NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
780 reports88,000 miles · Apr 9, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND FUEL GAUGE WAS ERRONEOUSLY PROVIDING A READING OF HALF FULL THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED.…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LAMP ILLUMINATED AND FUEL GAUGE WAS ERRONEOUSLY PROVIDING A READING OF HALF FULL THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM WHO DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCES SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 88,000.
NHTSA ODI #10454587
90,000 miles · Apr 9, 2012
Power Train
OUR XTERRA HAS THE SAME DEFECT THAT MANY OTHER XTERRA OWNERS HAVE REPORTED: THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE "STRAWBERRY MILKSHAKE OF DEATH" THAT DESTROYS THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10454524
60,000 miles · Apr 1, 2012
Service Brakes, HydraulicCrashInjury
AND NOISE WAS HEARD LIKE TWO METAL PIECE HITTING AGAINST EACH OTHER THE DRIVER STOPPED DID AN INSPECTION DIDN'T SEE ANY VISUAL SIGNS GOT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE, TRAVELED ABOUT 8 TO 10 MILES. THEN WHILE GOING OVER A HILL THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, UNABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK IT PICKED UP SPEED SLAMMING IT TO THE BACK OF…
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AND NOISE WAS HEARD LIKE TWO METAL PIECE HITTING AGAINST EACH OTHER THE DRIVER STOPPED DID AN INSPECTION DIDN'T SEE ANY VISUAL SIGNS GOT BACK INTO THE VEHICLE, TRAVELED ABOUT 8 TO 10 MILES. THEN WHILE GOING OVER A HILL THE BRAKES PEDAL WENT DOWN TO THE FLOOR, UNABLE TO STOP THE TRUCK IT PICKED UP SPEED SLAMMING IT TO THE BACK OF A VAN CAUSING THE TRUCK TO ROLLOVER. I DRIVER SUSTAINED AND SHATTER KNEEL CAP AND BROKEN RIBS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10453744
78,000 miles · Mar 20, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train
WE BROUGHT OUR NISSAN 2006 XTERRA IN TO THE BOARDWALK AUTO CENTER. REDWOOD CITY, CA - NISSAN TO HAVE THEM CHECK ON WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION ISSUE (NISSAN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, AT THEIR EXPENSE OVER $8000, ONCE AND THE FUEL GAUGE TWICE PLUS A COUPLE OF OTHER RECALL ITEMS). WHEN WE PICKED UP THE CAR THEY T…
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WE BROUGHT OUR NISSAN 2006 XTERRA IN TO THE BOARDWALK AUTO CENTER. REDWOOD CITY, CA - NISSAN TO HAVE THEM CHECK ON WHAT WE THOUGHT WAS ANOTHER TRANSMISSION ISSUE (NISSAN REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION, AT THEIR EXPENSE OVER $8000, ONCE AND THE FUEL GAUGE TWICE PLUS A COUPLE OF OTHER RECALL ITEMS). WHEN WE PICKED UP THE CAR THEY TOLD US WE NEEDED A NEW TIMING CHAIN FOR ABOUT $2000 (WE HAVE HEARD THESE ARE NOT NORMAL ITEMS TO BE REPLACED AND SHOULD LAST THE LIFETIME OF THE CAR). WE CAN'T BELIEVE THERE IS YET ANOTHER MAJOR EXPENSIVE PROBLEM PART WITH THIS CAR! WHEN DOES THIS CAR BECOME A LEMON AND HOW MANY MAJOR ITEMS ARE GOING TO NEED TO BE REPLACED? WHAT IS HAPPENING TO NISSAN? HAS THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE BEEN INVESTIGATED AND HOW MANY OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM? *KB
NHTSA ODI #10452401
5,000 miles · Mar 2, 2012
Wheels
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR PRESSURE SENSOR WARNING LAMP CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE VALVE STEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR PRESSURE SENSOR WARNING LAMP CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER SEVERAL TIMES WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE TIRE PRESSURE VALVE STEM WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REMEDY FAILED TO REPAIR THE PROBLEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 5,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 14,000.
