2006 Nissan Xterra engine problems

The 2006 Nissan Xterra has 211 engine complaints filed with NHTSA — 20% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

211

Engine complaints

20%

Share of year

Crash-involved

Related recalls

Engine complaints by year

Xterra engine complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

10V517000EngineOctober 28, 2010 · 747,480 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

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.

What owners report

“2006 NISSAN XTERRA OFF-ROAD MODEL. VEHICLE HAD SURGED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS (6) IN THE PAST WHILE STOPPED OR COMING TO A STOP AT INTERSECTIONS. DEALER HAD INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED MOST RECENTLY IN A PARKING LOT…”
Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · May 1, 2008 · crash

Common questions

How many engine complaints does the 2006 Nissan Xterra have?

NHTSA has 211 complaints about the 2006 Nissan Xterra engine — 20% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2006 Nissan Xterra engine?

Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign for this model year is tied to the engine: 10V517000.

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.