2006 Nissan Xterra Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 106about this part
- Share
- 14%of 780 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 106 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2006 Nissan Xterra, 14% of the 780 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Due to a crack in the internal radiator, my transmission failed. I was almost side swiped pulling out of a parking lot because my Xterra wouldn't go into 1st gear. The crack in the coolant cord is a manufacturing defect, but Nissan refuses to pay for the cost of this product defect and correlating damages.”
NHTSA complaint #10490874, filed 2013-01, 116,000 miles“I have a 2006 Xterra that the radiator leaked into my transmission. The only solution from the Nissan dealership was to get a new transmission ($5500), rebuild or trade vehicles. Apparently this is a widespread problem that Nissan is aware of but won't do anything about. They should have issued a recall on this so this problem could have possibly been avoided.”
NHTSA complaint #10400915, filed 2011-05, 120,000 miles“The transmission is failing due to the transmission cooler inside the radiator allowing coolant to get into the transmission causing a catastrophic failure. It is my understanding that this is a common problem and that Nissan knew it was from a defect in the radiator. I've seen online that many people with a 2005-2010 Xterra, frontier and pathfinder with the 4.0 v6 engine are having this problem”
NHTSA complaint #10544101, filed 2013-09, 120,000 miles“My transmission went....the coolant was leaking into the transmission and over time ruined it. Barely made it to the transmission shop who charged $3900 that I didn't have. This is a Nissan fault and I should be compensated, even though I'm over the absurd low mileage limits. Please help!”
NHTSA complaint #10534930, filed 2013-08, 115,000 miles“As I was driving along the highway, I felt a jerk from the vehicle. The vehicle then over heated. Pulled over and let set for a minute. Restart and limp to work place. After calling dad found radiator fluid in transmission. The rest is history!!!!”
NHTSA complaint #10555246, filed 2013-12, 100,000 milesRelated recalls
- 10V517000Oct 28, 2010Nissan is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 armada, titan, infiniti qx56 and model year 2005-2006 frontier, pathfinder and xterra vehicles. The…Covers: Nissan Xterra 2005–2006, Titan 2004–2006, Armada 2004–2006 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 10208946Feb 22, 2022CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10192591Jun 24, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION After ECM reprogramming, the Calibration Verification Number (CVN) needs to be automatically calculated prior to State emissions testing (also known as…
- 10033710Apr 20, 2010Nissan: blower motor does not work. The blower motor for heater and air conditioner does not operate. There are signs of water intrusion in the blower motor.
- 10022421Jul 17, 2007Buzzing/whining noise from timing chain area.
- 10019613Mar 31, 2006Mil on with dtc u1000 or u1010 stored in engine control unit.
- 10019300Feb 8, 2006Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code u1000 or u1010 stored in engine control unit.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 8 | 7% |
| 2007 | 75 | 13% |
| 2006 | 106 | 14% |
| 2005 | 167 | 20% |
| 2004 | 6 | 7% |
| 2003 | 7 | 10% |
| 2002 | 24 | 15% |
| 2001 | 11 | 7% |
| 2000 | 33 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2006 Nissan Xterra
368 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
268 complaintsEngine
104 complaintsElectrical system
41 complaintsOther or unknown
26 complaintsSteering
22 complaintsAir bags
20 complaintsVehicle speed control
14 complaintsSuspension
12 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsTires
7 complaintsSeat belts
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2006 Nissan Xterra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology