IllustrationTHE POWER STEERING FLUID ENTERED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING A SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER OF VEHICLE. NISSAN RECOGNIZED THIS A PROBLEM. *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
Power Train complaints
268 reportsFAULTY RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NISSAN WILL NOT COVER FOR DAMAGE ,VEHICLE SUDDENLY DIES WHILE DRIVING,VERY MUCH KNOWN PROBLEM. *TR
DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY VEHICLE STARTED TO TREMBLE AND SHUDDER AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30-40 MPH. EVENTUALLY AFTER MUCH HESITATION AND LOUD ENGINE REVVING I DECIDED TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. TURNED IT BACK ON AND GOT ABOUT A FEW HUNDRED FEET DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE TRANSMISSION WASN'T RESPONSIVE …
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DRIVING HOME FROM WORK MY VEHICLE STARTED TO TREMBLE AND SHUDDER AT SPEEDS ABOVE 30-40 MPH. EVENTUALLY AFTER MUCH HESITATION AND LOUD ENGINE REVVING I DECIDED TO PULL OVER AND TURN THE VEHICLE OFF. TURNED IT BACK ON AND GOT ABOUT A FEW HUNDRED FEET DOWN THE ROAD WHEN THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. THE TRANSMISSION WASN'T RESPONSIVE WITH THE ENGINE CAUSING ME TO CUT SOMEONE OFF JUST TO PULL OF THE ROAD SAFELY. I HAVE HEARD THE COMMON ISSUE WITH NISSAN'S TRANSMISSION/COOLANT CONTAMINATION AND DECIDED TO LOOK FURTHER INTO THE ISSUE AFTER GETTING TOWED HOME. $100 DOWN THE DRAIN. SURE ENOUGH MY COOLANT RESERVOIR AND RADIATOR CAP WERE SMOTHERED IN A THICK GOOP KNOWN AS THE INFAMOUS "SMOD". THERE IS TRANS FLUID MIXED INTO MY COOLANT AND MORE THAN LIKELY, COOLANT IN MY TRANSMISSION. THIS IS DESIGN FLAW IN NISSAN. THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE RESOLVED COMPLETELY BY NISSAN WITH NO FAULT TO THEIR DEDICATED CUSTOMERS. WARRANTIES NEED TO BE EXTENDED PAST 100K BECAUSE THAT'S WHEN THE ISSUE IS OCCURRING IN MOST XTERRA, PATHFINDER, AND FRONTIERS. I'LL BE DAMNED IF NISSAN ONLY PARTIALLY COVER MY COST REPAIR LEAVING THE BULK TO ME. I AM A STUDENT WORKING A FULL TIME JOB TRYING TO PAY FOR THEIR EDUCATION BIT BY BIT. THIS IS NOT WHAT OTHERS IN SIMILAR SITUATION NEED TO DEAL WITH AND NEITHER DO I. REMEMBER, NISSAN IS ONLY SUCCESSFUL AND WEALTHY BECAUSE OF US, THE CONSUMER. GIVE BACK TO THOSE WHO HELPED YOU BUILD A REPUTABLE AUTO MANUFACTURER. *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 GOING OUT DUE TO A PROBLEM THAT MANY OTHERS SEEM TO BE HAVING AS WELL. SEE LINK BELOW FOR MORE INFORMATION REGARDING COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *TR HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NISSAN/XTERRA/2006/TRANSMISSION/COOLANT_LEAKED_INTO_TRANSMISSION.SHTML
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
THE INITIAL INCIDENT WAS FAILED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER GUIDES. AS INDICATED EARLIER NISSAN KNOWINGLY REDESIGNED THE PARTS SINCE THE ORIGINALS WERE FOUND TO WEAR THROUGH, CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO RUB DIRECTLY ON THE METAL POST OF THE TENSIONER AND CONTACT THE HOUSING COVER. DURING THE REPAIR THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONF…
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THE INITIAL INCIDENT WAS FAILED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER GUIDES. AS INDICATED EARLIER NISSAN KNOWINGLY REDESIGNED THE PARTS SINCE THE ORIGINALS WERE FOUND TO WEAR THROUGH, CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO RUB DIRECTLY ON THE METAL POST OF THE TENSIONER AND CONTACT THE HOUSING COVER. DURING THE REPAIR THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THE FAILED RADIATOR COOLANT CONTAMINATION ADDRESSED IN ODI NHTSA ACTION NUMBER: DP12004. THE TIMING CHAIN AND GUIDES WERE REPLACED; THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED; COOLANT WAS FLUSHED; TRANSMISSION WAS DRAINED, FLUSHED, AND FILLED. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALSO CONFIRMED NISSAN, N.A. WOULD NOT OFFER ANY AMOUNT OF REPAIR ASSISTANCE. TOTAL COST WAS $2200. THE DAY AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED IT SUDDENLY DECELERATED FROM 55MPH TO 30MPH AND THE RPM'S INCREASED TO 4K+ WHILE TRAVELING ON A MULTI LANE DARK COUNTRY HIGHWAY AT 11PM. THE SECTION OF HIGHWAY DID NOT HAVE AN EMERGENCY LANE OR SHOULDER. A VEHICLE WAS IN THE LEFT LANE AND A SEMI-TRUCK WAS QUICKLY APPROACHING FROM THE REAR IN THE RIGHT LANE. ONCE CROSSING THE BRIDGE THE VEHICLE WAS JERKED TO THE SHOULDER, AVOIDING A REAR COLLISION FROM THE APPROACHING SEMI-TRUCK. THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND RESTARTED. THE RPM'S RETURNED TO 1K, THE TRANSMISSION WAS IN NEUTRAL, AND THE CHECK ENGINE WAS ILLUMINATED. THE FOLLOWING DAY NISSAN SERVICE CONFIRMED IT WAS A FAILING VALVE BODY AS A RESULT OF THE COOLANT CONTAMINATION. THE WHOLESALE REPAIR COST WAS QUOTED AT $1400. AGAIN, NISSAN, N.A. WOULD NOT ADDRESS THE FAILURE. AT THIS TIME THE REPAIR HAS NOT, AND WILL NOT, BE COMPLETED. *JS
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK TO MECHANIC FOR A CHECK AND FOUND THAT WE WERE LEAKING RADIATOR COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. HAD TO REPLACE PARTS AND FLUSH TRANSMISSION AT A PRICEY COST. *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.