CarBrief

NHTSA has 780 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Nissan Xterra, and the largest groups involve the power train, the fuel system and the engine[1][2][3][4]. Three safety recalls apply, so check the VIN before you buy[5][6][7].

780owner complaints[1]
3recalls[8]
16–17MPG combined (EPA)[9]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 780 complaints with NHTSA[1]. Twelve mention a crash and 3 mention a fire[1]. The complaints report 19 injuries and 1 death in total[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts. The counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold.

The biggest groups by complaint count:

Component group Complaints Median mileage at failure
Power train[2] 268 109,000
Fuel system, gasoline[3] 237 53,094
Engine[4] 209 106,000
Fuel/propulsion system[10] 94 90,000
Electrical system[11] 41 66,812
Fuel system, other[12] 40 47,000
Steering[13] 22 65,000

Fuel gauge and fuel level sensor. In the samples of fuel complaints we read, owners describe a fuel gauge that showed the wrong level, with the check engine light on in some cases. Owners mention repair quotes of several hundred dollars[3][10]. Fuel system, gasoline complaints have a median mileage at failure of 53,094, lower than power train, engine and fuel/propulsion system[3][2][4][10]. Recall 10V075 deals with a related fuel gauge fault[6]. Some owners in the sample say their own vehicle was not included in that recall[10], so check yours by VIN.

Power train. In a sample of power train complaints we read, owners describe four wheel drive parts failing[2], such as a sensor problem that stopped 4WD from engaging, a front differential that bound up and a warped drive shaft. Two owners describe clutch failures on manual cars[2]. Others describe leaking rear axle seals and a transmission damaged through the radiator[2]. This group has 2 crashes, 2 fires and 4 injuries[2].

Engine. In a sample of engine complaints we read, owners describe coolant and transmission fluid mixing, which they blame on the radiator. Others describe stalling or surging that the dealer could not trace[4]. One crash is listed in this group[4]. Recall 10V517 also covers a stalling risk[5].

Electrical (41) and steering (22) have far fewer complaints[11][13]. We do not call them common problems.

Recalls

NHTSA lists three recalls for this model year, newest first.

To see whether a recall is still open on a specific vehicle, enter its VIN at NHTSA. Our data does not show which vehicles were already repaired.

Fuel economy

Every version in the EPA data has a 4.0L 6-cylinder engine and uses regular gas[14][9][15][16]. The ratings:

Version City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
2WD, automatic 5-speed[14] 14 20 16 $4,200
2WD, manual 6-speed[9] 15 20 17 $3,950
4WD, automatic 5-speed[15] 14 19 16 $4,200
4WD, manual 6-speed[16] 15 19 17 $3,950

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the vehicle was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4-door model a rollover rating of 3 stars, with a rollover risk of 25.6%[17].

Engine and size

The EPA lists a 4.0L 6-cylinder engine for every version[14][9][15][16]. Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications for the 4-door 4WD model and can differ slightly from US vehicles[18].

Measure Value
Length[18] 178 in
Width[18] 73 in
Height[18] 75 in
Wheelbase[18] 106 in
Curb weight[18] 4,350 lb

How 2006 compares with other years

2000: 214 complaints, 3 recalls20002001: 150 complaints, 3 recalls2002: 157 complaints, 5 recalls20022003: 72 complaints, 3 recalls2004: 84 complaints, 2 recalls20042005: 845 complaints, 3 recalls2006: 780 complaints, 3 recalls78020062007: 557 complaints, 1 recalls2008: 119 complaints, 6 recalls20082009: 19 complaints, 3 recalls2010: 38 complaints, 4 recalls20102011: 24 complaints, 2 recalls2012: 16 complaints, 2 recalls20122013: 4 complaints, 0 recalls2014: 10 complaints, 0 recalls20142015: 10 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Xterra model year. The 2006 is highlighted[8].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20002143
20011503
20021575
2003723
2004842
20058453
20067803
20075571
20081196
2009193
2010384
2011242
2012162
201340
2014100
2015100

Among the 16 Xterra model years in NHTSA data[8], 2006 has the second highest complaint count at 780[8]. Only 2005 is higher at 845[8]. The 2007 year has 557[8]. The 2008 year drops to 119, and every year after that has 38 or fewer[8].

On recalls, 2006 has 3[8]. The 2008 year has 6, 2002 has 5 and 2010 has 4[8]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for sales, so use them only to compare Xterra years with each other.

Should you buy a used 2006 Xterra?

The 2006 year sits near the top for complaints among Xterra years[8]. In the fuel complaints we read, owners describe fuel gauge faults[3], and fuel system complaints have a lower median mileage than power train or engine complaints[3][2][4]. Before you buy, check every recall by VIN[5][6][7], and ask whether the fuel level sender has been replaced[6]. A pre-purchase inspection that covers the 4WD system, the clutch on manual cars and the radiator is a sensible step, because owners describe problems there[2][4]. The rollover rating is 3 stars and fuel economy is 16 to 17 MPG combined[17][14][9][15][16].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2006 Nissan Xterra?
NHTSA's biggest complaint groups are power train (268), fuel system gasoline (237) and engine (209)[2][3][4]. In the fuel complaints we read, owners describe a fuel gauge that reads wrong[3].
Does the 2006 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?
Yes, three: 10V517 for an engine relay, 10V075 for the fuel tank sender and 08V690 for the front air bag sensor[5][6][7].
What is the gas mileage of a 2006 Nissan Xterra?
EPA rates it at 14 to 15 city, 19 to 20 highway and 16 to 17 combined MPG, depending on drive and transmission[14][9][15][16].
How safe is the 2006 Nissan Xterra?
NHTSA lists a 3-star rollover rating with a 25.6% rollover risk for the 4-door model[17].
Is 2006 a good year for the Nissan Xterra?
It has 780 complaints, the second most of 16 model years, behind 2005 at 845[8].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 780 owner complaints on file for the 2006 Nissan Xterra (12 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 19 injuries, 1 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. 268 complaints name the power train component group (2 crashes, 2 fires, 4 injuries, median mileage at failure 109,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 237 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 53,094). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 209 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 106,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. Recall 10V517, filed October 28, 2010: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
  6. Recall 10V075, filed March 3, 2010: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 08V690, filed December 29, 2008: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
  8. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Xterra model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  9. EPA rating for Xterra 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 20 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  10. 94 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 41 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 66,812). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 40 complaints name the fuel system, other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 47,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. 22 complaints name the steering component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 65,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  14. EPA rating for Xterra 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Xterra 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Xterra 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR RWD/AWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 25.6%. NHTSA vehicle records
  18. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XTERRA 4DR SUV 4WD S/OFF-ROAD/SE: length 178 in, width 73 in, height 75 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 4,350 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.