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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

Power Train complaints

268 reports
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104,000 miles · Jul 16, 2019
Power Train

I HAVE AN NISSAN XTERRA WITH A BAD RADIATOR , IT IS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID, ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT FOR OVER 13 YEARS AND HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL, I THINK IT NEEDS TO RECALLED DUE TO BAD RADIATORS THAT LEAK TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ANTIFREEZE TOGETHER, NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT BUT HA…

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I HAVE AN NISSAN XTERRA WITH A BAD RADIATOR , IT IS LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID, ACCORDING TO THE INTERNET NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS DEFECT FOR OVER 13 YEARS AND HAS NEVER ISSUED A RECALL, I THINK IT NEEDS TO RECALLED DUE TO BAD RADIATORS THAT LEAK TRANSMISSION FLUID AND ANTIFREEZE TOGETHER, NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE DEFECT BUT HAS DONE NOTHING TO FIX OR ADRESS THE ISSUES ALL NISSAN XTERRA OWNERS HAD DUE TO THE DEFECT, INCLUDING REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSIONS AND RADIATORS AND OTHER PARTS RELATED TO THE DEFECT, IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE IF THE TRANSMISSION LOCKS UP ON THE ROADWAY AT ANY SPEED LIMIT..

NHTSA ODI #11232584

70,388 miles · Jun 23, 2019
EnginePower Train

RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND WE ONLY HAVE 70,000 MILEAGE. PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT NISSAN SERVICE SAID THEY DON'T COVERE THE REPAIR AND OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. WE SAVED THIS CAT FOR OUR 16 YEARS OLD SON FOR HIS COLLEGE SOON ANG PREPARING FOR DMV. WE SAVE MONEY FOR HIS CAR SO WE DON'T NEED TO WORRY.…

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RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION AND WE ONLY HAVE 70,000 MILEAGE. PURCHASED EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT NISSAN SERVICE SAID THEY DON'T COVERE THE REPAIR AND OUR EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED. WE SAVED THIS CAT FOR OUR 16 YEARS OLD SON FOR HIS COLLEGE SOON ANG PREPARING FOR DMV. WE SAVE MONEY FOR HIS CAR SO WE DON'T NEED TO WORRY. NOW, WE ARE WORRIED BECAUSE IT WILL COST US$8,000 FOR REPAIR BY REPLACING TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. BESIDES THIS I HAVE TO PAY $190.00 FOR DIAGNOSTIC FEE. WE ARE NOT RICH AND WE PREPARED THIS CAR FOR OUR SON, FOR HIS SAFETY, NOW HIS 16 YEARS OLD THIS JUNE 2019 AND READY TO TAKE THE WHEELS, THIS CAR IS HIS CAR FOR COLLEGE. NOW, I'M HEARTBREAKING BECAUSE IT'S GARAGE KEPT CAR WITH BLANKET ALL THE TIME. 70K MILEAGE ONLY. SECURITY PLUS SAYS 72 MONTHS/75,000 ON ODOMETER. WE REALLY NEED HELP FOR REPAIR.

NHTSA ODI #11221980

101,000 miles · Jun 13, 2019
EnginePower Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO KNOWN ISSUE INVOLVING COOLING FLUID LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION DUE TO FAULTY LINES IN RADIATOR THAT CRACK AT 100,000 MILES. QUOTED $6000 REPAIR COST, CAR IS TOTALED.,

NHTSA ODI #11219737

126,000 miles · May 25, 2019
Power Train

APRIL 5, 2019 I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WITH 126K MILES. MAY 15TH, 2019 MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THERE WAS A CODE STATING A SPEED DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AAMCO AND AFTER INSPECTION, THEY VERIFIED WATER FROM THE RAD…

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APRIL 5, 2019 I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WITH 126K MILES. MAY 15TH, 2019 MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND TOOK IT TO MY MECHANIC WHO TOLD ME THERE WAS A CODE STATING A SPEED DIFFERENTIAL BETWEEN THE FRONT AND REAR OF THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO AAMCO AND AFTER INSPECTION, THEY VERIFIED WATER FROM THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND I WILL NEED TO REPLACE BOTH MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION TO THE APPROX COST OF $5800. NEEDLESS TO SAY, NOT ONLY IS THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED, BUT I WILL HAVE TO PAY THE FULL AMOUNT OF THE REPAIR OUT OF POCKET SINCE THE LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST NISSAN CONCERNING THIS ISSUE EXPIRED IN 2013. BUYER BEWARE!!! DO NOT PURCHASE A NISSAN XTERRA FROM 2005-2010 UNLESS YOU ARE PREPARED TO FORK OUT MORE MONEY THAN EXPECTED TO PAY FOR A DEFECT THAT NISSAN KNEW ABOUT BUT WILL NO LONGER SUPPORT.

NHTSA ODI #11209950

239,000 miles · Apr 22, 2019
Power Train

I BOUGHT A USED 2006 XTERRA AND I HAD NO IDEA THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLERS FAIL PREMATURELY. ALL SEEMED OK FOR 2 WEEKS. ONE DAY DRIVING BACK FROM DROPPING MY 2 DAUGHTERS OFF AT THEIR MOTHERS HOUSE, I WAS ON AN INCLINE, IN A BLIND CURVE, AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED PULLING COMPLETELY. WHILE STOPPED I TRIED TO CHECK THE TRANS F…

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I BOUGHT A USED 2006 XTERRA AND I HAD NO IDEA THAT THE TRANSMISSION COOLERS FAIL PREMATURELY. ALL SEEMED OK FOR 2 WEEKS. ONE DAY DRIVING BACK FROM DROPPING MY 2 DAUGHTERS OFF AT THEIR MOTHERS HOUSE, I WAS ON AN INCLINE, IN A BLIND CURVE, AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED PULLING COMPLETELY. WHILE STOPPED I TRIED TO CHECK THE TRANS FLUID AND WAS ALMOST RAN OVER BY A TRACTOR AND TRAILER BECAUSE HE COULDNT SEE THROUGH THE CURVE TO KNOW I WAS BROKE DOWN IN THE ROAD. THEN 10 MINUTES OR SO GOES BY AND A MINIVAN COMES AROUND THE CURVE AND HAD TO LOCK HIS BRAKES UP TO KEEP FROM RUNNING INTO ME. I WAS ALMOST HIT 2 TIMES IN A MATTER OF 20 - 30 MINUTES WAITING FOR HELP TO ARRIVE.

NHTSA ODI #11202989

Mileage unknown · Feb 25, 2019
Power Train

DEFAULT SHIFTER CABLE

NHTSA ODI #11182429

160,000 miles · Nov 28, 2018
Power Train

TAKATA RECALL. TRANSMISSION WILL NOT SHIFT.. MECHANIC STATES DUE TO RADIATOR COOLANT ISSUES.

NHTSA ODI #11154467

Mileage unknown · Oct 26, 2018
Power Train

2006 NISSAN XTERRA SE. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TRANSMISSION SAFETY RECALL AND REIMBURSEMENT FOR REPLACEMENT OF PART. *AS *JS

NHTSA ODI #11143228

91,000 miles · Oct 24, 2018
Power Train

TRANSMISSION COOLER INSIDE RADIATOR FAILED, CAUSING ANTIFREEZE TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. AT 91,000 MILES.

NHTSA ODI #11142377

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2018
Power Train

THE RADIATOR HAS CRACKED INTERNALLY AND MIXED THE ENGINE COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION REAULTING IN SEVERLY DAMAGES FLUID LEADING TO TRANSMISSION DAMAGE AND SHIFTING DAMAGE.

NHTSA ODI #11141685

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.