IllustrationMileage unknown · Jul 25, 2025
Tires
17
NHTSA ODI #11676217
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
Tires complaints
7 reports17
I HAD ALL FOUR HANKOOK DYNAPRO ATM TIRES FROM THIS BATCH REPLACED FOR TREAD SEPARATION. I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THESE TIRES IN MARCH OF 2010. I HAD TWO OF THEM REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2013 (THE SEPARATION ON THE TWO TIRES WERE SO BAD THAT THEY WOULD NOT LET ME LEAVE THE SHOP WITH THEM.), THEN THE BLOWOUT IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014 THEN TH…
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I HAD ALL FOUR HANKOOK DYNAPRO ATM TIRES FROM THIS BATCH REPLACED FOR TREAD SEPARATION. I ORIGINALLY PURCHASED THESE TIRES IN MARCH OF 2010. I HAD TWO OF THEM REPLACED IN APRIL OF 2013 (THE SEPARATION ON THE TWO TIRES WERE SO BAD THAT THEY WOULD NOT LET ME LEAVE THE SHOP WITH THEM.), THEN THE BLOWOUT IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014 THEN THE FINAL REPLACEMENT IN FEBRUARY OF THIS YEAR. ALL OF THESE TIRES WERE REPLACED DUE TO THESE DEFECTIVE TIRES. I REPLACED THESE TIRES WITH THE SAME PRODUCT THINKING I JUST GOT A BAD BATCH OF TIRES. BUT WHEN SHOWING THE GUYS AT THE DISCOUNT TIRE WHAT HAPPENED TO THE TIRE AND CAR WHEN THE TREAD BLEW OFF THE TIRE AND THE 2500 DAMAGE THAT WAS CAUSED TO THE SUV, THEY FELT THAT THAT WAS A DEFECTIVE PRODUCT AND THAT I NEEDED TO FILE A CLAIM WITH HANKOOK. THEY HELPED ME GET THE CLAIM STARTED. I WAS CONTACTED BY JUAN BRITOS WHO ASKED ME TO SEND IN AN ESTIMATE FROM A REPAIR COMPANY WHICH I DID. A FEW DAYS LATER I RECEIVED A LETTER STATING THAT THE CLAIM WAS DENIED DUE TO PROLONGED OPERATION OF THE TIRE IN AN UNDER-INFLATED STATE THIS CLAIM IS SIMPLY UNTRUE. I COMMUTE QUITE A FEW MILES A WEEK. I AM VERY CONSCIOUS OF THE PRESSURE OF MY TIRES. I DO THIS FOR ECONOMIC REASONS I KNOW KEEPING PROPERLY INFLATED TIRES IMPROVES MPG. THIS IS WHY I KEEP A TIRE PRESSURE GAGE IN THE DOOR OF MY CAR AND CHECK IT REGULARLY. I ALSO KEEP AN AIR COMPRESSOR IN MY CAR TO INFLATE ANY UNDER INFLATED TIRES, THIS IS ALSO AN AUTOMATIC SHUT OFF COMPRESSOR THAT SHUTS OFF AT THE SET PSI. I KEEP MY TIRES AT A RANGE OF 35-40 PSI. I ALSO HAVE A TPMS SYSTEM IN MY VEHICLE THAT WOULD WARN ME OF ANY LOW PRESSURE ISSUES.
