IllustrationGAS GAGE IS WRONG - ALWAYS -- AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ALWAYS ON. I FOUND OUT IT'S GOING TO COST ME OVER $400 TO FIX THIS ISSUE. TOO MANY OTHERS WITH THE SAME COMPLAINT. *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 X 47,000 MILES. FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK, SES LIGHT WILL NOT GO OFF AND LOW AIR PRESSURE LIGHT STAY ON TOO. *TR
THE GAS GAUGE IN OUR 2006 NISSAN X-TERRA HAS STOPPED WORKING AND IS CAUSING OUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. IF THERE IS A FULL TANK OF GAS, THE GAUGE IS ON EMPTY AND THE LIGHT COMES ON. IT GRADUALLY COMES BACK UP BUT NEVER GOES ABOVE 3/4 FULL TANK. WE WERE QUOTED $800 TO FIX IT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE SENSOR HAS TO BE REPLACED…
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THE GAS GAUGE IN OUR 2006 NISSAN X-TERRA HAS STOPPED WORKING AND IS CAUSING OUR CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. IF THERE IS A FULL TANK OF GAS, THE GAUGE IS ON EMPTY AND THE LIGHT COMES ON. IT GRADUALLY COMES BACK UP BUT NEVER GOES ABOVE 3/4 FULL TANK. WE WERE QUOTED $800 TO FIX IT BECAUSE OF THE WAY THE SENSOR HAS TO BE REPLACED. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. EVERY TIME I FILL MY GAS TANK THE GAS GAUGE DROPS TO THE BOTTOM AND THE LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER CRANKING THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT WAYS THE GAUGE GRADUALLY BEGINS TO MOVE BACK UP TO THE TOP. AFTER SEVERAL DRIVING TRIPS THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT WILL TURN ITSELF O…
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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. EVERY TIME I FILL MY GAS TANK THE GAS GAUGE DROPS TO THE BOTTOM AND THE LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER CRANKING THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. AFTER DRIVING A SHORT WAYS THE GAUGE GRADUALLY BEGINS TO MOVE BACK UP TO THE TOP. AFTER SEVERAL DRIVING TRIPS THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT WILL TURN ITSELF OFF. THIS HAPPENS EACH TIME I FILL MY TANK WHETHER THE TANK IS 3/4, 1/2, 1/4, OR EMPTY. *TR
MY 2006 XTERRA FUEL GAUGE WON'T MOVE EVEN I FILLED UP THE TANK FROM 1/4 OF TANK. *TR
I OWN AN 06 XTERRA WITH A SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 24000 KM I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I PULLED OUT TO PASS A TRANSPORT THE CLUTCH FAILED RESULTING IN NO THROTTLE AND I ALMOST GOT CRUSHED BY THE TRANSPORT I HAD JUST PASSED. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THE C…
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I OWN AN 06 XTERRA WITH A SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 24000 KM I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I PULLED OUT TO PASS A TRANSPORT THE CLUTCH FAILED RESULTING IN NO THROTTLE AND I ALMOST GOT CRUSHED BY THE TRANSPORT I HAD JUST PASSED. I HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP WHERE I WAS TOLD THE CLUTCH HAD SHATTERED IN EIGHT PIECES AND THAT IT WAS MY FAULT CAUSE I MUST TOW ALOT. I DON'T EVEN HAVE A TOW HITCH. THEN I WAS TOLD IT WAS BECAUSE I DO A LOT OF 4X4 OFFROAD DRIVING. ITS BEEN OFFROAD ONCE. THEY DID NOT WANT TO WARRANTY THE PART I ARGUED WITH THEM. THEY CHANGED THEIR STORY YET AGAIN NOW THE CLUTCH WAS WORN OUT NOT SHATTERED. SO I ASKED FOR MY WORN OUT CLUTCH THEY HAD TOLD ME IT HAD BEEN THROWN IN THE GARBAGE. FOUR DAYS LATER THEY MIRACULOUSLY FOUND IT. IT COST ME $2,000 DOLLARS TO FIX MY TRUCK AND GUESS WHAT ITS HAPPENED AGAIN AT 49,000 KM COINCIDENCE I THINK NOT. ITS TIME TO FIGHT NISSAN BECAUSE U DON'T BUY A NEW VEHICLE TO PUT $2000 OF YOUR OWN MONEY INTO IT EVERY 13 MONTHS AND ALMOST DIE IN THE PROCESS. *TR
