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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 →

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
Mileage unknown · Jul 8, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO ITS CAPACITY WITHIN 3 MILES THE FUEL GAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NO FUEL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, THE FUEL GAGE INDICATED THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. SINCE THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED, THE CONTACT HAS TO…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED TO ITS CAPACITY WITHIN 3 MILES THE FUEL GAGE INDICATED THAT THE VEHICLE HAS NO FUEL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ILLUMINATED. WHEN THE ENGINE WAS SHUT OFF, THE FUEL GAGE INDICATED THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL. SINCE THE FAILURE HAS OCCURRED, THE CONTACT HAS TO RESTART THE VEHICLE FOR THE CORRECT FUEL GAGE READING. THE VEHICLE IS BEING DIAGNOSED BY THE DEALER. THE VIN IS UNAVAILABLE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE 41,000.

NHTSA ODI #10233580

36,000 miles · Jul 1, 2008
Fuel System, Other

I OWN A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA EACH TIME MY FUEL GAUGE GETS TO 1/4 OF A TANK OF FUEL, THE METER FALLS DOWN TO EMPTY. EVEN ONCE I FILL IT UP, IT DOES NOT REGISTER THE FUEL. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS NOW STARTED COMING ON. THE PROBLEM STARTED AT RIGHT AROUND 36,000 MILES. OF COURSE THIS PROBLEM IS NOT WARRANTED AFTER 36K. MY …

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I OWN A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA EACH TIME MY FUEL GAUGE GETS TO 1/4 OF A TANK OF FUEL, THE METER FALLS DOWN TO EMPTY. EVEN ONCE I FILL IT UP, IT DOES NOT REGISTER THE FUEL. THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAS NOW STARTED COMING ON. THE PROBLEM STARTED AT RIGHT AROUND 36,000 MILES. OF COURSE THIS PROBLEM IS NOT WARRANTED AFTER 36K. MY TRUCK HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT. I WENT TO THE DEALER THIS PAST FRIDAY AND THEY WANT 330.00 TO FIX IT. THE CASHIER AT SERVICE DESK AT NISSAN ADMITTED THAT IT IS A PROBLEM FOR THE XTERRA'S AND THE PATHFINDER SUVS. SHE ALSO SAID IF I DON'T FIX IT IMMEDIATELY, IT WONT AFFECT THE VEHICLE ACTUALLY RUNNING. I DECIDED TO SEE JUST HOW TRUE THIS WAS AND I AM SURPRISED TO SEE JUST HOW MANY OTHERS HAVE THE SAME STORY AT AROUND THE SAME MILEAGE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232801

35,985 miles · Jun 30, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

RECENTLY, MY GAS GAUGE READ 1/4. I WENT TO THE GAS STATION TO FILL UP AND AFTER I FILLED UP THE TANK, THE GAS GAUGE STILL READ 1/4 AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. IT APPROXIMATELY TOOK AN HOUR FOR THE FUEL GAUGE TO READ A FULL TANK. SINCE THEN, THE LIGHT STAYS ON ALL THE TIME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232771

13,135 miles · May 28, 2008
Power TrainInjury

FAILURE OF FRONT DIFFERENTIAL WHILE UTILIZING 4-WHEEL DRIVE. ONCE 4X4 WAS DISENGAGED, FRONT DIFFERENTIAL WOULD BIND UP VIOLENTLY, RANDOMLY, WHILE DRIVING. END RESULT: DESTROYED SPIDER GEARS, REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229055

27,000 miles · May 27, 2008
Power Train

COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL UNDER NON-ABUSE CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228934

40,000 miles · May 19, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

NISSAN 2006 XTERRA WITH APPROX 40K MILES. AFTER FILLING CAR WITH GAS, THE FUEL GAUGE GOES ALL THE WAY TO EMPTY, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ONE. THE FUEL LEVEL WILL GRADUALLY GO BACK UP TO ABOUT 3/4 AND WILL DESCEND PROPERLY, BUT THEN SUBSEQUENT REFILLS CAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM. DIAGNOSTIC CODE IS 0463. MANY OTHER PEOPLE H…

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NISSAN 2006 XTERRA WITH APPROX 40K MILES. AFTER FILLING CAR WITH GAS, THE FUEL GAUGE GOES ALL THE WAY TO EMPTY, THEN THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ONE. THE FUEL LEVEL WILL GRADUALLY GO BACK UP TO ABOUT 3/4 AND WILL DESCEND PROPERLY, BUT THEN SUBSEQUENT REFILLS CAUSE THE SAME PROBLEM. DIAGNOSTIC CODE IS 0463. MANY OTHER PEOPLE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH NISSAN TRUCKS AND 4X4'S. DEALERS WANT BETWEEN $450 - 600 DOLLARS TO REPLACE THIS! SINCE IT IS PART OF FUELS SYSTEM LEVEL IT SHOULD BE COVERED AS EMISSIONS RELATED, RIGHT? MY CAR WILL NOW NOT PASS THE EMISSIONS INSPECTION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228214

