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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.

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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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39,406 miles · Apr 16, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

NOTICED IT THE FIRST TIME LAST NIGHT. I HAD JUST UNDER A 1/4 TANK OF GAS IN MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA, AND DROVE 15 MILES AND PULLED OVER TO USE THE PHONE. LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING, AND SUDDENLY NOTICED THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS LIT, AND THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY. IMPOSSIBLE, AND ILLOGICAL. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, TURNED BACK…

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NOTICED IT THE FIRST TIME LAST NIGHT. I HAD JUST UNDER A 1/4 TANK OF GAS IN MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA, AND DROVE 15 MILES AND PULLED OVER TO USE THE PHONE. LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING, AND SUDDENLY NOTICED THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS LIT, AND THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY. IMPOSSIBLE, AND ILLOGICAL. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, TURNED BACK ON...SAME THING. DROVE TO GAS STATION, FILLED UP, MADE SURE CLICKED THE GAS CAP THREE TIMES FOR PROPER SEAL. GAUGE READ THAT THE GAS TANK WAS FULL, BUT THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS STILL LIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265674

46,234 miles · Apr 15, 2009
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

2006 NISSAN XTERRA OFF-ROAD FUEL GAUGE NO LONGER ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE ACTUAL FUEL LEVEL IN THE GAS TANK. AFTER A FULL TANK OF FUEL, ONLY GOES TO 3/4 LEVEL ON FUEL GAUGE LOW FUEL LIGHT INDICATOR NO LONGER WORKS EITHER FUEL LEVEL DOES NOT GO BELOW 1/4 LEVEL, EVEN WHEN ACTUAL FUEL LEVEL IS ALMOST EMPTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265490

34,000 miles · Apr 12, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2006 XTERRA AND AT APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED ACTING WACKY. MARKED EMPTY THOUGH I JUST FILLED UP AND IT WOULD SLUGGISHLY GO TO FULL AFTER A WHILE. A FEW DAYS AFTER THIS THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. FUEL GAUGE IS STILL ACTING WACKY. IT FIGURES THIS STARTED HAPPENING AFTER T…

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I HAVE A 2006 XTERRA AND AT APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED ACTING WACKY. MARKED EMPTY THOUGH I JUST FILLED UP AND IT WOULD SLUGGISHLY GO TO FULL AFTER A WHILE. A FEW DAYS AFTER THIS THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. FUEL GAUGE IS STILL ACTING WACKY. IT FIGURES THIS STARTED HAPPENING AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10265034

45,000 miles · Apr 8, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. WHEN CODE IS CHECKED, IT SAYS DEFECTIVE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE FUEL GAS DOES NOT WORK EITHER. AS I SEARCH FOR REPAIRS OR PARTS ON THE INTERNET, I DISCOVERED THIS IS A MASSIVE PROBLEM AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF NISSAN VEHICLES OVER MANY YEARS' MODELS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264442

28,000 miles · Apr 5, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

2006 NISSAN XTERRA OFF ROAD. FILLED UP WITH GAS AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AS WELL AS THE GAS GAUGE WILL NO LONGER READ CORRECTLY. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE XTERRA AND NEEDS TO BE MADE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10264190

37,000 miles · Mar 31, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS TANK IS LOSE CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE GOING OVER ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. DEALER STATES FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM AND STATES IF NOT REPLACED IT WILL SHUT OFF AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT WHICH COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MANY OTHER USERS HAVE REPORTED SAME PROBLEM FOR 2006 NISSAN XTERRA'S WITH A FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM. NISSAN REFUSE…

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GAS TANK IS LOSE CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE GOING OVER ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. DEALER STATES FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM AND STATES IF NOT REPLACED IT WILL SHUT OFF AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT WHICH COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MANY OTHER USERS HAVE REPORTED SAME PROBLEM FOR 2006 NISSAN XTERRA'S WITH A FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM. NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX WITHOUT SLAPPING A $600 PRICE TAG ON THE REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263729

47,000 miles · Mar 25, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY GAS GAUGE WAS READING EMPTY, SO I WENT AND FILLED UP THE TANK AND STARTED THE CAR AND THE GAUGE WAS STILL READING EMPTY AND THEN AFTER A DAY OR SO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CANE ON. I ASKED A MECHANIC WHY THE LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND HE REPLIED THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT. THE CAR IS A 2006 AND I HAVE ONLY HAD IT 2 YEARS THIS TYP…

