← New search

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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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 reports
88,000 miles · Apr 5, 2013
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR AND BOTH COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE SHOOK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THEY STATED THAT TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD LEAKED INTO THE RADIATOR AND BOTH COMPONENTS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED BUT PROVIDED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 88,000.

NHTSA ODI #10507239

117,770 miles · Apr 3, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

THE TRANS COOLER AND RADIATOR HAS BUSTED. ALMOST CAUSED US TO WRECK / VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING BADLY. WAS NOT MADE AWARE BY NISSAN THAT THERE COULD BE A "MOSTLY LIKELY TO OCCUR" PROBLEM UNTIL THIS HAPPENED TO US. FUEL GUAGE ALSO QUIT WORKING A FEW MONTHS BACK. NISSAN WILL NOT HELP BECAUSE VEHICLE HAS OVER 100,000 MILES. THE…

Read full complaint

THE TRANS COOLER AND RADIATOR HAS BUSTED. ALMOST CAUSED US TO WRECK / VEHICLE STARTED SHAKING BADLY. WAS NOT MADE AWARE BY NISSAN THAT THERE COULD BE A "MOSTLY LIKELY TO OCCUR" PROBLEM UNTIL THIS HAPPENED TO US. FUEL GUAGE ALSO QUIT WORKING A FEW MONTHS BACK. NISSAN WILL NOT HELP BECAUSE VEHICLE HAS OVER 100,000 MILES. THEIR HOTLINE (IN THE PHILLIPINES) WAS OF NO HELP OR CONCERN. REPAIRS , NOT INCLUDING FUEL GAUGE, ARE STARTING AT $5600. NISSAN SHOULD HAVE TOLD US YEARS AGO THAT THE RADIATORS WERE MOSTLY LIKELY GOING TO BE DEFECTED SO WE COULD HAVE SPENT THE $600 OR SO THEN TO REPLACE !!!!! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505581

60,000 miles · Apr 3, 2013
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD GRIND AND SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEA…

Read full complaint

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS AND SHIFTING GEARS, THE VEHICLE WOULD GRIND AND SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND THEY OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE TO THE CONTACT. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 60,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 66,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10505475

132,000 miles · Mar 25, 2013
Fuel/propulsion System

THE XTERRA FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS GONE BAD/MALFUNCTIONED. UPON FILLING UP VEHICLE THE GAS GAUGE CONTINUED TO SHOW XTERRA WAS EMPTY AND DIAGNOSTIC CODE P0463 WAS ABLE TO BE READ. I HAVE HEARD NUMEROUS ACCOUNTS OF THIS ISSUE WITH XTERRAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504348

Mileage unknown · Mar 25, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel System, Gasoline

GAS GAUGE HAS QUIT WORKING...COMMON PROBLEM WITH THESE AUTOMOBILES...WHY NO RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504347

154,000 miles · Mar 22, 2013
Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH OR MORE THE ENTIRE VEHICLE WOULD SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 154,000. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10504120

132,198 miles · Mar 21, 2013
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VEHICLE TO COLLEGE ABOUT 5 HOURS FROM HOME. ON 9-4-12 IT OVERHEATED AND SHE HAD TROUBLE DRIVING IT BUT MADE IT THE THE DEALERSHIP IN LUBBOCK. THEY SAID THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE OLD ONE HAD INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILURE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THE FLUID FROM THE RADIATOR G…

