IllustrationWHEN FUEL GAUGE REACHES HALF A TANK THEN THE NEEDLE GOES ALL THE WAY DOWN INDICATING THERE IS NOT GAS AND THE LIGHT GOES ON. THE DTE GOES FROM COUPLE OF HUNDRED MILES LEFT TO ZERO. IT HAPPEN EVERYTIME THE NEEDLE REACHES HALF A 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
What owners actually said
780 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
2006 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE IS NOT WORKING WHICH WILL CAUSE ME TO RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. THIS IS A DANGEROUS SITUATION AND NOT A TYPICAL MAINTENANCE PROBLEM. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 XTERRA AND I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING. STARTED OFF WITH FUEL GAUGE NOT READING CORRECT THEN SHORTLY AFTER THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. I WORK WITH SOMEONE ONE ELSE WHO'S 2006 XTERRA HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD THIS BE SOMETHING WE HAVE TO FIX. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY S…
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I HAVE A 2006 XTERRA AND I HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM THAT ALOT OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING. STARTED OFF WITH FUEL GAUGE NOT READING CORRECT THEN SHORTLY AFTER THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN ON. I WORK WITH SOMEONE ONE ELSE WHO'S 2006 XTERRA HAS THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. WHY SHOULD THIS BE SOMETHING WE HAVE TO FIX. THERE IS OBVIOUSLY SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE 2006 MODELS. *TR
MY '06 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL SENSOR STOPPED WORKING AT 39,000 MILES. I ALSO GOT A CHECK ENGINE LIGHT SOON THAT CAME ON. $400 FOR IT TO BE REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP. *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
THE FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY QUIT WORKING ON MY 07 NISSAN XTERRA,CAUSING MY ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AT APP. 45,000 MILES. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH WHEN THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE WARNING INDICATOR REMAINED ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED AT THE CONTACT'S EXPENSE. THERE WAS A RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILIARY TANK) HOWEVER, THE CONTACT'S VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 29,189. UPDATED 12/23/10. *LJ 04/07/11
2006 NISSAN XTERRA---55K, FUEL SENDING UNIT IF BAD. FILLUP WITH GAS & THE GAUGE DOESN'T WORK AND THE SES LIGHT STAYS ON. *TR
2006 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER STATES DEALER HAS NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT 58,000 MILES, THE RADIATOR BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AS A GOODWILL GESTURE. A YEAR LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT THI…
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2006 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER STATES DEALER HAS NOT PROPERLY REPAIRED VEHICLE *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED AT 58,000 MILES, THE RADIATOR BEGAN LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY AND THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AS A GOODWILL GESTURE. A YEAR LATER, THE SAME THING HAPPENED AGAIN, BUT THIS TIME THERE WAS NO WARRANTY. NISSAN CORP. WAS NOT WILLING TO PAY FOR THE REPAIRS. *JB UPDATED 10/22/10*JB
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.