RoadVitals

2006 Nissan Xterra Suspension Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the suspension system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Suspension reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
12
Latest Nov 12, 2019
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
2%
of 780 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
0
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
0

What this page shows

Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2006 Nissan Xterra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 12 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming suspension

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed Nov 12, 2019

MY TRANSMISSION AND DRIVE SHAFT WENT OUT OF MY VEHICLE TODAY OUT OF NOWHERE. I HAVE A NEW JOB TO GET TO AND NO MONEY TO FIX OR REPLACE THIS VEHICLE. IT'S RIDICULOUS CONSIDERING IT ONLY HAS 136,000 MILES ON IT. I WAS 2 MILES FROM MY HOUSE AND DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 20MPH AND IT JUST STOPPED ACCELERATING. I WAS STUCK ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN 5 DEGREE WEATHER. I AM BEYOND DISMAYED AND COMPLETELY WITHOUT OPTIONS.

NHTSA ID
11279698
Incident
Nov 12, 2019
Mileage
136,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 8, 2019

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING, THE VEHICLE SWAYED FROM LANE TO LANE. THE VEHICLE DRIFTED WITHOUT TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL. KEN GARFF NISSAN SALT LAKE (777 S W TEMPLE, SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84101, (801) 933-1890) AND THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON FILE. THE CONTACT FILED A CASE WITH THE MANUFACTURER AND RECEIVED A CASE NUMBER. A CASE MANAGER WAS SCHEDULED TO CALL THE CONTACT BACK. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000.

NHTSA ID
11230161
Incident
Jun 8, 2019
Mileage
97,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jan 22, 2015

THE WHEEL HUB ASSEMBLY FAILED PREMATURELY, LEFT AT 55000 AND THE RIGHT AT 62000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10678376
Incident
Apr 19, 2014
Mileage
55,000 mi
Fuel systemSuspension
Filed Jan 30, 2013

WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE GETS CLOSE TO 1/4 TANK IT WILL DROP DOWN TO EMPTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. *TR

NHTSA ID
10495277
Incident
Dec 21, 2012
Mileage
93,000 mi
Powertrain (other)Suspension
Filed May 14, 2010

WHILE TRAVELING AT A SPEED OF 60, THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE. AFTER NEW TIRES, ROTATION OF THE TIRES, NEW U-JOINTS, IT STILL SHAKES VERY BAD. NOW I AM TOLD IT IS THE "DRIVE SHAFT" THAT IS "WARPED" WHICH IS GOING TO COST ANOTHER $800. THE GARAGE HAS REMOVED THE DRIVE SHAFT AND NOW IT DOES NOT SHAKE. BUT I WILL NEED TO REPLACE IN ORDER FOR THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE TO WORK. THE VEHICLE HAS 72,000 MILES. *TR

NHTSA ID
10330391
Incident
May 2, 2010
Mileage
72,000 mi
Suspension
Filed May 26, 2009

2006 NISSAN XTERRA BOTTOMS OUT IN REAR EVERY BUMP IN ROAD. WITH PASSENGERS IN REAR, BUMP IS SO HARD IT CAUSES ALL PASSENGERS TO HIT HEAD, SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE HIT A TREE. CAN LOCATE SAME COMPLAINT ALL OVER INTERNET. NISSAN REPORTS "NOTHING WRONG" DESIGN FLAW ONLY. CRASHING MY REAR AXLE, STILL UNDER FULL WARRANTY AND REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING. SIMPLE BUMP STOPS HAVE PROVEN TO HELP MANY AT COST OF OVER $300 INSTALLED. NISSAN SHOULD REPAIR, DESIGN FLAW SHOULD NOT BE AT CUSTOMERS EXPENSE. NOT SAFE FOR KIDS IN REAR SEATS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10269980
Incident
May 19, 2009
Mileage
20,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Dec 24, 2008

