IllustrationTRANSMISSION, RADIATOR PROBLEMS. CAR IS A LEMON. *TR
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 And Engine Cooling complaints
106 reportsI WAS DRIVING 15 MPH ON THE LOCAL STREET AND THE SLIP SENSOR LIGHT AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. THAT'S IT, FINISHED AT 49K MILES DOA. VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS GARAGED. RADIATOR CRACKED LEAKED COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION NICE TRUCK, SORRY TO HAVE TO LET N…
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I WAS DRIVING 15 MPH ON THE LOCAL STREET AND THE SLIP SENSOR LIGHT AND VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON, THEN THE TRANSMISSION STARTED TO MAKE A GRINDING NOISE. THAT'S IT, FINISHED AT 49K MILES DOA. VEHICLE WAS ALWAYS GARAGED. RADIATOR CRACKED LEAKED COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION NICE TRUCK, SORRY TO HAVE TO LET NISSAN GO. TRUCK WAS LIKE NEW. *TR
THE XTERRA BEGAN OVERHEATING AND DRIVING IN AN UNSAFE MANNER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DIAGNOSIS AT A NISSAN DEALER WAS A FAILED COOLER LINE ALLOWED COOLANT IN THE RADIATOR AND THAT BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5800. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS JUST OUTSIDE OF …
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THE XTERRA BEGAN OVERHEATING AND DRIVING IN AN UNSAFE MANNER AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. DIAGNOSIS AT A NISSAN DEALER WAS A FAILED COOLER LINE ALLOWED COOLANT IN THE RADIATOR AND THAT BOTH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF $5800. THERE WAS NO PRIOR WARNING TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE IS JUST OUTSIDE OF AN EXTENDED 10K WARRANTY/$3000 COPAY NISSAN OFFERED AS A RESULT OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
FAULTY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NISSAN WILL NOT COVER FOR DAMAGE ,VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIES WHILE DRIVING,VERY MUCH KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURES. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 121,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
FOR A CRACKED RADIATOR THE COOLANT LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION DESTROYING IT. THE COST OF REPAIR IS AROUND $ 6,000. THE NISSAN DEALER TO NOT WANT TO ASSUME THAT IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. *TR
TRANSMISSION DAMAGE ATTRIBUTED TO CONTAMINATION BY ENGINE COOLANT. THE SOURCE OF THE CONTAMINATION IS A CRACKED ATF LINE THAT RUNS THROUGH AN ENGINE COOLANT CHAMBER IN THE RADIATOR.MY 2006 XTERRA HAS HAD SAME ISSUE.TRANS AND RADIATOR HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TR
UPON TURNING A CORNER AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I WENT TO ACCELERATE AND MATCH THE SPEED OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE GEAR FAILED TO SHIFT APPROPRIATELY (TRANSMISSION) AND GIVING THE CAR GAS SIMPLY REVVED THE ENGINE. LUCKILY THE APPROACHING CAR RESPONDED WELL AND SLOWED TO AVOID A REAR COLL…
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UPON TURNING A CORNER AFTER COMING TO A COMPLETE STOP AT A STOP SIGN IN MY NEIGHBORHOOD, I WENT TO ACCELERATE AND MATCH THE SPEED OF ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE GEAR FAILED TO SHIFT APPROPRIATELY (TRANSMISSION) AND GIVING THE CAR GAS SIMPLY REVVED THE ENGINE. LUCKILY THE APPROACHING CAR RESPONDED WELL AND SLOWED TO AVOID A REAR COLLISION WHILE I EASED OFF THE PEDAL AND THEN GENTLY ACCELERATED AGAIN TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC. UPON HIS EXAMINATION OF MY 2006 XTERRA, HE DETERMINED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT WERE MIXING AND DESTROYING BOTH MY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. A QUICK SEARCH ON THE INTERNET REVEALED THAT THIS DANGEROUS PROBLEM IS COMMON AMONG NISSAN OWNERS! WHEN I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM SMITHTOWN NISSAN IN 2010 AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THERE WAS ABSOLUTELY NO NOTIFICATION OR RECALL REGARDING THIS DANGEROUS HAZARD. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AND LIFE-THREATENING. THERE SETTLEMENT OF A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IS INSUFFICIENT (A $2500 - $3K) CO-PAY TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND POTENTIALLY HAVE THE SAME DEFECT AGAIN! MY WIFE AND KIDS RELY ON MY CAR EVERY DAY AND I FEEL FORTUNATE THAT I DID NOT WAIT ANY LONGER TO HAVE THE CAR EXAMINED, BUT I AM EXTREMELY DISTURBED BY NISSAN'S NEGLIGENCE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT END AS THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID PENETRATED THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, A GRINDING NOISE EMITTED FROM THE FRONT END AS THE TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID PENETRATED THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 198,400.
THE RADIATOR COOLING WATER GOT INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS CAUSED STRONG VIBRATION THAT WE HAD TO GET OFF THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. THE DAMAGE WAS REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION . IT STARTED OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SAFETY SWITCH THAT CAUSED ENGINE TROUBLE ALERT. AFT…
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THE RADIATOR COOLING WATER GOT INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS CAUSED STRONG VIBRATION THAT WE HAD TO GET OFF THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. THE DAMAGE WAS REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION . IT STARTED OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SAFETY SWITCH THAT CAUSED ENGINE TROUBLE ALERT. AFTER FEW WEEKS THE CAR STALLED ALTOGETHER AND WE NOW HAD TO TOW IT TO A GARAGE. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WAS REPORTED BEFORE AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY NISSAN DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR THE DAMAGED UNITS. *TR
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.