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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 System, Gasoline complaints

237 reports
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60,000 miles · Dec 26, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

AFTER FILLING TANK GAS TANK TODAY (APPROX. 1/2 FULL), I NOTICED THAT MY CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AND STAYED ON. ALSO, MY FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DID NOT REGISTER THAT THE TANK HAD BEEN FILLED. I CHECKED THE FUEL CAP SEVERAL TIMES TO MAKE CERTAIN THE CAP WAS TIGHT - WHICH IT WAS. CONSEQUENTLY, I WENT TO FIRESTONE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AN…

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AFTER FILLING TANK GAS TANK TODAY (APPROX. 1/2 FULL), I NOTICED THAT MY CHECK ENGINE CAME ON AND STAYED ON. ALSO, MY FUEL LEVEL GAUGE DID NOT REGISTER THAT THE TANK HAD BEEN FILLED. I CHECKED THE FUEL CAP SEVERAL TIMES TO MAKE CERTAIN THE CAP WAS TIGHT - WHICH IT WAS. CONSEQUENTLY, I WENT TO FIRESTONE FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND DISCOVERED THAT THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT HAD MALFUNCTIONED. I WAS INFORMED BY THE SERVICEMAN THAT THE COST FOR REPAIRS WAS $388. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296989

65,000 miles · Dec 21, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ON AND GAS GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER ON 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. APPEARS TO BE DEFECTIVE FUEL SENSOR/SENDING UNIT. APPARENTLY, THERE WAS ISSUE IN PAST WHICH LED TO RECALL ON EARLIER MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296560

52,858 miles · Dec 18, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE NOT FUNCTIONING PROPERLY, SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CONSTANTLY ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296349

48,000 miles · Dec 16, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT HAS …

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I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE 2000-2004 XTERRA MODELS AND A RECALL WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AFTER NOT GETTING ANY FUEL, POSING A GREAT DANGER. IT SEEMS THAT SOMETHING IN THE UNIT IS FAULTY AND WILL CORRODE OVER TIME. THERE IS A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 YRS AND WITH AROUND 39K-49K. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN PREVIOUS MODELS, AND IT WAS RECALLED, THE 2005-2007 XTERRAS, FRONTIERS, AND PATHFINDERS SHOULD GET THIS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER!! WHY WAIT FOR ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE DEATHS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. COST OF REPAIR RANGES FROM $300-600." *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296101

44,700 miles · Dec 15, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I OWN A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. I WENT TO FILL UP THE TANK YESTERDAY AND ONCE FILLED THE TANK STILL REGISTERED EMPTY. A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE TANK STILL READS EMPTY. AS A MECHANIC I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, AND FROM READING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND ALOT OF OTHERS WITH MY SAME VEHICLE HAVE HAD THE SA…

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I OWN A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. I WENT TO FILL UP THE TANK YESTERDAY AND ONCE FILLED THE TANK STILL REGISTERED EMPTY. A FEW MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE TANK STILL READS EMPTY. AS A MECHANIC I KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS, AND FROM READING ONLINE I HAVE FOUND ALOT OF OTHERS WITH MY SAME VEHICLE HAVE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS FAULTY AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. I WAS INFORMED THAT THE PART WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY AND FEEL THAT WITH THE COMMON OCCURRENCE OF THE PART FAILURE THIS COULD BECOME A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD. DRIVERS HAVE NO WAY OF KNOWING HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THEIR TANKS. I BELIEVE THAT NISSAN SHOULD ACKNOWLEDGE THE SEVERITY OF THIS PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10295826

40,000 miles · Dec 5, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

2006 XTERRA FUEL GAUGE SHOWED EMPTY EVEN AFTER FILLING UP. I NOW HAVE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT THAT WON'T GO OFF. THE GAS GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294607

40,000 miles · Dec 2, 2009
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

ERROR CODE P0463 I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT …

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ERROR CODE P0463 I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED AFTER 30K MILES. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND DOING RESEARCH, I WENT ONLINE TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE 2000-2004 XTERRA MODELS AND A RECALL WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AFTER NOT GETTING ANY FUEL, POSING A GREAT DANGER. IT SEEMS THAT SOMETHING IN THE UNIT IS FAULTY AND WILL CORRODE OVER TIME. THERE IS A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 3 YEARS AND WITH AROUND 39K-49K. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN PREVIOUS MODELS, AND IT WAS RECALLED, THE 2005-2007 XTERRAS, FRONTIERS, AND PATHFINDERS SHOULD GET THIS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER!! WHY WAIT FOR ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE DEATHS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. COST OF REPAIR RANGES FROM $300-600. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294216

65,460 miles · Nov 18, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA'S SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. REPAIR SHOP SAID DIAGNOSTIC CODE IS HIGH LEVEL FUEL SENSOR. GAS GAUGE INDICATES EITHER EMPTY OR HALF EVEN AFTER FILLING THE TANK. SEEMS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292683

47,874 miles · Oct 30, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO FILL UP MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AND AFTER THE FILL UP MY GAS GAUGE STILL READ 1/4 TANK. AFTER A MILE OF DRIVING, THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AAMCO TO HAVE THE CODE READ. THE ERROR CODE CAME UP AS PO463. AAMCO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NISSA…

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I STOPPED AT A GAS STATION TO FILL UP MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AND AFTER THE FILL UP MY GAS GAUGE STILL READ 1/4 TANK. AFTER A MILE OF DRIVING, THE "SERVICE ENGINE" LIGHT CAME ON. I BROUGHT THE VEHICLE TO AAMCO TO HAVE THE CODE READ. THE ERROR CODE CAME UP AS PO463. AAMCO TOLD ME THAT THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE NISSANS AND THAT I SHOULD REVIEW OTHER CASES ON THE INTERNET. I HAVE 47,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE AND HAVE READ MANY THREADS ON WEBSITES THAT SHOW THIS BEING A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSANS' AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE. WITH THE AMOUNT OF PROBLEMS THAT I HAVE SEEN WITH THIS EXACT PROBLEM AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE, I BELIEVE NISSAN SHOULD ISSUE A RECALL, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IS NOT COVERED UNDER THEIR EXTENDED WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290369

43,000 miles · Oct 25, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

TOOK CAR IT BECAUSE GAS GAUGE (EVEN AFTER FILLING UP) READS EMPTY, TOOK IT IN AND MOSSY NISSAN IN EL CAJON CLAIMED THEY FIXED IT, BUT AFTER HAVING MY CAR FOR ABOUT 3HS AFTER THE INCLUDING CHECKING OUT OR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING THEY GAVE ME MY CAR BACK AND IT DONG THE SANE THING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289758

Official recalls

3

10V517000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.