SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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, Other complaints

40 reports
Clear category filter
60,000 miles · Dec 21, 2009
Fuel System, Other

I WAS DRIVING MY 06 NISSAN XTERRA ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WITH 1/4 TANK SHOWING ON MY FUEL GAUGE. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR SHUT DOWN. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WITHOUT BEING STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT TURNS OUT THE FUEL SENDER UNIT (ERROR CODE PO463) IS DEFECTIVE AND THE VEHICLE HAD ACTUALLY RUN…

Read full complaint

I WAS DRIVING MY 06 NISSAN XTERRA ON A BUSY HIGHWAY WITH 1/4 TANK SHOWING ON MY FUEL GAUGE. ALL OF A SUDDEN, THE CAR SHUT DOWN. I WAS BARELY ABLE TO GET THE VEHICLE TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WITHOUT BEING STRUCK BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. IT TURNS OUT THE FUEL SENDER UNIT (ERROR CODE PO463) IS DEFECTIVE AND THE VEHICLE HAD ACTUALLY RUN OUT OF GAS. THE UNIT WILL BE $600 TO REPAIR, AND IS NOT COVERED BY A WARRANTY. MY RESEARCH INDICATES THAT THIS IS A COMMON FAILURE FOR NISSANS OF THIS AGE. THE GAS GAUGE IS NOW ENTIRELY USELESS, AND I MUST ESTIMATE MY GAS USAGE TO AVOID THIS HAPPENING AGAIN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296646

41,000 miles · Dec 21, 2009
Fuel System, Other

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…

Read full complaint

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 SOMETHING 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. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10296527

58,000 miles · Nov 16, 2009
Fuel System, Other

THE FUEL SENSOR LEVEL ON MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA IS FAULTY. IT'S BEEN GOING OFF AND ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. OBVIOUSLY CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. THE EMISSIONS PEOPLE CHECKED THE CODE AND IT IS P0163(FUEL LEVEL SENSOR HIGH INPUT). FROM SEARCHING THE WEB IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ACROSS A COUPLE OF NISSAN …

Read full complaint

THE FUEL SENSOR LEVEL ON MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA IS FAULTY. IT'S BEEN GOING OFF AND ON FOR SEVERAL MONTHS NOW. OBVIOUSLY CAUSING THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON. THE EMISSIONS PEOPLE CHECKED THE CODE AND IT IS P0163(FUEL LEVEL SENSOR HIGH INPUT). FROM SEARCHING THE WEB IT APPEARS TO BE A COMMON PROBLEM ACROSS A COUPLE OF NISSAN VEHICLES. A TECH SERVICE BULLETINS ISSUED A FEW YEARS AGO, HOWEVER NO RECALL HAS TAKEN PLACE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292310

52,031 miles · Oct 29, 2009
Fuel System, Other

2006 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION. EVEN AFTER THE PREVIOUS MODELS OF NISSAN PATHFINDER, XTERRA, ETC. WERE RECALLED DUE TO THE FUEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION, I AM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEMS WITH MY 2006 XTERRA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10290290

35,000 miles · Sep 10, 2009
Fuel System, Other

FUEL GAUGE PROBLEM WITH 2006 XTERRA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283561

39,800 miles · Aug 31, 2009
Fuel System, Other

2006 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE REPORTS ERRONEOUS INFORMATION AT ALL TIMES. VERIFIED ERROR CODE (P0463) AND THE ERROR POINTS TO A FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT) WHICH MEANS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS FAILED. THIS FAILURE WILL TURN THE (SERVICE ENGINE SOON) LIGHT ON THE DASH. ERROR CODE P0463. *T…

Read full complaint

2006 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE REPORTS ERRONEOUS INFORMATION AT ALL TIMES. VERIFIED ERROR CODE (P0463) AND THE ERROR POINTS TO A FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT) WHICH MEANS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS FAILED. THIS FAILURE WILL TURN THE (SERVICE ENGINE SOON) LIGHT ON THE DASH. ERROR CODE P0463. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10282468

36,083 miles · Aug 26, 2009
Fuel System, Other

I FILLED UP MY 2006 XTERRA WITH GAS (THE LIGHT JUST CAME ON BEFORE I FILLED UP) AND RIGHT AFTER I FILLED UP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE GAS GAUGE BARELY MOVED. I HAVE 36,088 MILES. MY FACTORY WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED. I HAVE READ MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I DROVE HOME (5 MILES AWAY) AND THE LIGHT DID NOT G…

Read full complaint

I FILLED UP MY 2006 XTERRA WITH GAS (THE LIGHT JUST CAME ON BEFORE I FILLED UP) AND RIGHT AFTER I FILLED UP THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE GAS GAUGE BARELY MOVED. I HAVE 36,088 MILES. MY FACTORY WARRANTY JUST EXPIRED. I HAVE READ MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I DROVE HOME (5 MILES AWAY) AND THE LIGHT DID NOT GO OFF. I ALSO TRIED RESTARTING THE ENGINE SEVERAL TIMES.*TR

NHTSA ODI #10281893

47,000 miles · Aug 5, 2009
Fuel System, Other

NISSAN SERVICE BULLETIN NTB07-069A SHOULD BE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10279428

65,000 miles · Jul 24, 2009
Electrical SystemFuel System, Other

THE GAS SIGN DROPS AFTER FILLING UP INDICATING E WITH A LIGHT ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHICH HAS STAYED ON EVER SINCE JUNE 5, 2009. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE WOULD SWITCH DRIVERS AND WOULDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS THERE ARE, THAT'S A PROBLEM. WE PURCHASED THE NISSAN X-TERRA IN 2007, BUT IT IS THE MODEL YEAR 2006. THE PRO…

Read full complaint

THE GAS SIGN DROPS AFTER FILLING UP INDICATING E WITH A LIGHT ON AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON WHICH HAS STAYED ON EVER SINCE JUNE 5, 2009. THERE ARE TIMES WHEN WE WOULD SWITCH DRIVERS AND WOULDN'T KNOW HOW MUCH GAS THERE ARE, THAT'S A PROBLEM. WE PURCHASED THE NISSAN X-TERRA IN 2007, BUT IT IS THE MODEL YEAR 2006. THE PROBLEM DOES OCCUR WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER PURCHASING THE VEHICLE. WE BELIEVE THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON REPAIRING OUR VEHICLE BECAUSE IT IS APPARENT THAT THE DEFECT CAME FROM THE MANUFACTURING OF THE VEHICLE. WE ARE STILL STUCK WITH THIS PROBLEM AND WE SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. IF THIS PROBLEM DOESN'T GET SOLVED, THERE WILL BE FURTHER ACTIONS. FIGURING THAT SINCE WE ARE LOYAL CUSTOMERS, THERE SHOULD BE SOME KIND OF UNDERSTANDING. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278204

48,000 miles · Jul 15, 2009
Fuel System, Other

2006 NISSAN XTERRA WITH FUEL GAUGE DEFECT. APPARENTLY THIS IS EXTREMELY COMMON DEFECT IN THE PART AND NEEDS TO BE COVERED BY MANUFACTURER. ERROR CODE P0463. MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT STAYS ON CONSTANT. I GUESS THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IT TO BUY A NEW FUEL PUMP/ SENSOR UNIT... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10276906

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.