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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 →
780Owner complaints

Model-year median: 78

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
72
200384
2004845
2005780
2006557
2007119
200819
2009
Compare all Xterra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
268Fuel System, Gasoline
237Engine And Engine Cooling
106Engine
104Fuel/propulsion System
94
All reported categories
Electrical System
41Fuel System, Other
40Unknown Or Other
26Steering
22Air Bags
20Vehicle Speed Control
14Suspension
12Tires
7Service Brakes
6Seat Belts
5Structure
5Equipment
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Wheels
3Exterior Lighting
2Latches/locks/linkages
1Visibility
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

Unknown Or Other complaints

26 reports
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Mileage unknown · May 1, 2022
Unknown Or Other

On the invoice/receipt the part of automobile is Plenium Seal CK WP. The remarks/labor description on invoice indicates repairing vacuum hose at read of throttle. My car simply stalled while driving on a main busy street. Fortunately, it was on a holiday (Feb 21, 2022) and there were no school crossings on this day!. I was shak…

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On the invoice/receipt the part of automobile is Plenium Seal CK WP. The remarks/labor description on invoice indicates repairing vacuum hose at read of throttle. My car simply stalled while driving on a main busy street. Fortunately, it was on a holiday (Feb 21, 2022) and there were no school crossings on this day!. I was shaken up, anxious. There was a nearby (with in a quarter mile or so) an independent auto repair/service shop and I was able to have them fix the issue. I feel this is a safety issue, as this could have been worse, and stalled while driving on the freeway. I will be writing to the manufacturer to inform them what has happened. There were no other warning signs prior to the vehicle stalling while driving.

NHTSA ODI #11462934

200,000 miles · Jan 10, 2021
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

THE GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK

NHTSA ODI #11387352

148,000 miles · Nov 15, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION STARTED JERKING AND RADIATOR BLEW AT THE SAME TIME

NHTSA ODI #11374746

100,000 miles · Nov 14, 2020
Unknown Or Other

THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR RADIATORS IN NISSAN XTERRAS IN 2019 , I WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THIS RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETINS EVEN THOUGH NISSAN KNOWS I OWN THE VEHICLE IN THEIR DATABASE ALSO THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE IPDM BOX WHICH IS DEFECTIVE ACCORDING TO THE NISSAN PAGES ON FACEBOOK AND OTHER SITES, WHERE THE…

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THERE WAS A SAFETY RECALL FOR RADIATORS IN NISSAN XTERRAS IN 2019 , I WAS NEVER INFORMED ABOUT THIS RECALL OR SERVICE BULLETINS EVEN THOUGH NISSAN KNOWS I OWN THE VEHICLE IN THEIR DATABASE ALSO THERE IS AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM WITH THE IPDM BOX WHICH IS DEFECTIVE ACCORDING TO THE NISSAN PAGES ON FACEBOOK AND OTHER SITES, WHERE THE WHITE IPDM BOX IS DEFECTIVE AND CAUSES POWER LOSS AND LIGHTS NOT WORKING ALONG WITH CAR STALLING WHILE DRIVING, IT IS APPARENTLY A DEFECT AND THE COST TO REPLACE IT IS OVER I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE XTERRA TRANSMISSION COOLER DEFECT OR RECALL BACK IN 2019, IVE OWNED THIS XTERRA SINCE 2008 AND ITS BEEN TO THE DEALER FOR ANOTHER PREVIOUS RECALL, ALSO THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THE WHITE IPDM BOX, (FUSE BOX) WHICH SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED, PER THE NISSAN OWNERS FACEBOOK PAGE, AND OTHER BLOGS THE IPDM CAUSES STALLING AND SHUTDOWNS OF ALL FUNCTIONS IN THE 2005-2014 NISSANS, CONSUMERS ARE HAVING TO PAY UPWARDS OF $600 TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THESE DEFECTIVE IPDM BOXES, THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT WHICH WAS RECALLED YEARS AGO ABOUT A RELAY FOR THAT BOX, I BELIEVE MY XTERRA RELAY WAS FIXED, BUT I AM HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE VDC/ SLIP LIGHT COMING ON AND MY HEADLIGHTS GO ON AND OFF WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT. ACCORDING TO THE WEBSITES IT HAS TO DO WITH THE WHITE IPDM BOX UNDERNEATH WHERE THE WIRES ARE HARNESSED, THIS NEEDS TO BE ADRESSED IT IS A SAFETY HAZZARD WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY OR IN TOWN BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS TOTALLY DISABLED AND WILL CAUSE INJURY/DEATH IVE BEEN READING NISSAN PAGES TO FIND OUT WHY MY LIGHTS ARE GOING ON AND OFF, IVE REPALCED THE CAMSHAFT AND CRANKSHAFT POS SENSORS, NISSANS PREVIOUS RECALL FOR A DIODE APPARANTLY THIS DIDNT FIX IT, IT JUST MASKED THE SITUATION, READ UP ON NEWX.ORG ABOUT THIS PROBLEM

