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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 →
780Owner complaints

Model-year median: 78

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
72
200384
2004845
2005780
2006557
2007119
200819
2009
Compare all Xterra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
268Fuel System, Gasoline
237Engine And Engine Cooling
106Engine
104Fuel/propulsion System
94
All reported categories
Electrical System
41Fuel System, Other
40Unknown Or Other
26Steering
22Air Bags
20Vehicle Speed Control
14Suspension
12Tires
7Service Brakes
6Seat Belts
5Structure
5Equipment
4Service Brakes, Hydraulic
3Wheels
3Exterior Lighting
2Latches/locks/linkages
1Visibility
1Visibility/wiper
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

237 reports
Clear category filter
55,000 miles · Apr 22, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT FILLED THE FUEL TANK BUT THE FUEL GAUGE STILL INDICATED THAT THE TANK WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY BEFORE SHE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AT THE GAS STATION. THE FAILURE SEEMED TO TRANSPIRE EACH TIME SHE WOULD FILL THE FUEL TANK. THE V…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT FILLED THE FUEL TANK BUT THE FUEL GAUGE STILL INDICATED THAT THE TANK WAS EMPTY. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD FUNCTION PROPERLY BEFORE SHE TURNED OFF THE VEHICLE AT THE GAS STATION. THE FAILURE SEEMED TO TRANSPIRE EACH TIME SHE WOULD FILL THE FUEL TANK. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN INSPECTED OR REPAIRED AT THE TIME OF THE COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 67,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 55,000.

NHTSA ODI #10326946

60,000 miles · Apr 21, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

2006 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE GIVING A FALSE READING FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326771

30,000 miles · Apr 16, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE FAILED AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. WHEN THE TANK IS JUST FILLED, THE LEVEL REGISTERS ABOUT 1/8 TO 1/4. I HAVE TO REFUEL BY ODOMETER. THIS STARTED ABOUT 3 WEEKS AGO, I AM ON MY THIRD TANK AND IT STILL DOES IT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10326084

68,000 miles · Apr 14, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

RECENTLY PURCHASED 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM: FUEL GAUGE CAUSING "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT TO BE CONSISTENTLY LIT. INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL BEING SEEN. GAUGE READS HALF EMPTY WHEN VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY EMPTY. IMPOSSIBLE TO PASS EMISSIONS CHECK WHILE "SERVICE ENGINE" SENSOR IS LIT. CONTACTED N…

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RECENTLY PURCHASED 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AND HAVE EXPERIENCED THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM: FUEL GAUGE CAUSING "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT TO BE CONSISTENTLY LIT. INACCURATE FUEL LEVEL BEING SEEN. GAUGE READS HALF EMPTY WHEN VEHICLE IS ACTUALLY EMPTY. IMPOSSIBLE TO PASS EMISSIONS CHECK WHILE "SERVICE ENGINE" SENSOR IS LIT. CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY ARE RECALLING AND REPLACING FSU IN "CERTAIN" 2006 NISSAN XTERRA BUT EVEN THOUGH I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA MY VIN NUMBER HAS NOT BEEN RECALLED. SPOKE TO NISSAN AND DESCRIBED THE FACT THAT MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA IS EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEMS DESCRIBED IN THE NISSAN RECALL BUT THEY REFUSE TO INCLUDE MY VEHICLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325736

35,500 miles · Apr 14, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR BEGAN ABNORMALLY READING INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE FUEL SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT …

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 30 MPH, THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR BEGAN ABNORMALLY READING INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT THEN ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE FUEL SENSOR. THE MANUFACTURER WOULD NOT PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 35,500. UPDATED 05/19/2010. *LJ

NHTSA ODI #10325699

64,000 miles · Apr 13, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILS SOMETIMES SHOWING TANK EMPTY, 1/4 FULL, OR READS CORRECTLY AND THE OBDC SYSTEM ISSUES A "CHECK ENGINE" CODE.. THIS IS A KNOWN AND COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN VEHICLES. NISSAN HAS ONLY ISSUED A RECALL FOR CASES WHERE THE SENSOR STOPS WORKING AND DOES NOT GENERATE A "CHECK ENGINE" CODE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325518

72,000 miles · Apr 13, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V075000 I OWN A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA THAT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THOSE DESCRIBED IN THE ABOVE REFERENCED RECALL. I CONTACTED NISSAN, BUT THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT THEY CANNOT REIMBURSE ME FOR REPAIRS; THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT OTHER 2006 NI…

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NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V075000 I OWN A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA THAT IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEMS AS THOSE DESCRIBED IN THE ABOVE REFERENCED RECALL. I CONTACTED NISSAN, BUT THEY INFORMED ME THAT MY VEHICLE IS NOT A PART OF THE RECALL AND THAT THEY CANNOT REIMBURSE ME FOR REPAIRS; THEY ALSO INFORMED ME THAT OTHER 2006 NISSAN XTERRA OWNERS ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THAT THEY, LIKE ME, DO NOT OWN VEHICLES SUBJECT TO THE RECALL. THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE THOSE VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10325428

44,000 miles · Apr 11, 2010
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

2006 NISSAN XTERRA OBDII ERROR CODE P0463 - FUEL LEVEL SENSOR A CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT: ESSENTIALLY, FILLING UP YOUR GAS TANK IS NOT REGISTERED BY THE GAS GAUGE, SO YOU RUN THE RISK OF RUNNING OUT OF GAS AND GETTING STRANDED SOMEWHERE. THE ESTIMATED REPAIR COST IS VERY HIGH ... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324991

64,000 miles · Apr 7, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED UNEXPECTEDLY DUE TO A LACK OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING OF "HALF FULL"; HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MI…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STOPPED UNEXPECTEDLY DUE TO A LACK OF GASOLINE IN THE TANK. THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED AN INACCURATE READING OF "HALF FULL"; HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED FOR THE MALFUNCTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 68,000.

NHTSA ODI #10324185

50,000 miles · Apr 6, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL SENSOR LEVEL DOESN'T WORK AT 50K MILES IN A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE WIDESPREAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10324069

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.