THE REAR OF MY '06 XTERRA BOTTOMS OUT VERY EASILY. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE. THE DEALER SAW THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE REAR SHOCKS, BUT THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THE LEAF SPRINGS ON THE TRUCK ARE WEAK (ACCORDING TO MANY ONLINE SOURCES). *TR

NHTSA ID
10252701
Incident
Jan 1, 2007
Mileage
5,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Nov 30, 2008

THE REAR OF MY '06 XTERRA BOTTOMS OUT VERY EASILY. THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM SINCE DAY ONE. THE DEALER SAW THE PROBLEM AND REPLACED THE REAR SHOCKS, BUT THAT DID NOT SOLVE THE PROBLEM. IT APPEARS THAT THE LEAF SPRINGS ON THE TRUCK ARE WEAK (ACCORDING TO MANY ONLINE SOURCES). MY XTERRA IS NOW 3,000 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ID
10250212
Incident
Nov 30, 2008
Other / unspecifiedSuspension
Filed May 18, 2008

2006 XTERRA. BOUGHT NEW, AFTER ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP HAD FOUR PEOPLE IN IT AND REAR BOTTOM OUT. HAS DONE THIS MANY TIMES. DEALERSHIP FIRST SAID IT WAS ONLY MINE , NO OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM NO ONE ELSE, THEN REPLACED SHOCKS , REAR LEAF SPRINGS. HAD THEM DRIVE OTHERS ON LOT AND ALL DID THE SAME THING. NISSAN SENT OUT A DEALER REP, ONLY TO SAY I HIT THE DIP IN THE ROAD TO FAST. THIS IS NOT ONLY A COVER UP FROM A BAD DESIGN FROM NISSAN, BUT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO AT 65 MILES AN HOUR AND YOU BOTTOM OUT YOU COULD LOOSE CONTROL. ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP THE SUV WHEN THE SHOCK MOUNTS BREAK AND OR THE LEAF SPRINGS BREAK, HOW ABOUT AFTER MANY TIMES OF THE IMPACT ON THE AXEL DO TO THE BUMP STOPS HITTING IT ARE THE AXLES GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS? *TR

NHTSA ID
10228117
Incident
Jan 16, 2007
Mileage
15,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Mar 26, 2008

THE REAR SUSPENSION IS POORLY DESIGNED IN THAT THERE IS NOT ENOUGH SUSPENSION TRAVEL BEFORE THE AXEL HITS THE RUBBER BUMPER STOPS. IF I CARRY PASSENGERS IN THE REAR SEAT, THE REAR SUSPENSION WILL ALWAYS BOTTOM OUT ON THE RUBBER FRAME BUMPERS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10222440
Incident
Mar 26, 2008
Mileage
1,000 mi
Suspension
Filed Jul 26, 2007

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH OVER A DIP IN THE ROAD, THE VEHICLE'S FRAME STRIKES THE AXLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE CONTACT NEEDED TO PURCHASE A LIFT SHACKLE AND NEW SHOCKS. THE DEALER ALSO STATED THAT NOTHING COULD BE DONE BECAUSE THAT IS HOW THE VEHICLE WAS DESIGNED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 4,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1. UPDATED 02/01/08. *LJ

NHTSA ID
10197595
Incident
Dec 31, 2006
Mileage
1 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed Aug 20, 2006

I PURCHASED MY CAR(XTERRA 2006 OFF ROAD VIN [XXX] ) FROM DARCARS OF INDIANOLA INC., ON NOVEMBER 9, 2005. ON THE SAME DAY (THE CAR HAD ONLY 10 MILES) I NOTICED THE STEERING HAD A PROBLEM. WHEN I DRIVEN OVER 60 MPH IS HARD TO CONTROL THE CAR(WIGGLES). I TOOK THE CAR TO DIFFERENT NISSAN DEALER FOR REPAIRS BUT THE CAR STILL THE SAME THE CAR HAS OVER 13.000 MILES NOW. *NM UPDATED 07/12/2012 *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
10166037
Incident
Nov 9, 2005
Mileage
10 mi

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.

Other components reported on this vehicle

Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .