IllustrationTRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE TRYING TO ACCELERATE ACROSS AN INTERSECTION ALMOST CAUSING ME TO BE HIT BY ON COMING CARS. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEMS WITH THESE CARS AND HAS NOT RECALLED. I FEEL THIS IS POOR BUSINESS AND WILL RESULT IN LOSS OF LIFE! *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 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 45 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SHAKE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THEY CONFIRMED THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 99,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WENT ON AND PER INSPECTION BY THE NISSAN DEALER IT WAS DUE TO THE FUEL LEVER SENDER (CODE P0463). ESTIMATED LABOR/MATERIAL WILL COST ME $500.00. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE BROKEN RADIATOR WELDING CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION FORCING THE GEAR TO IMPROPERLY ENGAGE. THE MANUFACTUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO JERK. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND CONFIRMED THAT THE BROKEN RADIATOR WELDING CAUSED FLUID TO LEAK INTO THE TRANSMISSION FORCING THE GEAR TO IMPROPERLY ENGAGE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, AND DENIED ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 104,000.
THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IMMEDIATE DECELERATION, FORCED US TO CROSS LANES DURING PERIOD OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO ABILITY TO CONTROL THE ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. TRANSMISSION MECHANIC STATED THAT FAIL…
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THE VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION DISENGAGED WITHOUT WARNING WHILE TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEED. IMMEDIATE DECELERATION, FORCED US TO CROSS LANES DURING PERIOD OF HEAVY TRAFFIC WITH NO ABILITY TO CONTROL THE ACCELERATION OF THE VEHICLE. VEHICLE'S AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WOULD NOT ENGAGE. TRANSMISSION MECHANIC STATED THAT FAILURE WAS RUSTED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS. FOLLOW UP INTERNET RESEARCH REVEALED TO US THAT THIS FAILURE IS COMMON IN 2005 NISSAN XTERRA'S. A COMMON COMPONENT BETWEEN THE FACTORY RADIATOR AND AUTO TRANSMISSION COOLER RUSTS AND FAILS, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX WITH RADIATOR FLUID. THIS DESTROYS THE RADIATOR AND EVENTUALLY THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. DURING A SERVICE CALL AT A LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN MAY 2011, WE WERE MADE AWARE OF THE RADIATOR / TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAK, AND WE WERE ADVISED THAT THE RADIATOR SHOULD BE REPLACED. WE REPLACED THE RADIATOR. THE MILEAGE AT THE TIME OF THIS SERVICE WAS APPROXIMATELY 108,000. THE POTENTIAL TRANSMISSION ISSUE WAS NEVER MENTIONED.
WHILE DRIVING MY XTERRA I STARTED TO NOTICE IT SHUDDERING AND VIBRATING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. THIS WAS GETTING WORSE SO I BROUGHT IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT AND THEY NEW WHAT IT WAS FROM THE MOMENT I DROVE IN. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY TRANSMISSIONS AND THEY HAVE FIXED MULTIPLE XTERRAS WITH THIS PROBLEM. SO NATURALLY THE WARRANTY HAS E…
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WHILE DRIVING MY XTERRA I STARTED TO NOTICE IT SHUDDERING AND VIBRATING WHILE DRIVING TO WORK. THIS WAS GETTING WORSE SO I BROUGHT IT IN TO BE LOOKED AT AND THEY NEW WHAT IT WAS FROM THE MOMENT I DROVE IN. THEY TOLD ME IT WAS MY TRANSMISSIONS AND THEY HAVE FIXED MULTIPLE XTERRAS WITH THIS PROBLEM. SO NATURALLY THE WARRANTY HAS EXPIRED SO MY COST IS 3800.00. *TR
AS WITH MOST OF THE 2ND GENERATION XTERRAS, MY RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE UP AND/OR AN INABILITY TO SHIFT. I FIRST FELT SHUDDERING WHILE SHIFTING INTO 4TH (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). I IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED A PROBLEM AND AND BEGAN DRIVING TO MY MECHANIC. I…
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AS WITH MOST OF THE 2ND GENERATION XTERRAS, MY RADIATOR FAILED CAUSING COOLANT TO MIX WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID. THIS CAUSES THE TRANSMISSION TO SEIZE UP AND/OR AN INABILITY TO SHIFT. I FIRST FELT SHUDDERING WHILE SHIFTING INTO 4TH (AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION). I IMMEDIATELY RECOGNIZED A PROBLEM AND AND BEGAN DRIVING TO MY MECHANIC. I ENTERED THE FREEWAY AND FOUND MYSELF UNABLE TO GET OUT OF 1ST OR 2ND GEAR - I COULD NOT DRIVE FASTER THAN 20 MILES PER HOUR WITH TRAFFIC TRAVELING AT 65+ AND NO SHOULDER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE. NISSAN HAS ACKNOWLEDGED THE PROBLEM AND EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY TO 80,000 MILES BUT APPARENTLY THIS ISSUE HAPPENS BETWEEN 85K AND 100K TYPICALLY (MY ISSUE CAME TO LIGHT AT AROUND 95,000). I WAS IN SERIOUS DANGER ON THE HIGHWAY AND THIS IS NOT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT BY ANY MEANS. *TR
RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE. *TR
RATTLE SHAKE FEEL AT 45 MPH. LOOSENED TRANSMISSION DRAIN PLUG. TRANSMISSION FLUID HAS ANTIFREEZE MIXED WITH IT. *TR
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 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
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.