2006 Nissan XTERRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
780 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
81,921 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2006 model year. Data snapshot: . 717 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 240 of 780 complaints (30.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 275 | 35.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 105 | 13.5% |
| Engine operation | 49 | 6.3% |
| Steering behavior | 24 | 3.1% |
| Braking behavior | 21 | 2.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 11 | 1.4% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 240 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 204 |
| Engine | 104 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 94 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 78 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank | 38 |
| Fuel System, Other | 37 |
| Electrical System | 33 |
Power Train: 240; Fuel System, Gasoline: 204; Engine: 104; Fuel/Propulsion System: 94; Engine And Engine Cooling: 78; Fuel System, Gasoline:Storage:Auxillary Tank: 38; Fuel System, Other: 37; Electrical System: 33
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 38 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 136 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 147 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 147 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 191 |
| 150,000 and above | 58 |
Under 25,000: 38; 25,000 to 49,999: 136; 50,000 to 74,999: 147; 75,000 to 99,999: 147; 100,000 to 149,999: 191; 150,000 and above: 58
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (191). 63 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2006 | 8 |
| 2007 | 9 |
| 2008 | 35 |
| 2009 | 86 |
| 2010 | 152 |
| 2011 | 39 |
| 2012 | 48 |
| 2013 | 96 |
| 2014 | 86 |
| 2015 | 64 |
| 2016 | 57 |
| 2017 | 21 |
| 2018 | 30 |
| 2019 | 20 |
| 2020 | 10 |
| 2021 | 6 |
| 2022 | 4 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2006: 8; 2007: 9; 2008: 35; 2009: 86; 2010: 152; 2011: 39; 2012: 48; 2013: 96; 2014: 86; 2015: 64; 2016: 57; 2017: 21; 2018: 30; 2019: 20; 2020: 10; 2021: 6; 2022: 4; 2023: 5; 2024: 2; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 275 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 105 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 49 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10243359 · 2008-09-24 (September 24, 2008)
I OWN AN 06 XTERRA WITH A SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 24000 KM I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I PULLED OUT TO PASS A TRANSPORT THE CLUTCH FAILED RESULTING IN NO THROTTLE AND I ALMOST GOT CRUSHED BY THE TRANSPORT I HAD JUST PASSED. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THE CLUTCH HAD SHATTERED IN EIGHT PIECES AND THAT IT WAS MY FAULT CAUSE I MUST TOW ALOT. I DON'T EVEN HAVE A TOW HITCH. THEN I WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE I DO A LOT OF 4X4 OFFROAD DRIVING. ITS BEEN OFFROAD ONCE. THEY DID NOT WAN…
Owner-reported narrative. 15,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243359 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10252143 · 2008-12-17 (December 17, 2008)
I PURCHASED THIS XTERRA IN MAY OF 2006. IN THE PAST 8 WEEKS I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY 06 NISSAN XTERRA TOWED TO THE DEALER SIX TIMES FOR THE SAME ISSUE OF NOT STARTING. THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD I WAS OUT OF GAS. SINCE THEN, I'VE BEEN TOLD THE SECURITY MODULE HAD GONE BAD, I HAD CORROSION ON THE BATTERY TERMINAL CAUSING IT TO GO IN TO STOLEN MODE, THE FUEL PUMP HAD GONE BAD (REPLACED TWICE), AND THE WIRING HARNESS TO THE FUEL PUMP HAD A SHORT IN IT (REPLACED TWICE). THE DEALER SAYS THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO REPLICATE THE PROBLEM AND WANT TO GI…
Owner-reported narrative. 58,600 miles reported. Look up ODI 10252143 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10233580 · 2008-07-08 (July 8, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO ITS CAPACITY WITHIN 3 MILES THE FUEL GAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NO FUEL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, THE FUEL GAGE INDICATED THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. SINCE THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED, THE CONTACT HAS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FOR THE CORRECT FUEL GAGE READING. THE VEHICLE IS BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN IS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,000.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10233580 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10245428 · 2008-10-14 (October 14, 2008)
