2006 Nissan Xterra recalls and problems

The 2006 Nissan Xterra has 3 safety recalls and 780 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at any Nissan dealer.

Recalls

Complaints

780

Crashes / fires

12 / 3

Injuries / deaths

19 / 1

Recalls may cover only some 2006 Nissan Xterra vehicles. Check your VIN at NHTSA ↗ to see open recalls for your exact car.

2006 Nissan Xterra recalls

Recall 10V-517: Engine and Engine Cooling

Reported Oct 28, 2010 · 747,480 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: This could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 10V-075: Fuel System, Gasoline

Reported Mar 3, 2010 · 80,689 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: This could cause the vehicle to run out of gas and stall in traffic, increasing the risk of a crash.

Fix: 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.

Recall 08V-690: Air Bags

Reported Dec 29, 2008 · 242,720 vehicles affected · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Problem: 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.

Risk: 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.

Fix: 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.

2006 Nissan Xterra problems reported by owners

Problem area	Reports
Power Train	272
Fuel System, Gasoline	243
Engine and Engine Cooling	107
Engine	104
Fuel/Propulsion System	94
Electrical System	41
Fuel System, Other	40
Unknown or Other	26
Steering	22
Air Bags	20
Vehicle Speed Control	14
Suspension	13

Most reported parts

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank — 38
Power Train › Automatic Transmission — 18
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System › Radiator Assembly — 16
Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System — 8
Electrical System › Instrument Cluster/Panel — 5
Suspension › Rear — 5
Power Train › Manual Transmission — 5
Power Train › Driveline — 4

Typical mileage at the time of the problem: 81,921 miles (median of owner reports).

Problems that are not covered by a recall are paid repairs; labor rates follow local mechanic pay — see what auto mechanics earn in each state.

Recent 2006 Nissan Xterra complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA, as written (personal details removed). Complaints are not verified by NHTSA.

Service Brakes · reported Feb 19, 2026

I have a lot of ticking and stalling lights are blinking I think itâs may be the transmission and I smell gas inside the vehicle.

Air Bags · at 145,000 miles · reported Oct 10, 2024

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.

Engine · reported Apr 28, 2024

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

Air Bags · reported 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 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.

Air Bags · reported Oct 31, 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.

Other Nissan Xterra years

2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 200720062005 2004 2003 2002 2001 2000

Compare all Nissan Xterra years · All Nissan models

Frequently asked questions

Does the 2006 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2006 Nissan Xterra: 10V-517 (engine and engine cooling), 10V-075 (fuel system, gasoline), 08V-690 (air bags). Not every vehicle is affected, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What is the most common problem with the 2006 Nissan Xterra?

Owners report power train problems most often (272 reports), followed by fuel system, gasoline (243). The typical mileage when problems were reported is about 81,921 miles.

Are Nissan recall repairs free?

Yes. Safety recall repairs are free at authorized Nissan dealers, whether you are the first owner or bought the car used.