Read full complaint

MY DAUGHTER DRIVES THIS VEHICLE TO COLLEGE ABOUT 5 HOURS FROM HOME. ON 9-4-12 IT OVERHEATED AND SHE HAD TROUBLE DRIVING IT BUT MADE IT THE THE DEALERSHIP IN LUBBOCK. THEY SAID THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE THE OLD ONE HAD INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COOLER FAILURE. THE SERVICE ADVISOR SAID THE FLUID FROM THE RADIATOR GOT IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUID GOT IN THE RADIATOR. THEY SAID THE TRANSMISSION WOULD BE FINE AFTER THEY DID A TRANSMISSION FLUSH ON IT. WE PAID THE $814 FOR THE REPAIRS. SIX MONTHS LATER AS MY DAUGHTER IS DRIVING HOME FOR SPRING BREAK THE XTERRA STARTED VIBRATING REALLY BAD. LUCKILY SHE WAS ABOUT 30 MINUTES FROM HOME SO SHE COULD STILL DRIVE IT AS LONG AS SHE STAYED AROUND 40 MPH. WE TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP IN ARLINGTON WHERE IT WAS PURCHASED. THE SERVICE ADVISOR TOLD US THE RADIATOR WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED AGAIN AS WELL AS THE TRANSMISSION. THEY SAID THE LUBBOCK DEALERSHIP SHOULD HAVE ALSO REPLACED THE TRANSMISSION BACK IN SEPTEMBER SINCE A TRANSMISSION FLUSH DOESN'T GUARANTEE ALL THE CONTAMINANTS ARE REMOVED. WE HAVE JUST PAID $5600 MORE FOR REPAIRS. NISSAN HAS OBVIOUSLY ADMITTED THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM BY AGREEING TO MAKE PARTIAL REIMBURSEMENTS TO CUSTOMERS WHOSE VEHICLES HAVE LESS THAN 100,000 MILES ON THEM. UNFORTUNATELY WE ARE IN THE GROUP OF CUSTOMERS WHOSE VEHICLES HAVE OVER 100,000 MILES WHO NISSAN HAS CHOSEN TO IGNORE. SINCE NISSAN HAS NOT STEPPED UP TO DO THE RIGHT THING WE WILL NOT BE FUTURE NISSAN CUSTOMERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503980

140,000 miles · Mar 18, 2013
Power Train

THE TRANSMISSION SUFFERED AN APPARENT CATASTROPHIC BREAKDOWN THAT I HAVE NOW BEEN INFORMED WAS CAUSED BY THE BREAKING OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WITHIN THE RADIATOR. A MIXTURE OF COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE CAR TO BECOME INOPERABLE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NIS…

Read full complaint

THE TRANSMISSION SUFFERED AN APPARENT CATASTROPHIC BREAKDOWN THAT I HAVE NOW BEEN INFORMED WAS CAUSED BY THE BREAKING OF THE TRANSMISSION COOLER WITHIN THE RADIATOR. A MIXTURE OF COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION AND CAUSED THE CAR TO BECOME INOPERABLE. I HAVE SINCE LEARNED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS AWARE OF BUT HAS CHOSEN TO DO NOTHING ABOUT. THEY HAVE EXTENDED THE WARRANTY TO 100000 MILES (WHICH WOULD NOT APPLY TO THIS CAR) BUT HAVE NOT DISCLOSED TO ME THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM IN ORDER TO PREVENT IT. REPAIRS (AFTERMARKET) ARE GOING TO BE APPROXIMATELY $3000 FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION AND NEW EXTERNAL COOLER. I HOLD NISSAN PRIMARILY RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS BREAKDOWN AND AM APPALLED AT THE FAILURE OF THIS COMPANY TO WORK WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS TO SAFEGUARD THE WELL BEING OF THEIR DRIVERS. MY DAUGHTER AND GRANDDAUGHTER WERE LEFT ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT BECAUSE OF THEIR FAILURE TO ACT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503447

81,300 miles · Mar 15, 2013
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

I NOTICED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COME ON 3/13/2013. TODAY, 3/15 I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT I GET MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE PRICE TO FIX IT. THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM A FEW TIMES NOW WITH OTHER XTERRA MODELS. I MENTIO…

Read full complaint

I NOTICED THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COME ON 3/13/2013. TODAY, 3/15 I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT I GET MY VEHICLE SERVICED AT AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IS MALFUNCTIONING AND THE PRICE TO FIX IT. THEY ALSO MENTIONED THAT THEY HAVE SEEN THIS PROBLEM A FEW TIMES NOW WITH OTHER XTERRA MODELS. I MENTIONED TO THEM THAT I CANNOT AFFORD THE REPAIR AT THIS TIME AND THEY SUGGESTED I KEEP IT FULL AND IT SHOULDN'T BE A PROBLEM. I GOT HOME AND LOOKED UP THE PROBLEM WITH MY VEHICLE AND IT SEEMS THAT A LOT OF OTHER PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM, AND NOT ONLY WITH XTERRAS BUT WITH PATHFINDERS AND FRONTIERS AS WELL, AS THEY ARE ALL BASED ON THE SAME DRIVETRAIN. NISSAN IS NOT COVERING THIS PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH IT SEEMS TO BE A COMMON ISSUE WITH ITS VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10503153

86,000 miles · Feb 26, 2013
EnginePower Train

THE RADIATOR HAS LEAKED MANY TIMES WHICH HAS CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO GO OUT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10500527

Official recalls

3

10V517000 · 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

1

DP12004 · 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.