IllustrationIN DECEMBER 2012 THE COOLANT IN MY RADIATOR BAGAN LEAKNIG INTO MY TRANSMISSION, WHICH I HAD FIXED IN APRIL 2013. NOW IN JUNE 2013 ALL THE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FRLUID HAS LEAKED OUT AND LEAVING ME WITH NO CAR. *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 reportsWE HAVE RECENTLY BEGAN TO NOTICE THE HEAT - THIS PAST WINTER DID NOT WANT TO BLOW WARM/HOT AIR UNLESS WE WERE STOPPED IN TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, WE FOUND RED/FOAMING TRANSMISSION FLUID IN OUR RADIATOR-WHAT A SURPRISE AFTER DRAINING AND FLUSHING THE RADIATOR SYSTEM AND THE FACT WE DID NOT NEED THE HEATER ANY FURTHER THOU…
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WE HAVE RECENTLY BEGAN TO NOTICE THE HEAT - THIS PAST WINTER DID NOT WANT TO BLOW WARM/HOT AIR UNLESS WE WERE STOPPED IN TRYING TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM, WE FOUND RED/FOAMING TRANSMISSION FLUID IN OUR RADIATOR-WHAT A SURPRISE AFTER DRAINING AND FLUSHING THE RADIATOR SYSTEM AND THE FACT WE DID NOT NEED THE HEATER ANY FURTHER THOUGHT WE MAYBE JUST HAD A FLUKE THING HAPPEN. NOW IN DRIVING OUR XTERRA IT HAS ALL OF A SUDDEN DEVELOPED A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT ENDANGERS ANYONE WHO DRIVES IT. IT STARTS OUR RUNNING SMOOTH AND THEN OUT OF NO WHERE HAS NO MOVEMENT AND THEN IN AN INSTANT WILL LUNGE. WE HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERSTATE AND HAD THIS SCENARIO HAPPEN IN TRAFFIC - TALK ABOUT SCARY WHEN ANOTHER VEHICLE ALL OF SUDDEN IS IN YOUR BACK WINDOW AND NOW ON YOUR BUMPER..IT HAS CAUSED US TO BE FEARFUL WE WERE GOING TO BE THE CAUSE OF A MAJOR ACCIDENT MORE THAN ONCE. WE HAVE A 6 YEAR OLD THAT IS WITH US ALL THE TIME AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT WE ARE AFRAID TO PUT HIM IN THIS VEHICLE AND GO ANYWHERE. WE ARE A TWO INCOME FAMILY LIVING FROM PAYCHECK TO PAYCHECK AND DO NOT KNOW WHERE OR HOW WE ARE GOING TO GET THE MONEY FOR REPAIRS. NISSAN DENIES THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT REST ASSURED, IF WE ARE IN A WRECK BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE THERE WILL BE A LAWSUIT. *TR
MY TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR. I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR, OVER $4000.00. *TR
TRANSMISSION FAILED DUE TO WELL KNOWN ISSUE WITH 2005-2010 NISSAN SUV/TRUCK TRANSMISSIONS. COOLANT LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID THROUGH COOLANT LINE CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. DEALER QUOTED $7000 TO REPLACE TRANSMISSION. *TR
LIKE COUNTLESS OTHER OWNERS OF NISSAN XTERRAS, MY RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION DESTROYING IT. MY 2006 XTERRA IS JUST OUTSIDE OF THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. NISSAN IS NOT WILLING TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE OTHER THAN AN APOLOGY. LUCKILY WHEN MINE FAILED I WAS NOT ON THE INTERSTATE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JOLTED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS CONTAMINATION IN THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WOULD BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE JOLTED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING, WHO STATED THAT THERE WAS CONTAMINATION IN THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WOULD BOTH NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 89,000. ...UPDATED 07-10-13 *BF UPDATED 07/11/2013 *JS
CPSC: I1340159A. NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER STATED THE PROBLEM WITH THIS VEHICLE, IS RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. *LN
XTERRA BEGAN TO FEEL SLUGGISH AND WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS APPROPRIATELY (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC), AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE OF MILES. RETURNED HOME TO CHECK FLUIDS AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DID NOT LOOK 'RIGHT'. CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER/SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS CROSS CONTAMINATION OF RAD…
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XTERRA BEGAN TO FEEL SLUGGISH AND WOULD NOT CHANGE GEARS APPROPRIATELY (IT IS AN AUTOMATIC), AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE OF MILES. RETURNED HOME TO CHECK FLUIDS AND FOUND THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DID NOT LOOK 'RIGHT'. CAR WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL NISSAN DEALER/SERVICE DEPARTMENT AND WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS CROSS CONTAMINATION OF RADIATOR FLUID WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE CAUSE WAS THAT THE RADIATOR HAD FAILED. CORRECTION REQUIRED IS THAT THE RADIATOR AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ASSEMBLY HAS TO BE REPLACED AT A TOTAL COST OF $8438.43. I WAS TOLD THAT NISSAN WOULD COVER 70% OF THE COST OF THE REPAIR, HOWEVER REQUIRED THAT I PAY $3000 DOLLARS UP FRONT BEFORE THEY WOULD EVEN ORDER THE PARTS. ONCE I GAVE THEM THE $3000 BY CREDIT CARD BECAUSE A CHECK WAS ACCEPTED, I WAS TOLD IT WILL TAKE THREE WEEKS FOR THE PARTS TO ARRIVE AND THEN ANOTHER TWO DAYS FOR THE INSTALLATION. IN ADDITION, MY EXTENDED WARRANTY WILL NOT COVER THE REPAIRS BECAUSE THE RADIATOR IS NOT A COVERED PART ACCORDING TO THE WARRANTY. THE FINE PRINT STATES THAT IF A NON-COVERED PART CAUSES A COVERED PART TO BE DAMAGED THEN THEY DO NOT COVER THE COVERED PART. *TR
THIS 2006 NISSAN XTERRA PROBLEM HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, LURCHES IN ACCELERATION, NEAR-STALLS, AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT RELIABILITY OF VEHICLE IN TAKING TRIPS. THE PROBLEMS CONTINUES TO GET WORSE AND WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT IT IS CAUSED BY ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND VICE VERSA. THERE …
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THIS 2006 NISSAN XTERRA PROBLEM HAS CAUSED PROBLEMS WITH STABILITY OF THE VEHICLE, LURCHES IN ACCELERATION, NEAR-STALLS, AND UNCERTAINTY ABOUT RELIABILITY OF VEHICLE IN TAKING TRIPS. THE PROBLEMS CONTINUES TO GET WORSE AND WE HAVE DETERMINED THAT IT IS CAUSED BY ENGINE COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND VICE VERSA. THERE IS VERY VISIBLE EVIDENCE OF THE COOLANT BEING IN THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR. I HAVE CHECKED BOTH OF THESE AND THERE IS NO MISTAKING IT. THIS PROBLEM HAS CAUSED ME TO NOT BE ABLE TO TAKE TWO TRIPS BECAUSE OF BEING AFRAID OF THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILING AND LEAVING ME AND MY FAMILY STRANDED IN A REMOTE AREA DURING THE TRIP, NOT TO MENTION MY EVERYDAY DRIVING THAT IS REQUIRED. *TR
TRANSMISSION IS FAILING BECAUSE OF DEFECT IN RADIATOR THAT ALLOWS COOLANT IN TO THE TRANSMISSION. *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.