NissanFrontier2006Overview/nissan/frontier/2006/base/

2006 Nissan Frontier

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2006 Frontier.

Body TRUCKTransmission Automatic 5-spd

The 2006 Nissan Frontier is a mid‑size truck built on Nissan’s durable truck platform, featuring an automatic 5‑speed transmission and a 5.2‑quart oil capacity that requires 5W‑30 API‑rated oil. On the road it delivers EPA‑rated fuel economy of 17 city, 22 highway, and 19 combined miles per gallon, while its design emphasizes reliability over raw performance. In the broader context of the Frontier’s long‑term reliability record, 2006 falls well above the model’s lowest complaint year (2025) and below the peak of 210 complaints in 2000, reflecting a modest but consistent level of owner satisfaction for the era.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182006

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity5.2 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/22/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 24F · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 152089E01A. Note the factory battery is now discontinued — plan on a superseded or quality aftermarket equivalent, which the part pages below list where known. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 24F · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tire sizeP235-7515OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A alt 1520865F0E
Engine air filter165467S000 alt 16546EA000
Spark plug224015M015 alt 224015M014
Battery244109B900 discontinued
Front wiper blades288909CA0B alt 288909CA0A
Serpentine belt11720EA20A alt 11720EA001
Thermostat21200EA000 alt 13050ZA000
Cabin air filter27277VR00A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length205.9 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height70.1 in
Wheelbase125.6 in
Curb weight4244 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 22 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Frontier of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.2–7.6 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.20 sec — 2012 PRO-4X V6 King Cab (6.1 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2005LE V6 Crew Cab (4.9 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.60 sec16.10 sec265 hp4x4
2005NISMO Off-Road V6 King Cab (6.1 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.60 sec15.80 sec265 hp4x4
2005NISMO Off-Road V6 King Cab (6.1 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.60 sec16.00 sec265 hp4x4
2012PRO-4X V6 King Cab (6.1 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.20 sec15.70 sec261 hp4x4
2017PRO-4X V6 Crew Cab (4'11.5" Bed) 4.0L V67.30 sec15.80 sec261 hp4x4
2020PRO-4X V6 Crew Cab (4'11.5" Bed) 3.8L V67.30 sec15.60 sec310 hp4x4
2020PRO-4X V6 Crew Cab (4'11.5" Bed) 3.8L V67.50 sec15.80 sec310 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 5.2 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque the oil drain plug to 22.0-29.0 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity3 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.2 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity5.4 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-85 · GL-4

Engine torques

Engine Flywheel Bolts65 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts29-32 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts22 ft-lbs
Engine Oil Pan Drain Plug22.0-29.0 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs5 ft-lbs
Oil Pump to Cylinder BLock Bolts/Studs8 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub101 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)725 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Spark Plug ManufacturerNGK
Spark Plug Gap0.039-0.043 in
Spark Plug Torque14-22 ft-lbs

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.43-1.65 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Oil Capacity6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number24F
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca
Standard BCI Group Number24F

Service checks

Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief14-17 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-182 °F
Pressure Test20 psi
Radiator Cap Pressure Relief11-14 psi
Thermostat Opening Temperature177-182 °F
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)51.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)51.0 psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket32 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle136 ft-lbs
Torque Caliper to Bracket24 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle76 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Max Parallel Variation0.0006 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.002 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From0.71 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.01.4 ft. lbs
Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
11.4 ft. lbs., Step 2: 4.3 ft. lbs., Step 3: 7.61.4 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
122 ft. lbs., Step 2: Back off 360 degrees, Step 3: 14 ft. lbs., Step 4: 9022 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
114 ft. lbs., Step 2: 9014 ft. lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
128-34 ft. lbs., step 2: 60-6628–34 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
172 ft. lbs.72 ft. lbs
2loosen all bolts
326-32 ft. lbs.26–32 ft. lbs
475-80 degrees75–80 degrees
575-80 degrees75–80 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
172 ft. lbs.72 ft. lbs
2loosen all bolts in reverse order.
329 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees90 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
1bolts 1, 6 M8 x 38mm, bolts 2, 3 M8 x 35mm, 4, 5 nut14 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 1-1029 ft. lbs
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
1Bolts 17-2416 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 3,750 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 3,750 mi. The big-interval services (every 3,750 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 3,750 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Hydraulic System (inspect fluid level) · Clutch Master Cylinder (inspect fluid level) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Engine Coolant System Hoses (inspect) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 7,500 miBattery (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
Every 15,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Air Conditioning System (inspect) · Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Body Latches, Locks & Hinges (lubricate) · Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace)
Every 30,000 miDrive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Drive Belt (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect)
At 60,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
Every 60,000 miRadiator Hose (replace)
At 105,000 miSpark Plugs (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2006 model year falls between the 2004 model year (66 complaints, 4 recalls) and the 2011 model year (64 complaints, 1 recall), placing it within a low-complaint interval following the high-volume 1998–2002 period (139–210 complaints annually). However, the specific complaint data for 2006 reveals 143 fuel system and 103 power train complaints, alongside 13 crash and 2 fire complaints, indicating concentrated severity in these systems despite the surrounding years' general moderation. This concentration of complaints in critical systems contrasts sharply with the low surrounding yearly totals, suggesting 2006 represents an anomalous spike within an otherwise declining arc. Given the substantial powertrain and fuel system complaint volumes relative to adjacent model years, prospective buyers should prioritize documented maintenance history and pre-purchase inspections of these specific components, making this a conditionally risky purchase despite its position in a generally improving reliability trend.

7
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
99
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
2
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
616
Owner complaints
13 involved a crash · 2 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 616 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel System, Gasoline143
Power Train103
Engine & Engine Cooling,Power Train43
Fuel/Propulsion System42
Power Train,Engine31
Engine29
Steering27
Fuel System, Other18

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

No recall campaigns on record with NHTSA for this vehicle as of the last data refresh.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 99 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB06-047A2026-04-28StructureVOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN FRONTIER KING CAB DOOR LOCK REPLACEMENT VOLUNTARY SERVICE…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB23-081C2024-07-08Air BagsVOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2005-2013 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA; DRIVER AIR…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Frontier. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2006 Frontier take?

5.2 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2006 Frontier have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 7 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Frontier get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined mpg.