IllustrationTHE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG LIGHT STARTED BLINKING EVEN WITH THE SEATBELT ON PROPERLY. THIS VEHICLE HAD NEVER BEEN IN CRASH ONCE OR EVER. I AM VERY CONCERN. *TR
2005 Nissan Xterra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Xterra years
Owner complaints for the 2005 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
210–25K
8025–50K
15950–75K
21575–100K
261100–150K
34150K+
770 reports with mileage · 75 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 412 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 242 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 167 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
7 crash reports6 fire reports6 injury reports
Air Bags complaints
19 reportsTRAVELING AT 45MPH CAR HIT CURB AND WAS THEN DIVERTED TO MEDIAN WHERE THE FRONT BUMPER HIT A LARGE TREE AND THE PASSENGER AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. PASSENGER WAS SEVERELY INJURED. [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN X TERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO THE MILEAGE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V690000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN X TERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO STATED THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY DUE TO THE MILEAGE AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V690000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG WAS EFFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 82,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS BEFORE SHIFTING INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RAD…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 20 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO JERK VIOLENTLY AND THERE WAS AN ABNORMAL INCREASE IN ENGINE RPMS BEFORE SHIFTING INTO GEAR. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THAT THE AIR BAG WARNING LAMP WAS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS HAD MIXED ERRONEOUSLY AND BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE BELT TENSION SENSOR WOULD ALSO NEED TO BE REPLACED IN ORDER TO REPAIR THE AIR BAG SYSTEM. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO WAIVE THE FEE OF DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF SENSOR WAS ILLUMINATED WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT HAD BEEN CONSTANTLY FLASHING SINCE FEBRUARY 20, 2011. SHE CALLED HER LOCAL DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF SENSOR WAS ILLUMINATED WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT OCCUPIED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE WARNING LIGHT HAD BEEN CONSTANTLY FLASHING SINCE FEBRUARY 20, 2011. SHE CALLED HER LOCAL DEALER AND WAS ADVISED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 08V690000 (AIR BAGS:FRONTAL). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 122,470.
DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SENSOR FOR 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. RECALL ON NHTSA ID # 08V690000, DATED 12/18/2008. HAD SENSOR REPLACED BY NISSAN DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 9 OR 10, 2009. ON 02/24/2010 AIRBAG LIGHTS FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER CAME ON, OWNERS MANUAL STATES THE AIRBAG IS NON-OPERATIONAL AND NEEDS SERVICED. WILL THIS BE ON THE PRIOR RECA…
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DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SENSOR FOR 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. RECALL ON NHTSA ID # 08V690000, DATED 12/18/2008. HAD SENSOR REPLACED BY NISSAN DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 9 OR 10, 2009. ON 02/24/2010 AIRBAG LIGHTS FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER CAME ON, OWNERS MANUAL STATES THE AIRBAG IS NON-OPERATIONAL AND NEEDS SERVICED. WILL THIS BE ON THE PRIOR RECALL? WILL THIS BE A NEW RECALL? WILL I NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO A PRIOR RECALL? *TR
AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT GOES OFF AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DOES NOT ACTIVATE WHEN PASSENGER IS IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS A LOSE CONNECTOR SECOND TIME I WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER HAD TO BE RESET. THIRD TIME I WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. IT IS NOW BACK IN NISSAN…
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AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT GOES OFF AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DOES NOT ACTIVATE WHEN PASSENGER IS IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS A LOSE CONNECTOR SECOND TIME I WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER HAD TO BE RESET. THIRD TIME I WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. IT IS NOW BACK IN NISSAN SERVICE FOR THE FORTH TIME. *TR
ON FEBRUARY 11, 2006, I WAS DRIVING NOT FAR FROM MY HOUSE, WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL. WE ROLLED FIVE TIMES BEFORE WE HIT THE FIRST TREE. WE WENT RIGHT OVER THAT TREE. THEN WE ROLLED ANOTHER THREE TIMES BEFORE WE WERE STOPPED BY A CHAIN LINK FENCE WITH A EUCALYPTUS TREE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. MY VEHICLE WAS …
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ON FEBRUARY 11, 2006, I WAS DRIVING NOT FAR FROM MY HOUSE, WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL. WE ROLLED FIVE TIMES BEFORE WE HIT THE FIRST TREE. WE WENT RIGHT OVER THAT TREE. THEN WE ROLLED ANOTHER THREE TIMES BEFORE WE WERE STOPPED BY A CHAIN LINK FENCE WITH A EUCALYPTUS TREE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NM
ON NOV. 4TH 2005, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA AT ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR. A DEER RAN INTO THE ROAD. I APPLIED MY BRAKES BUT HIT THE DEER. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON BUT MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AMM COLLISION AND OVER $3500.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE WAS DONE. THE AIRBAG HARNESS WIRE WAS CUT DURING THE ACCIDENT…
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ON NOV. 4TH 2005, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA AT ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR. A DEER RAN INTO THE ROAD. I APPLIED MY BRAKES BUT HIT THE DEER. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON BUT MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AMM COLLISION AND OVER $3500.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE WAS DONE. THE AIRBAG HARNESS WIRE WAS CUT DURING THE ACCIDENT. AT THIS TIME, WE ARE UNSURE IF THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED OR WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IF THE WIRE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN CUT. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP IN AUSTIN TX AND THE SERVICE DEPT GUY INDICATED THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF WITH A 35 MPH HIT. I AM JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS ISSUE. IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. AT THIS TIME, NISSAN DOESN'T HAVE THE PART TO REPLACE IT IN MY CAR. I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR DUE TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *JB
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.
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.
05V458000 · Trailer Hitches
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.