IllustrationMY 2006 XTERRA FUEL GAUGE WON'T MOVE EVEN I FILLED UP THE TANK FROM 1/4 OF TANK. *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 System, Gasoline complaints
237 reportsI TURNED ON MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA THE OTHER DAY AND SAW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I KNEW THIS WAS CLEARLY WRONG AS I JUST HAD MY CAR SERVICED. TWO DAYS LATER I TURNED ON MY CAR AND THE GAS GAUGE QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. IT FLUCTUATES UP AND DOWN. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND THIS TO BE A PROBLEM I…
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I TURNED ON MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA THE OTHER DAY AND SAW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I KNEW THIS WAS CLEARLY WRONG AS I JUST HAD MY CAR SERVICED. TWO DAYS LATER I TURNED ON MY CAR AND THE GAS GAUGE QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. IT FLUCTUATES UP AND DOWN. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND THIS TO BE A PROBLEM IN MANY NISSAN'S. THIS CLEARLY IS A DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE DEALT WITH. IT COSTS BETWEEN $300 AND $600 TO FIX AND LOYAL NISSAN OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED FOR NISSAN'S MISMANAGEMENT. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL INDICATOR. IT DOES NOT DROP BELOW THE 1/2 FULL MARK, INDICATING THAT I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TWICE AND THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. FOR A THIRD TIME, I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS, WHILE THE INDICATOR SAYS THAT I HAVE ALMOST HA…
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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL INDICATOR. IT DOES NOT DROP BELOW THE 1/2 FULL MARK, INDICATING THAT I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TWICE AND THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. FOR A THIRD TIME, I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS, WHILE THE INDICATOR SAYS THAT I HAVE ALMOST HALF A TANK. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM GAIN AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AGAIN. MY VEHICLE CAME WITH A 36K MILE WARRANTY WHICH HAS NOW EXPIRED SINCE I AM AT 38K. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO ITS CAPACITY WITHIN 3 MILES THE FUEL GAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NO FUEL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, THE FUEL GAGE INDICATED THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. SINCE THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED, THE CONTACT HAS TO…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO ITS CAPACITY WITHIN 3 MILES THE FUEL GAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NO FUEL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, THE FUEL GAGE INDICATED THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. SINCE THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED, THE CONTACT HAS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FOR THE CORRECT FUEL GAGE READING. THE VEHICLE IS BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN IS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,000.
RECENTLY, MY GAS GAUGE READ 1/4. I WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP AND AFTER I FILLED UP THE TANK, THE GAS GAUGE STILL READ 1/4 AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. IT APPROXIMATELY TOOK AN HOUR FOR THE FUEL GAUGE TO READ A FULL TANK. SINCE THEN, THE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. *TR
NISSAN 2006 XTERRA WITH APPROX 40K MILES. AFTER FILLING CAR WITH GAS, THE FUEL GAUGE GOES ALL THE WAY TO EMPTY, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ONE. THE FUEL LEVEL WILL GRADUALLY GO BACK UP TO ABOUT 3/4 AND WILL DESCEND PROPERLY, BUT THEN SUBSEQUENT REFILLS CAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM. DIAGNOSTIC CODE IS 0463. MANY OTHER PEOPLE H…
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NISSAN 2006 XTERRA WITH APPROX 40K MILES. AFTER FILLING CAR WITH GAS, THE FUEL GAUGE GOES ALL THE WAY TO EMPTY, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ONE. THE FUEL LEVEL WILL GRADUALLY GO BACK UP TO ABOUT 3/4 AND WILL DESCEND PROPERLY, BUT THEN SUBSEQUENT REFILLS CAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM. DIAGNOSTIC CODE IS 0463. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NISSAN TRUCKS AND 4X4'S. DEALERS WANT BETWEEN $450 - 600 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THIS! SINCE IT IS PART OF FUELS SYSTEM LEVEL IT SHOULD BE COVERED AS EMISSIONS RELATED, RIGHT? MY CAR WILL NOW NOT PASS THE EMISSIONS INSPECTION. *TR
AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL THE GAS GAUGE FAILED TO PROPERLY READ THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE AFTER FILLING THE TANK ALL THE WAY THE GAUGE STAYED AT THE HALF FULL MARK AND REMAINED THERE THE VEHICLE WAS GIVING THE NISSAN TECHNICIAN A CODE READING OF 0463 ( FUEL LEVEL SENSOR HIGH INPUT) WHEN I …
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AFTER FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH FUEL THE GAS GAUGE FAILED TO PROPERLY READ THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE AFTER FILLING THE TANK ALL THE WAY THE GAUGE STAYED AT THE HALF FULL MARK AND REMAINED THERE THE VEHICLE WAS GIVING THE NISSAN TECHNICIAN A CODE READING OF 0463 ( FUEL LEVEL SENSOR HIGH INPUT) WHEN I WENT TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THIS PROBLEM WAS WIDE SPREAD WITH ONE OR TWO XTERRA TRUCKS A DAY COMING IN FOR THIS PROBLEM AT THIS DEALER ALONE I WAS TOLD TODAY BY NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE NISSAN WILL NOT HAVE A FULL RECALL DONE FOR THIS PROBLEM SAYING IT IS VIN SPECIFIC BUT OBVIOUSLY IT IS NOT A VIN SPECIFIC PROBLEM AND I ASKED FOR REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE REPAIR BUT NISSAN REFUSED TO DO ANYTHING FOR ME. *TR
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.