IllustrationTRANSMISSION DAMAGE ATTRIBUTED TO CONTAMINATION BY ENGINE COOLANT. THE SOURCE OF THE CONTAMINATION IS A CRACKED ATF LINE THAT RUNS THROUGH AN ENGINE COOLANT CHAMBER IN THE RADIATOR. *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
Power Train complaints
412 reportsFAILURE OF RADIATOR CAUSES ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING TRANSMISSION DESTRUCTION. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND SHIFTS HARD DURING SLOWER DRIVING. HAPPENS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM I WAS UN AWARE OF, UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. DEALER SERVICE DEPT ADVISED ME IT WAS A $8,000 "KNO…
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FAILURE OF RADIATOR CAUSES ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING TRANSMISSION DESTRUCTION. WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, VEHICLE SHAKES VIOLENTLY AND SHIFTS HARD DURING SLOWER DRIVING. HAPPENS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM I WAS UN AWARE OF, UNTIL IT WAS TOO LATE. DEALER SERVICE DEPT ADVISED ME IT WAS A $8,000 "KNOWN ISSUE" AND INSTRUCTED ME TO CONTACT NISSAN ABOUT HELPING WITH REPAIRS. *TR
DAUGHTER COMING TO INTERSECTION AT 20 MPH. FAILED IN INTERSECTION AND WAS ABLE TO COAST OUT OF INTERSECTION. LATER FOUND FAILURE DUE TO WATER IN TRANSMISSION. NISSAN HAS A CLASS ACTION SUIT ON THIS ISSUE- WHICH I JOINED. *TR
AFTER PROCEEDING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT ABOUT 25-30MPH, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY JUST DISENGAGED. I MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, STOP AND PLACED IT IN PARK. THEN I PLACED IT IN DRIVE AND STEPPED ON THE GAS BUT IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. I THEN PLACED IT IN REVERSE, BACKED UP A FEW FEET AND AGAIN…
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AFTER PROCEEDING FROM A TRAFFIC LIGHT AT ABOUT 25-30MPH, THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION SUDDENLY JUST DISENGAGED. I MANAGED TO PULL THE VEHICLE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD, STOP AND PLACED IT IN PARK. THEN I PLACED IT IN DRIVE AND STEPPED ON THE GAS BUT IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. I THEN PLACED IT IN REVERSE, BACKED UP A FEW FEET AND AGAIN PLACED IT IN DRIVE. IT DID ENGAGE AND I PROCEEDED TOWARDS HOME AT A SPEED OF NO MORE THEN 10-15MPH. I HAD TO DO THE PULL OVER, REVERSE TO DRIVE EXCHANGE NUMEROUS TIMES BEFORE I MADE IT TO MY DESTINATION. ONCE THERE, I PLACED THE VEHICLE IN PARK, WAITED A FEW MINUTES, PLACED IT IN DRIVE AND IT WOULD NOT ENGAGE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75, HE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILRED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE FUCNTIONED AS NORMAL UPON RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 75, HE NOTICED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILRED AND THE VEHICLE STOPPED ACCELERATING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SUCCESSFULLY COAST TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE VEHICLE FUCNTIONED AS NORMAL UPON RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TAKEN TO A DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THEY STATED THAT THEY NEEDED TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 112,000.