NHTSA ODI #11374660

225,000 miles · May 14, 2020
EngineUnknown Or Other

VEHICLE HAS STALLED MULTIPLE TIMES, BOTH IN MOTION AND PARKED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNALS, STRANGE NOISES, OR OTHER INDICATORS TO POINT TO THE ISSUE. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN TRYING TO USE THE OBD PORT TO DIAGNOSE THE ISSUE, THE OBD PORT WILL NOT READ AND ONLY GIVES AN ERROR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #11324594

2 miles · Aug 8, 2019
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

THE METAL TUBES THAT SEPARATE ENGINE COOLANT FROM THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CRACK. COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID MIXES AND CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE SUBSTANCE IS MILKY, AND CLOUDY LIKE A MILK SHAKE. CAR WAS IN MOTION ON THE CITY WE WERE COMING FROM THE STORE.

NHTSA ODI #11242717

Mileage unknown · Nov 3, 2018
Unknown Or Other

RADIATOR LEAKED WATER INTO THE TRANSMISSION GOT MY TRANSMISSION BURNT.. THE POWER WAS IDLE ALMOST CAUSING AN ACCIDENT ON MY WAY HOME. I HAD TO TOW MY CAR HOME . THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN XTERRA..

NHTSA ODI #11145120

1,860,000 miles · Jun 11, 2018
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

LEAKING COOLANT IS MIXING WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID THROUGH THE COOLER LINES TO CREATE A TOXIC HELL STEW THAT IRREVERSIBLY DAMAGES EVERYTHING AROUND IT.

NHTSA ODI #11101162

50 miles · Mar 25, 2018
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

TRANSMISSION DESTROY BY LEAKING RADIATOR ANTIFREEZE INTO TRANSMISSION ALSO CATALYTIC CONVERTERS CLOGGED, MY XTERRA ONLY HAS 70 K MILES ON IT, TO EARLY FOR ALL OF THIS PROBLEMS TO HAPPEN IT'S GOING TO COST ME A LOT OF MONEY TO FIX IT, PLEASE HELP.

NHTSA ODI #11081149

120,000 miles · Nov 6, 2017
Unknown Or Other

WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION FAILED. NO WARNING INDICATIONS, JUST FAILED. THE ENGINE REVVED UP BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 30 MPH. TRANSMISSION FAILED, THE RADIATOR WAS BAD. SO LIKE ALL OTHER NISSAN OWNERS, I'M OUT $3700 FOR THE TRANSMISSION REBUILD TO INCLUDE A NEW RADIATOR AND ANOTHER $300 TO RENT A CAR SO …

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WHILE DRIVING ON HIGHWAY, TRANSMISSION FAILED. NO WARNING INDICATIONS, JUST FAILED. THE ENGINE REVVED UP BUT THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 30 MPH. TRANSMISSION FAILED, THE RADIATOR WAS BAD. SO LIKE ALL OTHER NISSAN OWNERS, I'M OUT $3700 FOR THE TRANSMISSION REBUILD TO INCLUDE A NEW RADIATOR AND ANOTHER $300 TO RENT A CAR SO I CAN GET TO WORK. NISSAN YOU ARE VERY IRRESPONSIBLE AND SHOULD BE REIMBURSE YOUR CUSTOMERS, I TEND ON SPREADING THE WORD TO ALL TO AVOID NISSAN BECAUSE OF THEIR LACK OF CUSTOMER SUPPORT ON THIS SAFETY ISSUE.

NHTSA ODI #11043699

Official recalls

3

10V517000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.