THE INITIAL INCIDENT WAS FAILED TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER GUIDES. AS INDICATED EARLIER NISSAN KNOWINGLY REDESIGNED THE PARTS SINCE THE ORIGINALS WERE FOUND TO WEAR THROUGH, CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO RUB DIRECTLY ON THE METAL POST OF THE TENSIONER AND CONTACT THE HOUSING COVER. DURING THE REPAIR THE NISSAN SERVICE DEPARTMENT CONFIRMED THE FAILED RADIATOR COOLANT CONTAMINATION ADDRESSED IN ODI NHTSA…
2006 Nissan Xterra powertrain problems
moderate 174 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
174
Recalls
0
Crashes
2
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 4 most recent
WE NOTICED A HIGHER PITCH NOISE FROM THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2013 DURING ALL RUNNING TIMES (COLD START, WARM RUNNING, ETC) IN MY PREGNANT WIFE'S CAR WITH ABOUT 90,000 MILES ON VEHICLES (INSPECTED FLUIDS, BELTS, AND ENGINE AREA WITHOUT NOTICE TO ANY ISSUES- ASSUMED IT WAS THE SUB-FREEZING TEMPERATURES ~5-16*F). REGULAR MAINTENANCE HAS BEE CONDUCTED ON THE VEHICLE SINCE PURCHASE (ORIGINAL OWNERS), HAD…
THE VEHICLE WOULD STALL OR RATHER THE TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT SHIFT MOSTLY OUT FORTH TO FIFTH, OR EVEN THIRD TO FORTH. THE ENGINE SEEMS FINE. PULL THE TRANSMISSION DIPSTICK, THE FLUID IS DARK AND SMELLS BURNT. *TR
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK TO MECHANIC FOR A CHECK AND FOUND THAT WE WERE LEAKING RADIATOR COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. HAD TO REPLACE PARTS AND FLUSH TRANSMISSION AT A PRICEY COST. *TR
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2006 Nissan Xterra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 174 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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