15,000 miles · May 18, 2008
EquipmentSuspension

2006 XTERRA. BOUGHT NEW, AFTER ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP HAD FOUR PEOPLE IN IT AND REAR BOTTOM OUT. HAS DONE THIS MANY TIMES. DEALERSHIP FIRST SAID IT WAS ONLY MINE , NO OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM NO ONE ELSE, THEN REPLACED SHOCKS , REAR LEAF SPRINGS. HAD THEM DRIVE OTHERS ON LOT AND ALL DID THE SAME THING. NISSAN SENT OUT A DEALER REP, …

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2006 XTERRA. BOUGHT NEW, AFTER ONE YEAR OF OWNERSHIP HAD FOUR PEOPLE IN IT AND REAR BOTTOM OUT. HAS DONE THIS MANY TIMES. DEALERSHIP FIRST SAID IT WAS ONLY MINE , NO OTHER COMPLAINTS FROM NO ONE ELSE, THEN REPLACED SHOCKS , REAR LEAF SPRINGS. HAD THEM DRIVE OTHERS ON LOT AND ALL DID THE SAME THING. NISSAN SENT OUT A DEALER REP, ONLY TO SAY I HIT THE DIP IN THE ROAD TO FAST. THIS IS NOT ONLY A COVER UP FROM A BAD DESIGN FROM NISSAN, BUT IT IS A SAFETY ISSUE TO AT 65 MILES AN HOUR AND YOU BOTTOM OUT YOU COULD LOOSE CONTROL. ARE YOU GOING TO BE ABLE TO STOP THE SUV WHEN THE SHOCK MOUNTS BREAK AND OR THE LEAF SPRINGS BREAK, HOW ABOUT AFTER MANY TIMES OF THE IMPACT ON THE AXEL DO TO THE BUMP STOPS HITTING IT ARE THE AXLES GOING TO HAVE PROBLEMS? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10228117

12,000 miles · May 5, 2008
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

2006 NISSAN XTERRA OFF-ROAD MODEL. VEHICLE HAD SURGED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS (6) IN THE PAST WHILE STOPPED OR COMING TO A STOP AT INTERSECTIONS. DEALER HAD INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED MOST RECENTLY IN A PARKING LOT RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH A PARKED…

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2006 NISSAN XTERRA OFF-ROAD MODEL. VEHICLE HAD SURGED FORWARD UNEXPECTEDLY ON A NUMBER OF OCCASIONS (6) IN THE PAST WHILE STOPPED OR COMING TO A STOP AT INTERSECTIONS. DEALER HAD INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND COULD NOT FIND THE SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM. THIS HAPPENED MOST RECENTLY IN A PARKING LOT RESULTING IN A COLLISION WITH A PARKED CAR. NISSAN HAS CONTACTED ME AND ADVISED THEY CANNOT (OR ARE NOT PREPARED) TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND THAT IT HAS NEVER BEEN REPORTED BEFORE, BUT I SEE THE VERY SAME SITUATION REPORTED AT THE MYCARSTATS.COM WEB SITE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10226735

24,006 miles · Apr 17, 2008
Power Train

REAR AXLE SEALS LEAKING; REPLACED LEFT SIDE ON 7/19/07 AT 24006 MILES; REPLACED RIGHT SIDE ON 8/25/07 AT 27278 MILES; REPLACED RIGHT SIDE AGAIN ON 4/15/08 AT 48274 MILES. GEAR OIL LEAKS PASS SEAL ONTO BRAKES, ROTORS, AND TIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224857

17,243 miles · Apr 16, 2008
Power TrainService Brakes, Hydraulic

FAILURE OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE POWER TRAIN DUE TO FAILURE OF ABS SENSOR. THIS A DEDICATED OFF ROAD VEHICLE WITH OFF ROAD PACKAGE INSTALLED BY FACTORY. THE ABS SYSTEM SHOULD NOT TRUMP THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND CAUSE IT TO NOT ENGAGE. IF I WAS FAR OFF ROAD AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM FAILED, I COULD BE SUBJECT TO SERIOUS INJURY OR POSSIBLY DEA…

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FAILURE OF 4 WHEEL DRIVE POWER TRAIN DUE TO FAILURE OF ABS SENSOR. THIS A DEDICATED OFF ROAD VEHICLE WITH OFF ROAD PACKAGE INSTALLED BY FACTORY. THE ABS SYSTEM SHOULD NOT TRUMP THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE AND CAUSE IT TO NOT ENGAGE. IF I WAS FAR OFF ROAD AND 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM FAILED, I COULD BE SUBJECT TO SERIOUS INJURY OR POSSIBLY DEATH DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER CONDITIONS AS I WOULD HAVE TO WALK AND GET HELP IN PREVAILING WEATHER CONDITIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10224660

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.