IllustrationFUEL SENDING UNIT ON A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA, MALFUNCTION. SAME MODEL SAME YEAR AS CURRENT RECALL, BUT NOT COVERED UNDER THE CURRENT RECALL NOTICE.
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 reportsINFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WITH FUEL GAUGE MISREADING PROBLEM. ONE DAY, THE FUEL GAUGE METER DROPPED DOWN TO EMPTY AND LIGHT CAME ON DESPITE I HAD A QUARTER TANK OF GAS. EVER SINCE THEN I CANNOT TELL HOW MUCH GAS IS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK.…
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INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WITH FUEL GAUGE MISREADING PROBLEM. ONE DAY, THE FUEL GAUGE METER DROPPED DOWN TO EMPTY AND LIGHT CAME ON DESPITE I HAD A QUARTER TANK OF GAS. EVER SINCE THEN I CANNOT TELL HOW MUCH GAS IS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK. WHEN THE GAUGE SHOWS A QUARTER TANK, IT'S LITERALLY EMPTY, AND WHEN I FILL UP THE TANK, IT TAKES HOURS TO READ FULL TANK. I HAVE RESEARCHED ARTICLES ABOUT THIS PROBLEM, AND FOUND A LOT OF PEOPLE ARE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM. I HAVE CALLED THE NISSAN HQ BUT THEY SAID MY VIN IS NOT UNDER THE RECALL MODELS, BUT ON THE WEBSITE (HTTP://WWW.AUTOBUYGUIDE.COM/2006/12-AUT/NISSAN/XTERRA/RECALLS/INDEX.HTML ) IT SPECIFICALLY LISTS THE SAME ISSUE THAT I'M HAVING AND ARE UNDER RECALL MODELS. I STRONGLY BELIEVE THIS PROBLEM SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR ALL XTERRA OWNERS WHO ARE EXPERIENCING THE INCONVENIENCE AND ARE NOT VERY HAPPY. THIS WILL BE MY FIRST AND LAST NISSAN I WILL PURCHASE. [XXX] *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR WOULD READ EMPTY WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURES WERE CONTRIBUTED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILIARY TANK).…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR FAILED WITHOUT WARNING. THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR WOULD READ EMPTY WHEN THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FAILURES WERE CONTRIBUTED TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: STORAGE: AUXILIARY TANK). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000. UPDATED 05/12/10 *BF UPADTED 05/17/10.*JB
FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILED WITH 27,000 MILES. IN EARLIER XTERRA'S THEIR IS A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THIS UNDER WARRANTY AND I MUST GET IT REPLACED BECAUSE I WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SEE HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE IN THE TANK AND OR THE READING WILL BE ERRONIOUS. THIS COULD CAUSE THE CAR TO RUN OUT OF GAS AT ANY TIME.
2006 NISSAN XTERRA. I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK, THE NEEDLE WENT TO EMPTY, AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I ASSUMED IT WAS A FUEL SENDING U…
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2006 NISSAN XTERRA. I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK, THE NEEDLE WENT TO EMPTY, AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I ASSUMED IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR. AFTER RETURNING HOME, I WENT ONLINE AND SEARCHED FOR THIS PROBLEM WHICH LEAD ME TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AND I READ WHERE MANY OTHERS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. IT CONFIRMED THAT 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 XTERRA'S, FRONTIER'S, AND PATHFINDER'S SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED FOR THE SAME PROBLEM. WHY WAIT FOR PEOPLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND POSSIBLY CAUSE ACCIDENTS AND DEATHS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. COST OF REPAIR RANGES FROM $300-600. *DT
I BOUGHT A NEW NISSAN XTERRA FROM SLOANE NISSAN IN 2006, AFTER 70+ MILES, THE CAR VIBRATES AT AROUND 40MPH WHILE SHIFTING AUTOMATIC GEAR (I DID NOT KNOW WHY IT WAS VIBRATING). FINALLY AFT 80+ MILES, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO ONLY FIND OUT THAT THE RADIATOR BLEW THE TRANSMISSION. THAT IS A SHAME, I JUST FINISHED PAYING FOR THE C…
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I BOUGHT A NEW NISSAN XTERRA FROM SLOANE NISSAN IN 2006, AFTER 70+ MILES, THE CAR VIBRATES AT AROUND 40MPH WHILE SHIFTING AUTOMATIC GEAR (I DID NOT KNOW WHY IT WAS VIBRATING). FINALLY AFT 80+ MILES, I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER TO ONLY FIND OUT THAT THE RADIATOR BLEW THE TRANSMISSION. THAT IS A SHAME, I JUST FINISHED PAYING FOR THE CAR AND NOW I HAVE TO SPEND MORE MONEY TO FIX IT. IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN XTERRA, PATHFINDER & FRONTIER. THE RADIATOR IS JUNK AND NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 XTERRA THAT STALL OUT FOR NO REASON. IT HAPPENS WHILE DRIVING AT HIGH OR LOW SPEEDS, OR AT STOP LIGHTS. IT DOESN'T HAPPEN EVERY DAY AND IT MAY EVEN GO WEEKS WITHOUT HAPPENING. OR IT HAPPENS MANY TIMES IN ONE DAY OR NOT AT ALL OTHER DAYS. VERY STRANGE. TOOK IT TO DEALER, THEY CAN'T FIND THE ISSUE. *TR
I WENT TO FILL UP MY TANK WITH GAS (WAS 3/4 EMPTY). AFTER FILL UP, THE SENSOR LIGHT CAME ON AND THE GAS GAUGE CONTINUED TO READ 1/4 TANK. *TR
THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM UNTIL I TOPPED OFF MY FUEL TANK. I NOTICED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATE AND THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT MOVE. THE GAUGE EVENTUALLY CREPT UP TO NEAR FULL AFTER APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES OF DRIVING BUT THE LIGHT DID NOT TURN OFF. THE SAME SYMPTOMS CONTINUE TODAY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A…
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THERE WAS NO INDICATION OF A PROBLEM UNTIL I TOPPED OFF MY FUEL TANK. I NOTICED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATE AND THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT MOVE. THE GAUGE EVENTUALLY CREPT UP TO NEAR FULL AFTER APPROXIMATELY 50 MILES OF DRIVING BUT THE LIGHT DID NOT TURN OFF. THE SAME SYMPTOMS CONTINUE TODAY. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER AND THEY DIAGNOSED THE ERROR AS A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR. NISSAN ADVISED ME TODAY THAT MY 2006 XTERRA IS APPARENTLY NOT COVERED BY THE CURRENT RECALL OF THE FAULTY FUEL SENSORS. *TR
AFTER FILLING UP THE GAS TANK ON MY 2006 XTERRA THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I CONTACTED THE NISSAN DEALER WHO INFORMED ME THAT THIS WAS NOT RELATED TO ANY RECALL. HOW CAN THIS BE WHEN I HAVE NOTICE MANY OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM 2006 XTERRA OWNERS REPORTING THE SAME PROBLEM. *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.