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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

Unknown Or Other complaints

26 reports
Clear category filter
150,000 miles · Jun 18, 2015
EngineUnknown Or OtherVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING AND TRYING TO ENTER A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE, I HAD TO PULL OUT TO THE SHOULDER BECAUSE THE TRUCK WOULDN'T SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR...I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE TRUCK WASN'T ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND REMAINED ON 1ST SHIFT STRUGGLING TO GET TO 2ND AND THEN 3RD....I GOT HOM…

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WHILE DRIVING AND TRYING TO ENTER A MAJOR HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 40 MPH AND TRYING TO ACCELERATE, I HAD TO PULL OUT TO THE SHOULDER BECAUSE THE TRUCK WOULDN'T SHIFT TO A HIGHER GEAR...I HAD TO GET OUT OF THE HIGHWAY BECAUSE THE TRUCK WASN'T ABLE TO ACCELERATE AND REMAINED ON 1ST SHIFT STRUGGLING TO GET TO 2ND AND THEN 3RD....I GOT HOME AND HEARD THE ENGINE OR RADIATOR MAKE BUBBLING NOISE....AFTER 3 OR 4 HOURS I OPENED THE RADIATOR AND SAW ALL SORTS OF GUNK LIKE BUBBLEGUM...IT WAS STILL WARM AND IT OOZED OUT FALLING ALL OVER MY DRIVEWAY...I PAYED A MECHANIC $300 TO CHANGE THE RADIATOR THINKING IT WAS THE PROBLEM ...ONLY TO FIND OUT IT WAS MUCH MORE AND MORE MONEY ALSO....I LOOKED FOR ANOTHER MECHANIC AND HE SAID IT WOULD COST $4000 TO FIX EVERYTHING... I'VE WASTED MORE THAN $3000 TRYING TO FIGURE OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM IS.. NOW THE MECHANIC SAYS THAT A NEW TRANSMISSION MODULE VALVE IS NEEDED ....HOW MANY MORE TRUCKS BREAKING DOWN OR COMPLAINTS UNTIL THIS ISSUE IS RESOLVED.... I WAS LUCKY THAT WHEN I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY NO CARS WERE COMING FULL SPEED...BECAUSE WITHOUT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE I WOULD OF CAUSED AN ACCIDENT AND GOTTEN KILLED...I LOVED MY TRUCK AND MISS RIDING IT...PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS... THANK YOU..

NHTSA ODI #10726117

93,000 miles · May 24, 2015
Unknown Or Other

RADIATOR CRACKED LEAKED COOLANT IN TRANSMISSION, RUINING IT. UPDATED 11/02/2017*CN

NHTSA ODI #10721223

143,000 miles · Apr 8, 2015
Unknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON VEHICLE AND AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I FOUND THAT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN FILED AGAINST NISSAN FROM OTHERS CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE HAD ALSO BEEN A CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED BECAUSE SO MANY CUSTOMERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THE ISSUE, THE…

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TRANSMISSION WENT OUT ON VEHICLE AND AFTER RESEARCHING THE PROBLEM I FOUND THAT SEVERAL COMPLAINTS HAD BEEN FILED AGAINST NISSAN FROM OTHERS CUSTOMERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM. THERE HAD ALSO BEEN A CLASS ACTION SUIT FILED BECAUSE SO MANY CUSTOMERS WERE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN ABOUT THE ISSUE, THEY TOLD ME THAT THE CAMPAIGN WAS CLOSED AND THAT THEY WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO ASSIST ME IN GETTING MY VEHICLE REPAIRED. THE COST TO FIX THE VEHICLE IS OVER $4,000.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10704575

103,000 miles · Jul 29, 2014
Unknown Or Other

CAR BEGAN OVERHEATING AND EVEN WHEN ALLOWED COOL DOWN TIME CONTINUED TO RUN HOT. INSPECTION SHOWS THAT THE CAR HAS TRANSMISSION LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR. EVEN WHEN FLUSHED AND REFILLED - IMMEDIATELY MIXES AGAIN. CAR IS NOT OPERABLE. DEALERSHIP INDICATES $5K TO REPAIR. THE CAR HAS JUST PASSED 100,000 AND IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR…

