IllustrationI have a lot of ticking and stalling lights are blinking I think it’s may be the transmission and I smell gas inside the vehicle.
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
Service Brakes complaints
6 reportsTiming chains making noises and I have change my oil and it still making the noise...
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR MAINTENANCE ON THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING AWAY FROM THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR MAINTENANCE ON THE BRAKING SYSTEM. WHILE DRIVING AWAY FROM THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, SEVERAL WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED AS HAVING CONTAMINANT IN THE BRAKE FLUID. THE CONTAMINANT CAUSED THE BRAKE FAILURE WHICH IN TURN PRODUCED THE BRAKE AND DVC WARNING SIGNALS TO ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED; HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 106,000.
THESE VEHICLES SEEM TO HAVE A SAFETY FLAW. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE AMOUNT OF TRAVEL IS SUCH THAT IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD. I HAVE HAD TWO DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALERS (HENDERSON, NEVADA AND BOISE, IDAHO) INSPECT MY VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD IN BOTH …
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THESE VEHICLES SEEM TO HAVE A SAFETY FLAW. WHEN DEPRESSING THE BRAKE PEDAL THE AMOUNT OF TRAVEL IS SUCH THAT IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE TO DEPRESS THE GAS PEDAL AT THE SAME TIME CAUSING THE CAR TO LURCH FORWARD. I HAVE HAD TWO DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALERS (HENDERSON, NEVADA AND BOISE, IDAHO) INSPECT MY VEHICLE AND WAS TOLD IN BOTH CASES THERE IS NOTHING THAT CAN BE DONE...ITS THE WAY THE AUTOMOBILE WAS MANUFACTURED. DURING MY LAST DEALER INSPECTION IN BOISE, IDAHO THE MECHANIC BROUGHT A NEW 2015 MODEL INTO THE GARAGE AND PUT THE TWO CARS SIDE BY SIDE. THE DIFFERENCE IN BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL WAS APPROXIMATELY 1/8 OF AN INCH, SO THE PROBLEM HAS EVIDENTLY NEVER BEEN ADDRESSED BY THE MANUFACTURER. TODAY, MY VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD WHEN BRAKING BECAUSE THE GAS PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED WHILE BRAKING. IT IS PARAMOUNT THAT ONE'S FOOT IS CENTERED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL; IF YOUR FOOT IS OFF TO THE RIGHT SIDE JUST A LITTLE, THE GAS PEDAL WILL BE DEPRESSED WHILE BRAKING CAUSING AN UNSAFE SITUATION. I HAVE HAD MANY VERY CLOSE CALLS BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, AND VDC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS PULSATION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE M…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE ATTEMPTING TO STOP, THE TRACTION CONTROL, ABS, AND VDC WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS PULSATION WHEN THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,000.
I WAS GOING APROX. 15 MPH ON A STRAIGHT WAY OFF OF A DIRT ROAD AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN BEFORE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN A LITTLE WAY FROM IT , APPLIED THE BRAKE LIKE NORMAL, WHEN I HEARD MY ENGINE SOUND LIKE THE ACCELERATOR WAS BEING ROMPED ON, AND REALIZED IT WAS IN FACT SPEEDING UP RAPIDLY. I THEN STARTED THINKING FAST, PUT MY…
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I WAS GOING APROX. 15 MPH ON A STRAIGHT WAY OFF OF A DIRT ROAD AND STARTED TO SLOW DOWN BEFORE APPROACHING A STOP SIGN A LITTLE WAY FROM IT , APPLIED THE BRAKE LIKE NORMAL, WHEN I HEARD MY ENGINE SOUND LIKE THE ACCELERATOR WAS BEING ROMPED ON, AND REALIZED IT WAS IN FACT SPEEDING UP RAPIDLY. I THEN STARTED THINKING FAST, PUT MY OTHER FOOT ON THE BRAKE TOO AND PULLED UP THE EMERGENCY BRAKE. I KNEW I COULDN'T MAKE THE TURN AT THE STOP SIGN ONTO A HWY. I WOKE UP AFTER BEING UNCONSCIOUS FOR AROUND THREE HRS. DUE TO SEVERAL INJURIES CAUSED BY THE AIRBAG THAT APPARENTLY INFLATED AT THE FIRST LARGE TREE IMPACT. PROCEEDING TO HIT SEVERAL OTHERS BEFORE IT CAME TO A STOP AND ALOT OF SHAKING AROUND AND FORTUNATELY I HAD MY SEAT BELT ON OR OTHERWISE WOULD HAVE BEEN EJECTED THRU THE WINDSHIELD ON THE LAST IMPACT FOR SURE HITTING THE LARGEST TREE OF ALL, STOPPING ME FROM ENTERING INTO A CREEK ABOUT 5 FEET AWAY, WHEN I WAS TAKEN TO THE SITE THE NEXT DAY I STILL DIDN'T REALIZE JUST WHAT HAPPENED, AND COULD ONLY REMEMBER THAT SOUND OF THE ENGINE REVVING SO LOUD WHILE I WAS TRYING TO SLOW DOWN SEEING THE STOP SIGN A WAYS UP AHEAD AND THEN REALIZING THE VEHICLE DID NOT WANT TO SLOW DOWN AND WAS TRYING TO ACCELERATE MORE AS I THEN WAS HOLDING BOTH FEET ON THE BRAKE AND HAD PULLED THE EMERGENCY BRAKE AND KNOWING I WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO MAKE THAT TURN WITHOUT ROLLING AND WAS NO WHERE TO GO BUT STRAIGHT IF I COULDN'T GET IT TO STOP, AND AT THAT TIME IT WAS GOING WAY FASTER THAN I WAS ORIGINALLY GOING QUITE A WAY BEFORE THE STOP SIGN ONLY MAYBE 15MPH WHEN I APPLIED THE BRAKES AS USUAL BUT IT FAILED LIKE OTHERS I HAVE RESEARCHED HAVE DONE. THERE SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL ON THIS A LONG TIME AGO , BUT NISSAN HAS LOST THEIR HONESTY AND BLEW OFF THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES OVER VERY , VERY MANY PROBABLE FAILURES THAT SHOULD HAVE MAJOR ALERTS AND RECALLS FOR THE SAFETY OF HUMAN LIVES. *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.