Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (front, side and curtain air bags, sensors and inflators).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2006 Nissan Xterra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that there was an abnormal sound coming from the front passenger's side air bag intermittently. The front passenger's side air bag warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where the contact was provided a cost for a diagnostic test. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the NHTSA Hotline for assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 145,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was not contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and confirmed parts were not yet available. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. After making a left turn at approximately 10 MPH, another vehicle crashed into the passenger side of the contact's vehicle. The contact's vehicle flipped and the front driver side seat belt unfastened without warning. The air bags did not deploy. The contact sustained injuries that did not require medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a body shop where it was not diagnosed nor repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The VIN was not included in NHTSA campaign number: 08V690000 (air bags). The failure mileage was approximately 190,000.
Tl* the contact owned a 2006 Nissan Xterra. While driving approximately 65 MPH, the driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed. The vehicle rolled over several times and was destroyed; however, the air bags did not deploy. The driver sustained broken ribs and abdominal/torso contusions. The driver was pregnant and the unborn child was fatally injured due to the injuries. The driver received medical attention. A police report was filed. The vehicle was towed. The cause of the failure was not determined. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 90,000.
Got into accident with my 2006 Nissan Xterra off road. Was driving at 8:05 pm at 30 MPH down ponce de leon passing 207 in st. Augustine florida. A 2016 Nissan pathfinder was stopped while traffic was moving I tried to avoid the Nissan, no time to brake, it clipped the backside of the pathfinder with my Xterra. My driver side and passenger airbag went off. (exploded?) it broke my passengers arm and unknown object in passengers eye. Airbags blown out destroyed my dash air bag is ripped like it had a baby. Both my passenger and driver side seat belts both released the seat belts they didn't lock during the accident usually they lock and won't release my driver side is not locking in place as the passenger. …
Check engine light came on, took my truck to the dealer to have a diagnostic check, was told by the service staff that the transmission was contaminated with coolant that had leaked from the radiator. Upon further research, I discovered that other Nissan makes, models between 2004-2006 had a design flaw which caused the problem in which I now face.. I contacted Nissan for some financial assistance on the repair on my transmission, since it appears that the issues related to my problem are from a flaw in the designs of the vehicle. I was told that because my mileage was over a 100,000 miles and past the warranty, that there wasn't anything that could be done as far assisting me with the repairs. I will never buy another Nissan product again.... It should be also noted that there was a class action lawsuit again Nissan regarding the very problem that I'm faced dealing with...
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact was driving into an intersection when his vehicle was struck by another vehicle. The air bags did not deploy. The front end of the vehicle was severely damaged. There was one reported injury. A police report was available. The vehicle was towed to a local body repair facility for repairs. The manufacturer would not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was 7,500.
I had a head on collision in the 2006 Nissan Xterra. While driving approximately 40 MPH when I hit the side of a pickup truck. Neither the driver's or passenger's air bags deployed. The fire department said that with this type of impact they should have deployed. The Nissan body shop where the car was located also said they were shocked that with the extent of the damage that they didn't deploy.
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that the air bag light illuminated intermittently on the instrument panel. The contact took the vehicle to the dealer. The dealer stated that the type of air bags the vehicle was equipped with were no longer produced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle could not be repaired. The failure mileage was 94,000.
Related recalls
Air bags › Frontal
Nissan is recalling 242,720 my 2005-2009 pathfinder, frontier and xterra vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island,…
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front czs with a redesigned sensor. The recall began on January 26, 2009. Owners in the other states will receive extended warranty coverage for the sensor to 10 years.
Airbag complaints in other Xterra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are airbag problems on the 2006 Nissan Xterra?
NHTSA has 20 complaints about the air bags of the 2006 Nissan Xterra, 3% of the model year's 780 complaints. The component named most often is frontal (3 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2006 Nissan Xterra airbag problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 08V-690 (frontal, Dec 29, 2008). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2006 Nissan Xterra airbag problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 90,000 miles, and 27% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 5 crashes, 0 fires and 13 injuries and 1 death to air bags problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.