IllustrationON 6/12/2018 PULLED INTO MY GARAGE AT HOME AND ON TURNING ENGINE OFF SAW ELECTRICAL SPARK UNDER HOOD AND SUV WENT UP IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT AVAILABLE.
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
What owners actually said
780 reportsMY TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE SHAFT WENT OUT OF MY VEHICLE TODAY OUT OF NOWHERE. I HAVE A NEW JOB TO GET TO AND NO MONEY TO FIX OR REPLACE THIS VEHICLE. IT'S RIDICULOUS CONSIDERING IT ONLY HAS 136,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS 2 MILES FROM MY HOUSE AND DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20MPH AND IT JUST STOPPED ACCELERATING. I WAS STUCK ON THE SIDE OF…
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MY TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE SHAFT WENT OUT OF MY VEHICLE TODAY OUT OF NOWHERE. I HAVE A NEW JOB TO GET TO AND NO MONEY TO FIX OR REPLACE THIS VEHICLE. IT'S RIDICULOUS CONSIDERING IT ONLY HAS 136,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS 2 MILES FROM MY HOUSE AND DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20MPH AND IT JUST STOPPED ACCELERATING. I WAS STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN 5 DEGREE WEATHER. I AM BEYOND DISMAYED AND COMPLETELY WITHOUT OPTIONS.
I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AFTER-MARKET IN AUGUST 2019, MILEAGE 144K. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM DURING A TEST-DRIVE, AND IT OTHERWISE APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. THREE DAYS LATER, DURING CITY DRIVING, THE CAR BEGAN TO STRAIN TO ENTER FIRST GEAR FROM A STOPPED POSITION (STOP SIGN, TRAFFIC LIGHT), FIRST A LI…
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I PURCHASED A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AFTER-MARKET IN AUGUST 2019, MILEAGE 144K. THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM DURING A TEST-DRIVE, AND IT OTHERWISE APPEARED TO BE IN GOOD CONDITION. THREE DAYS LATER, DURING CITY DRIVING, THE CAR BEGAN TO STRAIN TO ENTER FIRST GEAR FROM A STOPPED POSITION (STOP SIGN, TRAFFIC LIGHT), FIRST A LITTLE, AND THEN SIGNIFICANTLY, AND BEGAN OBSTRUCTING TRAFFIC-FLOW, AND BEGAN OVERHEATING AFTER MULTIPLE STOP/STARTS. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE CAR HOME (4 MILES) WITHOUT HAVING TO PULL OVER AND CALL A TOW-TRUCK. A TRIP TO THE TRANSMISSION SHOP ON THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY CONFIRMED NOT JUST A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM, BUT WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO A KNOWN DEFECT IN NISSAN SUV-TYPE VEHICLES FROM THIS TIME-PERIOD. THE CAR FROM THE USED DEALER CAME WITH "CAR PROTECTION PLUS" COVERAGE SPECIFICALLY FOR POWER-TRAIN ISSUES, WHO DENIED THAT THEY WOULD COVER THIS PARTICULAR TRANSMISSION PROBLEM FOR THIS REASON. I NOW OWN A VERY EXPENSIVE PAPERWEIGHT, OR PAY A REPAIR BILL OF $3K-$4K TO FIX A TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR THAT IS MORE THAN THE VALUE OF THE CAR.
THE METAL TUBES THAT SEPARATE ENGINE COOLANT FROM THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CRACK. COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXES AND CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE SUBSTANCE IS MILKY, AND CLOUDY LIKE A MILK SHAKE. CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE CITY WE WERE COMING FROM THE STORE.
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..
FUEL GAUGE INACCURACY WHEN FULL READ 1/4 AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. NTB10-031 MARCH 18,2010 HAS A SAFETY RECALL ON THIS. THE CAR IS A 2006 BUT HAS LOW MILEAGE AND HAS BEEN TO THE DEALER SINCE MARCH 2010. MY SERVICE MANAGER AT NISSAN OF MELBOURNE HAS NO KNOWLEDGE OF IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SWAYED FROM LANE TO LANE. THE VEHICLE DRIFTED WITHOUT TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. KEN GARFF NISSAN SALT LAKE (777 S W TEMPLE, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84101, (801) 933-1890) AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON FILE. THE CONTACT FILED A CASE WIT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SWAYED FROM LANE TO LANE. THE VEHICLE DRIFTED WITHOUT TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. KEN GARFF NISSAN SALT LAKE (777 S W TEMPLE, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84101, (801) 933-1890) AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON FILE. THE CONTACT FILED A CASE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER. A CASE MANAGER WAS SCHEDULED TO CALL THE CONTACT BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.
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.
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.,
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL TANK HAD MORE THAN A HALF TANK OF FUEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED UP AT THE FUEL STATION, THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED EMPTY AND THE FUEL TANK ICON ILLUMINATED. THE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE RAN OUT OF FUEL EVEN THOUGH THE FUEL TANK HAD MORE THAN A HALF TANK OF FUEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FILLED UP AT THE FUEL STATION, THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED EMPTY AND THE FUEL TANK ICON ILLUMINATED. THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DICK SMITH NISSAN OF COLUMBIA (803-256-6600, LOCATED AT 9940 TWO NOTCH RD, COLUMBIA, SC 29223) WHERE THE TECHNICIAN RECOMMENDED A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE CONTACT STATED THAT "THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT INSIDE THE FUEL TANK NEEDED TO BE REPLACED". THE DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 62,000.
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.