Illustration2006 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. *SMD THE CONSUMER STATED RADIATOR COOLANT CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED.
2006 Nissan Xterra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Xterra years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Xterra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
380–25K
13625–50K
14750–75K
14775–100K
191100–150K
61150K+
720 reports with mileage · 60 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 268 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 237 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
106 reportsMY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA W/ 119,000 MILES EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE NOTICE OF WHERE THE INVESTIGATION STANDS AT THIS TIME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552…
Read full complaint
MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA W/ 119,000 MILES EXPERIENCED TRANSMISSION FAILURE CAUSED BY A FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR. I UNDERSTAND THIS IS AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION AND WOULD LIKE TO HAVE NOTICE OF WHERE THE INVESTIGATION STANDS AT THIS TIME. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
ABOUT 61K MILES THE TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT WAS DRAGGING WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. WHEN I GOT HOME I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. THE LOCAL SHOP DROPPED THE PAN AND SAID THE FLUID WAS OK. THE DRAGGING DIDN'T COME BACK AFTER A FLUID CHANGE. HOWEVER, LATER ON, AT HIGHWAY I OCCASIONALLY FELT A VIBRATION THAT STOPPED WH…
Read full complaint
ABOUT 61K MILES THE TRANSMISSION FELT LIKE IT WAS DRAGGING WHILE I WAS TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. WHEN I GOT HOME I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP. THE LOCAL SHOP DROPPED THE PAN AND SAID THE FLUID WAS OK. THE DRAGGING DIDN'T COME BACK AFTER A FLUID CHANGE. HOWEVER, LATER ON, AT HIGHWAY I OCCASIONALLY FELT A VIBRATION THAT STOPPED WHEN I TOOK MY FOOT OFF THE GAS. I LATER GOT NOTICE OF AN EXTENDED RADIATOR WARRANTY TO 80K MILES, BUT IT DIDN'T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. THE ANTIFREEZE NEVER LOOKED LOW WHEN I CHECKED THE RADIATOR, THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE DRIVEWAY, SO I PUT THE STICKER FROM THE MAIL FROM NISSAN ON THE MANUAL AND PUT IT BACK IN THE GLOVE COMPARTMENT. ON SATURDAY 6/8/2013 SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AT THAT TIME THE CAR SEEMED TO ?DRAG?. IT SEEMED TO NEED TO REV AT HIGHER RPM THAN USUAL TO GET GOING. AT ONE POINT IN STOP AND GO TRAFFIC IT WOULDN'T MOVE FORWARD FOR A MINUTE, AND I HIT ALMOST 4000 RPM BEFORE IT MOVED FORWARD, VERY SLUGGISHLY. I TOOK IT TO THE SHOP THE NEXT DAY, THEY TOLD ME TO SEE A TRANSMISSION SHOP, SINCE A CODE "1754" CAME UP, INDICATING A DEFECTIVE CONTROL UNIT WITHIN THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION SHOP TOLD ME I NEEDED A RADIATOR, CONTROL UNIT, SINCE THE DEFECTIVE RADIATOR HAD CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION WITH ANTIFREEZE. *TR
VEHICLE SHUDDER LIKE ROLLING OVER RUMBLE STRIP. PROBLEM IS RELATED TO MANUFACTURE DEFECT WITH RADIATOR. *TR
IN DECEMBER 2012 THE COOLANT IN MY RADIATOR BAGAN LEAKNIG INTO MY TRANSMISSION, WHICH I HAD FIXED IN APRIL 2013. NOW IN JUNE 2013 ALL THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FRLUID HAS LEAKED OUT AND LEAVING ME WITH NO CAR. *TR
MY TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR. I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR, OVER $4000.00. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2005-2010 NISSAN SUV/TRUCK TRANSMISSIONS. COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID THROUGH COOLANT LINE CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. DEALER QUOTED $7000 TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. *TR
CPSC: I1340159A. NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, IS RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *LN
THIS 2006 NISSAN XTERRA PROBLEM HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, LURCHES IN ACCELERATION, NEAR-STALLS, AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT RELIABILITY OF VEHICLE IN TAKING TRIPS. THE PROBLEMS CONTINUES TO GET WORSE AND WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT IT IS CAUSED BY ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND VICE VERSA. THERE …
Read full complaint
THIS 2006 NISSAN XTERRA PROBLEM HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, LURCHES IN ACCELERATION, NEAR-STALLS, AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT RELIABILITY OF VEHICLE IN TAKING TRIPS. THE PROBLEMS CONTINUES TO GET WORSE AND WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT IT IS CAUSED BY ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND VICE VERSA. THERE IS VERY VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF THE COOLANT BEING IN THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR. I HAVE CHECKED BOTH OF THESE AND THERE IS NO MISTAKING IT. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE TWO TRIPS BECAUSE OF BEING AFRAID OF THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILING AND LEAVING ME AND MY FAMILY STRANDED IN A REMOTE AREA DURING THE TRIP, NOT TO MENTION MY EVERYDAY DRIVING THAT IS REQUIRED. *TR
IN DEC 2012 I HAD TO TAKE MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA TO THE GARAGE, THERE I WAS TOLD THAT MY RADIATOR HAD CRACKED IN 3 PLACES AND THAT I HAD COOLANT IN MY TRANSMISSION. I HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED SEVERAL TIME. THEN ON APRIL 10 I WAS DRIVING HOME. WHILE GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE MY CHECK ENGINE LIG…
Read full complaint
IN DEC 2012 I HAD TO TAKE MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA TO THE GARAGE, THERE I WAS TOLD THAT MY RADIATOR HAD CRACKED IN 3 PLACES AND THAT I HAD COOLANT IN MY TRANSMISSION. I HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND HAVE THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED SEVERAL TIME. THEN ON APRIL 10 I WAS DRIVING HOME. WHILE GETTING ON THE INTERSTATE MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY VEHICLE DID NOT WANT TO GO (LIKE IT WASN'T GETTING ANY GAS). TOOK THE XTERRA BACK TO THE GARAGE AND WAS TOLD THAT I NEEDED TO REBUILD OR REPLACE MY TRANSMISSION. I FEEL THAT SO MANY PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THIS THAT NISSAN NEEDS TO DO RECALLS AND REIMBURSE EVERYONE THAT HAS ALREADY HAD THIS PROBLEM. IF THEY WERE ANY KIND OF "GOOD" COMPANY THAT IS EXACTLY WHAT THEY WOULD DO! VERY DISAPPOINTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *TR
Official recalls
310V517000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Oct 28, 2010
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. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
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.
10V075000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank
Mar 3, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK WITH A NEW ONE THAT HAS A MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN ON OR BEFORE MARCH 22, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal
Dec 29, 2008
NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP12004 · Transmission Failures
Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.