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE THAT RUNS THROUGH THE RADIATOR FAILED AND ALLOWED ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR WAS $6800.00, GREATLY EXCEEDING THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. NISSAN DECLINED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DESPITE THE WIDE SPREAD KNOWLED…
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THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION COOLING LINE THAT RUNS THROUGH THE RADIATOR FAILED AND ALLOWED ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID, DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION. THE ESTIMATED COST TO REPAIR WAS $6800.00, GREATLY EXCEEDING THE VALUE OF THE VEHICLE. NISSAN DECLINED TO OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE DESPITE THE WIDE SPREAD KNOWLEDGE THAT THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW AND NOT A NORMAL "WEAR AND TEAR" FAILURE. *TR
TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAKED INTO RADIATOR, FOULED COOLING SYSTEM WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID, ALSO FOULED TRANSMISSION WITH COOLANT. THIS CAUSED VIBRATION IN THE TRANSMISSION, LOSS OF ACCELERATION, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED FOR A CLUTCH SOLENOID SWITCH, AND UNKNOWN POSSIBLE DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
RADIATOR FAILURE CAUSES TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX CAUSING CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS DECIDED TO TURN THEIR BACKS ON THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND HOPE FENDING OFF CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS WILL BE LESS EXPENSIVE THAN FIXING THE ISSUES THEY HAVE CAUSED. THIS IS IGNORANT AND …
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RADIATOR FAILURE CAUSES TRANSMISSION AND ENGINE COOLANT TO MIX CAUSING CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM BUT HAS DECIDED TO TURN THEIR BACKS ON THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES AND HOPE FENDING OFF CLASS ACTION LAWSUITS WILL BE LESS EXPENSIVE THAN FIXING THE ISSUES THEY HAVE CAUSED. THIS IS IGNORANT AND ARROGANT ON THEIR PART. NOT ONLY WILL THIS HURT THOSE OF US WHO ARE SCRAPING BY, BUT IT WILL HURT NISSAN IN THE LONG RUN, AS NOBODY WHO IS EXPERIENCING WHAT I AND MANY OTHERS ARE GOING THROUGH CURRENTLY THROUGH WILL EVER, EVER BUT THEIR PRODUCTS AGAIN. I SUBMIT THAT THE PRESIDENT OF NISSAN USA BE FORCED TO ATTEMPT TO DRIVE MY XTERRA TO AND FROM WORK OR SCHOOL WITH HIS FAMILY . WHEN HE ABOUT CAUSES A WRECK OR ENDANGERS HIS FAMILY, MAYBE HE WILL SEE THEN THE FATAL ERRORS OF HIS FAULTY MONEY HUNGRY CALCULATIONS. THIS IS ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS THAT OUR GREAT COUNTRY HASN'T FORCED THESE PEOPLE TO DO THE RIGHT THING, SINCE THEY OBVIOUSLY CANNOT DO IT ON THEIR OWN. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT AN INTERSECTION. AFTER STOPPING, THE CONTACT ACCELERATED FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND THERE WAS SEVERE HESITATION AND THE GEARS BEGAN TO SLIP. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AND APPROACHING A STOP SIGN AT AN INTERSECTION. AFTER STOPPING, THE CONTACT ACCELERATED FROM A COMPLETE STOP AND THERE WAS SEVERE HESITATION AND THE GEARS BEGAN TO SLIP. THE FAILURE PROGRESSED OVER A PERIOD OF TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT AUTO SHOP FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THERE WAS CURRENTLY AN OPEN INVESTIGATION UNDER NHTSA ACTION NUMBER DP12004 (POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE TCM, PCM). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 124,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT AND MADE LOUD NOISES WHILE DRIVING. CAUSED THE CAR TO SHAKE BUT DID NOT LOSE CONTROL. FAILED PART IN RADIATOR ALLOWED ANTIFREEZE INTO TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO RADIATOR. COMPLETE FAILURE OF RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION COULD HAVE OCCURRED ON HIGHWAY AT SPEED. KNOW ISSUE FROM NISSAN WHO…
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TRANSMISSION FAILED TO SHIFT AND MADE LOUD NOISES WHILE DRIVING. CAUSED THE CAR TO SHAKE BUT DID NOT LOSE CONTROL. FAILED PART IN RADIATOR ALLOWED ANTIFREEZE INTO TRANSMISSION AND TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO RADIATOR. COMPLETE FAILURE OF RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION COULD HAVE OCCURRED ON HIGHWAY AT SPEED. KNOW ISSUE FROM NISSAN WHO DID NOTHING TO COMMUNICATE TO VEHICLE OWNERS ON RISKS OR PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE AS WELL AS NO OWNERSHIP FOR FIXING THIS. *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.