IllustrationI WAS DRIVING MY XTERRA AND IT SURGED ACCELERATION THEN JUST QUIT WON'T TURN OVER NOTHING... I WAS ON THE DEUCE OF CLUBS DRIVING......
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
What owners actually said
845 reportsA LEAK INSIDE THE RADIATOR HAS ALLOWED RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. JUST DRIVING A SHORT ERRAND NEAR HOME WHEN I FELT A VIBRATION AT ABOUT 40-45MPH, FOLLOWED BY ERRATIC SHIFTING. AS I RETURNED HOME, THE CAR WOULDN'T EVEN CLIMB UP MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO BACK OUT, AND TRIED DRIVING FORWARD, BUT COULD ONLY CRAWL A COU…
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A LEAK INSIDE THE RADIATOR HAS ALLOWED RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION. JUST DRIVING A SHORT ERRAND NEAR HOME WHEN I FELT A VIBRATION AT ABOUT 40-45MPH, FOLLOWED BY ERRATIC SHIFTING. AS I RETURNED HOME, THE CAR WOULDN'T EVEN CLIMB UP MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS ABLE TO BACK OUT, AND TRIED DRIVING FORWARD, BUT COULD ONLY CRAWL A COUPLE OF MPH. LUCKILY REVERSE STILL WORKED ENOUGH TO SAFELY MOVE OUT OF THE STREET.
TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT MIXING. POOR AND DANGEROUS DESIGN. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIME WITH THEM LIKE THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE ISSUES(SHUTTERING WHEN CLIMBING ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, LOSING POWER, OVER HEATING) AFTER COMPLAINING THEY CHANGE THE RADIATOR, REAR AXLE, AND TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS AT 99,295 MILE…
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TRANSMISSION FLUID AND COOLANT MIXING. POOR AND DANGEROUS DESIGN. TOOK THE CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP SEVERAL TIME WITH THEM LIKE THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE ISSUES(SHUTTERING WHEN CLIMBING ON A SLIGHT INCLINE, LOSING POWER, OVER HEATING) AFTER COMPLAINING THEY CHANGE THE RADIATOR, REAR AXLE, AND TRANSMISSION. THIS WAS AT 99,295 MILES ON THE ODOMETER. THE REPAIRS TOOK A MONTH TO COMPLETE. NOW LESS THEN A YEAR AND AT 128,000 MILES ON THE ODOMETER, IT IS HAPPENING AGAIN!!! ALSO THE EXTENDED WARRANTY IS OVER. THE DEALERSHIP IS NOW SAYING THAT IT IS NOT THEIR PROBLEM. NOW I HAVE TO PAY $1200 TO CHANGE MY RADIATOR SO I CAN DRIVE THIS TIME BOMB. AND THEY SUGGESTED THAT I CHANGE THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN FOR $8,000!!! I WILL NEVER BUY NISSAN AGAIN. I GUESS I WILL DRIVE IT UNTIL IT DIES. SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND OUT THAT THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. NHTSA, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR TO CALL A RECALL???
TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY FAILED OVER THE COURSE OF LESS THAN 10 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, STARTING MAKING A WHINING NOISE, AND THEN MOTIVE POWER STOPPED BEING TRANSMITTED TO THE WHEELS. FINAL DIAGNOSIS IS STILL PENDING, BUT SYMPTOMS MATCH OTHER WIDELY-REPORTED FAILURES DUE TO MIXING OF ENGINE COOLAN…
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TRANSMISSION ABRUPTLY FAILED OVER THE COURSE OF LESS THAN 10 MINUTES. THE VEHICLE WAS MOVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, STARTING MAKING A WHINING NOISE, AND THEN MOTIVE POWER STOPPED BEING TRANSMITTED TO THE WHEELS. FINAL DIAGNOSIS IS STILL PENDING, BUT SYMPTOMS MATCH OTHER WIDELY-REPORTED FAILURES DUE TO MIXING OF ENGINE COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID.
ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON . TOOK IT TO AUTO ZONE WHICH YIELD A CODE REFERRING TO THE FUEL SENSING UNIT.
CHAIN TENSIONER HAS FAILED RESULTING IN ENGINE DAMAGE. NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE FOR YEARS THAT THIS PART IS A PROBLEM AND HAS CHOSEN NOT TO REMEDY THE DEFECTIVE PART. INSTEAD, IT WILL COST ME THOUSANDS IN REPAIRS.
RADIATOR LEAKED FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION EFFECTIVELY DESTROYING IT.
THE CAR SHUDDERS AND WONT ACCELERATE. THE TRANSMISSION WON'T SHIFT PROPERLY. I UNDERSTAND THIS WAS WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT AND RECALL. I AM OUTSIDE THE TIME FRAME. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND WAS DEPLOYED AT THE TIME.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE IDLED HIGHLY AND MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE IDLED HIGHLY AND MADE AN ABNORMAL SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A LOCAL ROAD NEAR HOME AT NIGHT. HE WAS ACCELERATING UP A SMALL GRADE, WHEN HE SAID THE CAR ACTED AS IF IT HAD POPPED OUT OF GEAR. IT BEGAN TO REV HIGHER AND MADE A HIGHER PITCHED SOUND. HE TRIED CHANGING FROM BEING IN "DRIVE" TO A LOWER GEAR, BUT IT STILL DID NOT ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION. HE HAD E…
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MY SON WAS DRIVING THE CAR ON A LOCAL ROAD NEAR HOME AT NIGHT. HE WAS ACCELERATING UP A SMALL GRADE, WHEN HE SAID THE CAR ACTED AS IF IT HAD POPPED OUT OF GEAR. IT BEGAN TO REV HIGHER AND MADE A HIGHER PITCHED SOUND. HE TRIED CHANGING FROM BEING IN "DRIVE" TO A LOWER GEAR, BUT IT STILL DID NOT ENGAGE THE TRANSMISSION. HE HAD ENOUGH MOMENTUM TO BE ABLE TO COAST ONTO OUR SIDE STREET AND PARK THE CAR. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO ACCIDENT, BUT HE WAS ALMOST REAR-ENDED AS HIS CAR SLOWED SUDDENLY AND TRAFFIC RAN UP ON HIM. THE CAR WOULD NOT START, NOR TURN OVER AT THAT POINT. I HAD THE CAR TOWED TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALER. THEY MENTIONED IT WAS A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR AND IT WOULD COST OVER 5K FOR JUST A NEW TRANSMISSION, NOT INCLUDING A NEW RADIATOR OR LABOR TO INSTALL BOTH. I WAS ABLE TO FIND ANOTHER MECHANIC THAT PURCHASED A REBUILT TRANSMISSION, BUT THE WHOLE THING STILL COST OVER 5K TO HAVE THE REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR INSTALLED WITH NO ASSURANCE THAT IT WOULD NOT HAPPEN AGAIN. THIS IS A WELL DOCUMENTED ISSUE WITH THESE VEHICLES AND CONTINUES TO COST PEOPLE THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FOR A VERY POOR AND DANGEROUS DESIGN.
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.