IllustrationRATTLE SHAKE FEEL AT 45 MPH. LOOSENED TRANSMISSION DRAIN PLUG. TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS ANTIFREEZE MIXED WITH IT. *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 reportsWENT TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND EXPERIENCED TRANNY SLIPPING. I WAS VERY LUCKY NOT TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME WHAT WAS WRONG AND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SEEING THIS PROBLEM MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. IT WOULD SEEM NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE MANUFACTURING D…
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WENT TO PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC AND EXPERIENCED TRANNY SLIPPING. I WAS VERY LUCKY NOT TO BE INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON TOOK MY VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD ME WHAT WAS WRONG AND THAT THEY HAVE BEEN SEEING THIS PROBLEM MORE AND MORE FREQUENTLY. IT WOULD SEEM NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR WHICH CAUSES FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANNY THEREBY SLOWLY DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION, THEY OFFERED AN EXTENDED WARRANT TO 80,000 MILES BUT THRU RESEARCH I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS PROBLEM DOES NOT MANIFEST ITSELF UNTIL AROUND 100,000 MILES. I WAS NEVER CONTACTED BY NISSAN ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THERE IS NO RECALL BUT HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. IT IS OBVIOUS THAT IF NISSAN DOES NOT RESOLVE THIS ISSUE THERE ARE GOING TO BE ACCIDENTS AND MAYBE EVEN DEATHS RELATED TO THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. *TR
TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER ENGINE COOLANT FLOODS TRANSMISSION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH AND STOP. INCURRED REPAIR COSTS AT DEALERSHIP OF $5,968.89. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM ON 2005 XTERRAS, BUT FAILED TO INFORM OWNERS TO REPLACE FAULTY RADIATORS WHICH CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN SECRETLY EXTENDED THE POW…
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TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AFTER ENGINE COOLANT FLOODS TRANSMISSION, CAUSING VEHICLE TO LURCH AND STOP. INCURRED REPAIR COSTS AT DEALERSHIP OF $5,968.89. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM ON 2005 XTERRAS, BUT FAILED TO INFORM OWNERS TO REPLACE FAULTY RADIATORS WHICH CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE. NISSAN SECRETLY EXTENDED THE POWER TRAIN WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM (OWNERS NOT INFORMED), BUT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE DOES NOT OCCUR UNTIL AFTER 80,000 MILES. ONE WEBSITE, CAROMPLAINTS.COM, AS 23 PAGES OF COMPLAINTS FROM 2005 XTERRA OWNERS DOCUMENTING THIS ISSUE. REF: HTTP://WWW.CARCOMPLAINTS.COM/NISSAN/XTERRA/2005/TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR_CAUSES_TRANSMISSION_FAILURE.SHTMLNISSAN REFUSES TO REIMBURSE OWNERS FOR THE REPAIRS. THE NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS FILE NO. FOR MY COMPLAINT IS [XXX]. PLEASE HELP. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION. CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. HAD TO REPLACE RADIATOR, ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS, HOSES, TRANSMISSION, ETC. REPAIRS COST OVER $3900. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY NISSAN AND THEY REFUSE TO RECALL, BUT THEY HAVE ISSUED BULLETINS. *TR
RADIATOR CRACKED AND LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION DAMAGED. ESTIMATED COST OF REPAIRS AROUND $4700. *KB
WE HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA THAT WE HAD TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION REPLACED ON IN 2007 BECAUSE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AGAIN, THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED. RECALL THESE CARS, PLEASE. THEY ARE DANGEROUS AND THIS REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I HAD READ THE COMPLAINT HISTORY AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBL…
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WE HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA THAT WE HAD TO HAVE A TRANSMISSION REPLACED ON IN 2007 BECAUSE RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. AGAIN, THE SAME THING HAS HAPPENED. RECALL THESE CARS, PLEASE. THEY ARE DANGEROUS AND THIS REPAIR IS VERY EXPENSIVE. I HAD READ THE COMPLAINT HISTORY AND I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE WITH THIS PROBLEM. *TR
MY 05 XTERRA HAS A LEAK FROM THE RADIATOR IN THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE LINES. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR WHICH WILL COST $6000. I FILED A CLAIM WITH NISSAN TO TRY AND GET THIS REPAIR COVERED. I WAS DENIED BECAUSE NISSAN SAID THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING. IF YOU ARE ALS…
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MY 05 XTERRA HAS A LEAK FROM THE RADIATOR IN THE TRANSMISSION DUE TO A DEFECT IN THE LINES. NOW I HAVE TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR WHICH WILL COST $6000. I FILED A CLAIM WITH NISSAN TO TRY AND GET THIS REPAIR COVERED. I WAS DENIED BECAUSE NISSAN SAID THIS IS NOT A PROBLEM OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING. IF YOU ARE ALSO HAVING THIS PROBLEM YOU NEED TO OPEN A CLAIM WITH NISSAN TO SHOW THEM THERE IS A REAL PROBLEM HERE. THE REP I TALKED TO IS NAMED [XXX] AND HER PERSONAL WORK LINE IS 615-725-7205. PLEASE OPEN YOUR CLAIM WITH HER AND PROVE TO NISSAN THAT THERE NEEDS TO BE A RECALL FOR THIS PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE CUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING ALL SYSTEMS TO SHUT DOWN, INCLUDING BRAKE ASSIST AND POWER STEERING CAUSING A NEAR COLLISION TWICE, ONCE WHILE NAVIGATING A CURVE AT LOW SPEED WITH A DITCH ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND ONCE WHILE NAVIGATING A CURVE AT HIGHER SPEED AND NEARLY COASTING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE …
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WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE CUTS OFF WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING ALL SYSTEMS TO SHUT DOWN, INCLUDING BRAKE ASSIST AND POWER STEERING CAUSING A NEAR COLLISION TWICE, ONCE WHILE NAVIGATING A CURVE AT LOW SPEED WITH A DITCH ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND ONCE WHILE NAVIGATING A CURVE AT HIGHER SPEED AND NEARLY COASTING INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. THE ISSUE IS DUE TO A KNOWN DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR CAUSING COOLANT TO SPILL INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN THAT APPEARS IN VEHICLES WITHOUT WARNING IN ANY CIRCUMSTANCE AT ANY SPEED. PLEASE INITIATE A RECALL ASAP FOR OUR SAFETY! *TR
MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA WITH 85000 MILES HAS A VIBRATION WHICH FEELS LIKE DRIVING ON RUMBLE STRIPS THAT COMES AND GOES. THERE IS ALSO THE SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE AND THE HEAT WORKS SPORADICALLY AT IDLE. LOOKING AT EVERYONE'S ELSE'S POST IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2005 XTERRA THAT NISSAN IS NOT FIXING. THERE SHOULD BE…
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MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA WITH 85000 MILES HAS A VIBRATION WHICH FEELS LIKE DRIVING ON RUMBLE STRIPS THAT COMES AND GOES. THERE IS ALSO THE SMELL OF ANTIFREEZE AND THE HEAT WORKS SPORADICALLY AT IDLE. LOOKING AT EVERYONE'S ELSE'S POST IT LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE 2005 XTERRA THAT NISSAN IS NOT FIXING. THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THIS SO THAT NISSAN CAN MAKE THE ADEQUATE REPAIRS. *TR
RADIATOR FAILED AND ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. BOTH RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION NEED REPLACED AT A COST OF $6411.00 (INCLUDES LABOR). *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.