IllustrationTRAMSMISSION WAS BEGINNING TO MAKE NOISE AND SHIFTING ROUGHLY. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER AND THEY SAID THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. THEY SAID IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IT COST ME OVER $3500 TO REPAIR.
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
What owners actually said
780 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT FUEL READING LEVEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO DISPLAY THAT THE FUEL WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT FUEL READING LEVEL. THE FAILURE RECURRED MULTIPLE TIMES. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO DISPLAY THAT THE FUEL WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000. MA 10/5 *CN
I HAD JUST EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN MAKING A NOISE BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHY. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PULL AWAY FROM THE LIGHT MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR. MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED FLUID FROM MY RADIATOR WHICH HAD CRACK…
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I HAD JUST EXITED THE INTERSTATE AND WAS STOPPED AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT. MY TRANSMISSION HAD BEEN MAKING A NOISE BUT I DID NOT KNOW WHY. WHEN I ATTEMPTED TO PULL AWAY FROM THE LIGHT MY TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE INTO GEAR. MY VEHICLE HAD TO BE TOWED TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED FLUID FROM MY RADIATOR WHICH HAD CRACKED THE PREVIOUS MONTH HAD MOVED THROUGH THE COOLANT LINES INTO MY TRANSMISSION AND CAUSES ITS FAILURE. IF THIS HAD HAPPENED WHILE STILL ON THE INTERSTATE I WOULD HAVE BEEN AT HIGH RISK FOR A FATAL WRECK TO HAVE OCCURED
OUR VEHICLE BEGAN TO NO LONGER SHOW THAT WE HAD ANY FUEL ON THE GAS GAUGE. I SAW THAT 2006 NISSAN XTERRAS HAD A RECALL ON THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT. WE HAD THE REPAIRS DONE AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, BUT WERE INFORMED THAT OUR VIN NUMBER WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS SAID WE HAD NO RECOURSE BECAUSE THIS WAS A W…
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OUR VEHICLE BEGAN TO NO LONGER SHOW THAT WE HAD ANY FUEL ON THE GAS GAUGE. I SAW THAT 2006 NISSAN XTERRAS HAD A RECALL ON THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT. WE HAD THE REPAIRS DONE AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP, BUT WERE INFORMED THAT OUR VIN NUMBER WOULD NOT BE COVERED. THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS SAID WE HAD NO RECOURSE BECAUSE THIS WAS A WARRANTY ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THEIR WEBSITE REFERS TO IT AS A RECALL. IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO? PLEASE HELP!
I AM WRITING THIS IN REGARD TO THE RADIATOR CRACKING AND LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS PROBLEM COMPLETELY RUINS TRANSMISSIONS AND THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL THE PROBLEM IS OCCURING. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED REGULARLY AND MAINTAINED TO ALL MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS. I RECEIVED ZERO NOTIFICATION FROM …
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I AM WRITING THIS IN REGARD TO THE RADIATOR CRACKING AND LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS PROBLEM COMPLETELY RUINS TRANSMISSIONS AND THERE IS NO WAY TO TELL THE PROBLEM IS OCCURING. I HAVE HAD THE VEHICLE INSPECTED REGULARLY AND MAINTAINED TO ALL MANUFACTURER SPECIFICATIONS. I RECEIVED ZERO NOTIFICATION FROM NISSAN ABOUT THIS ISSUE. THIS IS MY PRIMARY VEHICLE I USE TO TRANSPORT MY CHILD. I WAS LEFT STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF A BACK ROAD IN EXTREME HEAT DUE TO THIS DEFECT. THE COST OF REPAIRING THIS ISSUE IS WELL OVER THE WORTH OF THE VEHICLE ITSELF.
I WAS DRIVING TO A LOCAL CITY POOL AND THE CAR APPEARED TO LOSE POWER. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND REACHED THE POOL. WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR, IT WOULDNT START. THINKING IT MIGHT BE THE BATTERY, I HAD SOMEONE TRY TO JUMP START IT BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND LEARNED THA…
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I WAS DRIVING TO A LOCAL CITY POOL AND THE CAR APPEARED TO LOSE POWER. I RESTARTED THE CAR AND REACHED THE POOL. WHEN I WENT TO START THE CAR, IT WOULDNT START. THINKING IT MIGHT BE THE BATTERY, I HAD SOMEONE TRY TO JUMP START IT BUT NOTHING HAPPENED. HAD MY CAR TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC THE FOLLOWING MORNING AND LEARNED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED AS THE RADIATOR FLUID HAD MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID DUE TO A FAULTY SENSOR. NOW I HAVE A PERFECTLY NICE VEHICLE THAT WONT RUN UNLESS I PAY TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED. I JUST BOUGHT IT IN FEBRUARY 2014. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE CLASS ACTION SUIT BECAUSE IT HAS 144,000 MILES ON IT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TYPE OF AIR BAGS THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH WERE NO LONGER PRODUCED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE TYPE OF AIR BAGS THE VEHICLE WAS EQUIPPED WITH WERE NO LONGER PRODUCED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE COULD NOT BE REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 94,000.
CRACKED RADIATOR HOSE CAUSED COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID THEREBY RUINING THE TRANSMISSION. COST INCLUDED RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION (USED) REPLACEMENT. THIS ISSUE WOULD HAVE BEEN PROACTIVELY REPAIRED / REPLACED THE RADIATOR PRIOR TO THE ISSUE OCCURRING HAD NISSAN NOTIFIED ME OF IT. INSTEAD, IT COST AN EXTRA $3500 T…
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CRACKED RADIATOR HOSE CAUSED COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID THEREBY RUINING THE TRANSMISSION. COST INCLUDED RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION (USED) REPLACEMENT. THIS ISSUE WOULD HAVE BEEN PROACTIVELY REPAIRED / REPLACED THE RADIATOR PRIOR TO THE ISSUE OCCURRING HAD NISSAN NOTIFIED ME OF IT. INSTEAD, IT COST AN EXTRA $3500 TO REPLACE BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. A TOTALLY PREVENTABLE SITUATION, NEVER MIND THE POTENTIALLY HAZARDOUS SITUATION HAD THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. NO EXCUSE FOR NISSAN.
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.
RADIATOR FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR. CAUSED TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. NEED TO REPLACE BOTH NOW BECAUSE OF A MECHANICAL DEFECT IN ADF LINE.
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.