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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 →
780Owner complaints

Model-year median: 78

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
72
200384
2004845
2005780
2006557
2007119
200819
2009
Compare all Xterra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
268Fuel System, Gasoline
237Engine And Engine Cooling
106Engine
104Fuel/propulsion System
94
All reported categories
Electrical System
41Fuel System, Other
40Unknown Or Other
26Steering
22Air Bags
20Vehicle Speed Control
14Suspension
12Tires
7Service Brakes
6Seat Belts
5Structure
5Equipment
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Wheels
3Exterior Lighting
2Latches/locks/linkages
1Visibility
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Equipment complaints

4 reports
Clear category filter
100,000 miles · Jun 14, 2010
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

JUNE 2, 2009 I HAD TO HAVE MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA TO VICTORY NISSAN IN MECHANICSVILLE, VA AFTER BEING TOLD BY NISSAN'S RECALL REPRESENTATIVE THAT MY PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CLASSIFIED AS A RECALL. MY FUEL-LINE BURST AND SPEWED GAS IN MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT COST ME $310.58 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. JUNE 7, 2010 THE FUELINE BURST IN THE…

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JUNE 2, 2009 I HAD TO HAVE MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA TO VICTORY NISSAN IN MECHANICSVILLE, VA AFTER BEING TOLD BY NISSAN'S RECALL REPRESENTATIVE THAT MY PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CLASSIFIED AS A RECALL. MY FUEL-LINE BURST AND SPEWED GAS IN MY ENGINE COMPARTMENT. IT COST ME $310.58 TO HAVE IT REPLACED. JUNE 7, 2010 THE FUELINE BURST IN THE EXACT SAME PLACE, THIS TIME SPRAYING ME IN THE FACE WITH GASOLINE WHEN I RAISED THE HOOD-LUCKILY I WAS WEARING EYEGLASSES. AGAIN I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN RECALL THAT THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. THE REASON ESCAPES ME AS THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS BOTH WITH POTENTIAL FIRE AND PHYSICAL INJURY. NOBODY HAS BEEN HURT SO FAR WITH THIS ISSUE. IN A SEPARATE INCIDENT, MY FUEL GAUGE THAT IS A KNOWN HAZARD BEGAN ACTING ERRATICALLY A COUPLE OF MONTHS AGO, AND I WAS TOLD THAT XTERRAS WITH MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER DO NOT FALL UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL THAT NISSAN HAS ON THIS ISSUE. THEIR REASON FOR THE RECALL IS THAT THE FUEL GAUGE COULD READ AT 1/4 FULL BUT BE EMPTY AND CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS IN TRAFFIC AND CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I GUESS MY CAR WILL NOT RUN OUT OF GAS AND CAUSE CRASHES ACCORDING TO NISSAN, RIGHT? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10336329

Mileage unknown · Apr 26, 2010
Electrical SystemEquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

NAME: [XXX]. VEHICLE: NISSAN XTERRA, 2006, VIN [XXX]. FUEL TANK LEVEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING ERRATIC READING AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER WITH TOTAL CHARGES OF $377.93 (INCLUDING LABOR CHARGES). I AM NOT SURE THAT THIS GAUGE IS REPLACED BY THE MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION A…

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NAME: [XXX]. VEHICLE: NISSAN XTERRA, 2006, VIN [XXX]. FUEL TANK LEVEL GAUGE WAS SHOWING ERRATIC READING AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER WITH TOTAL CHARGES OF $377.93 (INCLUDING LABOR CHARGES). I AM NOT SURE THAT THIS GAUGE IS REPLACED BY THE MODIFIED FLOAT ARM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10327583

58,600 miles · Dec 17, 2008
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine CoolingEquipment

I PURCHASED THIS XTERRA IN MAY OF 2006. IN THE PAST 8 WEEKS I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY 06 NISSAN XTERRA TOWED TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE OF NOT STARTING. THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD I WAS OUT OF GAS. SINCE THEN, I'VE BEEN TOLD THE SECURITY MODULE HAD GONE BAD, I HAD CORROSION ON THE BATTERY TERMINAL CAUSING IT TO GO …

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I PURCHASED THIS XTERRA IN MAY OF 2006. IN THE PAST 8 WEEKS I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY 06 NISSAN XTERRA TOWED TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE OF NOT STARTING. THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD I WAS OUT OF GAS. SINCE THEN, I'VE BEEN TOLD THE SECURITY MODULE HAD GONE BAD, I HAD CORROSION ON THE BATTERY TERMINAL CAUSING IT TO GO IN TO STOLEN MODE, THE FUEL PUMP HAD GONE BAD (REPLACED TWICE), AND THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE FUEL PUMP HAD A SHORT IN IT (REPLACED TWICE). THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND WANT TO GIVE ME MY CAR BACK WITHOUT ACTUALLY FINDING OUT THE REAL ISSUE. THIS IS MY FAMILY VEHICLE AND I DO NOT DO ANY TOWING OR OFF-ROAD WITH IT. PRIOR TO THESE ISSUES, MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT AT 11K MILES AND LEFT ME STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF AN INTERSTATE FOR OVER 3 HOURS WHILE I WAITED FOR A TOW TRUCK, AND HAVE HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR, CATALYTIC CONVERTER, AND TIRE PRESSURE SENSORS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252143

15,000 miles · May 18, 2008
EquipmentSuspension

2006 XTERRA. BOUGHT NEW, AFTER ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP HAD FOUR PEOPLE IN IT AND REAR BOTTOM OUT. HAS DONE THIS MANY TIMES. DEALERSHIP FIRST SAID IT WAS ONLY MINE , NO OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM NO ONE ELSE, THEN REPLACED SHOCKS , REAR LEAF SPRINGS. HAD THEM DRIVE OTHERS ON LOT AND ALL DID THE SAME THING. NISSAN SENT OUT A DEALER REP, …

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2006 XTERRA. BOUGHT NEW, AFTER ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP HAD FOUR PEOPLE IN IT AND REAR BOTTOM OUT. HAS DONE THIS MANY TIMES. DEALERSHIP FIRST SAID IT WAS ONLY MINE , NO OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM NO ONE ELSE, THEN REPLACED SHOCKS , REAR LEAF SPRINGS. HAD THEM DRIVE OTHERS ON LOT AND ALL DID THE SAME THING. NISSAN SENT OUT A DEALER REP, ONLY TO SAY I HIT THE DIP IN THE ROAD TO FAST. THIS IS NOT ONLY A COVER UP FROM A BAD DESIGN FROM NISSAN, BUT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO AT 65 MILES AN HOUR AND YOU BOTTOM OUT YOU COULD LOOSE CONTROL. ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP THE SUV WHEN THE SHOCK MOUNTS BREAK AND OR THE LEAF SPRINGS BREAK, HOW ABOUT AFTER MANY TIMES OF THE IMPACT ON THE AXEL DO TO THE BUMP STOPS HITTING IT ARE THE AXLES GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228117

Official recalls

3

10V517000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.