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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 →
845Owner complaints

Model-year median: 78

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
157
200272
200384
2004845
2005780
2006557
2007119
2008
Compare all Xterra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
412Fuel System, Gasoline
242Engine And Engine Cooling
167Engine
114Fuel System, Other
49
All reported categories
Electrical System
39Fuel/propulsion System
32Unknown Or Other
25Air Bags
19Vehicle Speed Control
12Steering
10Electronic Stability Control (esc)
8Suspension
8Equipment
6Structure
4Visibility
4Exterior Lighting
3Service Brakes
3Trailer Hitches
3Child Seat
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Visibility/wiper
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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
160,000 miles · Oct 23, 2016
Power Train

TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT LEAK INTO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ENGINE OVERHEATING WAS WHAT BROUGHT MY ATTENTION TO ANY ISSUE, THE OVERHEATING WAS A RESULT OF THE TRANSFER OF TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE COOLANT SYSTEM AS WELL. AFTER MAKING ATTEMPTS TO ADDRESS THE OVERHEATING ISSUE THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN ITS QUICK DECLINE, …

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TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO COOLANT LEAK INTO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION. ENGINE OVERHEATING WAS WHAT BROUGHT MY ATTENTION TO ANY ISSUE, THE OVERHEATING WAS A RESULT OF THE TRANSFER OF TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE COOLANT SYSTEM AS WELL. AFTER MAKING ATTEMPTS TO ADDRESS THE OVERHEATING ISSUE THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN ITS QUICK DECLINE, LEARNING ABOUT THE ISSUE I WAS ABLE TO START ATTEMPTING TO HAVE IT REPAIRED BUT WITH ITS HIGH COST I HAVE YET TO BE ABLE TO HAVE IT REPAIRED COMPLETELY.

NHTSA ODI #10918413

Mileage unknown · Oct 17, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

DEAR NHTSA, HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL. THE REASON OF MY MESSAGE IS TO CALL TO YOUR ATTENTION AN ISSUE REGARDING NISSAN'S RADIATOR -TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE BY OTHER NISSAN DRIVERS. I OWN A 2005 X-TERRA AND IT WASN'T UNTIL THIS YEAR THAT I HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. IT STARTED EARLIER THIS YEA…

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DEAR NHTSA, HOPE YOU ARE DOING WELL. THE REASON OF MY MESSAGE IS TO CALL TO YOUR ATTENTION AN ISSUE REGARDING NISSAN'S RADIATOR -TRANSMISSION PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN REPORTED BEFORE BY OTHER NISSAN DRIVERS. I OWN A 2005 X-TERRA AND IT WASN'T UNTIL THIS YEAR THAT I HAD A SERIOUS PROBLEM WITH MY CAR. IT STARTED EARLIER THIS YEAR WHEN MY CAR SIMPLY STALLED IN A PARKING LOT. AFTER SPENDING MORE THAN $200 IN TOWING PLUS $1500 IN FIXING THE TRANSMISSION COMPUTER I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. IN MAY, DRIVING BACK FROM TAMPA TO MIAMI, THE CAR STARTED TO ACT AGAIN BUT THEN IT WENT AWAY. ABOUT A MONTH AGO MY CAR HAD ANOTHER EPISODE OF 'LOOSING' POWER. I BROUGHT MY CAR TO A NISSAN DEALER IN MIAMI FOR THEM TO TAKE A LOOK AND THEY SUGGESTED TAKING IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST AS THEIR PROTOCOL FOR CASES LIKE THIS CALLS FOR AN EXPENSIVE TRANSMISSION CHANGE. THE WEEKEND OF OCTOBER 7TH, I WAS HEADED TOWARDS MY PARENTS HOME AND MY CAR STALLED AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST IN CORAL SPRINGS AND $4,600 LATER, I HAVE A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. HE GAVE ME THE EXPLANATION ABOUT THE RADIATOR LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. MY BROTHER POINTED TO MY ATTENTION THAT THERE WAS SOME SORT OF SETTLEMENT WITH NISSAN REGARDING THIS SAME ISSUE. I WILL LIKE TO KNOW WHICH ARE THE NEXT STEPS AS IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT NHTSA CONTINUES TO INVESTIGATE THIS CASE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION REGARDING THIS MATTER. KIND REGARDS, *TR

NHTSA ODI #10916692

127,000 miles · Oct 17, 2016
EnginePower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SOME TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MEC…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE VEHICLE AFTER SOME TIME. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE OR REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS ALSO TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS CONTAMINATION OF COOLANT IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THAT THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE FAILURE RECURRED ON NUMEROUS OCCASIONS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 127,000. *JS

NHTSA ODI #10916619

136,000 miles · Oct 14, 2016
Power Train

RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. STARTED NOTICING ISSUE AROUND 136K AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I HEAR THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BUT THE SETTLEMENT IS UNACCEPTABLE. NISSAN NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DESIGN FAILURE.

NHTSA ODI #10916199

109,000 miles · Sep 28, 2016
Unknown Or Other

THE VEHICLE HAS 109,000 MILES. HAS STARTED TERRIBLE VIBATION AT BETWEEN 40 - 60 MPH AND WORSE ON ACCELERATION. HAVE READ COMPLAINTS ON ANTIFREEZE LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. THREE YEARS AGO I WAS DRIVING IN WINTER AND HEATER WAS NOT WORKING. WENT TO MECHANIC AND THERE WAS NO ATIFREEZE AND NO VISIBLE LEAK.…

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THE VEHICLE HAS 109,000 MILES. HAS STARTED TERRIBLE VIBATION AT BETWEEN 40 - 60 MPH AND WORSE ON ACCELERATION. HAVE READ COMPLAINTS ON ANTIFREEZE LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. THREE YEARS AGO I WAS DRIVING IN WINTER AND HEATER WAS NOT WORKING. WENT TO MECHANIC AND THERE WAS NO ATIFREEZE AND NO VISIBLE LEAK. AM A WIDOW OF 2 1/2 YEARS AND THIS IS MY MAIN VEHICLE.

NHTSA ODI #10910124

89,000 miles · Sep 16, 2016
Power TrainUnknown Or Other

ANTIFREEZE LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACEMENT

NHTSA ODI #10907207

149,000 miles · Sep 10, 2016
Power Train

HAS 149 K MILEAGE AND HAS STARTED TO HAVE VIBRATION AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH. RADIATOR FLUID HAS OIL IN IT. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC IT IS TRANSMISSION FLUID.

NHTSA ODI #10905536

145,000 miles · Sep 9, 2016
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Power Train

PLEASE SEE ATTACHED UPLOADED DOCUMENT.

NHTSA ODI #10904916

129,000 miles · Sep 7, 2016
Engine

ENGINE TIMING CHAIN FAILURE LEADING TO CATASTROPHIC ENGINE FAILURE. VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON INTERSTATE.

NHTSA ODI #10904580

105,000 miles · Sep 7, 2016
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED IN…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHAMBER AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ *TR

NHTSA ODI #10904297

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.