IllustrationENGINE LIGHT ACTIVATION AND FUEL LEVEL DISCREPANCY. ENGINE CODE PO463 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR A HIGH INPUT). TOLD BY NISSAN THAT THIS INDIVIDUAL VEHICLE IS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT IS REPORTED THAT 80, 689 VEHICLES HAVE BEEN AFFECTED. *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, Other complaints
40 reports2006 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE. THE GAUGE DROPS TO E AND SENDS A CHECK ENGINE CODE TO THE DASH AND DOESN'T READ HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE XTERRA AT ANY GIVE TIME. I HAVE SPOKEN TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE SAID IT WASN'T PART OF THE NATIONAL RECALL OF OTHER NISSAN FUEL TANK ISSUES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS I AM STILL IN THE 60000 MI…
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2006 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE. THE GAUGE DROPS TO E AND SENDS A CHECK ENGINE CODE TO THE DASH AND DOESN'T READ HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE XTERRA AT ANY GIVE TIME. I HAVE SPOKEN TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND THEY HAVE SAID IT WASN'T PART OF THE NATIONAL RECALL OF OTHER NISSAN FUEL TANK ISSUES. THIS IS RIDICULOUS I AM STILL IN THE 60000 MILE ENGINE WARRANTY AND IT SHOULD BE COVERED MY THE FUEL PUMP 60000 MILE WARRANTY AS WELL. *TR
DEAR SIR OR MADAM, MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WITH ONLY 46,000 MILES RECENTLY SHOWED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE FUEL GAUGE SAID THERE WAS STILL A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS REMAINING. WHEN I GOT TO AUTO ZONE, THE COMPUTER THREW THE CODE P0463, WHICH INDICATES A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. I WENT ONLINE A…
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DEAR SIR OR MADAM, MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WITH ONLY 46,000 MILES RECENTLY SHOWED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY. THE FUEL GAUGE SAID THERE WAS STILL A QUARTER OF A TANK OF GAS REMAINING. WHEN I GOT TO AUTO ZONE, THE COMPUTER THREW THE CODE P0463, WHICH INDICATES A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE. I WENT ONLINE AND DISCOVERED THAT LOTS OF PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME COMPLAINT. FOR THIS REASON, I REQUEST THAT YOU ADD THIS TO THE LIST OF RECALLED PARTS ON THIS VEHICLE. OBVIOUSLY, AS I EXPERIENCED, IT IS A SAFETY CONCERN. THE PREVALENCE OF THIS MALFUNCTION INDICATES A SYSTEMIC PROBLEM RATHER THAN ISOLATED, UNRELATED INCIDENCES. IT WILL COST ME $600 AT THE DEALER TO GET THIS PROBLEM FIXED. IT WON'T SAVE ME THAT MONEY, BUT HOPEFULLY WILL PREVENT SOMEONE'S FUTURE SAFETY ISSUE. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
I WENT TO A GAS STATION TO FILL UP MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. IT SAID I HAD ABOUT A QUARTER OF A TANK LEFT, I PUT IN 40 DOLLARS WORTH OF GAS AND WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON THE GAUGE STILL SAID 1/4 OF A TANK. I PARKED THE CAR TURNED IT OFF, CHECKED THE CAP AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON, IT STILL SAID 1/4 OF A TANK AND THEN THE SERV…
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I WENT TO A GAS STATION TO FILL UP MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. IT SAID I HAD ABOUT A QUARTER OF A TANK LEFT, I PUT IN 40 DOLLARS WORTH OF GAS AND WHEN I TURNED THE CAR BACK ON THE GAUGE STILL SAID 1/4 OF A TANK. I PARKED THE CAR TURNED IT OFF, CHECKED THE CAP AND THEN TURNED IT BACK ON, IT STILL SAID 1/4 OF A TANK AND THEN THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I GOOGLED THE PROBLEM WHEN I GOT HOME AND FOUND HUNDREDS OF OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM WITH THE SAME EXACT CIRCUMSTANCES ON CARS FROM NISSAN FROM THE SAME MODEL YEAR. THE PART COSTS 600 DOLLARS TO REPLACE. *TR
2006 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL SENDING UNIT DEFECTIVE AND WILL NOT BE REPLACED BY NISSAN . PUMP WORKS FINE BUT FUEL GAUGE GOES FROM FULL TO EMPTY WHEN TANK IS FULL . MY DAUGHTER RAN OUT OF GAS ON HIGHWAY AT 11PM ONE NIGHT. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WHO'S FUEL SENSING MECHANISM HAS FAILED WHICH CAUSES THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT TO GO ON. NISSAN WANTS $150 PLUS LABOR TO FIX THE PROBLEM. AFTER READING SEVERAL FORUMS, I AM FILING A COMPLAINT AGAINST NISSAN IN HOPES OF A RECALL. *TR
MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE IS NOT SHOWING THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT IS GOING INTO THE TANK. I FILL IT UP AND THE GAUGE STAYS ON EMPTY. IT WILL NOT REGISTER A FULL TANK. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. …
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MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE IS NOT SHOWING THE PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL THAT IS GOING INTO THE TANK. I FILL IT UP AND THE GAUGE STAYS ON EMPTY. IT WILL NOT REGISTER A FULL TANK. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINS ON AND WILL NOT GO OFF. 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
I HAVE A PROBLEM. I FILL MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA UP WITH GAS. THE GAS GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINS IF WOULD FLOAT SLOWLY UP TO THE FULL MARK. IT TAKES ABOUT 4 DAYS TO GO TO FULL, BUT AT THIS POINT THE TANK HAS ALREADY REACHED ABOUT HALF(I DRIVE 30 MINS ONE WAY TO WORK). THIS CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGH…
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I HAVE A PROBLEM. I FILL MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA UP WITH GAS. THE GAS GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY. AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 20 MINS IF WOULD FLOAT SLOWLY UP TO THE FULL MARK. IT TAKES ABOUT 4 DAYS TO GO TO FULL, BUT AT THIS POINT THE TANK HAS ALREADY REACHED ABOUT HALF(I DRIVE 30 MINS ONE WAY TO WORK). THIS CAUSES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON, WHICH MAKES ME FAIL MY EMISSIONS TEST. THIS PROBLEMS OCCURS EVERY TIME I PUT GAS IN MY CAR. I CHECKED THE DIAGNOSIS FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT AND IT CAME UP AS FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNIT. I TALKED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND ASKED ABOUT THIS RECALL, BUT SAID THAT I AM NOT COVERED AND WOULD HAVE TO PAY 300-400 DOLLARS FOR IT TO BE REPLACE (PARTS AND LABOR). I FEEL THAT THIS SHOULD BE COVERED UNDER THE RECALL AND OBVIOUSLY MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING PROBLEMS WITH IT. *TR
FUEL GAUGE CENSOR FAILED 11/01/09 2006 NISSAN XTERRA, RECALL ON THIS MODEL FOR 2006 XTERRA, FOR THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM, DOES NOT INCLUDE MY VIN #. NISSAN REFUSED TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE ADDING GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT INDICATE THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GASOLINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL SEND…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE ADDING GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT INDICATE THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF GASOLINE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL WHEN THE FAILURE OCCURRED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS. A DIAGNOSTIC TEST WAS NOT PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 39000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41000.
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.