IllustrationFUEL SENDING UNIT IS MALFUNCTIONING CAUSING CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO GO ON. APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON OCCURRENCE ON NISSAN XTERRAS. *TR
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
380–25K
13625–50K
14750–75K
14775–100K
191100–150K
61150K+
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
What owners actually said
780 reportsTHE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON LATE MODEL NISSAN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAILS AND READS AN EMPTY LEVEL AFTER FILL-UP. THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS OF THIS RECURRING PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN NTB07-069A TO INFORM ITS TECHNICIANS OF THE PROCEDURE NEEDED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING…
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THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON LATE MODEL NISSAN TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES FAILS AND READS AN EMPTY LEVEL AFTER FILL-UP. THE MANUFACTURER KNOWS OF THIS RECURRING PROBLEM AND HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL BULLETIN NTB07-069A TO INFORM ITS TECHNICIANS OF THE PROCEDURE NEEDED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS FAILURE OCCURS WITHOUT WARNING, AND REMAINS CONSTANT UNTIL CORRECTED BY THE MANUFACTURER. THE TECHNICAL BULLETIN DESCRIBES THE REPAIR PROCEDURE NEEDED TO ONLY REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT, AND NOT THE ENTIRE FUEL PUMP. FAILURE TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM COULD POTENTIALLY LEAD TO VEHICLES STALLED ON CONGESTED HIGHWAYS DUE TO IMPROPER FUEL LEVEL READOUTS. *TR
2006 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE / SES LIGHT ARE INOP. *TR
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 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
FILLED MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA FULL WITH GAS AND GAS GAUGE DID NOT REGISTER ANY FUEL BEING PUT INTO TANK. AFTER 3 MILES OF DRIVING THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER 40 MILES OF DRIVING FUEL GAUGE WENT TO FULL BUT THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. I HAVE NOTICED THAT ONCE I GET BELOW HALF A TANK OF FUEL THE NEEDLE ON THE GAUGE D…
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FILLED MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA FULL WITH GAS AND GAS GAUGE DID NOT REGISTER ANY FUEL BEING PUT INTO TANK. AFTER 3 MILES OF DRIVING THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER 40 MILES OF DRIVING FUEL GAUGE WENT TO FULL BUT THE LIGHT IS STILL ON. I HAVE NOTICED THAT ONCE I GET BELOW HALF A TANK OF FUEL THE NEEDLE ON THE GAUGE DOESN'T MOVE UNTIL I HAVE ABOUT 1/8TH OF THE TANK LEFT. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE 45,000 MILES AND CURRENTLY HAS 60,000 MILES BUT THIS LAST FILL-UP WAS THE FIRST TO HAVE THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. *TR
FUEL GAUGE SENSOR READS "------" AND FLASHES "DTE" (DISTANCE TO EMPTY). ALSO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNS ON AND DASHBOARD FUEL GAUGE STAYS ON EMPTY. *TR
2006 NISSAN XTERRA BOTTOMS OUT IN REAR EVERY BUMP IN ROAD. WITH PASSENGERS IN REAR, BUMP IS SO HARD IT CAUSES ALL PASSENGERS TO HIT HEAD, SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE HIT A TREE. CAN LOCATE SAME COMPLAINT ALL OVER INTERNET. NISSAN REPORTS "NOTHING WRONG" DESIGN FLAW ONLY. CRASHING MY REAR AXLE, STILL UNDER FULL WARRANTY AND REFUSE T…
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2006 NISSAN XTERRA BOTTOMS OUT IN REAR EVERY BUMP IN ROAD. WITH PASSENGERS IN REAR, BUMP IS SO HARD IT CAUSES ALL PASSENGERS TO HIT HEAD, SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE HIT A TREE. CAN LOCATE SAME COMPLAINT ALL OVER INTERNET. NISSAN REPORTS "NOTHING WRONG" DESIGN FLAW ONLY. CRASHING MY REAR AXLE, STILL UNDER FULL WARRANTY AND REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING. SIMPLE BUMP STOPS HAVE PROVEN TO HELP MANY AT COST OF OVER $300 INSTALLED. NISSAN SHOULD REPAIR, DESIGN FLAW SHOULD NOT BE AT CUSTOMERS EXPENSE. NOT SAFE FOR KIDS IN REAR SEATS. *TR
THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS GONE OUT IN MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AFTER ONLY 37,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING AND EVIDENTLY THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. IN ADDITION NISSAN HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN PREVIOUS YEARS MODELS AND THEY DID A RECALL. I BELIEVE WE NEED ONE DONE NOW AS THIS COULD CREATE A POTENTIAL SAFETY PR…
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THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS GONE OUT IN MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA AFTER ONLY 37,000 MILES. I HAVE BEEN CHECKING AND EVIDENTLY THERE ARE MANY PEOPLE WITH A SIMILAR PROBLEM. IN ADDITION NISSAN HAD THE SAME PROBLEM IN PREVIOUS YEARS MODELS AND THEY DID A RECALL. I BELIEVE WE NEED ONE DONE NOW AS THIS COULD CREATE A POTENTIAL SAFETY PROBLEM. *TR
THE FUEL SENSOR ON MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA FAILED. SO I CANNOT TELL HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE IN MY VEHICLE. AFTER READING SEVERAL ONLINE BLOGS THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS MANY NISSAN VEHICLES. HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL BECAUSE ITS NOT SAFETY RELATED. PERHAPS BEING A SINGLE MOM GETTING STRANDED ON THE ROAD BECAUSE I CANNOT TELL HOW …
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THE FUEL SENSOR ON MY 2006 NISSAN XTERRA FAILED. SO I CANNOT TELL HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE IN MY VEHICLE. AFTER READING SEVERAL ONLINE BLOGS THIS IS AN ISSUE THAT AFFECTS MANY NISSAN VEHICLES. HOWEVER THERE IS NO RECALL BECAUSE ITS NOT SAFETY RELATED. PERHAPS BEING A SINGLE MOM GETTING STRANDED ON THE ROAD BECAUSE I CANNOT TELL HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE SHOULD BE A SAFETY CONCERN. IT DOESN'T HURT TO FILE A COMPLAINT I ASSUME. *TR
VEHICLE HAD LESS THAN 1/4 TANK OF GAS AND I STOPPED TO FILL UP. DRIVING AWAY FROM THE PUMP, I NOTICED MY FUEL GAUGE STILL SAID UNDER 1/4, AND ABOUT A MILE DOWN THE ROAD MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I STOPPED AT A AUTOZONE AND CHECKED THE CODE (FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE) THE XTERRA HAD 45K MILES WHEN THIS OCCURRED. *TR
Official recalls
310V517000 · 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
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.