IllustrationTHE TRANSMISSION WENT OUT WHEN RADIATOR ACTED UP. *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
What owners actually said
845 reportsI HAD MY OIL CHANGED AND WAS TOLD THAT I HAVE A LEAK AROUND MY OIL FILTER HOUSING. I ONLY HAD THIS VEHICLE A YEAR, *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. TH…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE HAVING THE VEHICLE INSPECTED, SHE WAS ADVISED THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 84,000. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED BECAUSE COOANT MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANU…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE VEHICLE STALLED AND FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO STATED THE TRANSMISSION FAILED BECAUSE COOANT MIXED WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE WAS NOT REPORTED TO THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 108,000. UPDATED 08/20/13*LJ
FORTUNATELY I WAS SIMPLY ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I READ NUMEROUS HORROR STORIES OF OTHERS WHO HAD THIS ISSUE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY SO I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT THIS DID POSE ANY FURTHER RISK OF INJURY ESPECIALLY SINCE I AM 9 MONTHS PREGNANT AND WAS ON MY WAY TO AN ULTRASOUND. …
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FORTUNATELY I WAS SIMPLY ATTEMPTING TO BACK OUT OF MY DRIVEWAY WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT MOVE. I READ NUMEROUS HORROR STORIES OF OTHERS WHO HAD THIS ISSUE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY SO I AM VERY THANKFUL THAT THIS DID POSE ANY FURTHER RISK OF INJURY ESPECIALLY SINCE I AM 9 MONTHS PREGNANT AND WAS ON MY WAY TO AN ULTRASOUND. AFTER TAKING MY SUV IN, WE LEARNED THAT ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING COMPLETE TRANSMISSION FAILURE AND ULTIMATELY REQUIRING A FULL TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT. THE COST IS CLOSING IN ON $4,000. NEVER DID I RECEIVE ANY NOTIFICATION FROM NISSAN THAT THIS WAS POSSIBLE AND MY XTERRA DID NOT SHOW ANY SIGNS OF CONCERN. I STARTED RESEARCHING THIS PROBLEM ONLINE ONLY TO LEARN THAT I AM ONE OF MANY WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THIS ISSUE AND AT A HEFTY PRICE WITH NO HELP FROM NISSAN. I READ ONLINE THAT NISSAN'S ANSWER TO THE PROBLEM WAS TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES BUT I HAVE JUST RECENTLY PASSED THAT THRESHOLD. FURTHERMORE, I HAVE LEARNED THAT THIS PROBLEM MORE OFTEN BEGINS TO PRESENT ITSELF AFTER 80,000 MILES. I AM APPALLED THAT THIS ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN INVESTIGATED AND MORE IMPORTANTLY BEEN RECALLED SINCE IT COULD CAUSE SERIOUS INJURY IF NOT DEATH. ONE THING IS FOR SURE, MY HUSBAND AND I WILL NEVER PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN VEHICLE. I STRONGLY FEEL THAT THE NHTSA SHOULD ANALYZE THE WAY NISSAN IS DOING THEIR BUSINESS NOT TO MENTION FIND A WAY TO COMPENSATE EVERY SINGLE CUSTOMER WHO HAS SUFFERED FROM THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF THEMSELVES AND HOPEFUL THAT NO ONE GETS SERIOUSLY HURT SHOULD IT OCCUR IN THE WRONG CIRCUMSTANCES. *TR
CAR STARTED VIBRATING LIKE IT WAS GOING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP, LOSS OF POWER/RPMS, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND GOT WORSE. TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON SOME MAKES AND MODELS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 2005-2010 WITH DEFECTIVE RADIATORS THAT LEAK COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSI…
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CAR STARTED VIBRATING LIKE IT WAS GOING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP, LOSS OF POWER/RPMS, UNABLE TO ACCELERATE. PROBLEM WAS INTERMITTENT AND GOT WORSE. TOOK IT TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP, AND APPARENTLY THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON SOME MAKES AND MODELS MANUFACTURED BETWEEN 2005-2010 WITH DEFECTIVE RADIATORS THAT LEAK COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM HENCE DAMAGING IT. SINCE I WAS AT 100,000MILES I HAD A COPAY OF $3000. *TR
A RADIATOR FAILURE CAUSED THE COOLING SYSTEM FLUID TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND SLIPPED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MIL…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SHOOK VIOLENTLY AND SLIPPED WHILE SHIFTING GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS FOUND THAT THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 98,812.
I HAVE EXPERIENCE WHAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF A NISSAN XTERRA HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR HAS ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND A DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. IN LESS THAN A WEEK S…
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I HAVE EXPERIENCE WHAT MANY OTHER OWNERS OF A NISSAN XTERRA HAVE EXPERIENCED WITH A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. A LEAK IN THE RADIATOR HAS ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND A DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. IN LESS THAN A WEEK SINCE NOTICING LOSS OF POWER IN MY VEHICLE IT BECAME INOPERABLE. DUE TO THE HIGH NUMBER OF THESE INCIDENTS INVOLVING THE NISSAN XTERRA TRANSMISSION PARTS HAVE BECOME IMPOSSIBLE TO FIND TO REBUILD THE TRANSMISSION. AS A RESULT THEY ONLY RECOURSE TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM IS A COSTLY $6000 REPLACEMENT OF THE TRANSMISSION. *TR
STARTED VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO HAVE NO POWER. CONTINUED AROUND THE BLOCK TO RETURN HOME AND REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SHIFTING GEARS. IT APPEARED TO BE STUCK IN 2ND GEAR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT UP OR DOWN. SHUT VEHICLE DOWN AND TRIED AGAIN BELIEVING THAT PERHAPS "SOMETHING WAS STUCK" WITH THE…
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STARTED VEHICLE AND BEGAN TO DRIVE WHEN THE VEHICLE APPEARED TO HAVE NO POWER. CONTINUED AROUND THE BLOCK TO RETURN HOME AND REALIZED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT SHIFTING GEARS. IT APPEARED TO BE STUCK IN 2ND GEAR AND WOULD NOT SHIFT UP OR DOWN. SHUT VEHICLE DOWN AND TRIED AGAIN BELIEVING THAT PERHAPS "SOMETHING WAS STUCK" WITH THE SAME RESULTS. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS GLYCOL CONTAMINATION IN THE TRANSMISSION REQUIRING AN ENTIRE REBUILD OF THE TRANSMISSION. UPON RESEARCH OF THE INTERNET, I HAVE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM TO NISSAN WITH THE 2005 XTERRAS AND OTHER NISSAN VEHICLES. WHILE IT IS ACCURATE THAT NISSAN DID OFFER TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY FOR THE RADIATOR (THE KNOWN SOURCE OF THE PROBLEM) THEY DID SO WITHOUT EXPLAINING THE FULL EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM OR KNOWN POSSIBLE CATASTROPHIC EVENTS IF THE RADIATOR LEAKED. THE RESULTING EVENTS OF A LEAKING RADIATOR IS A DAMAGED TRANSMISSION REQUIRING A FULL REBUILD DUE TO THE GLYCOL CONTAMINATION. *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.