NHTSA ODI #10450078
53,000 miles · Feb 26, 2012
Engine And Engine Cooling
SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN SHOE FAILURE. KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE NISSAN VEHICLES DUE TO INFERIOR QUALITY PRODUCT, AS EXPLAINED BY SERVICE TECHNICIAN. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT MULTIPLE NISSAN VEHICLES COME IN TO THE SHOP WEEKLY WITH THIS ISSUE. IT OCCURS SO OFTEN, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN HAD EXAMPLES OF THE INFERIOR AND WORN PARTS I…
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SECONDARY TIMING CHAIN SHOE FAILURE. KNOWN PROBLEM WITH MULTIPLE NISSAN VEHICLES DUE TO INFERIOR QUALITY PRODUCT, AS EXPLAINED BY SERVICE TECHNICIAN. TECHNICIAN STATED THAT MULTIPLE NISSAN VEHICLES COME IN TO THE SHOP WEEKLY WITH THIS ISSUE. IT OCCURS SO OFTEN, THE SERVICE TECHNICIAN HAD EXAMPLES OF THE INFERIOR AND WORN PARTS IN THE CABINET TO SHOW CUSTOMERS. EXPENSIVE AND TIMELY ISSUE TO FIX. IF LEFT UNFIXED, WILL CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO ENGINE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10449371
70,000 miles · Feb 22, 2012
Steering
THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE IS AS FOLLOWS. THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN'S BEARING HAS DETERIORATED SO BAD THE AMOUNT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING IS ABOUT AN INCH IN EVERY DIRECTION. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR AS PER THE MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER IS ROUGHLY $1000.00. I DON'T SEE HOW THIS CAN BE CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR IN TEAR IN A VEHICLES LI…
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THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE IS AS FOLLOWS. THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN'S BEARING HAS DETERIORATED SO BAD THE AMOUNT OF PLAY IN THE STEERING IS ABOUT AN INCH IN EVERY DIRECTION. THE COST OF THIS REPAIR AS PER THE MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER IS ROUGHLY $1000.00. I DON'T SEE HOW THIS CAN BE CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR IN TEAR IN A VEHICLES LIFE SPAN. I FIND THIS TO BE A SERIOUS AND VERY DANGEROUS FLAW IN THE DESIGN OF YOUR VEHICLE AND SHOULD BE RECTIFIED BY SOME SORT OF RECALL. AS YOU CAN SEE IN THE BOARDS IT IS A COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH THE NISSAN XTERRA AND OTHER SIMILAR MODELS. I AWAIT YOUR RESPONSE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10448907
72,000 miles · Feb 7, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING, IT SUDDENLY GOES TO EMPTY AT NO PARTICULAR LEVEL THE FUEL TANK IS ACTUALLY AT. MY RISK IS TO RUN OUT OF GAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. MY COWORKER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS XTERRA AS WELL, IT SEEMS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT FOR THESE CARS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK THIS OUT AS…
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THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IS MALFUNCTIONING, IT SUDDENLY GOES TO EMPTY AT NO PARTICULAR LEVEL THE FUEL TANK IS ACTUALLY AT. MY RISK IS TO RUN OUT OF GAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN EMERGENCY SITUATION. MY COWORKER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HIS XTERRA AS WELL, IT SEEMS TO BE A FACTORY DEFECT FOR THESE CARS. SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK THIS OUT AS THERE MIGHT BE MANY CONSUMERS AFFECTED BY THIS ISSUE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10447029
86,500 miles · Feb 1, 2012
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train
COOLANT LEAKED FROM THE RADIATOR INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10446208
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2012
Fuel System, Gasoline
SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS APPEARED. THE CODE IS P0463 WHICH STATES FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT. AA1. OPEN OR SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION AA2. POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. AA3. FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THE MORE I READ ABOUT THIS, THE MORE I FIND MANY XTERRAS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. FUNNY THING IS..........PAID IT OF TW…
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SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS APPEARED. THE CODE IS P0463 WHICH STATES FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT. AA1. OPEN OR SHORT CIRCUIT CONDITION AA2. POOR ELECTRICAL CONNECTION. AA3. FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THE MORE I READ ABOUT THIS, THE MORE I FIND MANY XTERRAS HAVING THIS PROBLEM. FUNNY THING IS..........PAID IT OF TWO WEEKS AGO. : ( *TT
NHTSA ODI #10445743
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
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.
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.
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