NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
780 reports50,000 miles · Apr 28, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS GAUGE ACTING IRREGULAR. SHOWS EMPTY EVEN AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN AND THE REPAIR IS ABOUT $450.00 FOR THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR. FOR A CAR WITH ABOUT 50,000 MILES, IT'S AN UNEXPECTED AND UNNECESSARY COST. JUDGING BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS, THIS ITEM SHOULD WARRANT A RE…
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GAS GAUGE ACTING IRREGULAR. SHOWS EMPTY EVEN AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN AND THE REPAIR IS ABOUT $450.00 FOR THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR. FOR A CAR WITH ABOUT 50,000 MILES, IT'S AN UNEXPECTED AND UNNECESSARY COST. JUDGING BY THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS, THIS ITEM SHOULD WARRANT A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10267113
45,000 miles · Apr 19, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
2006 NISSAN XTERRA - BAD FUEL GAUGE SENSOR. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ALWAYS ON - WHEN GAS TANK IS FILLED THE GAS GAUGE GOES TO EMPTY, AS THE GAS IS USED THE GAUGE SLOWLY SHOWS GAS IN THE TANK, THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT NEVER GOES OFF. NISSAN DEALER WANTS OVER $500 TO FIX. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10266008
38,000 miles · Apr 17, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
APPARENTLY THIS IS A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN I THOUGHT...THERE DEF. NEEDS TO BE A RECALL!! TODAY I WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP, I WAS AT ABOUT A 1/4 OF A TANK. AFTER FILLING, GOT IN THE VEHICLE, TURNED IT ON, AND SAW THAT IT WAS STILL SAYING I HAD A QUARTER OF A TANK. ANYWAYS, I IGNORED IT UNTIL A COUPLE MILES DOWN THE ROAD T…
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APPARENTLY THIS IS A BIGGER PROBLEM THAN I THOUGHT...THERE DEF. NEEDS TO BE A RECALL!! TODAY I WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP, I WAS AT ABOUT A 1/4 OF A TANK. AFTER FILLING, GOT IN THE VEHICLE, TURNED IT ON, AND SAW THAT IT WAS STILL SAYING I HAD A QUARTER OF A TANK. ANYWAYS, I IGNORED IT UNTIL A COUPLE MILES DOWN THE ROAD THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265719
39,406 miles · Apr 16, 2009
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline
NOTICED IT THE FIRST TIME LAST NIGHT. I HAD JUST UNDER A 1/4 TANK OF GAS IN MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA, AND DROVE 15 MILES AND PULLED OVER TO USE THE PHONE. LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING, AND SUDDENLY NOTICED THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS LIT, AND THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY. IMPOSSIBLE, AND ILLOGICAL. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, TURNED BACK…
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NOTICED IT THE FIRST TIME LAST NIGHT. I HAD JUST UNDER A 1/4 TANK OF GAS IN MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA, AND DROVE 15 MILES AND PULLED OVER TO USE THE PHONE. LEFT THE ENGINE RUNNING, AND SUDDENLY NOTICED THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS LIT, AND THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY. IMPOSSIBLE, AND ILLOGICAL. TURNED OFF THE ENGINE, TURNED BACK ON...SAME THING. DROVE TO GAS STATION, FILLED UP, MADE SURE CLICKED THE GAS CAP THREE TIMES FOR PROPER SEAL. GAUGE READ THAT THE GAS TANK WAS FULL, BUT THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS STILL LIT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265674
46,234 miles · Apr 15, 2009
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
2006 NISSAN XTERRA OFF-ROAD FUEL GAUGE NO LONGER ACCURATELY REFLECTS THE ACTUAL FUEL LEVEL IN THE GAS TANK. AFTER A FULL TANK OF FUEL, ONLY GOES TO 3/4 LEVEL ON FUEL GAUGE LOW FUEL LIGHT INDICATOR NO LONGER WORKS EITHER FUEL LEVEL DOES NOT GO BELOW 1/4 LEVEL, EVEN WHEN ACTUAL FUEL LEVEL IS ALMOST EMPTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265490