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MY GAS GAUGE WAS READING EMPTY, SO I WENT AND FILLED UP THE TANK AND STARTED THE CAR AND THE GAUGE WAS STILL READING EMPTY AND THEN AFTER A DAY OR SO THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CANE ON. I ASKED A MECHANIC WHY THE LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND HE REPLIED THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT. THE CAR IS A 2006 AND I HAVE ONLY HAD IT 2 YEARS THIS TYPE OF PROBLEM SHOULD NOT BE HAPPENING, NOT TO MENTION THE $500.00 FEE TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10263062

45,000 miles · Mar 20, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AND THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED TO MALFUNCTION AT ABOUT 45K MILES. I ALSO HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE STARTING. THE WARRANTY IS UP SO I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND SEE IF THERE ARE OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER READING OVER A HUNDRED OTHER COMPLAINS ON THE INTERNET FOR THE SA…

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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AND THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED TO MALFUNCTION AT ABOUT 45K MILES. I ALSO HAVE BEEN HAVING A PROBLEM WITH THE VEHICLE STARTING. THE WARRANTY IS UP SO I DECIDED TO DO SOME RESEARCH AND SEE IF THERE ARE OTHERS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM. AFTER READING OVER A HUNDRED OTHER COMPLAINS ON THE INTERNET FOR THE SAME PROBLEM AROUND 40-60K MILES, I DECIDED TO SEND THIS COMPLAINT. SOMETHING SHOULD BE DONE FOR THE LOYAL NISSAN CUSTOMERS THAT SPEND THE MONEY AND THEN HAVE A PROBLEM THAT IS OBVIOUSLY A DEFECT. WITH PARTS AND LABOR THIS WILL RUN ANY WHERE FROM $500-800. THIS IS WRONG AND NISSAN SHOULD HAVE A RECALL (IF THERE WAS A SAFETY ISSUE LIKE AIRBAGS OR SET BELTS THEY WOULD HAVE HAD A RECALL). A FAULTY PART DESERVES A RECALL ALSO. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262529

55,000 miles · Mar 9, 2009
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. AT ABOUT 55K MILES THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD READ EMPTY AT ANYTHING UNDER A 1/2 TANK OF FUEL. MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY, AND MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT STAYS ON AS WELL, EVEN AFTER I'VE JUST FILLED THE TIRES TO THEIR REQUIRED PSI. ONCE I FILL MY TANK, MY FUEL GAUGE WON'T AUTOMATICALLY…

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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. AT ABOUT 55K MILES THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD READ EMPTY AT ANYTHING UNDER A 1/2 TANK OF FUEL. MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANTLY, AND MY TIRE PRESSURE LIGHT STAYS ON AS WELL, EVEN AFTER I'VE JUST FILLED THE TIRES TO THEIR REQUIRED PSI. ONCE I FILL MY TANK, MY FUEL GAUGE WON'T AUTOMATICALLY RETURN TO FULL, BUT WILL RISE AFTER I'VE BEEN DRIVING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10261322

44,238 miles · Feb 28, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

IN DECEMBER 2008 AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED ONLY 1/4 FULL. APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS LATER THE SAME DAY AFTER SEVERAL ON AND OFF CYCLES THE MIL WAS ILLUMINATED. GAUGE INDICATION EVENTUALLY RETURNED TO NEAR FULL AS THE FUEL WAS USED. AFTER DROPPING BELOW 1/4 TANK THE GAUGE NOW DROPS TO ZERO AND THE LOW FU…

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IN DECEMBER 2008 AFTER FILLING THE FUEL TANK THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATED ONLY 1/4 FULL. APPROXIMATELY 4 HOURS LATER THE SAME DAY AFTER SEVERAL ON AND OFF CYCLES THE MIL WAS ILLUMINATED. GAUGE INDICATION EVENTUALLY RETURNED TO NEAR FULL AS THE FUEL WAS USED. AFTER DROPPING BELOW 1/4 TANK THE GAUGE NOW DROPS TO ZERO AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. CONDITION STILL EXISTS IN LATE FEBRUARY 2009. HAVE NOT HAVE CODE READ BUT RESEARCH CONFIRMS THAT SYMPTOMS ARE IDENTICAL OTHER REPORTS WITH FAILURE CONFIRMED AS DEFECTIVE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10260320

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.