Illustration2005 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS GONE BAD. VEHICLE HAS ~44,000. VEHICLE INSTRUMENT PANEL SHOWS NO GAS IN VEHICLE AFTER FILLED WITH GAS. *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, Other complaints
49 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT READING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR WOULD CONSTANTLY MOVE. THE FAILURE BECAME WORSE OVER TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY TAKEN TO AN A…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. AFTER REFUELING THE VEHICLE, THE FUEL GAUGE DISPLAYED THE INCORRECT READING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE DID NOT KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL WAS IN THE VEHICLE BECAUSE THE FUEL GAUGE INDICATOR WOULD CONSTANTLY MOVE. THE FAILURE BECAME WORSE OVER TIME AND THE VEHICLE WAS EVENTUALLY TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY FUEL SYSTEM RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 460,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
2005 NISSAN XTERRA AT 58K MILES HAS THE GAS GAUGE NOT WORKING AND THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON. FROM WHAT I SEE ON LINE THIS IS A COMMON THEME ON XTERRAS AND NISSAN ONLY COVERS RECALLS ON CERTAIN 2006 MODELS KNOWING IT EXITS ON THE 2005 MODELS. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD READ THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A COMMON FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN FILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE WOULD READ THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THE FAILURE TO BE A COMMON FAILURE IN HER MAKE AND MODEL VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 50,000.
MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA'S FUEL GAUGE STOPPED REGISTERING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK. I RECENTLY RAN OUT OF GAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND HAD TO PUSH MY CAR TO A GAS STATION IN ORDER TO FILL UP. I'VE FOUND THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM, AND RECALLS HAVE BEEN ORDERED BY NISSAN, BUT MY SPECIFIC VIN WA…
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MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA'S FUEL GAUGE STOPPED REGISTERING THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE GAS TANK. I RECENTLY RAN OUT OF GAS IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION AND HAD TO PUSH MY CAR TO A GAS STATION IN ORDER TO FILL UP. I'VE FOUND THAT THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM, AND RECALLS HAVE BEEN ORDERED BY NISSAN, BUT MY SPECIFIC VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. MY MECHANIC HAS CHECKED THE ERROR CODES AND AGREED THAT THIS IS THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM DESCRIBED IN NISSAN'S SIMILAR RECALL. *TR
FUEL GAUGE STUCK AT 3/4 TANK AFTER FUEL UP. NEEDLE WILL NOT MOVE AND IS INACCURATE. SEVERAL OTHER REPORT SAME ISSUE RELATED TO FUEL SENDING UNITS ON NISSAN TRUCKS AND SUV'S 2005-2008. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR WOULD READ INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR WOULD FLUCTUATE BETWEEN GAS LE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED ON THE DASHBOARD. IN ADDITION, THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR WOULD READ INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE CONTACT PROCEEDED TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL INDICATOR WOULD FLUCTUATE BETWEEN GAS LEVEL READINGS. A LOCAL INDEPENDENT MECHANIC ADVISED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 64,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
AFTER CHECKING A SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING ON MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA, I FOUND THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS THE PROBLEM AS INDICATED BY THE P0463 CODE CAME UP AFTER INSPECTION. CLEARLY THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON PAST MODELS AND CONTINUES TO BE A DEFECT IN CURRENT MODELS, AS MANY FELLOW NISSAN OWNERS HAVE EXPRESSED THERE CONCER…
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AFTER CHECKING A SERVICE ENGINE SOON WARNING ON MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA, I FOUND THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS THE PROBLEM AS INDICATED BY THE P0463 CODE CAME UP AFTER INSPECTION. CLEARLY THIS HAS BEEN A PROBLEM ON PAST MODELS AND CONTINUES TO BE A DEFECT IN CURRENT MODELS, AS MANY FELLOW NISSAN OWNERS HAVE EXPRESSED THERE CONCERN OVER A PART WHICH MAY BE ESSENTIAL TO THE FUNCTIONING OF THE VEHICLE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 MILES PER HOUR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL INDICATOR HAD MALFUNCTIONED BY READING INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY WOULD PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND T…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT SPEEDS OF 45 MILES PER HOUR, THE CONTACT NOTICED THE FUEL INDICATOR HAD MALFUNCTIONED BY READING INACCURATE FUEL LEVELS. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH THE MANUFACTURER BUT THEY WOULD PROVIDE NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 35,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 41,000.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT ACCURATELY DISPLAY THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT STATED THIS FAILURE IS SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE IN RECALL 10V074000 (COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM). THE …
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE DID NOT ACCURATELY DISPLAY THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK. THE CONTACT STATED THIS FAILURE IS SIMILAR TO THE FAILURE IN RECALL 10V074000 (COMPONENT: FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER: STORAGE: FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM). THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALERSHIP WHERE THE FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT WAS REPLACED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 59,000. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 49,000.
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.