2006 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. *SMD THE DEALER INFORM THE CONSUMER THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BECAUSE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONSUMER ALSO STATED IT FELT AS THOUGH THE TIRES WERE SLIPPING WHEN TAKING OFF FROM A STOP. *JB
THE LOW ON AIR TIRE LIGHT IS ON ALL THE TIME. I TURN ON THE VEHICLE AND THE LOW AIR TIRE LIGHT FLASHES. AFTER DRIVING FOR AWHILE, THE LIGHT GOES SOLID. I WAS TOLD BY MY TIRE INSTALLERS THAT IT WASN'T THE TIRE SENSORS THAT WERE BAD, IT WAS THE MAIN CONTROLLER THAT IS BAD. *TR
I NOTICED THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY STAYING ON WHEN MY ODOMETER REACHED APPROX. 28,000 MILES, BUT WAS UNSURE OF THE REASON. SO I TOOK MY 2006 XTERRA TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT PLUGGED SOMETHING INTO THE PORT UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER-SIDE DASH. THE LIGHT WOULD GO OUT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OR SO BEFORE …
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I NOTICED THE TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT WAS CONSTANTLY STAYING ON WHEN MY ODOMETER REACHED APPROX. 28,000 MILES, BUT WAS UNSURE OF THE REASON. SO I TOOK MY 2006 XTERRA TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEIR SERVICE DEPARTMENT PLUGGED SOMETHING INTO THE PORT UNDERNEATH THE DRIVER-SIDE DASH. THE LIGHT WOULD GO OUT FOR ABOUT AN HOUR OR SO BEFORE IMMEDIATELY TURNING BACK ON. THIS CONTINUED A FEW MORE TIMES UNTIL THE 36K MILE WARRANTY WAS NO LONGER EFFECTIVE. I DID NOT RETURN TO THE DEALERSHIP ANYMORE AFTER THIS. WHEN I PURCHASED NEW TIRES FROM A WELL-KNOWN TIRE CENTER, THE GENTLEMAN DOING THE WORK HANDED ME THE SENSOR IN A COUPLE OF PIECES SAYING THAT IT HAD BROKEN OFF AND HE FOUND IT INSIDE THE TIRE. THESE WERE THE TIRES ON THE VEHICLE WHEN I PURCHASED IT BRAND NEW IN JAN 2006. MY COMPLAINT IS THAT WHILE UNDER WARRANTY THIS WAS NOT RECOGNIZED AND THE DEALERSHIP ONLY FIXED THE SOLUTION BY DEACTIVATING THE DASH LIGHT. SO NOW IF I CHOOSE TO HAVE THE REPAIR DONE THE SENSOR WILL COST APPROXIMATELY $85. I AM NOT SURE HOW MUCH THE LABOR WOULD COST, BUT I WOULD ESTIMATE IT TO BE AN ADDITIONAL $75-$100. *TR
REGULARLY GETTING FAULTY TIRE PRESSURE READINGS ON MY 2006 XTERRA FOR OVER A YEAR NOW (IN COLD AND WARM WEATHER, LONG AND SHORT TRIPS). AT FIRST, LIGHT WOULD FLASH INTERMITTENTLY, AND THEN STAY ON FOR LONG PERIOD UNTIL TIRE WAS INFLATED, PARTICULARLY LEFT FRONT TIRE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY COULDN'T T…
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REGULARLY GETTING FAULTY TIRE PRESSURE READINGS ON MY 2006 XTERRA FOR OVER A YEAR NOW (IN COLD AND WARM WEATHER, LONG AND SHORT TRIPS). AT FIRST, LIGHT WOULD FLASH INTERMITTENTLY, AND THEN STAY ON FOR LONG PERIOD UNTIL TIRE WAS INFLATED, PARTICULARLY LEFT FRONT TIRE. TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THEY COULDN'T TELL ME WHAT WAS WRONG. ON ONE OCCASION, I DID HAVE NAIL IN THE TIRE, WHICH WAS REPAIRED. HOWEVER, FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW, THE LIGHT HAS COME ON AND OFF AND WHEN I CHECK THE PRESSURE, ALL TIRES WERE CORRECTLY INFLATED. FINALLY, THE LIGHT STAYED ON, SO I WENT TO THE DEALERSHIP, AND THEY FINALLY TOLD ME IT WAS A FAULTY LEFT TIRE SENSOR - THE PRICE WOULD BE $200. I DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET AND FOUND THIS WAS BEEN A RATHER WIDESPREAD PROBLEM ACROSS SEVERAL MAKES AND MODELS (CARS AND TRUCKS/SUVS - NEWER MODELS, 2006 AND NEWER). *TR
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
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.