Which Nissan Xterra years should I avoid?

NHTSA data rates 2005, 2006, and 2007 as Avoid years, with complaint indexes of 90, 100, and 80 respectively. Transmission & Powertrain and Fuel System problems drive most of the complaints in these years.

What are the best Nissan Xterra years?

2014 and 2015 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 10 and only 10 reported complaints each, plus zero recalls.

Is the 2006 Nissan Xterra reliable?

The 2006 model has the highest complaint index (100) in the Xterra lineup and 780 total complaints, with Fuel System issues making up 47% of them. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Xterra years.

Does the Nissan Xterra have recalls?

Across model years 2005-2015, NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the Xterra, covering engine control relays, fuel tank sender units, front airbag sensors, and tow hitch welds.

What is the most common Xterra problem?

Transmission & Powertrain complaints are the largest category across all years, accounting for 990 complaints (41% share), followed closely by Fuel System issues at 945 complaints (39%).

Nissan Xterra Best and Worst Years (2005–2015)

Nissan Xterra model years 2005, 2006, and 2007 are rated Avoid, driven by high transmission, fuel system, and engine complaint volumes (complaint index 90, 100, and 80). The 2014 and 2015 model years are rated Best, each with 10 complaints and complaint indexes of 0 and 10.

Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.

Avoid 2005 Avoid 2006 Avoid 2007 Best 2014 Best 2015

Model years: 11; 2005–2015
NHTSA complaints: 2,422
Recall campaigns: 12
Crashes reported: 36
Fires reported: 15
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain

Xterra Complaint Index by year

Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Nissan Xterra problems and recalls by year

Year	Verdict	Index	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Recalls	Top issue	MPG	NCAP
2005	Avoid	90	845	7	6	3	Transmission & Powertrain	16.5	—
2006	Avoid	100	780	12	3	3	Fuel System	16.5	—
2007	Avoid	80	557	3	3	1	Transmission & Powertrain	17	—
2008	Caution	70	119	9	3	6	Transmission & Powertrain	17	—
2009	Caution	50	19	0	0	3	Airbags	17	—
2010	Caution	60	38	4	0	4	Airbags	17	—
2011	Good	40	24	0	0	2	Airbags	17	—
2012	Good	30	16	0	0	2	Transmission & Powertrain	17	—
2013	No verdict	20	4	1	0	0	Engine	17	—
2014	Best	0	10	0	0	0	Suspension, Wheels & Tires	17	—
2015	Best	10	10	0	0	0	Transmission & Powertrain	17	—

Xterra years to avoid: what went wrong

2006 Nissan Xterra Index 100 · 780 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2006 Xterra carries the worst complaint index in the lineup at 100, with 780 complaints. Fuel System problems dominated at 47% of complaints, median 60,000 miles, including fuel gauge misreads reported alongside stalling. Transmission & Powertrain issues affected 34% of complaints at a median 110,000 miles. This year saw 12 crashes, 19 injuries, and one death. Recalls address an engine control relay, a deforming fuel tank shell, and front airbag sensors.

2006 fuel system problems →2006 transmission & powertrain problems →2006 engine problems →

2005 Nissan Xterra Index 90 · 845 complaints · 3 recalls

The 2005 Xterra logged 845 complaints, the second-highest of any year, with a complaint index of 90. Transmission & Powertrain issues made up 49% of complaints at a median 104,000 miles, and Fuel System problems (38%) surfaced earlier, around 63,000 miles. Owners also reported engine trouble and airbags that failed to deploy in crashes. NHTSA recalls cover an engine control relay, front airbag sensors, and a tow hitch weld issue. Seven crashes and six fires were reported for this year, with no deaths.

2005 transmission & powertrain problems →2005 fuel system problems →2005 engine problems →

2007 Nissan Xterra Index 80 · 557 complaints · 1 recalls

The 2007 Xterra had 557 complaints and a complaint index of 80. Transmission & Powertrain (41%) and Fuel System (41%) issues were reported in near-equal measure, with transmission failures at a median 110,000 miles. Owners described sudden transmission failure without warning and airbags that did not deploy in frontal crashes. One recall addresses front airbag sensors. NHTSA lists three crashes and three fires for this year.

2007 transmission & powertrain problems →2007 fuel system problems →2007 engine problems →

Most common Nissan Xterra problems (all years)

Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.

Transmission & Powertrain990 (41%)
Fuel System945 (39%)
Engine725 (30%)
Electrical System142 (6%)
Airbags121 (5%)
Other111 (5%)
Suspension, Wheels & Tires67 (3%)
Brakes61 (3%)
Steering42 (2%)
Structure & Body30 (1%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

Frequently asked questions

Which Nissan Xterra years should I avoid?: NHTSA data rates 2005, 2006, and 2007 as Avoid years, with complaint indexes of 90, 100, and 80 respectively. Transmission & Powertrain and Fuel System problems drive most of the complaints in these years.
What are the best Nissan Xterra years?: 2014 and 2015 are rated Best, with complaint indexes of 0 and 10 and only 10 reported complaints each, plus zero recalls.
Is the 2006 Nissan Xterra reliable?: The 2006 model has the highest complaint index (100) in the Xterra lineup and 780 total complaints, with Fuel System issues making up 47% of them. It carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Xterra years.
Does the Nissan Xterra have recalls?: Across model years 2005-2015, NHTSA lists 12 recall campaigns for the Xterra, covering engine control relays, fuel tank sender units, front airbag sensors, and tow hitch welds.
What is the most common Xterra problem?: Transmission & Powertrain complaints are the largest category across all years, accounting for 990 complaints (41% share), followed closely by Fuel System issues at 945 complaints (39%).