The Lemon Index
200520072nd generation
Avoid · most complaints: fuel system, gasoline
138 owner complaints, first 3 years 16–17 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2006 Jeep Wrangler 1632006 Toyota 4Runner 642006 Jeep Grand Cherokee 102
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2006 Nissan Xterra
- Transmission failure60 complaintsmostly at 92,000–124,000 miles (148,000–200,000 km)
- Engine stalling50 complaintsmostly at 70,000–128,000 miles (113,000–206,000 km)
- Coolant leak / overheating50 complaintsmostly at 95,000–130,000 miles (153,000–209,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 780 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2006 Nissan Xterra (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Most problems on this year showed up between 33,000 and 53,000 miles (54,000–85,000 km) (the middle half of the 130 complaints, of all 138 filed so far, that listed a mileage).
- At 60K, 100K and 150K miles (97K, 161K and 241K km) Past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most.
This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not the odds that one car will have it.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V517000 (engine), 10E019000 (suspension) and 10V075000 (fuel system, gasoline) done? It has 5 recalls in all. Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any fuel smell, stalling or hard starts? On a hybrid or EV, any reduced-power warning or battery work?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Nissan sent dealers 85 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “The 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Nissan's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 138 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 33K to 53K miles (54K to 85K km) on the car (130 of all 138 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
Fuel gauge sensor reads "------" and flashes "dte" (distance to empty). Also check engine light turns on and dashboard fuel gauge stays on empty.
2006 Nissan Xterra owner · NHTSA complaint 10270122
More owner reports
Check engine light stays on and gas gauge does not register on 2006 Nissan Xterra. Appears to be defective fuel sensor/sending unit. Apparently, there was issue in past which led to recall on earlier models.
NHTSA complaint 10296560
Nissan service bulletin ntb07-069a should be recall.
NHTSA complaint 10279428
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 85 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- The 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay
- SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)…
- SERVICE INFORMATION Related to communication codes U1000, U1001, U1002, U1010: - Always diagnose
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 5
- Engine · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES.
- Suspension · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 A…
- Fuel system, gasoline · recall issued 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES.
Show all 5 recalls
- Airbags · recall issued 2008
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…
- Equipment · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Government investigations
- ClosedTransmission failures2012–2016
NHTSA looks into a problem when enough owners report it. Many end in a recall.
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★★ · rollover ★★★☆☆
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,550–$3,750 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl.
Every Nissan Xterra year. 2006 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
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Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2006 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-xterra/?y=2006" title="Nissan Xterra reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/nissan-xterra/2006/">Lemon Index</a> (2006 Nissan Xterra reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2006 Nissan Xterra reliable?
No, it is one of the worst by government complaints. It drew about 4 times the average car's complaints filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 351; 100 is average, lower is better). The Nissan Xterra year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2006 Nissan Xterra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are fuel system, gasoline (57%), fuel system, other (15%) and electrical (9%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2006 Nissan Xterra have?
5 safety recalls (latest: engine). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2006 Nissan Xterra get?
16 to 17 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
At what mileage do 2006 Nissan Xterra problems show up?
Most problems on this year showed up between 33,000 and 53,000 miles (54,000–85,000 km) (the middle half of the 130 complaints, of all 138 filed so far, that listed a mileage). At 60K, 100K and 150K miles, a 2006 is past the range where most problems showed up: it has likely had them or dodged them, so repair records matter most. This is when owners who had a problem reported it, not a prediction for one car.
Does the 2006 Nissan Xterra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 7% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2006 Nissan Xterra cost in fuel a year?
About $3,550 to $3,750 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2006 Nissan Xterra have?
4.0L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Xterra year is better than the 2006?
Nearby, the 2008 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about three-quarters as many complaints as the average car). Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works