IllustrationI AM GETTING SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT DIAGNOSTIC ERROR IS P0463, THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. PLEASE ACCEPT THIS COMPLAIN AND HAVE THIS FIXED AS A RECALL. *TR
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
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
94 reportsCHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. HAD DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND CATALYTIC CONVERTER NOT TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON 29 NOV 2012. AGAIN ON MAY 2013 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND AGAIN IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN. TOTAL COST OF BOTH REPLACEMENTS WAS IN EX…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. HAD DIAGNOSTICS AND FOUND CATALYTIC CONVERTER NOT TO BE WORKING PROPERLY. REPLACED CATALYTIC CONVERTER ON 29 NOV 2012. AGAIN ON MAY 2013 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON AND AGAIN IT WAS THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER. HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED AGAIN. TOTAL COST OF BOTH REPLACEMENTS WAS IN EXCESS OF $1900.00. CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY WOULD NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCT, SAID THAT WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED. HAD CONVERTER REPLACED AT NISSAN DEALER THE FIRST TIME. *TR
THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYS THE FUEL LEVEL INCORRECTLY DUE TO THE FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT SENSOR BEING FAULTY. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TO COME ON. SINCE THE FUEL GAUGE READS INCORRECTLY, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS Y…
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THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYS THE FUEL LEVEL INCORRECTLY DUE TO THE FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT SENSOR BEING FAULTY. THIS PROBLEM CAUSES THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TO COME ON. SINCE THE FUEL GAUGE READS INCORRECTLY, IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE SINCE THIS HAS HAPPENED ON NUMEROUS YEARS OF NISSAN VEHICLES. I SPOKE WITH A MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THEY WOULD HAVE TO COMPLETELY UNINSTALL THE FUEL MODULE TO REPAIR THE ISSUE AND WOULD COST $900. WHEN I CALL THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP (CONTINENTAL NISSAN ANCHORAGE) THEY SAY THEY THERE ISN'T A RECALL FOR THIS ISSUE. *TR
THE 2006 NISSAN XTERRA RAN OUT OF GASOLINE DUE TO FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. THE GAUGE HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND FINALLY HAS COMPLETELY FAILED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE HOW MUCH FUEL IS STILL IN THE FUEL TANK. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO RUN OUT OF GAS FOUR TIMES. I TRY MY BEST TO GAUGE THE LEVEL OF FUEL BY USING CALC…
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THE 2006 NISSAN XTERRA RAN OUT OF GASOLINE DUE TO FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. THE GAUGE HAS BEEN HAVING PROBLEMS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND FINALLY HAS COMPLETELY FAILED, MAKING IT IMPOSSIBLE TO SEE HOW MUCH FUEL IS STILL IN THE FUEL TANK. THIS HAS CAUSED ME TO RUN OUT OF GAS FOUR TIMES. I TRY MY BEST TO GAUGE THE LEVEL OF FUEL BY USING CALCULATIONS BASED ON HOW MUCH FUEL IS PUT INTO THE TANK AT THE GASOLINE PUMP, BUT THAT METHOD HAS PROVEN TO BE QUESTIONABLE AT BEST. *TR
RECEIVED MESSAGE P0463 ON MY CAR. THIS IS FOR A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. RESEARCH SHOWS THIS IS A FAULTY FACTORY EQUIPMENT PIECE ON THIS MODEL/CAR AND THEREFORE, I BELIEVE IT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED A RECALL. COST IS CLOSE TO $600.00 AT THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. *TR
I TOOK MY XTERRA IN FOR A FUEL GAUGE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD IT WAS COMPUTER CODE PO463 WHICH IS A FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST AROUND 600.00 THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! I HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERNET WHERE NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM.PLEASE FORCE NISSAN TO MAKE THIS A FACTORY RECA…
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I TOOK MY XTERRA IN FOR A FUEL GAUGE PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD IT WAS COMPUTER CODE PO463 WHICH IS A FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM. I WAS THEN TOLD THAT THE REPAIR WOULD COST AROUND 600.00 THIS IS OUTRAGEOUS! I HAVE BEEN ON THE INTERNET WHERE NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE SAME PROBLEM.PLEASE FORCE NISSAN TO MAKE THIS A FACTORY RECALL. 600.00 IS THE COST OF A MORTGAGE PAYMENT AND THE TRUCK WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT THIS FIX!!!! *TR
I FILLED UP THE GAS TANK AND NOTICED THAT THE GAUGE FAILED TO RISE TO REFLECT THE AMOUNT OF FUEL I ADDED. A DAY LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, REGISTERING CODE P0463. SINCE THIS INCIDENT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE HAS BEEN READING VARIOUS LEVELS OF FUEL, WITH NO WAY TO DETERMINE IF IT IS ACCU…
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I FILLED UP THE GAS TANK AND NOTICED THAT THE GAUGE FAILED TO RISE TO REFLECT THE AMOUNT OF FUEL I ADDED. A DAY LATER THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, REGISTERING CODE P0463. SINCE THIS INCIDENT, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE HAS BEEN READING VARIOUS LEVELS OF FUEL, WITH NO WAY TO DETERMINE IF IT IS ACCURATE OR NOT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS A QUARTER FULL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY REFUELED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS A QUARTER FULL AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FULLY REFUELED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED ON ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 91,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 94,556.
WHEN THE FUEL GAUGE GETS CLOSE TO 1/4 TANK IT WILL DROP DOWN TO EMPTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING. IN ADDITION, THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED CONTINUOUSLY UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER:10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK) HOWEVER, WAS ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL CAMPAIGN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 55,000.
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.