IllustrationTHE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELL DEFORMED 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 FUEL WHEN THE TANK IS EMPTY.
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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND DISPLAYING IMPROPER READINGS. THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD DISPLAY AN EMPTY READING AFTER REFUELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND DISPLAYING IMPROPER READINGS. THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD DISPLAY AN EMPTY READING AFTER REFUELING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSITANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR FAILURE, RAN OUT OF GAS IN THE ROADWAY, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON. *TT
DEFECTIVE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR, NISSAN DOES COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY BUT ONLY UP TO A 70,000 MILAGE LIMIT. IF PART IS DEFECTIVE IT SHOULD BE REPLACED REGARDLESS OF MILES. I CONTACTED NISSAN DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD SORRY, OVER MILEAGE CANNOT HELP. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD ENDANGER OCCUPANTS WITH INACCURATE FUEL AMOUNTS, I…
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DEFECTIVE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR, NISSAN DOES COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY BUT ONLY UP TO A 70,000 MILAGE LIMIT. IF PART IS DEFECTIVE IT SHOULD BE REPLACED REGARDLESS OF MILES. I CONTACTED NISSAN DIRECTLY AND WAS TOLD SORRY, OVER MILEAGE CANNOT HELP. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT COULD ENDANGER OCCUPANTS WITH INACCURATE FUEL AMOUNTS, I.E. UN-EXPECTANTLY RUN OUT OF FUEL IN THE MIDDLE NO-WHERE OR ON THE INTERSTATE. DOES IT BECOME LESS SAFE WITH MORE MILES, I WOULD THINK NOT. NISSAN SHOULD BE MADE TO MAKE THE REPAIRS REGARDLESS OF MILES. *TR
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON DUE TO ERROR CODE P0463 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION). BASED ON MY RESEARCH THIS HAPPENS TO AN UNUSUALLY HIGH NUMBER OF SECOND GENERATION NISSAN XTERRA OWNERS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS BEING INSPECTED BY AN INDEPENDENT REPAIR SHOP WHEN HE WAS INFORMED THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO INFORMED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILIARY TANK). THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 125,000. UPDATED 07/08/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THERE WAS RUBBING SOUND COMING FROM THE VEHICLE. AT DIAGNOSTIC TEST REVEALED A COMPONENT IN THE FUEL SYSTEM NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THE CONSUMER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS BECAUSE A RECALL HAD BEEN ISSUED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER HIS VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 07/20/11*JB
2006 NISSAN XTERRA VIN# [XXX]. MY COMPLAINT IS PROBABLY THE MOST COMMON WITH THE XTERRA. THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT.WHEN I REFUEL VEHICLE THE GAS GAUGE NEEDLE DOES NOT MOVE TO THE FULL LINE. INSTEAD IT STAYS ON EMPTY ONLY AFTER DRIVING APPROX 30 TO 40 MILES WILL THE NEEDLE MOVE BACK UP TO THE FULL LINE BUT ALSO AT THE SAME TIME…
