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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
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39,000 miles · Oct 20, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA THAT HAS A FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO FILL UP MY TANK WITH GAS LAST TIME, MY GAS GAUGE WON'T GO ABOVE A 1/4 TANK AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE NISSAN XTERRA'S…

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I HAVE A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA THAT HAS A FUEL SENSOR PROBLEM. WHEN I WENT TO FILL UP MY TANK WITH GAS LAST TIME, MY GAS GAUGE WON'T GO ABOVE A 1/4 TANK AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON. MY VEHICLE CURRENTLY HAS 39,000 MILES ON IT. I DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THIS IS HAPPENING TO MANY OTHER OWNERS OF THE NISSAN XTERRA'S AND PATHFINDER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289184

35,000 miles · Oct 17, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

2006 NISSAN XTERRA: FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR NOT WORKING PROPERLY. GAS NEEDLE FUEL TANK GAUGE IS NOT REGISTERING FULL TANK. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT HAS LIT UP. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10288721

55,000 miles · Oct 13, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

2006 NISSAN XTERRA ERROR CODE: P0463 FUEL LEVEL SENSOR A CURRENT HIGH INPUT AT 55,000 MILES THE FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT MALFUNCTIONS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287290

55,000 miles · Oct 12, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I OWN A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AND THE FUEL GAUGE IS IT NOT WORKING MOST OF TIME, MY GAS LIGHT IS ON AND IT IS TRIGGERING MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT EVEN WHEN I FILL UP THE TRUCK ALL THE WAY UP THE LIGHT STILL STAYS ON AND EVERY ONCE AND A WHILE IT WILL SHOW MY CORRECT FUEL AMOUNT BUT IT IS VERY RARE. I HAVE SEARCHED AROUND AND IT…

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I OWN A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AND THE FUEL GAUGE IS IT NOT WORKING MOST OF TIME, MY GAS LIGHT IS ON AND IT IS TRIGGERING MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT EVEN WHEN I FILL UP THE TRUCK ALL THE WAY UP THE LIGHT STILL STAYS ON AND EVERY ONCE AND A WHILE IT WILL SHOW MY CORRECT FUEL AMOUNT BUT IT IS VERY RARE. I HAVE SEARCHED AROUND AND IT SEEMS LIKE A LOT OF NISSAN MODELS HAVE THIS PROBLEM AND IF YOU TAKE IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IT IS A 600.00 + DOLLAR REPAIR WHICH I DO NOT FEEL I SHOULD HAVE TO PAY DUE TO NISSANS ERROR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287090

51,000 miles · Oct 12, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON MANY NEWER NISSAN TRUCKS IS GOING BAD RIGHT AFTER THE 36K WARRANTY EXPIRES AND COSTS THE OWNER AN AVERAGE OF 400 DOLLARS TO FIX. THIS ISSUE CAUSES THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO COME ON AND CONSEQUENTLY CANNOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT BEING FIXED. I'VE SEEN MANY MANY CASES OF THIS ONLINE ON BULLETIN BOA…

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THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON MANY NEWER NISSAN TRUCKS IS GOING BAD RIGHT AFTER THE 36K WARRANTY EXPIRES AND COSTS THE OWNER AN AVERAGE OF 400 DOLLARS TO FIX. THIS ISSUE CAUSES THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT TO COME ON AND CONSEQUENTLY CANNOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT BEING FIXED. I'VE SEEN MANY MANY CASES OF THIS ONLINE ON BULLETIN BOARDS AND FORUMS, AND IT SEEMS TO ME THIS IS WIDESPREAD ENOUGH THAT IT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287072

52,000 miles · Oct 3, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

WE OWN A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WITH APPROXIMATELY 55K MILES. ALONG WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHERS, WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM OF A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. OUR MODEL HAS 2 FUEL GAUGES--1 ELECTRONIC THAT ESTIMATES THE NUMBER OF MILES REMAINING ("DTE") AND 1 STANDARD FUEL GAUGE (F----E). AFTER FILLING THE TANK, BOTH GAUGES HA…

