Illustration2005 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL LEVEL GAUGE GIVES INACCURATE READINGS. THIS IS THE SAME PART NUMBER THAT WAS DETERMINED TO BE FAULTY IN THE 2006-2010 XTERRA. NISSAN SO FAR HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THERE IS A PROBLEM SINCE THEY REDESIGNED THE UNIT BUT IS ONLY RECALLING 2006+. *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
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
242 reportsI HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA THAT THE FUEL SENSOR WENT OUT. WHEN YOU FILL UP THE TANK IT WILL DROP DOWN AND SAY ITS EMPTY. SO YOU HAVE TO WRITE DOWN THE MILEAGE SO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH IS IN IT. WHAT I HAVE READ IS THIS IS A BIG PROBLEM THAT GOES BACK TO THE EARLY 2000'S. *TR
FUEL GAUGE READS EMPTY WHEN GAS IS PRESENT. I DO NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS LEFT. THERE IS A RECALL ON 2006 AN NEWER VEHICLES OF THE SAME TYPE. MANY PEOPLE I TALK TO WITH THE SAME MAKE AND YEAR VEHICLE AS MYSELF HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. THIS IS A DEFINITE SAFETY ISSUE FOR ME CONSIDERING THE EXTENSIVE MILEAGE I DRIVE. *TR
I OWN A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT SUPPLIED BY NISSAN HAS GONE BAD 2 TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED IT ONCE WITH A NISSAN SUPPLIED PART. BOTH TIMES IT SAID THERE WAS A QUARTER TANK OF FUEL LEFT BUT THE TANK WAS ACTUALLY EMPTY. THE FIRST TIME MY WIFE RAN OUT OF GAS IN TRAFFIC. THIS A VERY COMMON FAILURE IN THE 2005-2…
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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT SUPPLIED BY NISSAN HAS GONE BAD 2 TIMES. I HAVE REPLACED IT ONCE WITH A NISSAN SUPPLIED PART. BOTH TIMES IT SAID THERE WAS A QUARTER TANK OF FUEL LEFT BUT THE TANK WAS ACTUALLY EMPTY. THE FIRST TIME MY WIFE RAN OUT OF GAS IN TRAFFIC. THIS A VERY COMMON FAILURE IN THE 2005-2010 MODEL YEAR NISSAN XTERRA AND VARIOUS OTHER NISSAN MODELS. I HAVE NOT REPLACED THE CURRENT BAD UNIT. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN TO GET THE PART REPLACED AGAIN, THEY TOLD ME NO. *TR
RE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL SENDING UNIT DEFECTIVE AT 34,000 MILES.
FAULTY FUEL SENSOR UNIT "I HAD A FULL TANK OF GAS AND 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 STOPPED THE CAR AND OPENED THE GAS CAP AND PUT IT BACK ON AND THE GAUGE CAME UP A LITTLE. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE OF DAYS IT FINALLY …
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FAULTY FUEL SENSOR UNIT "I HAD A FULL TANK OF GAS AND 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 STOPPED THE CAR AND OPENED THE GAS CAP AND PUT IT BACK ON AND THE GAUGE CAME UP A LITTLE. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE OF DAYS IT FINALLY WENT TO FULL. I CALLED THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED AFTER 36K 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 PAID OVER 25K. 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 $300-800 DEPENDING ON DEALER." *TR
INACCURATE FUEL GAUGES. *TR
AFTER FILLING UP GAS FROM 1/4TH TANK FULL. THE INDICATOR STILL READS 1/4TH TANK. THEN CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I RESEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND MANY REPORTS OF THIS AND PEOPLE ASKING WHY IT HASN'T BEEN RECALLED. IT IS APPARENTLY A FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNIT THAT CORRODES AFTER 30,000 MILES AND IS NOT COVERED. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR IN THE FUEL TANK FAILED WHICH ALSO AFFECTS THE FUEL GAUGE. THE FUEL GAUGE MAY INDICATE THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL; HOWEVER, IT COULD ACTUALLY BE EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE FUEL…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR IN THE FUEL TANK FAILED WHICH ALSO AFFECTS THE FUEL GAUGE. THE FUEL GAUGE MAY INDICATE THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL; HOWEVER, IT COULD ACTUALLY BE EMPTY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER AFTER A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND THEY INFORMED HER THAT THE FUEL SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR COST WAS $700 AND THERE WERE NO RECALLS OR RELATED WARRANTIES FOR HER MODEL YEAR VEHICLE. THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND INFORMED HER THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 56,000.
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL READER IS NOT FUNCTIONING SO I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE. I HOOKED UP A DIAGNOSTIC TO IT AND DISCOVERED A CODE THAT INDICATES A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. THEY MADE ME GO INTO NISSAN AND HAVE…
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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL READER IS NOT FUNCTIONING SO I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE. I HOOKED UP A DIAGNOSTIC TO IT AND DISCOVERED A CODE THAT INDICATES A FAULTY FUEL SENSOR. I CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AND EXPLAINED THE PROBLEM. THEY MADE ME GO INTO NISSAN AND HAVE THEM DIAGNOSE IT. THEY CHARGED ME $120 DOLLARS AND TOLD ME THAT THE FUEL SENSOR WAS FAULTY AND IT WAS GOING TO COST $600 TO REPLACE. NISSAN JUST RECALLED ALL XTERRAS FROM 2006 TO 2008 BECAUSE OF FAULTY FUEL SENSORS. I FOUND A WEBSITE THAT HAS ONE HUNDRED OTHER OWNERS OF A 2005 XTERRA WITH THE SAME PROBLEM. NISSAN TOLD ME THEY COULD HELP ME OUT BY KNOCKING OFF $250 FROM THE $600. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE THAT MANY ARE EXPERIENCING AND I WANT TO SEE IF I CAN GET SOME HELP. *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.
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.