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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

Electrical System complaints

41 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · May 1, 2023
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemPower TrainCrashInjury

Car just shut off in traffic loosing all power and braking causing me to crash into the back of a stopped car at a red-light. After inspection from a mechanic shop, they informed me that something in the computer had fried causing the car to shut off, and it had also caused the transmission control unit module to go bad making …

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Car just shut off in traffic loosing all power and braking causing me to crash into the back of a stopped car at a red-light. After inspection from a mechanic shop, they informed me that something in the computer had fried causing the car to shut off, and it had also caused the transmission control unit module to go bad making the car not drive able.

NHTSA ODI #11519825

159,000 miles · Mar 21, 2022
Electrical System

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the fuel level warning light illuminated. The fuel gauge failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was towed to a parking lot. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor independent mechanic. The manufactu…

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The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the fuel level warning light illuminated. The fuel gauge failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was towed to a parking lot. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 159,000.

NHTSA ODI #11457690

Mileage unknown · Apr 12, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

WHEN I TURN THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION ALL LIGHTS COME ON AND THE MOTOR DOES TURN OVER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STARTER AND A WEEK LATER IT DOES THE SAME SO I RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND P0181 CODE AND 3RD COIL PACK MISFIRE COMES ON. WHEN I CONTACT NISSAN MECHANIC HE SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE IPDM AND TH…

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WHEN I TURN THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION ALL LIGHTS COME ON AND THE MOTOR DOES TURN OVER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STARTER AND A WEEK LATER IT DOES THE SAME SO I RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND P0181 CODE AND 3RD COIL PACK MISFIRE COMES ON. WHEN I CONTACT NISSAN MECHANIC HE SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE IPDM AND THATS WHY I'M CONTACTING YOU ALL

NHTSA ODI #11407603

200,000 miles · Jan 10, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

THE GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK

NHTSA ODI #11387352

170,000 miles · Nov 13, 2020
Electrical SystemEnginePower Train

RADIATOR FAILED, COOLANT MIXED/LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. GAS GAUGE QUIT WORKING PROPERLY

NHTSA ODI #11374496

160,000 miles · Dec 22, 2019
Electrical SystemEngine

A LA SEMANA DE MARZO 30 DEL 2019 QUE SAQUE ESTA CAMIONETA DEL DEALER HAPPY'S AUTO, LLC EN HAYS, KS 67601. ESTE PRESENTO UN CALENTAMIENTO DEL MOTOR, TUBE QUE PAGAR PARA QUE LE CAMBIARAN EN TERMOSTATO, PERO SIGUIO EL PROBLEMA SIEMPRE HASTA QUE ME DIJERON LOS DEL MISMO DEALER QUE EL MOTOR YA NO SERVIA. DI 2200 DOLLARS DE PAGO, DIJ…

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A LA SEMANA DE MARZO 30 DEL 2019 QUE SAQUE ESTA CAMIONETA DEL DEALER HAPPY'S AUTO, LLC EN HAYS, KS 67601. ESTE PRESENTO UN CALENTAMIENTO DEL MOTOR, TUBE QUE PAGAR PARA QUE LE CAMBIARAN EN TERMOSTATO, PERO SIGUIO EL PROBLEMA SIEMPRE HASTA QUE ME DIJERON LOS DEL MISMO DEALER QUE EL MOTOR YA NO SERVIA. DI 2200 DOLLARS DE PAGO, DIJERON QUE TENIA YO QUE PAGAR OTRO MOTOR MAS EL COSTO 11,072 DOLLARS DE LA CAMIONETA. ES UN ROBO, ME ENTREGARON LA CAMIONETA CON EL ESTEREO MAL, LA REFACCION NO ME LA PUSIERON ABAJO EN SU LUGAR, LO CUAL CAUSO QUE SE ME QUEBRARA UN PLASTICO DE LA CAJUELA TRADERS. AL FINAL LES DIJE QUE NO QUERIA MAS LA CAMIONETA Y ME DIJERON QUE ESTABA BIEN PERO NO ME DEVOLVERIAN MI DINERO, NUNCA ME ENSEARON EL HISTORIAL MECANICO DE LA CAMIONETA. LA CAMIONETA YA TENIA MAS DE 150000 MILLAS. AHORA AUTO CHOICES,LLC ME ESTA COBRANDO POR UNA CAMIONETA QUE NO TENGO PORQUE ELLOS SE LA QUEDARON, QUE ME FALLO SIEMPRE Y CON UN INTERES DEL 20% ANUAL. NECECITO AYUDA POR FAVOR.

NHTSA ODI #11290762

126,000 miles · Nov 18, 2019
Electrical SystemFire

ON 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.

NHTSA ODI #11280774

200,000 miles · Feb 19, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING PROPERLY, SHOWING FUEL TANK AT EMPTY AT ALL TIMES

NHTSA ODI #11181010

120,000 miles · Oct 15, 2017
Electrical System

MY XTERRA IS SUBJECT TO DIE AT ANY TIME AS IF THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF. OCCURS WHETHER DRIVING OR PARKED. VERY DANGEROUS IF OCCURS WHEN DRIVING. MY MECHANIC STATES THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSORS CAUSE THIS. I HAVE REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS…

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MY XTERRA IS SUBJECT TO DIE AT ANY TIME AS IF THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF. OCCURS WHETHER DRIVING OR PARKED. VERY DANGEROUS IF OCCURS WHEN DRIVING. MY MECHANIC STATES THAT THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND THE CRANK SHAFT POSITION SENSORS CAUSE THIS. I HAVE REPLACED THE CAM SHAFT POSITION SENSORS AND THE CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSORS TWICE IN THE ONE YEAR THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #11033460

236,000 miles · Aug 11, 2017
Electrical SystemEngineUnknown Or Other

CAR RANDOMLY WILL SHUT OFF

NHTSA ODI #11014543

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.