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WE OWN A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA WITH APPROXIMATELY 55K MILES. ALONG WITH THOUSANDS OF OTHERS, WE ARE EXPERIENCING THE SAME PROBLEM OF A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. OUR MODEL HAS 2 FUEL GAUGES--1 ELECTRONIC THAT ESTIMATES THE NUMBER OF MILES REMAINING ("DTE") AND 1 STANDARD FUEL GAUGE (F----E). AFTER FILLING THE TANK, BOTH GAUGES HAD INTERMITTENT ISSUES. A FEW FILLS LATER, BOTH GAUGES INDICATE AN EMPTY TANK. EVERYONE SEEMS TO EXPERIENCE THIS PROBLEM SHORTLY AFTER THE 30,000 MILE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED, FORCING THE CONSUMER TO SPEND ~$500 TO FIX THE ISSUE. SINCE IT IS CLEARLY A FAULTY PART, NISSAN NEEDS TO RECALL THIS PART OR FIX IT FOR FREE WHEN THIS SPECIFIC ISSUE IS IDENTIFIED. MY PREGNANT WIFE DRIVES OUR XTERRA DAILY AND I DO NOT FEEL SAFE ALLOWING HER TO DRIVE A CAR WITH ABSOLUTELY NO FUEL GAUGE. HOWEVER, I REFUSE TO PAY $500 FOR A PART THAT WAS FAULTY FROM THE START, AS DEMONSTRATED BY THE THOUSANDS OF POSTS WE HAVE FOUND INDICATING ERROR PO463. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS WIDESPREAD AND POTENTIALLY DAMAGING ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286176

63,000 miles · Sep 8, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

GAS TANK WAS READING 1/4 TANK SO I FILLED IT AND THE TANK STILL SHOWED 1/4 TANK AND WITHIN AN HOUR THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON...WENT TO ADVANCE AUTO, RECEIVED THE SAME CODE AS EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE (0463) AND WAS TOLD THAT IT'S A FUEL SENDING UNIT PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY MY TANK FINALLY REGI…

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GAS TANK WAS READING 1/4 TANK SO I FILLED IT AND THE TANK STILL SHOWED 1/4 TANK AND WITHIN AN HOUR THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON...WENT TO ADVANCE AUTO, RECEIVED THE SAME CODE AS EVERYONE ELSE WHO HAS A COMPLAINT ABOUT THIS ISSUE (0463) AND WAS TOLD THAT IT'S A FUEL SENDING UNIT PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY MY TANK FINALLY REGISTERED AS BEING FULL BUT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT REMAINED ON. HAD THE CODE RESET AND NOW I AM CAUTIOUS ABOUT LETTING THE FUEL GET TOO LOW IN MY VEHICLE. NISSAN SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS NOT THE CUSTOMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283334

80,000 miles · Sep 8, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I OWN A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, 2009, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD TIME-TO-TIME STOP WORKING. WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL REACHES BELOW 1/2 A TANK, THE GAUGE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY DROP TO EMPTY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND THE VEHICLE IS FUELED TO A FULL LEVEL, THE GAUGE WOULD STILL NOT OPERATE. IT TAKES A FEW MILES OF DRIVIN…

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I OWN A 2006 NISSAN XTERRA. AT THE BEGINNING OF THIS YEAR, 2009, THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD TIME-TO-TIME STOP WORKING. WHEN THE FUEL LEVEL REACHES BELOW 1/2 A TANK, THE GAUGE WOULD AUTOMATICALLY DROP TO EMPTY. WHEN THIS HAPPENS AND THE VEHICLE IS FUELED TO A FULL LEVEL, THE GAUGE WOULD STILL NOT OPERATE. IT TAKES A FEW MILES OF DRIVING BEFORE THE FUEL GAUGE WILL SLOWLY BEGIN TO REACH TO THE TOP. THIS WOULD OCCUR EVERY TIME THE FUEL WOULD REACH BELOW 1/2 TANK. AFTER THIS HAPPENS, ITS A GUESSING GAME ON TRYING TO FIGURE OUT HOW MUCH IS IN MY TANK. I HAVE BEEN STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD THREE TIMES NOW. I WAS TOLD BY A NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN ANOTHER TOWN, THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THAT PART. WHEN CONTACTING A DEALERSHIP NEAR ME, THEY DISAGREED AND GAVE ME A PRICE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283277

77,031 miles · Sep 6, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND MY FUEL GAUGE READS ZERO FUEL WITH A FULL TAKE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282998

48,000 miles · Sep 2, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN FILL UP GAS GAUGE READS EMPTY. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. I BOUGHT PART WILL INSTALL MYSELF. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282684

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.