NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
242 reportsClear category filter48,000 miles · Sep 9, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2005 NISSAN XTERRA IN JANUARY OF 2006. AT APPROXIMATELY 48,000 MILES THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WENT BAD. AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS, THE GAUGE DID NOT MOVE FROM ALMOST EMPTY AND THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING AROUND 60 MILES, THE GAUGE BEGAN TO MOVE, BUT EVENTUALLY STALLED ON A HALF TANK OF GA…
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I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2005 NISSAN XTERRA IN JANUARY OF 2006. AT APPROXIMATELY 48,000 MILES THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WENT BAD. AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS, THE GAUGE DID NOT MOVE FROM ALMOST EMPTY AND THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING AROUND 60 MILES, THE GAUGE BEGAN TO MOVE, BUT EVENTUALLY STALLED ON A HALF TANK OF GAS. AFTER A FEW WEEKS THE GAS GAUGE STARTED WORKING AGAIN, BUT NOW ABOUT 14 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING CONSTANTLY. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE IN THE TANK. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST OVER $500 TO REPAIR. AFTER RESEARCHING, I FOUND THAT THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN VEHICLES. THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL BEFORE AN ACCIDENT HAPPENS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10283450
26,000 miles · Sep 3, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
I DRIVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA AND HAVE 27,100 MILES ON IT. WHEN THE CAR HIT 26,000 MILES, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL SENSOR LINE WHICH DOESN'T REGISTER THE AMOUNT OF GAS BEING USED. THE GAS GAUGE IS EXTREMELY ERRATIC AND I …
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I DRIVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA AND HAVE 27,100 MILES ON IT. WHEN THE CAR HIT 26,000 MILES, THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON. I HAD THE CAR LOOKED AT BY MY MECHANIC AND HE SAID THAT THERE WAS A DEFECT IN THE FUEL SENSOR LINE WHICH DOESN'T REGISTER THE AMOUNT OF GAS BEING USED. THE GAS GAUGE IS EXTREMELY ERRATIC AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE. I'VE BEEN STUCK A COUPLE TIMES BECAUSE THE CAR RAN OUT OF GAS AND THE FUEL GAUGE SAID THAT I HAD HALF A TANK. THIS IS A DANGEROUS ISSUE BECAUSE THERE ARE USUALLY PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE (SMALL CHILDREN) AND TO HAVE TO PULL A CAR OVER ON A HIGHWAY BECAUSE IT RAN OUT OF GAS IS QUITE A PROBLEM, ESPECIALLY IF I HAVE TO LUG CHILDREN OUT OF THE CAR AND WALK THE HIGHWAY LOOKING FOR A GAS STATION. I'VE READ ONLINE WHERE NUMEROUS PEOPLE HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT THE EXACT SAME ISSUE. WHY WOULD SOMETHING LIKE THIS NOT BE RECALLED? HOW MAY PEOPLE HAVE TO DIE OR BECOME SERIOUSLY INJURED BEFORE SOMETHING IS RECALLED? PLEASE, PLEASE LOOK AT THIS ISSUE AND HOPEFULLY RESOLVE BEFORE SOMEONE'S LIFE IS EITHER ENDED BECAUSE OF DEATH OR INJURY. THANK YOU. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10282753
62,103 miles · Aug 16, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
NISSAN XTERRA 2005, FUEL SENDING UNIT AND SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. ERRATIC READ ON THE GAS NEEDLE, GOING FROM FUEL TO HALF AND THEN TO EMPTY WHILE THA GAS TANK IS FULL. ERROR CODE P0463. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10280578
67,200 miles · Aug 6, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAD LESS THAN A 1/4 OF A TANK OF FUEL ON MY 2005 XTERRA S AND I STOPPED TO FILL IT UP. GAS GAUGE SEEMED TO BE WORKING FINE WHEN I PARKED IT. LATER MOVED THE VEHICLE , THE CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE READ E, AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10279544
50,000 miles · Jul 24, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 XTERRA - CODE P0463 - FUEL SENDING UNIT ERROR. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE 2000-2004 XTERRA MODELS AND A RECALL WAS PERFORMED. THIS HAS BECOME A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE NOW FOR OWNERS WITH MODELS 2005 AND NEWER. NISSAN NEEDS TO REMEDY THIS SITUATION WITH A RECALL FOR NEWER VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10278203
50 miles · Jul 21, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
IN MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA, MY FUEL GAUGE BEGAN NOT READING CORRECTLY ONCE IT GOT BELOW 1/4 TANK. WHEN I FILL IT UP, IT DOESN'T ALWAYS REGISTER THAT I PUT GAS IN. NOW MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON FOR DAYS AT A TIME. IT WILL GO OFF FOR A FEW DAYS, THEN COME ON AGAIN. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277583
