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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 →
780Owner complaints

Model-year median: 78

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
72
200384
2004845
2005780
2006557
2007119
200819
2009
Compare all Xterra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
268Fuel System, Gasoline
237Engine And Engine Cooling
106Engine
104Fuel/propulsion System
94
All reported categories
Electrical System
41Fuel System, Other
40Unknown Or Other
26Steering
22Air Bags
20Vehicle Speed Control
14Suspension
12Tires
7Service Brakes
6Seat Belts
5Structure
5Equipment
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Wheels
3Exterior Lighting
2Latches/locks/linkages
1Visibility
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
71,000 miles · Sep 2, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

2006 NISSAN XTERRA SES LIGHT CAME ON DURING HOT WEATHER WHILE DRIVING, SES CODE NUMBER P0463 FUEL SENDING UNIT. FILLED UP TANK AND GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK SHOWS 1/2 TANK WHEN FULL, COOL WEATHER PROBLEM GOES AWAY SOME TIMES, HOT WEATHER PROBLEM COMES BACK, I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE, NISSAN RECALL DOESN'T APPLY TO MINE DUE T…

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2006 NISSAN XTERRA SES LIGHT CAME ON DURING HOT WEATHER WHILE DRIVING, SES CODE NUMBER P0463 FUEL SENDING UNIT. FILLED UP TANK AND GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK SHOWS 1/2 TANK WHEN FULL, COOL WEATHER PROBLEM GOES AWAY SOME TIMES, HOT WEATHER PROBLEM COMES BACK, I NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE, NISSAN RECALL DOESN'T APPLY TO MINE DUE TO VIN NUMBERS NOT MATCHING RECALL. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS WAS NO HELP, BOUGHT BRAND NEW $30,000+ ,,75,000 MILES NOW PROBLEM STARTED AT 71,000. SEEMS NISSAN HAS A BIG PROBLEM WITH THIS ISSUE AND IS VERY SLOW TO ADDRESS IT. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE, DANGER OF RUNNING OUT OF FUEL AS I NEVER KNOW IF MY GAUGE IS CORRECT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353566

64,000 miles · Sep 2, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. AFTER ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT MOVE. HE STATED THAT MOST OF THE TIME AFTER ADDING FUEL THE FUEL GAUGE STAYED ON EMPTY. HE REFERENCED RECALL 10V075000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILIARY TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE …

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. AFTER ADDING FUEL TO THE VEHICLE WHILE IT WAS PARKED HE NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT MOVE. HE STATED THAT MOST OF THE TIME AFTER ADDING FUEL THE FUEL GAUGE STAYED ON EMPTY. HE REFERENCED RECALL 10V075000, FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILIARY TANK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AND HE WAS ADVISED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT HAD TO SET HIS TRIP MILEAGE COUNTER IN ORDER TO AVOID RUNNING OUT OF GASOLINE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,500.

NHTSA ODI #10353526

40,000 miles · Sep 1, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

2006 NISSAN XTERRA, GAS GAUGE SHOWING 1/4 TANK WHEN IT IS EMPTY. *BF

NHTSA ODI #10354266

60,000 miles · Sep 1, 2010
Fuel System, Other

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

NHTSA ODI #10353293

40,015 miles · Aug 28, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL GAUGE LIGHT AND SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON, SHOWING EMPTY, DUE TO FUEL SENSOR DEFECTION ON MY 2006 NISSAN EXTERRA, ONLY 40,000 MILES.THIS CAUSE ME CONFUSION AND FRUSTRATION ON A LONG TRIP. THIS WAS EXISTING PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IGNORE TO RECALL FOR REPLACE. MANY NISSAN VEHICLE OWNER HAS SAME PROBLEM, AND THE COST TO FIX THIS …

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THE FUEL GAUGE LIGHT AND SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON, SHOWING EMPTY, DUE TO FUEL SENSOR DEFECTION ON MY 2006 NISSAN EXTERRA, ONLY 40,000 MILES.THIS CAUSE ME CONFUSION AND FRUSTRATION ON A LONG TRIP. THIS WAS EXISTING PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IGNORE TO RECALL FOR REPLACE. MANY NISSAN VEHICLE OWNER HAS SAME PROBLEM, AND THE COST TO FIX THIS PROBLEM IS 500-600 DOLLARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352446

24,500 miles · Aug 27, 2010
Exterior Lighting

LOSS OF LOW BEAM HEADLIGHTS. DISCOVERED WHEN LEAVING A LATE NIGHT BASEBALL GAME. COULD NOT SEE ROAD AT NIGHT, HIGHBEAMS DID WORK BUT BLINDED ON COMING TRAFFIC. EITHER WAY IT WAS A SAFETY HAZARD THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED AN ACCIDENT. DEALER FIX WAS REPLACEMENT OF A MODULE AT A COST OF $350.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10352228

42,001 miles · Aug 25, 2010
Power Train

MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA CLUTCH WENT OUT AT 42000 MILES ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I GAD NOTICED A LITTLE SLIPPAGE AND WAS PLANNING ON TAKING IT IN WENT IT WENT OUT. AFTER TOWING TO DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST $2400 TO FIX. THE PRESSURE PADS WERE SHREDDED AND CAUSED PRESSURE PLATE AND FLY WHEEL TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED ALSO. THE PR…

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MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA CLUTCH WENT OUT AT 42000 MILES ON A BUSY HIGHWAY. I GAD NOTICED A LITTLE SLIPPAGE AND WAS PLANNING ON TAKING IT IN WENT IT WENT OUT. AFTER TOWING TO DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT IT WOULD COST $2400 TO FIX. THE PRESSURE PADS WERE SHREDDED AND CAUSED PRESSURE PLATE AND FLY WHEEL TO HAVE TO BE REPLACED ALSO. THE PRESSURE PLATE AND FLY WHEEL SHOULD HAVE BEEN UNDER WARRANTY. I WAS TOLD WERE AND TEAR SO NO HELP. THIS CLUTCH IS UNDERSIZE FOR ENGINE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10351763

Mileage unknown · Aug 22, 2010
Fuel System, Other

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

NHTSA ODI #10351161

7,500 miles · Aug 19, 2010
Air BagsCrashInjury

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING INTO AN INTERSECTION WHEN HIS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THERE WAS ONE REPORTED INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY REPAIR FACILIT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING INTO AN INTERSECTION WHEN HIS VEHICLE WAS STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE WAS SEVERELY DAMAGED. THERE WAS ONE REPORTED INJURY. A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL BODY REPAIR FACILITY FOR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 7,500.

NHTSA ODI #10350619

35,000 miles · Aug 19, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL GAUGE IS NOT ACCURATE AFTER FILLING THE TANK. IT GRADUALLY MOVES UP TO THE PROPER AMOUNT AFTER A LONG TIME. UP TO 70 MILES TILL IT REGISTERS CORRECTLY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10350616

Official recalls

3

10V517000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.