NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
242 reportsClear category filter40,000 miles · Apr 20, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline
INACCURATE FUEL GAUGE LEADING TO INACCURATE FUEL READINGS; THE GAUGE MAY SHOW GAS LEFT WHEN TANK IS ACTUALLY EMPTY OR VICE VERSA; ALL DIGITAL DASH READINGS AND COMPONENTS SHORT OUT OR COMPLETELY STOP WORKING INCLUDING MILEAGE READINGS; HAVE TO CONTINUALLY FILL UP WITH GAS TO ENSURE I HAVE ENOUGH TO RUN THE VEHICLE; I HAVE RUN OU…
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INACCURATE FUEL GAUGE LEADING TO INACCURATE FUEL READINGS; THE GAUGE MAY SHOW GAS LEFT WHEN TANK IS ACTUALLY EMPTY OR VICE VERSA; ALL DIGITAL DASH READINGS AND COMPONENTS SHORT OUT OR COMPLETELY STOP WORKING INCLUDING MILEAGE READINGS; HAVE TO CONTINUALLY FILL UP WITH GAS TO ENSURE I HAVE ENOUGH TO RUN THE VEHICLE; I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS WHILE TRAVELING AT 80 MILES PER HOUR ON THE HIGHWAY SEVERAL TIMES, THIS IS A VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD; I HAVE TWO SMALL CHILDREN TRAVELING WITH ME AND DO NOT NEED TO RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT BUT HAS HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR OVER A YEAR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10326571
73,000 miles · Apr 16, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA HAS A FUEL GAUGE PROBLEM WHICH CAUSES THE GAUGE TO NOT DISPLAY THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE TANK. IT CAN SHOW EMPTY AFTER A FILL UP. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK. THIS COULD CAUSE ME TO RUN OUT OF GAS WILE OPERATING THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD LEAD TO A CRASH. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10325941
47,000 miles · Apr 14, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND WITHIN SECONDS, THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR DROPPED FROM ONE HALF TANK TO EMPTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND FUEL GAUGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE TRAVELING AT SPEEDS OF 35 MPH, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD AND WITHIN SECONDS, THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR DROPPED FROM ONE HALF TANK TO EMPTY. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND FUEL GAUGE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 47,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 48,000. UPDATED 05/19/1. *LJ UPDATED 06/03/10*BF UPDATED 06/10/10.*JB
NHTSA ODI #10325744
68,000 miles · Apr 10, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. I USED A CODE READER TO READ THE PROBLEM AND IT STATED IT WAS THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILING. I CLEARED THE CODE FROM THE COMPUTER AND FILLED MY GAS TANK AND THE LEVELS SEEMED HALF WAY ACCURATE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONCE MORE JUST RECENTLY…
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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO. I USED A CODE READER TO READ THE PROBLEM AND IT STATED IT WAS THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILING. I CLEARED THE CODE FROM THE COMPUTER AND FILLED MY GAS TANK AND THE LEVELS SEEMED HALF WAY ACCURATE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON ONCE MORE JUST RECENTLY. AFTER MUCH RESEARCH, I HAVE FOUND IT TO BE A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR GAUGE THAT IS AN ALL IN ONE FUEL PUMP, FILTER, AND SENSOR UNIT. FEEL FREE TO RESEARCH THIS YOURSELF. NISSAN HAS HAD FUEL PUMP AND FILTER ISSUES WITH 2005+ TRUCK/ SUV MODELS. I BELIEVE THEY RECALLED THEM IN THE EASTERN US, BUT NOT HERE IN THE WEST. IT APPEARS TO ME THAT IT IS A DEFECTIVE PART ON THE CAR. THEY CLAIM IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND IS A "WEAR AND TEAR" ITEM. THIS IS RIDICULOUS! IT IS A PART THAT SHOULD LAST OVER 125K MILES... BUT NOT. THEY NEED TO FIX THE PROBLEM THEY CREATED. IT WILL COST ME $600 DOLLARS TO FIX IT! IN THIS ECONOMY ITS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME! BASICALLY YOU CAN RUN OUT OF FUEL ANYWHERE AT ANY TIME IF THE SENSOR IS NOT FUNCTIONING CORRECTLY. THIS CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT OR CAUSE YOU TO GET STRANDED IN A BAD PART OF TOWN. BOTH OF WHICH ARE LIFE THREATENING. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10324878