73,000 miles · Jul 20, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY 2005 NISSAN X-TERRA'S FUEL GAUGE WORKS INTERMITTENTLY AND ITS FUNCTIONALITY IS TIED TO A "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT. THE GAUGE WILL READ EMPTY EVEN WHEN THERE IS GAS IN THE TANK. THIS SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH NISSANS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277417
49,500 miles · Jul 18, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE SLOWLY SHOWS THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE CAR (APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK). FROM MANY FORUMS THE PROBLEMS IS OBVIOUS AND THERE IS A NEED FOR A RECALL BY NISSAN. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IN THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE ON ALL NISSAN XTERRA'S PLATFORM (INCLUDING FRONTIER & PATHFINDER) AFTE…
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2005 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE SLOWLY SHOWS THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE CAR (APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK). FROM MANY FORUMS THE PROBLEMS IS OBVIOUS AND THERE IS A NEED FOR A RECALL BY NISSAN. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IN THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE ON ALL NISSAN XTERRA'S PLATFORM (INCLUDING FRONTIER & PATHFINDER) AFTER 40K MILES ON THE CAR. THE COST OF SUCH REPAIR BY DEALERS AMOUNTS TO $600 DOLLARS FOR PARTS AND LABOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277289
57,000 miles · Jul 17, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL SENSOR HAS GONE OUT AT 57,000 MILES. THIS CAUSES THE GAS GAUGE NOT TO WORK OR WORK VERY SLOWLY. IN TAKING IT TO DEALER, FIX IS 475.00. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND IT SEEMS ALL NISSAN SUV EXPERIENCE THIS. I ASKED DEALER ABOUT THIS AND HE SAID THERE WAS A BULLETIN, BUT IT RECOMMENDED BUYING A BETTER PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277238
74,200 miles · Jul 13, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY NISSAN XTERRA IS HAVING A FUEL GAUGE/SENSOR PROBLEM WHICH RESULTS IN THE DRIVER HAVING NO IDEA HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE GAS TANK. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON NISSAN XTERRAS, PATHFINDERS AND FRONTIERS. ALL ONE NEEDS TO DO IS AN INTERNET SEARCH TO SEE HOW COMMON THIS PROBLEM IS. NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND WILL NOT …
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MY NISSAN XTERRA IS HAVING A FUEL GAUGE/SENSOR PROBLEM WHICH RESULTS IN THE DRIVER HAVING NO IDEA HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE GAS TANK. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON NISSAN XTERRAS, PATHFINDERS AND FRONTIERS. ALL ONE NEEDS TO DO IS AN INTERNET SEARCH TO SEE HOW COMMON THIS PROBLEM IS. NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND WILL NOT COOPERATE WITH ME IN GETTING THIS FIXED. THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS BETWEEN $300-500 (MOST OF WHICH IS LABOR) AND A VEHICLE CAN NOT PASS INSPECTION IF THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ALREADY RUN OUT OF GAS IN A NOT SO NICE AREA WHILE GOING 55 MPH AND CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE/GETTING IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAS DIFFICULT WHEN IT WAS OUT OF GAS. I WAS FEARFUL OF NOT ONLY THE DIFFICULTY IN HANDLING/DEALING WITH THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE MANNER SO AS TO NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BUT IMAGINE MY SURPRISE THAT WAS OUT OF GAS AND I COULD NOT TELL BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY SENSOR NOT INDICATING ACTUALLY HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN THE CAR. I WAS FEARFUL FOR MY SAFETY BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY IN A NOT SO NICE AREA IN THE METRO NYC AREA. ALL ONE NEEDS TO DO IS AN INTERNET SEARCH ON NISSAN FUEL GAUGE OR SENSOR PROBLEMS AND WILL SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. NISSAN HAS RECALLED EARLIER MODELS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE BUT HAS NOT RECALLED ANY VEHICLES FROM 2005 ON FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PROBLEM. A NISSAN MECHANIC AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON XTERRAS, PATHFINDERS AND FRONTIERS AND WISHED ME GOOD LUCK IN GETTING NISSAN TO FIX IT UNDER A RECALL SINCE HE THOUGHT IT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT NISSAN WOULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT NISSAN WILL NOT REPAIR THIS ISSUE SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THEIR VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276496
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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