CarBrief

NHTSA has 430 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Titan[1], and the model year has 5 recalls[2]. Owners in the complaint sample we read describe rear axle and rear spring trouble, and every recall lists a dealer remedy.

430owner complaints[1]
5recalls[2]
14MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Reported problems

NHTSA lists 430 owner complaints for the 2006 Titan[1]. Of those, 14 mention a crash, 10 a fire and 11 injuries[1]. No deaths are reported[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part. Counts are not adjusted for sales.

Here is how the complaints split by component group.

Component group Complaints Median miles at failure
Power train[4] 194 59,936
Engine[5] 75 86,000
Electrical system[6] 46 72,000
Suspension[7] 45 60,000
Brakes[8] 44 58,468
Air bags[9] 28 95,603

Air bags have fewer complaints than the groups above them, but the complaints that name air bags include 6 crashes and 7 injuries[9]. The electrical group has 7 fires in its complaints[6].

We also read a small sample of complaint texts in four of these groups. It is not a count of all owners, so treat it as a hint about what to check, not as a ranking.

We did not read a sample for brakes, so we make no claim about what owners describe there.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 5 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

The recall data does not say whether a particular truck had the work done. Ask a Nissan dealer to check the truck you are considering.

Fuel economy

EPA rates the 2WD Titan with the 5.6L V8 and 5-speed automatic at 13 city, 17 highway and 14 combined MPG[3]. The 4WD version is rated 12 city, 17 highway and 14 combined[15]. EPA lists versions that run on gasoline or E85 with the same numbers[16][17].

EPA estimates annual fuel cost at $4,800 for each version[3][15]. That estimate uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the truck was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 2006 Titan 3 stars for rollover[18], with a rollover risk of 21.2%[19]. That applies to both the 2-door and 4-door rear-wheel or all-wheel drive entries[18][19]. Our data has no other star ratings for this model year.

Engine and size

EPA lists the engine as a 5.6L 8-cylinder[3]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US trucks. All five variants are 222 in long and 79 in wide[20][21][22][23][24].

Variant Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Crew Cab S/Box 4x4 LE[20] 77 in 141 in 5,135 lb
Crew Cab S/Box 4x4 SE[21] 77 in 141 in 5,201 lb
Crew Cab S/Box 4x4 XE[22] 77 in 141 in 5,324 lb
King Cab S/Box 2WD XE/SE[23] 75 in 140 in 4,786 lb
King Cab S/Box 4x4 LE[24] 77 in 141 in 5,262 lb

How 2006 compares with other years

2004: 1,046 complaints, 5 recalls20042005: 891 complaints, 4 recalls2006: 430 complaints, 5 recalls43020062007: 139 complaints, 1 recalls2008: 133 complaints, 5 recalls20082009: 47 complaints, 3 recalls2010: 46 complaints, 3 recalls20102011: 26 complaints, 1 recalls2012: 22 complaints, 2 recalls20122013: 11 complaints, 3 recalls2014: 10 complaints, 2 recalls20142015: 12 complaints, 1 recalls2017: 187 complaints, 3 recalls20172018: 90 complaints, 4 recalls2019: 49 complaints, 4 recalls20192020: 23 complaints, 5 recalls2021: 58 complaints, 5 recalls20212022: 13 complaints, 4 recalls2023: 18 complaints, 2 recalls20232024: 15 complaints, 2 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Titan model year. The 2006 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20041,0465
20058914
20064305
20071391
20081335
2009473
2010463
2011261
2012222
2013113
2014102
2015121
20171873
2018904
2019494
2020235
2021585
2022134
2023182
2024152

NHTSA complaint counts for nearby Titan years are 1,046 for 2004, 891 for 2005, 430 for 2006 and 139 for 2007[2]. That makes 2006 the third highest of the years listed, and no later year in the list goes above 187[2].

The 2006 model year has 5 recalls[2]. That ties 2004, 2008, 2020 and 2021 for the highest recall count listed, and no listed year has more[2]. The list has no entry for 2016.

Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so they work best as a comparison between years of the same model.

Should you buy a used 2006 Titan?

This model year has more complaints than any listed year from 2007 on, at 430, and it has 5 recalls[2]. Each recall lists a dealer remedy, so ask for proof the work was done[10][11][12][13][14]. In the complaint texts we read, owners describe rear end and rear spring problems, so a careful inspection of the rear axle and rear spring mounts makes sense[4][7]. Expect truck-level fuel costs, with EPA estimating $4,800 a year[3]. A clean service history and completed recalls matter more than the model year alone.

Frequently asked questions

What are the common problems with the 2006 Nissan Titan?
NHTSA has 430 complaints, and power train is the largest group with 194[1][4]. In the sample of texts we read, owners describe rear end or differential trouble[4] and broken rear spring shackles[7].
Does the 2006 Nissan Titan have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 recalls: 10V517, 10V074, 08V284, 06V459 and 06V064[10][11][12][13][14]. Each lists a dealer remedy.
How many miles per gallon does a 2006 Nissan Titan get?
EPA rates the 2WD at 13 city, 17 highway and 14 combined MPG[3]. The 4WD is 12 city, 17 highway and 14 combined[15].
Is the 2006 Nissan Titan the best year for the Titan?
Its 430 complaints are fewer than 2004 (1,046) and 2005 (891) but more than 2007 (139)[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so this is a rough guide only.
What is the rollover rating of the 2006 Nissan Titan?
NHTSA gives it 3 stars for rollover, with a rollover risk of 21.2%[18][19].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 430 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Nissan Titan (14 mention a crash, 10 a fire, 11 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Titan model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Titan 2WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 194 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 59,936). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 75 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 4 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 86,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 46 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 7 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 72,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 45 complaints name the suspension component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 60,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 44 complaints name the brakes component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,468). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 28 complaints name the air bags component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 7 injuries, median mileage at failure 95,603). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. Recall 10V517, filed October 28, 2010: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
  11. Recall 10V074, filed March 3, 2010: Fuel System, Other › Storage › Fuel Gauge System. NHTSA recall database
  12. Recall 08V284, filed June 27, 2008: Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner. NHTSA recall database
  13. Recall 06V459, filed November 30, 2006: Electrical System. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 06V064, filed March 8, 2006: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  15. EPA rating for Titan 4WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Titan 2WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, Rear-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Titan 4WD, 5.6L 8-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Gasoline or E85, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 12 city / 17 highway / 14 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,800. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 2 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TITAN CREW CAB S/BOX 4X4 LE: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 141 in, curb weight 5,135 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  21. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TITAN CREW CAB S/BOX 4X4 SE: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 141 in, curb weight 5,201 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  22. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TITAN CREW CAB S/BOX 4X4 XE: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 141 in, curb weight 5,324 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TITAN KING CAB S/BOX 2WD XE/SE: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 75 in, wheelbase 140 in, curb weight 4,786 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, TITAN KING CAB S/BOX 4X4 LE: length 222 in, width 79 in, height 77 in, wheelbase 141 in, curb weight 5,262 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.