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CAR BEGAN OVERHEATING AND EVEN WHEN ALLOWED COOL DOWN TIME CONTINUED TO RUN HOT. INSPECTION SHOWS THAT THE CAR HAS TRANSMISSION LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR. EVEN WHEN FLUSHED AND REFILLED - IMMEDIATELY MIXES AGAIN. CAR IS NOT OPERABLE. DEALERSHIP INDICATES $5K TO REPAIR. THE CAR HAS JUST PASSED 100,000 AND IS NOT ELIGIBLE FOR ANY WARRANTY. NISSAN WAS WELL AWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND OPTED NOT TO RECALL OR EVEN INFORM CUSTOMERS OF ISSUES TO WATCH FOR. NOW, I AM OUT A CAR - I DO NOT HAVE 5K NOR DO I HAVE THE ABILITY TO WALK OUT AND JUST BUY A NEW CAR. THANKS NISSAN FOR LOOKING OUT FOR YOURSELF AND NOT THE CUSTOMERS WHO KEEP YOU IN BUSINESS. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10617461

86,150 miles · Feb 27, 2014
Unknown Or Other

I WAS IN MD INTERSTATE 97 GOING NORTH AT 65 MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE INTENSELY THAT I HAD TO SLOW DOWN WHICH NEARLY CAUSE A MULTIPLE COLLISION(AT LEAST 4) FROM A VEHICLE BEHIND HITTING ME. AS I SLOWLY MOVED TO THE SIDE, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD THAT NEARLY HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. BROUGHT IT TO PEP BOYS AND ASSESSED CA…

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I WAS IN MD INTERSTATE 97 GOING NORTH AT 65 MPH WHEN MY VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE INTENSELY THAT I HAD TO SLOW DOWN WHICH NEARLY CAUSE A MULTIPLE COLLISION(AT LEAST 4) FROM A VEHICLE BEHIND HITTING ME. AS I SLOWLY MOVED TO THE SIDE, THE VEHICLE JERKED FORWARD THAT NEARLY HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE. BROUGHT IT TO PEP BOYS AND ASSESSED CAUSED BY TRANSMISSION AND I WAS ADVISED TO BRING IT TO THE DEALER. NISSAN DEALER DIAGNOSED COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. COOLANT ALSO LEAKING FROM THE UPPER AND LOWER RADIATOR AND RADIATOR IS ALSO LEAKING. THIS LOOKS LIKE A MECHANICAL ISSUE THAT DEFINITELY LEAD AND CAUSE SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #10567231

62,500 miles · Nov 27, 2010
Unknown Or Other

REAR DIFFERENTIAL AXLE SEAL LEAKS OIL INTO THE BREAKS CREATING A VERY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE RELEASED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, AND CHANGED PART NUMBERS BUT THEY HAVE NOT RELEASED A RECALL SO ALL DEALERSHIPS REFUSE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR FREE. FURTHERMORE DEALERS ARE NOT W…

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REAR DIFFERENTIAL AXLE SEAL LEAKS OIL INTO THE BREAKS CREATING A VERY UNSAFE DRIVING CONDITION. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THEY HAVE RELEASED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN, AND CHANGED PART NUMBERS BUT THEY HAVE NOT RELEASED A RECALL SO ALL DEALERSHIPS REFUSE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM FOR FREE. FURTHERMORE DEALERS ARE NOT WARNING THEIR CUSTOMERS OF THIS ISSUE. LAST MONDAY WHEN GOING TO WORK, IT WAS RAINING AND WHEN I GOT OUT OF THE FREEWAY AND WAS TRYING TO REDUCE MY SPEED THRE TRUCK SKID AND TURN TO THE LEFT. I WAS ABLE TO CONTROL IT AND FORTUNATELY I DIDN'T HIT ANYONE OR ANYTHING. I ASSUME THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF THE OIL ON THE LEFT REAR BREAK.

NHTSA ODI #10368770

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.