STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗2006 Nissan Xterra suspension problems
moderate 11 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $900 · see suspension across all vehicles →
Failure mileage
Complaints
11
Recalls
0
Avg fix
$900
When does it fail?
Of the 11 suspension complaints filed for the 2006 Nissan Xterra, here's the actual mileage breakdown — failures cluster heaviest at 0-25,000 mi.
0-25k
25-50k
50-75k
75-100k
100-125k
125-150k
150k+
Each bar shows the share of total complaints filed at that mileage range. Peak failure window highlighted. Some owners report problems earlier; some make it well past 150,000 miles symptom-free. Maintenance habits and driving conditions shift the curve as much as mileage alone.
What stands out
Of the 4 model years of Nissan Xterra we track for suspension problems, this one carries the most owner complaints on file — 11.
No new NHTSA suspension complaint has been filed on this vehicle in over 17 years — the issue may be aging out of the active population.
Is there a fix? Manufacturer service bulletins
The manufacturer has issued service bulletins covering suspension on this vehicle — documented repair instructions, service campaigns, or warranty extensions sent to dealers. A TSB isn't a recall (it's not a free safety remedy), but it's the manufacturer acknowledging the issue and how to fix it.
STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Air Bag Control Unit Reprogram Voluntary Service Campaign UPDATE October 6, 2017 The announcement from August 15, 2017 has been revised to include: - Claims information for unintended airbag deployment (related to campaign) Temporary suspension of this campaign on all affected 2004-2006 model year vehicles is still in affect - Nissan is aware of reprogramming concerns on 2004-2006 models subject to P7318 Air Bag Control Unit Reprogramming and is working diligently with the supplier to provide a solution. - In the interim, Nissan recommends dealers suspend reprogramming activity on all 2004-2006 models until a software remedy is available. These models will continue to be identified in Servic
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗BALL JOINT AXIAL END PLAY PROCEDURE SERVICE INFORMATION When working on the front suspension, use the updated service information in this bulletin along with the Electronic Service Manual (ESM). The updated information in this bulletin is a correction and a supplement to the ESM.
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item listed, if any should occur. - Most brake incidents fall into the following categories: a. Brake Noise: A squeak, squeal, clunk, or groan that occurs when the brakes are applied or released. b. Brake Judder: A vibration that can be felt in the vehicle, steering wheel or brake pedal when the brakes are applied. c. Pedal Feel: The effort needed to operate the brakes is too high or too low. SERVICE PROCEDURE 1. Verify the condition by road testing the vehicle with the customer. 2. Determine the specific brake incident based
full bulletin at NHTSA ↗Source: NHTSA manufacturer communications. Bring the bulletin number to your dealer or shop.
The failure pattern owners describe
Rear suspension bottoming out dominates complaints on this model year. Multiple owners state the rear axle strikes the frame or rubber bump stops at low speeds and under modest passenger load—some starting within the first few thousand miles. Owners report hard impacts jarring rear-seat passengers and noise resembling collision with an object. Nissan and its dealers acknowledged the condition to some owners but stated it reflects the vehicle's design and declined warranty repair. Dealers attempted rear shock replacement and leaf spring work without success. One owner found relief with aftermarket bump stops costing over $300 installed, while others incurred no real fix.
Driveshaft problems emerged in the 70,000- to 140,000-mile range, with severe vibration at highway speeds that persisted after tire service and U-joint replacement. One garage isolated the driveshaft as the cause; another case reported transmission and driveshaft failure together, leaving the vehicle immobile.
A separate complaint described lane drift and steering instability at 97,000 miles with no resolution documented. Wheel hub assemblies failed prematurely—left side at 55,000 miles, right at 62,000 miles.
Same Nissan Xterra suspension reports on nearby years: 2007
Failure modes owners describe
Rear Suspension Bottoming Out / Inadequate Suspension Travel
Rear axle strikes frame or bump stops during moderate dips in road or under passenger load. Owners report the vehicle contacts the frame/axle to rubber bump stops at low impact speeds. Multiple owners confirm this occurred from very early ownership (even at 1–4,000 miles). Dealer attempts with shock replacement and some mention of leaf springs do not resolve the problem. One owner reports bump stops at $300+ installed provide some relief.
When: Early ownership (1–4,000 miles); occurs with passenger load; affects multiple vehicles on dealership lot
Symptoms owners cite: Rear end bottoms out on small to moderate road dips; Hard impacts when rear suspension compresses fully; Passengers experience hard jarring impacts to head; Occurs at 20–65 mph depending on road surface
Repairs/costs cited: Dealer replaced rear shocks and leaf springs; these replacements did not resolve bottoming out. One owner reports aftermarket bump stops ($300+ installed) provided improvement. Dealer stated design is 'as intended.'
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Nissan stated nothing was wrong with the design; multiple owners report manufacturer refuses warranty repair, claiming design is correct. One dealer rep attributed issue to hitting dip 'too fast.'
Lane Drift / Steering Instability
Vehicle swayed from lane to lane and drifted without driver steering input while driving. Reported at 97,000 miles. Dealership found no recalls on file; manufacturer opened a case but no resolution documented.
When: 97,000 miles
Symptoms owners cite: Vehicle swayed side to side between lanes; Drifted without steering wheel input
Recalls/TSBs owners mention: Ken Garff Nissan Salt Lake City and manufacturer stated no recalls on file; manufacturer case number issued but outcome not documented.
Driveshaft Warping / Vibration
Vehicle developed severe vibration while driving at highway speed. After tire replacement, tire rotation, and U-joint replacement, vibration persisted. Diagnosis identified warped driveshaft. Owner reports garage removed driveshaft and vibration ceased, confirming the diagnosis. Replacement cost quoted at $800. Another narrative reports transmission and driveshaft failure at 136,000 miles resulting in loss of acceleration.
When: 72,000 miles (vibration case); 136,000 miles (transmission/driveshaft failure case)
Symptoms owners cite: Severe vibration at 60 mph; Vibration persists after tire work and U-joint replacement; Loss of acceleration and vehicle stopping (in second case)
Repairs/costs cited: New tires, tire rotation, new U-joints attempted; driveshaft replacement cost quoted at $800. In second case, transmission and driveshaft failure with no repair cost noted.
Wheel Hub Assembly Premature Failure
Left wheel hub assembly failed at 55,000 miles; right wheel hub assembly failed at 62,000 miles. Described as premature failure with no details on symptoms or repair cost provided.
When: 55,000 miles (left); 62,000 miles (right)
Symptoms owners cite: Wheel hub assembly failure
Synthesized from 11 NHTSA owner complaints — unverified consumer allegations, summarized for patterns. The verbatim filings appear below.
What owners are reporting 1 most recent
The rear of my '06 xterra bottoms out very easily. This has been a problem since day one. The dealer saw the problem and replaced the rear shocks, but that did not solve the problem. It appears that the leaf springs on the truck are weak (according to many online sources). *tr
Had suspension trouble with your 2006 Nissan Xterra?
File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free, official, and how every report above got here — owner filings are the federal safety record this page is built on.
Common questions
How serious is the suspension problem on the 2006 Nissan Xterra?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 11 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $900 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the suspension typically fail?
Across the 9 complaints that reported odometer mileage, most suspension failures cluster between 15,000 and 93,000 miles, with the median around 55,000. A quarter of owners report trouble before 15,000; a quarter make it past 93,000. Maintenance history matters more than the odometer alone — this is the reported failure window, not a guarantee.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $900 for suspension 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 suspension?
No active recalls currently cover suspension 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.
Related
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Verify the raw federal record at
nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2006/Nissan/Xterra.
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. Some links on this page are affiliate links.