BEARINGS IN STEERING COLUMN BAD AS PER NISSAN DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT. THE STEERING STARTED TO STIFFEN UP WHEN I DRIVE. MOST OF THE TIME IT IS FINE AND THEN WHEN I TURN A CORNER, IT TIGHTENS UP AND WILL STAY TIGHT FOR A WHILE AND THEN WILL LOOSEN UP. *TR
I TURNED ON MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA THE OTHER DAY AND SAW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I KNEW THIS WAS CLEARLY WRONG AS I JUST HAD MY CAR SERVICED. TWO DAYS LATER I TURNED ON MY CAR AND THE GAS GAUGE QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. IT FLUCTUATES UP AND DOWN. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND THIS TO BE A PROBLEM I…
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I TURNED ON MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA THE OTHER DAY AND SAW MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I KNEW THIS WAS CLEARLY WRONG AS I JUST HAD MY CAR SERVICED. TWO DAYS LATER I TURNED ON MY CAR AND THE GAS GAUGE QUIT WORKING COMPLETELY. IT FLUCTUATES UP AND DOWN. I WENT ON THE INTERNET AND RESEARCHED THIS AND FOUND THIS TO BE A PROBLEM IN MANY NISSAN'S. THIS CLEARLY IS A DEFECT THAT SHOULD BE DEALT WITH. IT COSTS BETWEEN $300 AND $600 TO FIX AND LOYAL NISSAN OWNERS SHOULD NOT BE PENALIZED FOR NISSAN'S MISMANAGEMENT. *TR
I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL INDICATOR. IT DOES NOT DROP BELOW THE 1/2 FULL MARK, INDICATING THAT I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TWICE AND THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. FOR A THIRD TIME, I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS, WHILE THE INDICATOR SAYS THAT I HAVE ALMOST HA…
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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE PROBLEM IS WITH THE FUEL INDICATOR. IT DOES NOT DROP BELOW THE 1/2 FULL MARK, INDICATING THAT I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS. I HAVE REPORTED THIS PROBLEM TWICE AND THEY HAVE STATED THAT THEY HAVE FIXED THE PROBLEM. FOR A THIRD TIME, I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS, WHILE THE INDICATOR SAYS THAT I HAVE ALMOST HALF A TANK. I HAVE REPORTED THE PROBLEM GAIN AND WAS TOLD TO BRING THE VEHICLE IN TO HAVE IT LOOKED AT AGAIN. MY VEHICLE CAME WITH A 36K MILE WARRANTY WHICH HAS NOW EXPIRED SINCE I AM AT 38K. *TR
IN MY '06 NISSAN XTERRA THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS PARKED AT THE TIME THE LIGHT CAME, AND I WAS AT .25 TANK LEFT OF GAS, AFTER GOING TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP WITH GAS, I GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT MY GAS GAUGE DIDN'T MOVE, AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYED ON. I DROVE AROUND ABOUT 5 MI…
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IN MY '06 NISSAN XTERRA THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. I WAS PARKED AT THE TIME THE LIGHT CAME, AND I WAS AT .25 TANK LEFT OF GAS, AFTER GOING TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP WITH GAS, I GOT BACK IN THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT MY GAS GAUGE DIDN'T MOVE, AND MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYED ON. I DROVE AROUND ABOUT 5 MILES TO GET TO TUNEX THE FUEL GAUGE NEVER MOVED, AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYED ON. I TOOK IT TO TUNEX ON 5818 SO. STATE, WHERE THEY TOLD ME THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM OFTEN IN NEWER VEHICLES. AT THE COST OF OVER $200.00. *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.