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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 →

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
127,000 miles · May 9, 2016
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION IS DAMAGED BECAUSE OF A FAULTY RADIATOR THAT LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL. MY CAR WAS A STANDSTILL AND I WAS PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND MY CAR BARELY MOVED CAUSING THE ONCOMING CAR TO SWERVE AND SLAM HIS BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ME. THIS A A SAFETY CONCERN, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS…

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THE TRANSMISSION IS DAMAGED BECAUSE OF A FAULTY RADIATOR THAT LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL. MY CAR WAS A STANDSTILL AND I WAS PULLING INTO TRAFFIC AND MY CAR BARELY MOVED CAUSING THE ONCOMING CAR TO SWERVE AND SLAM HIS BRAKES TO AVOID HITTING ME. THIS A A SAFETY CONCERN, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU HAVE KIDS IN THE CAR.

NHTSA ODI #10863881

112,000 miles · May 6, 2016
EnginePower Train

IN OCTOBER 2015 I NOTICED THAT MY XTERRA WAS OVERHEATING AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AT TIMES. WHEN I REMOVED THE RADIATOR CAP TO CHECK THE COOLANT, IT LOOKED FOAMY AND MILKY, LIKE A LIME SMOOTHIE. I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH NISSAN RADIAT…

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IN OCTOBER 2015 I NOTICED THAT MY XTERRA WAS OVERHEATING AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS SLIPPING AT TIMES. WHEN I REMOVED THE RADIATOR CAP TO CHECK THE COOLANT, IT LOOKED FOAMY AND MILKY, LIKE A LIME SMOOTHIE. I THOUGHT I MIGHT HAVE A BLOWN HEAD GASKET AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO MY MECHANIC, WHO TOLD ME ABOUT THE ISSUE WITH NISSAN RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION CROSS-CONTAMINATION. HE TOLD ME THAT FLUSHING THE SYSTEMS WOULD NOT HELP AND THE ENTIRE COOLING SYSTEM AND TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED TO THE TUNE OF ABOUT $6500, WHICH I DIDN'T HAVE. HE TOLD ME TO CONTACT NISSAN. UNFORTUNATELY, AT THE TIME MY XTERRA WAS DIAGNOSED, IT HAD 112,000 MILES ON IT, WHICH WAS BEYOND THE SCOPE OF NISSAN'S EXTENDED WARRANTY WHICH CAME ABOUT AS A RESULT OF THE CLASS-ACTION LAWSUIT. THE ONLY THING THEY DID FOR ME WAS GIVE ME A REFUND ON A RECALL ITEM FOR WHICH I'D PAID BEFORE THE RECALL CAME OUT. THEY ALSO OFFERED ME A "BUSINESS ASSOCIATE'S" DISCOUNT ON ANOTHER NISSAN--AS IF I'D BUY ONE AFTER THIS! BECAUSE I AM MOBILITY CHALLENGED, I MUST HAVE A VEHICLE TO GET TO WORK, DOCTORS' VISITS, ETC. I WAS FORCED TO BUY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE PAYMENTS HAVE ME SO STRAPPED FOR CASH THAT ONCE I GET MY BILLS PAID THERE'S NOTHING LEFT FOR GROCERIES OR PET FOOD, MUCH LESS PUTTING GAS IN MY CAR! I AM SO DISGUSTED WITH NISSAN FOR PUTTING ME IN THIS POSITION I CAN'T EVEN PUT IT INTO WORDS.

NHTSA ODI #10863628

91,000 miles · Apr 29, 2016
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FRACTURED AND CONTAMINATED THE TRANSM…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 75 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHIFTED INTO NEUTRAL ON ITS OWN. THERE WERE NO WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT COASTED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FRACTURED AND CONTAMINATED THE TRANSMISSION. THE FAILURE RECURRED APPROXIMATELY SIX TIMES. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS INVALID. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.

NHTSA ODI #10862252

82,000 miles · Apr 27, 2016
Engine

THE DEALER INFORMED ME AFTER REPLACING MY TRANSMISSION THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONS GUIDES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK HAS 82K MILES AND GETS REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I RESEARCH THE ISSUE ON THE WEB AND THIS IS A CHRONIC DESIGN PROBLEM. THE ENGINE COULD INCUR SEVERE DAMAGE DURING USE WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL A…

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THE DEALER INFORMED ME AFTER REPLACING MY TRANSMISSION THAT THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONS GUIDES WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE TRUCK HAS 82K MILES AND GETS REGULAR MAINTENANCE. I RESEARCH THE ISSUE ON THE WEB AND THIS IS A CHRONIC DESIGN PROBLEM. THE ENGINE COULD INCUR SEVERE DAMAGE DURING USE WHICH COULD LEAD TO A LOSS OF CONTROL AND SEVERE ACCIDENT.

NHTSA ODI #10861858

155,000 miles · Apr 25, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE BECAME INOPERABLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED SEVERAL TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ODI #10861365

82,000 miles · Apr 19, 2016
Engine

THE DEALER INFORMED ME THAT THE TIMING CHAIN COMPONENTS ARE WEARING AND COULD BREAK RESULTING IN AN ENGINE ABRUPT STOPPAGE. MANY COMPLAINTS ON LINE ABOUT THIS CONDITION. NISSAN DESIGN DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #10860390

165,000 miles · Apr 5, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION COOLER CRACKED CAUSING WATER/ANTI-FREEZE TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION. CAR STILL RUNS, BUT ACCORDING TO MECHANIC, TRANSMISSION DOESN'T HAVE MUCH LIFE LEFT. ESTIMATE TO REPAIR IS $4700.

NHTSA ODI #10853573

130,000 miles · Apr 4, 2016
Engine

ENGINE DIED ON THE WAY TO WORK BECAUSE OF A RECALL UNKNOWN TO ME BUT SHARED WITH ME AFTER MY MECHANIC FOUND INFORMATION ON RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION

NHTSA ODI #10853387

118,000 miles · Apr 3, 2016
Power Train

MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA BEGAN SHUDDERING AS IF THE CAR WAS RIDING ON RUMBLE STRIPS, WHILE I WAS TRYING TO MAINTAIN SPEED. WHEN THE OD IS OFF IT DOES NOT SHUDDER/RUMBLE. AFTER AN INSPECTION AND RESEARCH WE DETERMINED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUDDER. WE HAVE TAKEN GREAT CARE OF OUR…

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MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA BEGAN SHUDDERING AS IF THE CAR WAS RIDING ON RUMBLE STRIPS, WHILE I WAS TRYING TO MAINTAIN SPEED. WHEN THE OD IS OFF IT DOES NOT SHUDDER/RUMBLE. AFTER AN INSPECTION AND RESEARCH WE DETERMINED THAT COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSING THE CAR TO SHUDDER. WE HAVE TAKEN GREAT CARE OF OUR CAR AND THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR AND IT SHOULD NOT BE PAID FOR BY THE CONSUMERS!

NHTSA ODI #10853185

120,000 miles · Apr 1, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS CONTAMINATION OF RADIATOR FLUID AND THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFAC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND WAS UNABLE TO BE RESTARTED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS CONTAMINATION OF RADIATOR FLUID AND THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10852876

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.