IllustrationOWNER 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
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
Engine complaints
104 reportsIN 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.
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.
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.
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
AT 115,000 MILES MY TRANSMISSION DIED. IN ONE WEEK IT WENT FROM A FEW JERKY SHIFTS TO ME CRAWLING INTO THE DEALER NOT BEING ABLE TO GO OVER 20 MPH. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND BASICALLY SHREDDED THE TRANSMISSION. IM NOW STUCK WITH A 3700 DOLLAR REPAIR BILL.
COOLENT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. AFTER PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL DOWN SEVERAL TIMES, THE CAR WAS NOT GETTING UP TO SPEED AS NORMAL. IMMEDIATELY TOOK TO CAR REPAIR SHOP, WHICH INFORMED US THIS WAS ONE OF SEVERAL NISSAN CARS THEY HAD DEALT WITH RECENTLY AND GUESSED CORRECTLY OUR ISSUE. TRANSMISSION HAD TO BE REBUILT, VERY COSTLY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE READING LEVELS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO PROVIDE ACCURATE READING LEVELS WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS REFUELED. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS, THE VEHICLE WAS ABLE TO RESTART. THE FAILURE RECURRED NUMEROUS TIMES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE FAILURE WAS UNDETERMINED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V5170000 (ENGINE, ENGINE COOLING). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,961.
NO PROBLEMS IN FIVE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. THE FOLLOWING TOOK PLACE IN LESS THAN 7 DAYS. TRUCK WAS FUELED UP AT COSTCO AND 30 MINUTES LATER WAS SHUDDERING WHEN STOPPED, WE THOUGHT WE GOT A BAD TANK OF GAS. TRUCK HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. MISFIRING CYLINDER, COIL REPLACED. TWO DAYS LATER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. REPLACED O2 SENSOR. A DA…
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NO PROBLEMS IN FIVE YEARS OF OWNERSHIP. THE FOLLOWING TOOK PLACE IN LESS THAN 7 DAYS. TRUCK WAS FUELED UP AT COSTCO AND 30 MINUTES LATER WAS SHUDDERING WHEN STOPPED, WE THOUGHT WE GOT A BAD TANK OF GAS. TRUCK HAD A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. MISFIRING CYLINDER, COIL REPLACED. TWO DAYS LATER, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. REPLACED O2 SENSOR. A DAY OR TWO LATER CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. HAD A LOSS OF POWER. TRUCK WAS IN LIMP MODE. DROVE TO THE DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED REPLACING THE FAILED CATALYTIC CONVERTER (RIGHT REAR) AND THE TIMING CHAIN, TENSIONERS ETC. SALESMAN SAID THAT WE SHOULD HAVE CHANGED THE TIMING CHAIN AT 60,000 MILES. WHICH I HAVE NEVER SEEN LISTED IN THE MAINTENANCE. THE TRUCK WAS PURCHASED USED AT 64,000 MILES.
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.