IllustrationFUEL GAUGE NEVER GOES BELOW 1/4 STICKS AND IS INACCURATE, SAME SYMPTOMS AS RECALLED VEHICLES, YET THIS VIN WASN'T INCLUDE IN THE RECALL AND SHOULD BE. TANK RUNS EMPTY YET STILL INDICATES 1/4 FULL A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS VEHICLE SHOULD BE INCLUDED TO THE RECALL FOR THE EXACT SAME DEFECTIVE PARTS! UPDATED 02/09/17*LJ *TR *CN
2006 Nissan Xterra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Xterra years
Owner complaints for the 2006 Nissan Xterra are substantially higher than the model-year median of 78.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
380–25K
13625–50K
14750–75K
14775–100K
191100–150K
61150K+
720 reports with mileage · 60 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Power Train. Review the 268 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 237 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 106 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
12 crash reports3 fire reports11 injury reports
Electrical System complaints
41 reportsRECENTLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD IT DIAGNOSED AS THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR. AFTER FILLING GAS TANK WITH GAS NOW GAUGE STAYS BELOW EMPTY AND LOW GAS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON. DEALER SAID AN EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND MILEAGE HAD ALSO BEEN EXTENDED TO 72000 MILES. I JUST HIT 80000 MILES. THE DEALER WANTS…
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RECENTLY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND HAD IT DIAGNOSED AS THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR. AFTER FILLING GAS TANK WITH GAS NOW GAUGE STAYS BELOW EMPTY AND LOW GAS LIGHT AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAY ON. DEALER SAID AN EXTENDED WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED AND MILEAGE HAD ALSO BEEN EXTENDED TO 72000 MILES. I JUST HIT 80000 MILES. THE DEALER WANTS $550 TO FIX. WAY TOO MUCH FOR A KNOWN DEFAULT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TPMS LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY AND THE WHEELS FELT LOOSE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT FUEL LEVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE LIGHT WAS RESET, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE TPMS LIGHT ILLUMINATED CONSTANTLY AND THE WHEELS FELT LOOSE. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED AND FAILED TO DISPLAY THE CORRECT FUEL LEVEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE LIGHT WAS RESET, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM); HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000.
VEHICLE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. FAULTY FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT. RAN OUT OF GAS IN TRAFFIC.
1. ENGINE LIGHT ON - REMAINS ON, NEED TO RESET - AT 77000+ MILES FUEL GAUGE IS OFF CHART WHEN FULL TANK IS FILLED UP FUEL GAUGE IS UNRELIABLE, NEED TO USE THE SPEEDOMETER TO GAUGE GAS TANK VIN# IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST UNDER FUEL TANK RECALL CAMPAIGN 10V075000 VIN# ID FOR RECALL=ENGINE ONLY=CAMPAIGN# 10V517000; TOTAL RECA…
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1. ENGINE LIGHT ON - REMAINS ON, NEED TO RESET - AT 77000+ MILES FUEL GAUGE IS OFF CHART WHEN FULL TANK IS FILLED UP FUEL GAUGE IS UNRELIABLE, NEED TO USE THE SPEEDOMETER TO GAUGE GAS TANK VIN# IS NOT ON THE RECALL LIST UNDER FUEL TANK RECALL CAMPAIGN 10V075000 VIN# ID FOR RECALL=ENGINE ONLY=CAMPAIGN# 10V517000; TOTAL RECALL LISTED = 5 FOR 2006 XTERRA MODELS 2. TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY=TPMS = NOT ON RECALL LIST/CAMPAIGN, CAN THIS BE ADDED?? ALL TIRES ARE HAVE CORRECT RECOMMENDED PSI; YET LIGHT IS ON CONTINUOUSLY, RESET WORKS ONLY TEMPORARILY TPMS - AS OF OCT 2014; AT 75000 MILES NEED DEALER TO FIX ALL RECALLS, CAN THIS BE DONE?? PLSE ADVISE ASAP. BOUGHT THE CAR USED/PRE-OWNED.... THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION & TIME. *TR
REAR PASSENGER DOORS KEEP LOCKING AND WON'T OPEN/UNLOCK AT ALL. OEM PARTS WERE USED FOR ACTUATOR AND OTHER ISSUES, HOWEVER IT HAS HAPPENED AGAIN. VERY UNSAFE, AS IF THEY JAM, WE CAN'T EXIT THE VEHICLE AND HAVE TO CLIMB TO THE REAR HATCH OR THROUGH THE FRONT SEATS. IF THERE WERE AN ACCIDENT, IT WOULD BE DETRIMENTAL. *TR
THE RADIATOR COOLING WATER GOT INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS CAUSED STRONG VIBRATION THAT WE HAD TO GET OFF THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. THE DAMAGE WAS REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION . IT STARTED OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SAFETY SWITCH THAT CAUSED ENGINE TROUBLE ALERT. AFT…
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THE RADIATOR COOLING WATER GOT INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS CAUSED STRONG VIBRATION THAT WE HAD TO GET OFF THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF A HIGHWAY. THE DAMAGE WAS REQUIRED TO REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION . IT STARTED OTHER PROBLEMS WITH THE TRANSMISSION SAFETY SWITCH THAT CAUSED ENGINE TROUBLE ALERT. AFTER FEW WEEKS THE CAR STALLED ALTOGETHER AND WE NOW HAD TO TOW IT TO A GARAGE. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT WAS REPORTED BEFORE AND I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY NISSAN DOES NOT FIX THE PROBLEM AND REPAIR THE DAMAGED UNITS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, ALL THE WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000.
VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. WHEN TESTED WITH A DIAGNOSTIC READER THE CODE P0463 CAME UP INDICATING A FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION. THAT MEANT AT LEAST A $600 REPAIR FROM THE NISSAN DEALER FOR WHAT APPARENTLY IS A COMMON MALFUNCTION DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ CONCERNING…
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VEHICLE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. WHEN TESTED WITH A DIAGNOSTIC READER THE CODE P0463 CAME UP INDICATING A FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION. THAT MEANT AT LEAST A $600 REPAIR FROM THE NISSAN DEALER FOR WHAT APPARENTLY IS A COMMON MALFUNCTION DUE TO A DEFECTIVE FUEL PUMP MODULE ASSEMBLY. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ CONCERNING THIS SUBJECT IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE FOR THIS MAKE AND MODEL OF NISSAN, YET THE COMPANY DISMISSES ANY COMPLAINT AS INVALID. THERE WAS A RECALL FOR PREVIOUS GENERATIONS OF PATHFINDER VEHICLES FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, SHE WAS UNABLE TO READ NEITHER THE SPEED NOR THE LEVEL OF FUEL IN HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUF…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPEEDOMETER AND FUEL GAUGE MALFUNCTIONED. AS A RESULT, SHE WAS UNABLE TO READ NEITHER THE SPEED NOR THE LEVEL OF FUEL IN HER VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE INSTRUMENT PANEL NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 123,000. UPDATED 02/27/14
Official recalls
310V517000 · Engine And Engine Cooling
Oct 28, 2010
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
10V075000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank
Mar 3, 2010
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
08V690000 · Air Bags:frontal
Dec 29, 2008
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, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
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. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
1DP12004 · Transmission Failures
Opened Jun 11, 2012 · Closed Oct 22, 2016
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Power Train; Power Train:automatic Transmission; Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm); Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines; Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Additional source detail variants (5)
Power Train:automatic Transmission:control Module (tcm/pcm/tecm)
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:cooling Unit And Lines
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train:automatic Transmission:torque Converter
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.
Power Train
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.