ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
2006 Nissan Xterra
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 780 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2006 Nissan Xterra, most frequently naming the fuel system, powertrain (other) and engine categories. 5 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 85 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 2016 | 8 | 648 |
| May 2016 | 8 | 656 |
| Jun 2016 | 6 | 662 |
| Jul 2016 | 3 | 665 |
| Aug 2016 | 2 | 667 |
| Sep 2016 | 9 | 676 |
| Oct 2016 | 3 | 679 |
| Dec 2016 | 1 | 680 |
| Jan 2017 | 4 | 684 |
| Feb 2017 | 1 | 685 |
| Mar 2017 | 1 | 686 |
| Apr 2017 | 2 | 688 |
| May 2017 | 3 | 691 |
| Jun 2017 | 1 | 692 |
| Aug 2017 | 3 | 695 |
| Oct 2017 | 4 | 699 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 700 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 701 |
| Jan 2018 | 2 | 703 |
| Feb 2018 | 5 | 708 |
| Mar 2018 | 4 | 712 |
| May 2018 | 2 | 714 |
| Jun 2018 | 3 | 717 |
| Jul 2018 | 1 | 718 |
| Aug 2018 | 2 | 720 |
| Sep 2018 | 3 | 723 |
| Oct 2018 | 4 | 727 |
| Nov 2018 | 2 | 729 |
| Dec 2018 | 2 | 731 |
| Feb 2019 | 2 | 733 |
| Apr 2019 | 4 | 737 |
| May 2019 | 3 | 740 |
| Jun 2019 | 3 | 743 |
| Jul 2019 | 3 | 746 |
| Aug 2019 | 2 | 748 |
| Nov 2019 | 2 | 750 |
| Dec 2019 | 1 | 751 |
| Jan 2020 | 1 | 752 |
| Feb 2020 | 1 | 753 |
| Mar 2020 | 1 | 754 |
| Apr 2020 | 1 | 755 |
| May 2020 | 1 | 756 |
| Jul 2020 | 1 | 757 |
| Aug 2020 | 1 | 758 |
| Nov 2020 | 3 | 761 |
| Jan 2021 | 3 | 764 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 765 |
| Dec 2021 | 2 | 767 |
| Mar 2022 | 1 | 768 |
| May 2022 | 1 | 769 |
| Aug 2022 | 2 | 771 |
| Apr 2023 | 1 | 772 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 773 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 774 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 775 |
| Nov 2023 | 1 | 776 |
| Apr 2024 | 1 | 777 |
| Oct 2024 | 1 | 778 |
| Jul 2025 | 1 | 779 |
| Feb 2026 | 1 | 780 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Fuel system36836.9%
- Powertrain (other)24624.7%
- Engine20921.0%
- Electrical414.1%
- Transmission252.5%
- Steering222.2%
- Airbags202.0%
- Driver assistance141.4%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
5 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govSUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
Transmission Failures
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.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
I 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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11719075
- Incident
- Feb 5, 2025
17
- NHTSA ID
- 11676217
- Incident
- Jul 25, 2025
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the front passenger's side air bag intermittently. The front passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was provided a cost for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11619155
- Incident
- Sep 26, 2024
- Mileage
- 145,000 mi
THE TIMING CHAIN HAS CAUSED MY VEHICLE TO DIE ON ME IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY HIGHWAY I WAS ALMOST HIT BY A FEW CARS. i HAD TO DRIVE MY CAR GOING ONLY 40 MPH ALL THE WAY BECASUE THAT IS ALL IT WOULD DO. IT HAS A VERY LOUD NOISE AND IT IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ON THE ROAD ANYMORE. I HAVE READ AND NISSAN SHOULD REPLACE THESE BECAUSE ALOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH THEM YES MY CAR IS AVAILABLE FOR IMSPECTION i HAVE REGULAR KEPT MAINTENENCE ON IT NO THERE WERE NO WARNING LAMPS AT ALL JUST LOUD NOISE AND THEN NO COMPRESSION
- NHTSA ID
- 11585719
- Incident
- Apr 28, 2024
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- NHTSA ID
- 11553070
- Incident
- Nov 1, 2023
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
- NHTSA ID
- 11552800
- Incident
- Oct 31, 2023
Timing chains making noises and I have change my oil and it still making the noise...
- NHTSA ID
- 11546089
- Incident
- Aug 31, 2023
Car just shut off in traffic loosing all power and braking causing me to crash into the back of a stopped car at a red-light. After inspection from a mechanic shop, they informed me that something in the computer had fried causing the car to shut off, and it had also caused the transmission control unit module to go bad making the car not drive able.
- NHTSA ID
- 11519825
- Incident
- May 17, 2018
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE:BODY
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).
STRUCTURE:BODY
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).
AIR BAGS
VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2005-2013 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA; DRIVER AIR BAG COVER CAMPAIGN ID #: PC945 and PC948 APPLIED VEHICLES: 2005-2013 Frontier (D40) 2005-2012 Pathfinder (R51) 2005-2013 Xterra (N50) Check Service COMM or Dealer Business Systems (DBS) National Service History to confirm campaign eligibility. INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary safety recall campaign on certain specific model year 2005-2012 Pathfinder, and 2005-2013 Frontier and Xterra vehicles to inspect and, if necessary, replace the Driver Air Bag Cover. This service will be performed at no charge to the customer for parts or labor. IDENTIFICATION NUMBER Nissan has assigned identification number PC945 and PC948 to this campaign. This number must appear on all communication and documentation of any nature dealing with this campaign. DEALER RESPONSIBILITY It is the dealer’s responsibility to check Service COMM or Dealer Business Systems (DBS) National Service History for the campaign status on each vehicle falling within the range of this voluntary safety recall which for any reason enters the service department. This includes vehicles purchased from private parties or presented by transient (tourist) owners and vehicles in a dealer’s inventory. Federal law requires that new vehicles in dealer inventory which are the subject of a safety recall must be corrected prior to sale. Failure to do so can result in civil penalties by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While federal law applies only to new vehicles, Nissan strongly encourages dealers to correct any used vehicles in their inventory before they are retailed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.