I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. EVERY TIME I FILL MY GAS TANK THE GAS GAUGE DROPS TO THE BOTTOM AND THE LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER CRANKING THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT WAYS THE GAUGE GRADUALLY BEGINS TO MOVE BACK UP TO THE TOP. AFTER SEVERAL DRIVING TRIPS THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT WILL TURN ITSELF OFF. THIS HAPPENS EACH TIME I FILL MY TANK WHETHER THE TANK IS 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, OR EMPTY. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10245428 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10156784 · 2006-05-04 (May 4, 2006)
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH DOWN A SLOPED DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE STALLED. AS A RESULT, THE BRAKES AND POWER STEERING SYSTEM FAILED. THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS DESCENDING. THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO PUT THE VEHICLE IN PARK, BUT THERE WAS A GRINDING NOISE. THE VEHICLE WAS SHIFTED BACK TO DRIVE. THE PARKING BRAKE WAS ENGAGED BUT THERE WAS NO TENSION. THE VEHICLE ROLLED TO A STOP. THE DEALERSHIP INSPECTED THE VEHICLE, BUT WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE A PROBLEM.
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10156784 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10274010 · 2009-06-16 (June 16, 2009)
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON LATE MODEL NISSAN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAILS AND READS AN EMPTY LEVEL AFTER FILL-UP. THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS OF THIS RECURRING PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN NTB07-069A TO INFORM ITS TECHNICIANS OF THE PROCEDURE NEEDED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING, AND REMAINS CONSTANT UNTIL CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE TECHNICAL BULLETIN DESCRIBES THE REPAIR PROCEDURE NEEDED TO ONLY REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT, AND NOT THE ENTIRE FUEL PUMP. FAILURE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM CO…
Owner-reported narrative. 53,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10274010 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10157211 · 2006-05-10 (May 10, 2006)
POWER STEERING FAILURE CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO BE EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER AT LOW AND MODERATE SPEEDS. *NM
Owner-reported narrative. 1,386 miles reported. Look up ODI 10157211 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10177170 · 2006-12-28 (December 28, 2006)
2006 NISSAN XTERRA LUNGES FORWARD WHILE APPLYING THE BRAKES. THIS HAS HAPPENED SEVERAL TIMES NOW. WHILE COMING TO A STOP AT INTERSECTION AND AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES THE MOTOR SEEMS TO SPEED UP AND THE CAR MOVES FORWARD A FOOT OR MORE. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 11,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10177170 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10155051 · 2006-04-11 (April 11, 2006)
I PURCHASED MY 2006 XTERRA ON FEB 18TH, 2006. WITHIN 2 WEEKS I NOTICED IT WAS LEAKING DURING RAIN SHOWERS WHEN PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO RECREATE THE PROBLEM. I TOOK THE VEHICLE HOME AND IT LEAKED ONCE AGAIN. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO FIX IT. I TOOK IT HOME AND IT LEAKED AGAIN SO I TOOK IT TO A NEW DEALER AND THEY CONCLUDED, WITH THE HELP OF NISSAN ENGINEERS, THAT A DESIGN FLAW IN THE XTERRA ALLOWS WATER TO ENTER THE VEHICLE WHEN PARKED ON AN UPHILL INCLINE. THE…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,373 miles reported. Look up ODI 10155051 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10222415 · 2008-03-26 (March 26, 2008)
WIRING HARNESS IN 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WAS INCOMPLETE. POSES POSSIBLE FIRE OR EQUIPMENT MALFUNCTION. INVOLVED N-BUS HARNESS WITH MISSING CONNECTOR. NISSAN CONTACTED, BUT HAS NOT RESOLVED PROBLEM. I AM ONLY REPORTING THIS IN THE EVENT FIRES HAVE BEEN REPORTED IN THE DASH AREA OF 2006 NISSAN XTERRAS. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 34,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10222415 at NHTSA ↗