DecodedCars2006 Nissan Xterra
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD
- Body styles
- 4dr SUV 4WD S/Off-Road/Se
- Engines
- 4.0L 6-cyl
- Drivetrain
- Rear-Wheel Drive, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 17 combined · 15 city / 20 hwy
- Length
- 178.3 in
- Curb weight
- 4,350 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
- AWD / 4WD available
Watch out for
- Many owner complaints221 complaints filed with NHTSA versus about 41 for similar models — most often about the power train.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 32 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2006 Nissan Xterra is a SUV - offered with a 4.0L 6-cyl engine and rear-wheel drive and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 178 inches long and 73 inches wide on a 106-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,350 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 17 MPG combined (15 city / 20 highway), 7% worse than the 2006 SUV - average of 18.3 MPG, for an estimated $3,950 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 221 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the power train.
What changed for 2006
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 Xterra — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 Xterra →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4dr SUV 4WD S/Off-Road/Se | 178.3 in | 72.8 in | 74.8 in | 106.3 in | 61.4 / 61.4 in | 4,350 lb | 56/44 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xterra 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 20 / 17 | -7% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Xterra 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Manual 6-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 19 / 17 | 0% | $3,950 | 523 |
| Xterra 2WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 20 / 16 | -13% | $4,200 | 555 |
| Xterra 4WD | 4.0L 6-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 19 / 16 | -6% | $4,200 | 555 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Nissan Xterra under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2006 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Nissan Xterra (this car) | 17 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2006 Toyota Land Cruiser | 13 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2006 Toyota RAV4 | 24 MPG | Not rated | 10 |
| 2006 Honda CR-V | 23 MPG | Not rated | 11 |
| 2006 Hyundai Tucson | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Subaru Forester | 22 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Toyota Highlander | 27 MPG | Not rated | 9 |
Recalls (2)
Engine And Engine Cooling · Oct 28, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V517000 · 747,480 vehicles
- 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Auxillary Tank · Mar 3, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V075000 · 80,689 vehicles
- 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.
Not every 2006 Nissan Xterra is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 Nissan Xterra buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Power Train — 98 owner reports. Test-drive through all gears, including reverse; note slipping, harsh or delayed shifts.
- Engine — 56 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 53 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 115,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Xterra. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other Xterra years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 Xterra | 18 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 10 |
| 2014 Xterra | 18 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 9 |
| 2013 Xterra | 18 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 3 |
| 2012 Xterra | 18 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 12 |
| 2011 Xterra | 18 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 16 |
| 2010 Xterra | 18 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 4 | 27 |
| 2009 Xterra | 18 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 2 | 11 |
| 2008 Xterra | 17 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 3 | 74 |
| 2007 Xterra | 17 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 0 | 226 |
| 2005 Xterra | 17 | 178.3 in | Not rated | 1 | 159 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Nissan. How we calculate this →