47,000 miles · Apr 9, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL SENDING UNIT PROBLEM. FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY NO MATTER WHAT FUEL LEVEL ACTUALLY IS. THIS TURNS ON SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT AND LOW FUEL LEVEL LIGHT. CODE READ RELATES TO LOW FUEL. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AT THIS TIME. FROM READING POSTS ONLINE THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON AMONG MANY NISSAN VEHICLES THOUGH THE …
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FUEL SENDING UNIT PROBLEM. FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY NO MATTER WHAT FUEL LEVEL ACTUALLY IS. THIS TURNS ON SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT AND LOW FUEL LEVEL LIGHT. CODE READ RELATES TO LOW FUEL. PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT AT THIS TIME. FROM READING POSTS ONLINE THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE VERY COMMON AMONG MANY NISSAN VEHICLES THOUGH THE DEALER WILL NOT REPAIR IF VEHICLE IS PAST 36,000 MILE WARRANTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10324745
80,000 miles · Apr 6, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 NISSAN XTERRA - I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY FUEL GAUGE- MY XTERRA IS YEAR 2005 RECALL IS LISTED FOR 2006 MODEL. I WOULD LIKE TO HAVE MY 2005 XTERRA INCLUDED IN THE RECALL SINCE I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THANK YOU. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 10V075000 COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:AUXILLARY TANK *TR
NHTSA ODI #10324027
55,000 miles · Mar 27, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
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. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER COV…
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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. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED AFTER 30K MILES. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND DOING RESEARCH, I WENT ONLINE TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY 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 SOMTHING 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 XTERRAS, FRONTIERS, AND PATHFINDERS SHOULD GET THIS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER!! WHY WAIT FOR ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE DEATHS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. COST OF REPAIR RANGES FROM $300-600."
NHTSA ODI #10322459
60,000 miles · Mar 26, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
THE FUEL SENDING UNIT ON MY 2005 X-TERRA HAS STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY. IT SHOWS THAT I'M EMPTY RIGHT AFTER I FILL IT UP AND DECIDES TO WORK AFTER ABOUT 50 MILES AFTER FILL UP, THEN WITH ABOUT A QUARTER TANK OF GAS LEFT, IT SAYS THAT IT'S EMPTY, PLUS THE "DISTANCE TO EMPTY" CALCULATOR STOPPED WORKING AND CONSTANTLY BLINKS - -. …
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THE FUEL SENDING UNIT ON MY 2005 X-TERRA HAS STOPPED WORKING PROPERLY. IT SHOWS THAT I'M EMPTY RIGHT AFTER I FILL IT UP AND DECIDES TO WORK AFTER ABOUT 50 MILES AFTER FILL UP, THEN WITH ABOUT A QUARTER TANK OF GAS LEFT, IT SAYS THAT IT'S EMPTY, PLUS THE "DISTANCE TO EMPTY" CALCULATOR STOPPED WORKING AND CONSTANTLY BLINKS - -. ALTHOUGH THIS HAS BEEN A HEAVILY RECORDED ISSUE WITH MANY NISSAN VEHICLES FOR OVER 10 YEARS THEY STILL REFUSE TO HELP ME OUT WITH RESOLVING THIS ISSUE AND CLAIMS THAT IT WILL COST ME OVER $600 TO FIX IT.
NHTSA ODI #10322383
851,222 miles · Mar 23, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL GAUGE ON NISSAN XTERRA 05, CEL LIGHT ON FAIL EMISSION TEST VA, CANNOT TELL HOW MUCH GAS IS IN THE TANK.
NHTSA ODI #10321682
60,000 miles · Mar 22, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
BAD FUEL SENSING UNIT ON NISSAN XTERRA 2005. *DT
NHTSA ODI #10321465
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.
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.
Oct 5, 2005
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NISSAN ACCESSORY TOW HITCH, INADEQUATE QUALITY OF SOME WELDED JOINTS IN THE HITCH ASSEMBLY MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE HITCH FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN BEING USED TO TOW.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRAILER SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TOW HITCHES. ON OCTOBER 17, 2005, OWNERS WERE SENT AN INTERIM LETTER ADVISING THEM NOT TO USE THE TOW HITCH UNTIL IT CAN BE REPAIRED. ANOTHER LETTER WAS SENT OUT ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005, NOTIFYING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR REPAIR. 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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