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2006 NISSAN XTERRA VIN# [XXX]. MY COMPLAINT IS PROBABLY THE MOST COMMON WITH THE XTERRA. THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT.WHEN I REFUEL VEHICLE THE GAS GAUGE NEEDLE DOES NOT MOVE TO THE FULL LINE. INSTEAD IT STAYS ON EMPTY ONLY AFTER DRIVING APPROX 30 TO 40 MILES WILL THE NEEDLE MOVE BACK UP TO THE FULL LINE BUT ALSO AT THE SAME TIME THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. THAT WILL STAY ON FOR APPROX 3 TRIPS OF USING VEHICLE BEFORE IT GOES BACK OFF. I WAS TOLD 2006 XTERRAS WERE COVERED UNDER THIS RECALL HOWEVER MY VIN NUMBER WAS NOT.MAKES NO SENSE WHY SOME 2006"S ARE COVERED AND OTHERS ARE NOT. TO ME YOU EITHER BOUGHT A 2006 XTERRA OR YOU DIDNT.I BOUGHT A NISSAN BECAUSE I THOUGHT I WOULDN'T HAVE THESE PROBLEMS I THOUGHT THAT WAS WITH NON FOREIGN VEHICLES , BOY WAS I WRONG. NISSAN STEP UP TO THE PLATE AND TAKE CARE OF THIS ISSUE WHICH SO MANY CUSTOMERS ARE HAVING INSTEAD OF TURNING THE CHEEK. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
FUEL SENDING UNIT ON 2006 NISSAN XTERRA FAILS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TANK IS LOW. THE GAUGE WILL NOT MOVE TO FULL AT GAS STATION AFTER FILLING--BUT DOES SO GRADUALLY TAKING ABOUT A DAY OR SO. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE WHEN ON VACATION, WHEN GAS TANK GETS LOW (AT HOME, WE NEVER LET GET BELOW HALF). NISSAN WILL NOT FIX UNLESS IT IS …
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FUEL SENDING UNIT ON 2006 NISSAN XTERRA FAILS INTERMITTENTLY WHEN TANK IS LOW. THE GAUGE WILL NOT MOVE TO FULL AT GAS STATION AFTER FILLING--BUT DOES SO GRADUALLY TAKING ABOUT A DAY OR SO. THIS HAS OCCURRED TWICE WHEN ON VACATION, WHEN GAS TANK GETS LOW (AT HOME, WE NEVER LET GET BELOW HALF). NISSAN WILL NOT FIX UNLESS IT IS IN FAILURE OR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON WHEN YOU PRESENT @ DEALER. EVEN WHEN IT FAILS, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON. *TR
2006 NISSAN XTERRA RECALL ID FROM NHTSA: 10V075000 THEY SAID IT DOESN'T APPLY TO MY CAR!? IT'S ON A RECALL LIST FOR MY MODEL BUT THEY SAID MY VIN IS NOT IN THERE SYSTEM? WTH IS GOING ON WITH NISSAN AND MY VIN NOT BEING IN THEIR SYSTEM FOR A RECALL. ISSUE CAME UP ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH CODE P0463, WHICH IS WHAT THE RECALL IS FOR…
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2006 NISSAN XTERRA RECALL ID FROM NHTSA: 10V075000 THEY SAID IT DOESN'T APPLY TO MY CAR!? IT'S ON A RECALL LIST FOR MY MODEL BUT THEY SAID MY VIN IS NOT IN THERE SYSTEM? WTH IS GOING ON WITH NISSAN AND MY VIN NOT BEING IN THEIR SYSTEM FOR A RECALL. ISSUE CAME UP ENGINE LIGHT ON WITH CODE P0463, WHICH IS WHAT THE RECALL IS FOR. *TR
NISSAN XTERRA 2006, BOTH FRONT CATS HAVE FAILED. DEALER SAID DUE TO ETHANOL A COMMON PROBLEM, COST AROUND $2300. FOUND CATS AND A MECHANIC FOR $1200. AFTER 3 WEEKS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RETURNED. I AM NOW GETTING A P0643. DEALER PASSPORT NISSAN QUOTED AROUND $700 TO FIX PLUS ANOTHER $350 FOR BELT REPLACEMENT. NONE OF THE OTHER RECA…
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NISSAN XTERRA 2006, BOTH FRONT CATS HAVE FAILED. DEALER SAID DUE TO ETHANOL A COMMON PROBLEM, COST AROUND $2300. FOUND CATS AND A MECHANIC FOR $1200. AFTER 3 WEEKS CHECK ENGINE LIGHT RETURNED. I AM NOW GETTING A P0643. DEALER PASSPORT NISSAN QUOTED AROUND $700 TO FIX PLUS ANOTHER $350 FOR BELT REPLACEMENT. NONE OF THE OTHER RECALLS AM ELIGIBLE FOR DUE TO BEING OUT OF WARRANTY. ALSO HAD TO REPLACE FRONT AND REAR U-JOINTS WITHIN A YEAR OF EACH. *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.