IllustrationTWO WEEKS AFTER NISSAN DEALER DID A 60K SERVICE IN MY 2006 XTERRA THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT POPPED UP WHILE DRIVING AND MY GAS GAUGE WENT FROM FULL TO EMPTY AND BACK IN RAPID SUCCESSION WHILE DRIVING, CAUSING MAJOR DISTRACTION. THE ODB CODE FOR THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS P0463. *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 reports1. I FILLED MY GAS TANK, THEN AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. 2. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY TANK READS AS EMPTY AND THE SES LIGHT IS ON, EVEN THOUGH A FULL TANK. 3. NISSAN HAS A RECALL ON MY TYPE AND YEAR OF VEHICLE FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM (FUEL SYSTEM). BUT MY VIN DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL; EVEN THOUGH …
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1. I FILLED MY GAS TANK, THEN AS I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. 2. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY TANK READS AS EMPTY AND THE SES LIGHT IS ON, EVEN THOUGH A FULL TANK. 3. NISSAN HAS A RECALL ON MY TYPE AND YEAR OF VEHICLE FOR THIS EXACT PROBLEM (FUEL SYSTEM). BUT MY VIN DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE RECALL; EVEN THOUGH THE EXACT YEAR AND TYPE IS THE SAME AS THE RECALL. I HAD TO HAVE THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT REPLACED. *TR
GAS GAUGE STAYS ON EMPTY. THE CAR ONLY HAS 47,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
I OWN A 2006 NISSAN X-TERRA AND CURRENTLY THERE IS A RECALL DEFINED FOR A SPECIFIC SET OF VINS FOR A FUEL GAUGE READING MALFUNCTION, COMBINED WITH AN ILLUMINATED SES LIGHT. MY VEHICLE WHICH FOR SOME REASON IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL HAS HAD THIS EXACT FAILURE FOR OVER 1 YEAR, AS HAVE MANY OTHER NISSAN OWNERS. THE PROBLEM CREATE…
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I OWN A 2006 NISSAN X-TERRA AND CURRENTLY THERE IS A RECALL DEFINED FOR A SPECIFIC SET OF VINS FOR A FUEL GAUGE READING MALFUNCTION, COMBINED WITH AN ILLUMINATED SES LIGHT. MY VEHICLE WHICH FOR SOME REASON IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL HAS HAD THIS EXACT FAILURE FOR OVER 1 YEAR, AS HAVE MANY OTHER NISSAN OWNERS. THE PROBLEM CREATES A SIGNIFICANT SAFETY CONCERN WHEN YOU ARE UNABLE TO RECEIVE AN ACCURATE READING ON THE FUEL LEVEL. AND NOW IT WILL NOT PASS A STATE EMISSIONS TEST, BECAUSE OF THE SES LIGHT. I HAVE TRIED TO DEAL WITH NISSAN AND EVERY TIME I DISCUSS THE ISSUE WITH THEM THEY EXPLAIN THAT IT IS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. I AM GOING FORTH WITH A COMPLAINT THROUGH NISSAN AND A COMPLAINT THROUGH THE NHTSA TO HELP PROTECT OTHERS. *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
2006 NISSAN X-TERRA. THE FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK. AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE FUEL GAUGE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS LIT. THE VEHICLE CAN RUN OUT OF GAS IN A DRIVING SITUATION. NISSAN HAS ONLY RECALLED CERTAIN 2006 X-TERRA'S WHEN THE PROBLEM EFFECTS ALL 2006 NISSAN X-TERRA'S. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHEN THE CONTACT ADDED GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT IT WAS EMPTY. WHEN THERE WAS A QUARTER TANK OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING; THEREFORE, SHE DIDN'T KNOW IF THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY OR FULL. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE MILES DRIVEN ON THE I…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHEN THE CONTACT ADDED GASOLINE TO THE FUEL TANK, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THAT IT WAS EMPTY. WHEN THERE WAS A QUARTER TANK OF FUEL IN THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE STOPPED WORKING; THEREFORE, SHE DIDN'T KNOW IF THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY OR FULL. SHE ALSO NOTICED THAT THE MILES DRIVEN ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DISPLAYED ZERO; HOWEVER, WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS ACTUALLY DRIVEN 50 MILES THE COMPUTER RESET ITSELF, AND THE FUEL GAUGE ALSO FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VIN WASN'T INCLUDED IN RECALL 10V075000 FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILIARY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 53,000. UPDATED 09/07/10. *LJ UPDATED 09/14/10*JB
2006 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER COMPLAINT AGAINST MANUFACTURER REGARDING FAULTY RADIATORS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS INSIDE THE RADIATOR AND IT IS LEAKING, ALLOWING ANTI-FREEZE TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION AND VICE VERSA. WHEN THE ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, IT DESTROYED THE COOLING SYSTEM…
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2006 NISSAN XTERRA. CONSUMER COMPLAINT AGAINST MANUFACTURER REGARDING FAULTY RADIATORS *TGW THE CONSUMER STATED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER IS INSIDE THE RADIATOR AND IT IS LEAKING, ALLOWING ANTI-FREEZE TO ENTER THE TRANSMISSION AND VICE VERSA. WHEN THE ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, IT DESTROYED THE COOLING SYSTEM AND CONSEQUENTLY THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB
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.
FUEL GAUGE SHOWING WRONG AMOUNT OF GAS LEVEL DUE TO FAULTY/DEFECTIVE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT IN 2006 NISSAN XTERRAS. NISSAN HAS SENT OUT A RECALL FOR 2006 XTERRAS, BUT ONLY FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES WITHIN A CERTAIN MANUFACTURE DATE WITHIN THAT YEAR. THE MANUFACTURE DATES SHOULD BE EXTENDED SINCE IT SEEMS MANY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA OWNE…
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FUEL GAUGE SHOWING WRONG AMOUNT OF GAS LEVEL DUE TO FAULTY/DEFECTIVE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT IN 2006 NISSAN XTERRAS. NISSAN HAS SENT OUT A RECALL FOR 2006 XTERRAS, BUT ONLY FOR CERTAIN VEHICLES WITHIN A CERTAIN MANUFACTURE DATE WITHIN THAT YEAR. THE MANUFACTURE DATES SHOULD BE EXTENDED SINCE IT SEEMS MANY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA OWNERS HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM, SHOWING THAT NISSAN SHOULD TAKE THE BLAME ON PUTTING A DEFECTIVE PART IN THEIR VEHICLES. *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.