40,000 miles · Apr 15, 2009
Fuel System, Other
THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS FAULTY, INDICATING AN EMPTY TANK WHEN FULL, AND FULL OR 1/2 TANK WHEN ACTUALLY EMPTY. FIRST DISCOVERED WHEN I RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY UNKNOWINGLY AS THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED 1/2 TANK AND IT WAS ACTUALLY TOTALLY EMPTY. THANK GOD THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO S…
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THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS FAULTY, INDICATING AN EMPTY TANK WHEN FULL, AND FULL OR 1/2 TANK WHEN ACTUALLY EMPTY. FIRST DISCOVERED WHEN I RAN OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY UNKNOWINGLY AS THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED 1/2 TANK AND IT WAS ACTUALLY TOTALLY EMPTY. THANK GOD THERE WAS NO TRAFFIC WHEN THE ENGINE STOPPED AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO SLOW ABRUPTLY!!!! NISSAN HAS NO RECALL AS OF YET,, WHEN YOU LOOK IN NISSAN FORUMS ONLINE, THERE ARE HUNDREDS OF OWNERS EXPERIENCING THE SAME ISSUE!!! *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265407
34,000 miles · Apr 12, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE A 2006 XTERRA AND AT APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED ACTING WACKY. MARKED EMPTY THOUGH I JUST FILLED UP AND IT WOULD SLUGGISHLY GO TO FULL AFTER A WHILE. A FEW DAYS AFTER THIS THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. FUEL GAUGE IS STILL ACTING WACKY. IT FIGURES THIS STARTED HAPPENING AFTER T…
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I HAVE A 2006 XTERRA AND AT APPROXIMATELY 34,000 MILES THE FUEL GAUGE STARTED ACTING WACKY. MARKED EMPTY THOUGH I JUST FILLED UP AND IT WOULD SLUGGISHLY GO TO FULL AFTER A WHILE. A FEW DAYS AFTER THIS THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND WON'T GO OFF. FUEL GAUGE IS STILL ACTING WACKY. IT FIGURES THIS STARTED HAPPENING AFTER THE WARRANTY IS UP. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10265034
45,000 miles · Apr 8, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. WHEN CODE IS CHECKED, IT SAYS DEFECTIVE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE FUEL GAS DOES NOT WORK EITHER. AS I SEARCH FOR REPAIRS OR PARTS ON THE INTERNET, I DISCOVERED THIS IS A MASSIVE PROBLEM AFFECTING THOUSANDS OF NISSAN VEHICLES OVER MANY YEARS' MODELS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264442
28,000 miles · Apr 5, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
2006 NISSAN XTERRA OFF ROAD. FILLED UP WITH GAS AND THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AS WELL AS THE GAS GAUGE WILL NO LONGER READ CORRECTLY. THIS SEEMS TO BE AN ONGOING ISSUE WITH THE XTERRA AND NEEDS TO BE MADE THE SUBJECT OF A RECALL. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10264190
37,000 miles · Mar 31, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
GAS TANK IS LOSE CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE GOING OVER ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. DEALER STATES FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM AND STATES IF NOT REPLACED IT WILL SHUT OFF AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT WHICH COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MANY OTHER USERS HAVE REPORTED SAME PROBLEM FOR 2006 NISSAN XTERRA'S WITH A FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM. NISSAN REFUSE…
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GAS TANK IS LOSE CAUSING A SQUEAKING NOISE WHILE GOING OVER ANY BUMPS IN THE ROAD. DEALER STATES FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM AND STATES IF NOT REPLACED IT WILL SHUT OFF AT ANY GIVEN MOMENT WHICH COULD CAUSE A SERIOUS ACCIDENT. MANY OTHER USERS HAVE REPORTED SAME PROBLEM FOR 2006 NISSAN XTERRA'S WITH A FAULTY FUEL SYSTEM. NISSAN REFUSES TO FIX WITHOUT SLAPPING A $600 PRICE TAG ON THE REPAIR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10263729
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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