IllustrationCATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO RADIATOR DEFECT (COOLANTT CONTAMINATION)
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 reportsTHE COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON A HIGHWAY. *RECALL TRANSMISSION FAILURE*
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESPOND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT ON BUSY RD. COOLANT LEAKED ONTO TRANSMISSION PER NISSAN DEALER. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS COULD HAVE A BAD SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAD TO TRY TO GET VEHICLE TO DEALER. I TRANSPORT A HANDICAPPED CHIP AD WELL AD ALZHEIMER/DEMENTIA CLIENTS AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN LED TO A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. WHY HAD …
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VEHICLE WOULD NOT SHIFT ON BUSY RD. COOLANT LEAKED ONTO TRANSMISSION PER NISSAN DEALER. NISSAN HAS KNOWN ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS COULD HAVE A BAD SAFETY ISSUE AS I HAD TO TRY TO GET VEHICLE TO DEALER. I TRANSPORT A HANDICAPPED CHIP AD WELL AD ALZHEIMER/DEMENTIA CLIENTS AND THIS COULD HAVE BEEN LED TO A VERY BAD ACCIDENT. WHY HAD THERE NOT BEEN A RECALL ON THIS BEING NISSAN HAS KNOWN OF THIS PROBLEM?
RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION . MY TRUCK IS NOW SITTING AT AAMCO WITH 5200 DOLLARS WORTH OF TRANSMISSION RADIATOR AND COMPUTER BOARD DAMAGE.
I HAVE TRANSMISSION FLUID IN MY ANTI FREEZE AND ANTI FREEZE IN MY TRANSMISSION. IM TOLD BY A MECHANIC THAT THIS IS A KNOWN NISSAN ISSUE. APPARENTLY SOMETHING IN THE RADIATOR ROTS AND THE FLUIDS MIX CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. MINE HASN'T FAILED YET, BUT MY FLUIDS ARE ALL CONTAMINATED AS IS THE RADIATOR AND TRANNY?
COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION. WHILE DRIVING, VEHICLE SHUTTERING, SHAKING AND OVERALL UNSAFE FOR MYSELF AND MY 5-YEAR OLD SON.
GRINDING NOISE - REQUESTED HELP FROM DEALER BUT NO AVAIL. I AM WANDERING WHY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS NOT STEPPING IN ESPECIALLY THAT THE PROBLEMS HAS ESCALATED TO RADIATOR LEAKAGE AND DESTROYING TRANSMISSIONS AND NISSAN BRIBED OUR LAWYERS IN THE CLASS ACTION. HOW ABOUT TIMING CHAINS FOR GODS SAKE. WE'RE MORE HURT BY NISSAN …
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GRINDING NOISE - REQUESTED HELP FROM DEALER BUT NO AVAIL. I AM WANDERING WHY THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE IS NOT STEPPING IN ESPECIALLY THAT THE PROBLEMS HAS ESCALATED TO RADIATOR LEAKAGE AND DESTROYING TRANSMISSIONS AND NISSAN BRIBED OUR LAWYERS IN THE CLASS ACTION. HOW ABOUT TIMING CHAINS FOR GODS SAKE. WE'RE MORE HURT BY NISSAN THAN VW..
WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION LINES AND THUS INTO THE TRANSMISSION. SIMPLE, INEXPENSIVE FIX TO REPLACE THE FAULTY RADIATOR WAS NOT COMMUNICATED TO ME AND NOW IT'S TOO LATE TO SAVE THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN GOT AWAY WITH MURDER AND CAUSED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE MONEY THAT THEY SHOULD NOT…
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WELL KNOWN PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION LINES AND THUS INTO THE TRANSMISSION. SIMPLE, INEXPENSIVE FIX TO REPLACE THE FAULTY RADIATOR WAS NOT COMMUNICATED TO ME AND NOW IT'S TOO LATE TO SAVE THE TRANSMISSION. NISSAN GOT AWAY WITH MURDER AND CAUSED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE MONEY THAT THEY SHOULD NOT HAVE HAD TO PAY FOR DEFECTIVE PARTS. THESE PARTS SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AS THEY CAUSE A MAJOR SAFETY HAZARD WHILE DRIVING. HAVING YOUR TRANSMISSION FAIL ON YOU WHILE YOU'RE DRIVING IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN. BUT BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE ACTUALLY DIED FROM IT A RECALL WAS NOT REQUIRED.
LIKE COUNTLESS OTHERS, I HAVE THE SMOD, OR STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE OF DEATH, ON MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA S. THE RADIATOR FAILED, WHICH ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS RESULTS IN THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR. NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THIS EARLY ON AND DID NOTHING TO HELP OWNERS UNTIL FORCED TO BY …
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LIKE COUNTLESS OTHERS, I HAVE THE SMOD, OR STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE OF DEATH, ON MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA S. THE RADIATOR FAILED, WHICH ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS RESULTS IN THE FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR. NISSAN KNEW ABOUT THIS EARLY ON AND DID NOTHING TO HELP OWNERS UNTIL FORCED TO BY SETTLING A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT. THE LAWSUIT WAS USELESS TO ME AS I WAS ALREADY PAST THE PERIOD COVERED BY THE SETTLEMENT. ALL I COULD DO WAS WAIT AND HOPE IT DIDN'T HAPPEN TO ME. THAT HOPE ENDED YESTERDAY.
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.