truck is the biggest piece of sh*t I ever owned. I had to replace the transmission a year ago because of oil in the coolant and now the timing chain is gone. I spent $5000.00 on this truck in 2 years. Never have I seen such a piece of sh*t vehicle in my life.

- Jim J., Winsted, CT, US

problem #11

Mar 272015

Frontier LE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 100,700 miles

Had to have my 2006 Nissan Frontier 4.0 engine timing chain tensioners replaced. Motor was making a terrible loud whining noise. Mechanic knew exactly what the problem was as this happens in many of the Nissan vehicles. Without repair I was told engine would eventually self-destruct. Cost me out of pocket $1800.00.

- Dave R., Greenwell Springs, LA, US

problem #10

May 202016

Frontier SE 4.0L

  • Manual transmission
  • 100,000 miles

Timing Chain has gone out twice in two years at $1800.00 a pop. After hearing about everything else on this subject I am pretty sure Nissan should issue a recall. Either that or be sued for more than the money it costs to fix it. I'm not rich or well off and we had to struggle to keep the one vehicle we did have running. Was a bad time in our lives twice in two years.Hope I can get my money back at least if they ever find in our favor.

- Richard V., Bedford, TX, US

problem #9

Feb 282012

Frontier SE

  • Manual transmission
  • 90,000 miles

I was highly annoyed that I needed my timing chain replaced and fixed. I was under the impression that a timing chain was good for the life of the vehicle AND then I'm being told it will cost me $1600 to fix something that shouldn't need to be fixed in the first place! I found out about the class action lawsuit for this problem and hope that I can be refunded in some way.

- Laura S., Rohnert Park, CA, US

problem #8

Jun 112016

Frontier SE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 112,000 miles

HUGE WHINGING NOISES COMING FROM THE ENGINE AND IS GETTING LOUDER.

- Gregory S., Lancaster, PA, US

problem #7

Dec 012009

Frontier SE 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 30,000 miles

I would like to see a recall for an engine that has 82000 miles on it. There is a service bulletin for this issue (NTB09-128) yet there is no recall. It is also evident that the power train warranty only goes to 60000 for a very good reason. The poorly engineered chain tensioners don't last much past the warranty.

- hllsjff, Everett, WA, US

problem #6

Jul 062015

Frontier LE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 92,000 miles

I've noticed that there are thousands of issues with this, and not only on Frontiers. I would think Nissan would step up to the plate here and issue a recall since this could be a catastrophic failure if the timing chain breaks.

- Chad I., Allentown, PA, US

problem #5

Nov 182015

Frontier LE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,700 miles

At 86,700 miles it needed a timing chain and guides, I took care of this truck, always changed oil at 3000 mile intervals, never towed anything, etc., etc., ridiculous, never will buy Nissan again, will stick with Toyota, Honda or Subaru.

- vcalcagno, Carlstadt, US

problem #4

Nov 012015

Frontier LE V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 62,400 miles

My 2006 Nissan Frontier LE has a whining noise when accelerating. I took it to a Nissan dealership after replacing the idler pulley, tension pulley, and belt. The dealership immediately knew it was one of the secondary timing belt guides. They said this is very common and gave me a quote to repair which is over 1500.00...The truck has only 64,000 miles on it.. Man am I pissed. I have researched it and am aware of the class action lawsuit against Nissan NA regarding the timing chain issues. I intend to join in this lawsuit and encourage others who have the same issues to do the same. Nissan needs to be held accountable for a defect they are totally aware of.

- rs0919, Arvada, CO, US

problem #3

Aug 192015

Frontier NIZ]

  • Automatic transmission
  • 96,000 miles

My 2006 Frontier NISMO Edition truck was perfect...everything I wanted....no problems other than routine maintenance...I love my truck. Then it started running rough. Then it started very very badly misfiring. I had it towed to NISSAN dealership. They told me I had to replace the engine. There estimated was $6000. The book value of my truck is around $10,000.

This truck has been gently treated and is worth a helluva lot more to me...especially not having a car payment. I looked up the symptoms and found tons of other owners fuming about the exact same problem: Timing chain tensioner design failure. We all are stuck with a boat anchor that is not worth the quoted cost but the car has failed much, much sooner than it should have or was expected.

I also have a 2008 Nissan XTerra....the same problem has been reported with this model. Now, I'm worried this will happen again and I will be doubly F**ked. I want NISSAN to make this right....NOW. My beautiful truck is sitting in my driveway awaiting settlement of this class action suit.

- boboldschoolbolin, New Orleans, LA, US

problem #2

Oct 032012

Frontier SE 4.0L, V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 140,000 miles

It makes a lot of noise. Just a loud wanging noise. I leave for work well before daylight. It wakes up neighborhood.

- Don A., Mansfield, TX, US

problem #1

Oct 152014

Frontier SE 4.0L

  • Automatic transmission
  • 86,000 miles

I have owned 6 Nissan vehicles. I have seen online this is a huge problem with 2006 Frontier, timing chain and guides faulty, replace at a cost of $2400. I called Nissan North America division with a total refusal of any help with this financially. The longest day I live I will never own another Nissan vehicle and the newer vehicles are sure not what Nissan use to be and I have been a Nissan man for thirty years.......bye bye Nissan.

- norrisky, Hatfield, KY, US