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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

What owners actually said

780 reports
180,000 miles · Jun 16, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED AND DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT LEVEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE ALWAYS DISPLAYED EMPTY AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED AND DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT LEVEL. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE ALWAYS DISPLAYED EMPTY AND THE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

NHTSA ODI #10874561

109,000 miles · Jun 13, 2016
Power Train

RADIATOR LEAKING FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION, DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW ONE AND ADD AN EXTERNAL COOLING SYSTEM SO IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. $4800. MILEAGE IS 109K. NISSAN'S FORCED EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED SO NO HELP FROM THEM. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY NISSAN DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. NISSAN ALSO SAID "IT MIGHT…

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RADIATOR LEAKING FLUID INTO TRANSMISSION, DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. HAVE TO PURCHASE A NEW ONE AND ADD AN EXTERNAL COOLING SYSTEM SO IT DOES NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. $4800. MILEAGE IS 109K. NISSAN'S FORCED EXTENDED WARRANTY EXPIRED SO NO HELP FROM THEM. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE BY NISSAN DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. NISSAN ALSO SAID "IT MIGHT HAPPEN TO CERTAIN TRANSMISSIONS", BUT IN FACT HAPPENS TO ALL XTERRA TRANSMISSIONS AT LEAST FOR 2006. NISSAN HAS HAD TOO MANY ENGINE/DRIVE TRAIN ISSUES ON THE MANY NISSAN'S I HAVE PURCHASED OVER THE YEARS. I WILL NOT BE PURCHASING ANOTHER NISSAN.

NHTSA ODI #10873964

182,000 miles · Jun 9, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

I HAVE A FUEL GAUGE PROBLEM EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE NYSSA XTERRA RECALL, GAUGE REACHES 3/4 TANK BUT WON'T GO LOWER. THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT DROPS TO EMPTY. MY LOCAL NISSAN, ALLEN JAY NISSAN SAYS MY VIN IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL AND THEY AREN'T FIXING THE PROBLEM, THEY JUST EXTENDED THE WARRANTY. WELL MY CAR IS 10YEARS O…

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I HAVE A FUEL GAUGE PROBLEM EXACTLY AS DESCRIBED IN THE NYSSA XTERRA RECALL, GAUGE REACHES 3/4 TANK BUT WON'T GO LOWER. THEN ALL OF THE SUDDEN IT DROPS TO EMPTY. MY LOCAL NISSAN, ALLEN JAY NISSAN SAYS MY VIN IS NOT COVERED IN THE RECALL AND THEY AREN'T FIXING THE PROBLEM, THEY JUST EXTENDED THE WARRANTY. WELL MY CAR IS 10YEARS OLD AND NO LONGER HAS A WARRANTY AT 182,000 MILES. I WON'T PAY $400 TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE IT IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND THEY NEED TO FIX IT. WHO DO I CONTACT AT NISSAN TO FIGHT THIS INJUSTICE?

NHTSA ODI #10873423

170,000 miles · Jun 4, 2016
Engine

FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FROM THE RADIATOR CAUSING IT TO FAIL. NISSAN ESTIMATED THE REPAIR TO BE $9400.00 THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AT THE TIME OF THE FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10872518

12 miles · May 30, 2016
Unknown Or Other

I WAS DRIVING NISSAN XTERRA ON THE BUSY STREET AND SUDDENLY I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I STOPPED THE CAR ON THE CLOSEST PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO GO AWAY FROM THE CAR. I WAS SCARED IT WILL BLOW UP. AFTER FEW MINUTES THE SMOKE STOPPED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I CALLED TOWING AND MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT IS TRANSMI…

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I WAS DRIVING NISSAN XTERRA ON THE BUSY STREET AND SUDDENLY I NOTICE SMOKE COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I STOPPED THE CAR ON THE CLOSEST PARKING LOT AND TRIED TO GO AWAY FROM THE CAR. I WAS SCARED IT WILL BLOW UP. AFTER FEW MINUTES THE SMOKE STOPPED COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD. I CALLED TOWING AND MY MECHANIC TOLD ME IT IS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM. IT WAS TRULY HORRIBLE EXPERIENCE.

NHTSA ODI #10871481

Mileage unknown · May 21, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH 75,000 MILES IN OCTOBER 2015. AT 84,000 MILES, I NOTICED A CLUNK AND VEHICLE SLOWED ALL THE WAY DOWN WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING INTO DRIVE AT ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR. I WAS DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED WAY DOWN EVEN THOUGH I WAS TRYING…

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE. I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE WITH 75,000 MILES IN OCTOBER 2015. AT 84,000 MILES, I NOTICED A CLUNK AND VEHICLE SLOWED ALL THE WAY DOWN WHEN THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WAS SHIFTING INTO DRIVE AT ABOUT 45 MILES AN HOUR. I WAS DRIVING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC AND THE VEHICLE SLOWED WAY DOWN EVEN THOUGH I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE. I WAS NEARLY REARENEDED DUE TO THE SUDDEN STALL DUE TO THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP ONLY TO FIND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS CONTAMINATED WITH RADIATOR FLUIDS. THERE'S WAS A DEDUCTIBLE OF $3,000, WHAT A SAVINGS (SARCASM). IT WAS EXPLAINED THAT IT WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM. HOW COULD I BE RESPONSIBLE FOR SOMETHING THAT EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED, ESPECIALLY IF NISSA KNEW ABOUT THIS VERY COMMON PROBLEM. NISSAN REALLY HAS LET ME DOWN. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN UNLESS I AM REIMBURSED FOR MOST OF WHATI PAID. I AM ALSO EXTREMELY UPSET THAT I VERY EASILY COULD HAVE BEEN IN A SERIOUS ACCIDENT DUE TO THE SUDDEN FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION, ESPECIALLY AS I WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE WHEN JUST ENTERING THE INTERSTATE WHERE THE SPEED LIMIT WAS 70 MPH AND I SUDDENLY SLOWED DOWN DUE TO THE FAILING TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #10870165

110,000 miles · May 19, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE SOURCE OF THE CONTAMINATION IS A CRACKED ATF LINE THAT RUNS THROUGH AN ENGINE COOLANT CHAMBER IN THE RADIATOR. I HAD TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION.

NHTSA ODI #10865842

130,000 miles · May 17, 2016
Power Train

WHILE DRIVING, AVERAGE SPEED 40-50 MPH THE VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING VIOLENTLY, RPM FLUTTERING. ALSO GOING FROM PARK TO DRIVE, IT WILL SLAM INTO GEAR. CHECKING THE COOLANT, IT IS A MILKY WHITE COLOR.

NHTSA ODI #10865514

Mileage unknown · May 17, 2016
Engine

OWNER 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH THE VEHICLE HAD SHOOK THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND FOUND ISSUES WITH TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR

NHTSA ODI #10865385

144,000 miles · May 12, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 144,000.

NHTSA ODI #10864661

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.