IllustrationP0463 ERROR CODE FULE LEVEL SENSOR. *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 reportsFUEL GAUGE WENT INOP AT APPROX 90,000 MILES. NISSAN HAD EXTENDED THE FUEL GAUGE WARRANTY TO 72,000 WHICH IS RIDICULOUS CONSIDERING MOST XTERRA'S, PATHFINDERS, AND FRONTIERS HAVE THIS PROBLEM. THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, NOT A WARRANTY EXTENSION. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. RUNNING OUT OF GAS ON THE HIGHWAY IS DANGEROUS. *TR
I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY FUEL GAUGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. I CAN NO LONGER PLACE TRUST IN THE GAUGE, SINCE I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS TWICE NOW, WHILE THE GAUGE STILL SHOWED FUEL AVAILABLE IN THE TANK. THE ERROR CODES ON THE COMPUTER MODULE STATE IT IS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH NISSAN AND THEY REF…
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I HAVE BEEN EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH MY FUEL GAUGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. I CAN NO LONGER PLACE TRUST IN THE GAUGE, SINCE I HAVE RUN OUT OF GAS TWICE NOW, WHILE THE GAUGE STILL SHOWED FUEL AVAILABLE IN THE TANK. THE ERROR CODES ON THE COMPUTER MODULE STATE IT IS THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. I HAVE SPOKEN WITH NISSAN AND THEY REFUSED TO RECTIFY THIS ISSUE. *TR
CHECK ENGINE SOON LIGHT ILLUMINATED. GAS GAUGE INACCURATE. GAS LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHEN PLENTY OF GAS IS STILL IN TANK. DTE FEATURE NO LONGER SHOWS NUMBERS ONLY DASHES. ONLY 66,000 MILES ON VEHICLE. THIS PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 64,000 MILES. *TR
FUEL SENSOR GOES BAD ON NISSAN XTERRA CAUSING VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL, WHEN IT APPEARS VEHICLE HAS PLENTY OF FUEL (ACCORDING TO THE GAUGE.) *TR
FIRST PROBLEM - WHEN I HAD 53,000 MI ON IT, IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, IT STARTED CUTTING OUT AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AT ALL, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. THEY SAID THAT HE RADIATOR LEAKED, FLOODING MY TRANSMISSION WITH COOLANT AND RUINED MY TRANSMISSION. THEY REFUSED TO HONOR T…
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FIRST PROBLEM - WHEN I HAD 53,000 MI ON IT, IT WAS STILL UNDER WARRANTY, IT STARTED CUTTING OUT AND WOULDN'T ACCELERATE AT ALL, HAD TO HAVE IT TOWED TO THE DEALER TO FIND OUT THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS BAD. THEY SAID THAT HE RADIATOR LEAKED, FLOODING MY TRANSMISSION WITH COOLANT AND RUINED MY TRANSMISSION. THEY REFUSED TO HONOR THE WARRANTY STATING THAT "THE TRANMISSION DID NOT FAIL - THE RADIATOR DID (WHICH WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY) THEREFORE THE TRANSMISSION WAS NOT COVERED". I HAD TO LET THEM REPLACE THE RADIATOR AND FLUSH THE TRANSMISSION 3 TIMES - IT COST ME $1,400 OUT OF POCKET - NOW HERE I AM 30,000 MILES LATER AND MY REVERSE WILL NOT WORK AT ALL, MY TRANSMISSION NEEDS REPLACED. SO I HAD PAID 1,400 JUST TO BUY MYSELF AN YEAR & A HALF AND NOW I NEED A NEW TRANSMISSION. 2ND PROBLEM - I HAVE THE FUEL GAUGE/SENSOR PROBLEM, ALSO. I FILLED UP ONE DAY, GOT IN MY CAR AND GAUGE READ EMPTY & CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON. I HAD A RIP-OFF MECHANIC CHARGE ME $170 TO REPLACE THE SENSOR - NOTHING EVER CHANGED, GAUGE IS STILL BROKE AND LIGHT IS STILL ON. NISSAN IS SO WRONG FOR NOT HANDLING THEIR PROBLEMS, CONSUMERS DESERVE TO BE TREATED FAIRLY. THERE SHOULD BE A CLASS ACTION SUIT AGAINST THEM - JUST READ THESE COMPLAINT BOARDS. SOMEHOW I HAVE BOTH OF THE MOST COMMON PROBLEMS WITH THESE VEHICLES.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. AFTER REFUELING THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED A READING OF EMPTY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. AFTER REFUELING THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED A READING OF EMPTY. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ALSO BEGAN TO ILLUMINATE ON THE DASHBOARD. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO RECUR INTERMITTENTLY AFTER REFUELING. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 118,000.
I DRIVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON AFTER I FILLED MY VEHICLE WITH GAS AND THE GAS GAUGE READ EMPTY. *TR
THIS '05 XTERRA HAD A THOROUGH CHECK OUT & DIAGNOSTIC. THEN 500 MILES LATER, AT AROUND 46000 MILES, WHEN THE FUEL INDICATOR WAS AT 1/2 TANK- THE NEEDLE SUDDENLY PLUNGED TO BELOW EMPTY, A LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WAS ALL VERY ALARMING, AND WE WERE STUCK IN BUMPER-BUMPER TRAFFIC IN A BAD PART O…
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THIS '05 XTERRA HAD A THOROUGH CHECK OUT & DIAGNOSTIC. THEN 500 MILES LATER, AT AROUND 46000 MILES, WHEN THE FUEL INDICATOR WAS AT 1/2 TANK- THE NEEDLE SUDDENLY PLUNGED TO BELOW EMPTY, A LIGHT CAME ON AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON. THIS WAS ALL VERY ALARMING, AND WE WERE STUCK IN BUMPER-BUMPER TRAFFIC IN A BAD PART OF PHOENIX WHEN IT HAPPENED. IT WASN'T HOT OUT, JUST A BIG TRAFFIC JAM IN 5:00 RUSH, AND WE WERE NOWHERE NEAR A GAS STATION. IT WAS TERRIBLE, AND WE WERE VERY SCARED TO BE STRANDED. AFTER THAT WE BOUGHT A HUGE GAS CAN, AND JUST DROVE AROUND WITH 10 GALLONS OF GAS JUST IN CASE. THAT IS TERRIBLE, TO HAVE TO DRIVE WONDERING IF WHEN YOU'LL ACTUALLY RUN OUT OF GAS, VS. JUST BEING TOLD YOU ARE OUT OF GAS.THIS STARTED HAPPENING DURING THE BEGINNING OF OUR CROSS-COUNTRY TRIP TO THE COAST AND BACK. IT WAS AN ISSUE THE ENTIRE TIME, AND VERY NERVE WRACKING. NISSAN SHOULD FIX THIS, SINCE I'VE RETURNED FROM OUR TRIP AND FOUND THAT 100'S OF PEOPLE ARE HAVING EXACT SAME PROBLEM! THIS IS A FAULTY PART, AND IT MAKES ME WONDER WHAT ELSE WILL GO WRONG. THIS IS THE FIRST NISSAN OUR FAMILY HAS HAD, AND I AM AFRAID WE MIGHT NOT BE BUYING ANOTHER ONE, AND TELLING OTHERS TO STEER CLEAR OF NISSAN. *TR
2005 NISSAN XTERRA SE, FUEL SENDING UNIT IS ERRATIC AND DOESN'T READ PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN TANK. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN FOR ANYONE WHO ACTUALLY USES THEIR TRUCK OUT IN THE DESERT THINKING THEY HAVE MORE FUEL THEN IS INDICATED. QUITE OFTEN THE GAUGE WILL DROP DOWN TO EMPTY AND I'VE GONE TO FILL THE TRUCK UP J…
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2005 NISSAN XTERRA SE, FUEL SENDING UNIT IS ERRATIC AND DOESN'T READ PROPER AMOUNT OF FUEL IN TANK. THIS COULD BE A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN FOR ANYONE WHO ACTUALLY USES THEIR TRUCK OUT IN THE DESERT THINKING THEY HAVE MORE FUEL THEN IS INDICATED. QUITE OFTEN THE GAUGE WILL DROP DOWN TO EMPTY AND I'VE GONE TO FILL THE TRUCK UP JUST IN CASE AND END UP PUTTING ONLY A FEW GALLONS OF FUEL IN THE TRUCK. THIS HAS HAPPENED MULTIPLE TIMES, ALTHOUGH ITS NOT A SAFETY CONCERN I DO BELIEVE THAT THE GAUGE SHOWING THE TANK IS AT 3/4 OR MORE THEN DROPPING DOWN TO 1/4 TANK (THE ACTUAL AMOUNT OF FUEL) IS ONE. MY BIGGEST COMPLAINT IS THAT NISSAN HAS ISSUED A RECALL FOR MODELS EARLIER THEN THE 2005 AND THE MODELS FROM 2006 FORWARD. WHY IS IT THAT THESE MODELS GET THE RECALL AND NOT THE 2005 MODELS? THE COMPONENT THAT IS FAILING IN BOTH THE EARLIER AND LATER MODELS IS THE EXACT SAME PART. *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.