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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
50,000 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Fuel System, GasolinePower Train

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA WHICH I DON'T DRIVE MUCH AND AT AROUND 50,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT AND COST ME $1,600 TO REPAIR. NOW AT AROUND 52,000 MILES MY FUELS GAUGE STOP WORKING WHICH CAUSED MY TRUCK TO TURN OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY IN IT AND I SEE NO RECALL ON THESE ISSUES FROM NISSAN .MY BROTHE…

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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA WHICH I DON'T DRIVE MUCH AND AT AROUND 50,000 MILES THE TRANSMISSION WENT AND COST ME $1,600 TO REPAIR. NOW AT AROUND 52,000 MILES MY FUELS GAUGE STOP WORKING WHICH CAUSED MY TRUCK TO TURN OFF IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY WITH MY FAMILY IN IT AND I SEE NO RECALL ON THESE ISSUES FROM NISSAN .MY BROTHER HAS A PATHFINDER WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316416

61,000 miles · Mar 3, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL SENSOR FAILURE. 61000 MILES. FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. RAN OUT OF GAS ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY WITH GAS GAUGE SHOWING 1/2 TANK REMAINING. THIS MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN NISSAN 2 MARCH 2010 FUEL SENSOR RECALL EVEN THOUGH PARTS ARE IDENTICAL. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA AT…

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2005 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL SENSOR FAILURE. 61000 MILES. FUEL GAUGE SUDDENLY STOPPED WORKING. RAN OUT OF GAS ON 4 LANE HIGHWAY WITH GAS GAUGE SHOWING 1/2 TANK REMAINING. THIS MODEL IS NOT INCLUDED IN NISSAN 2 MARCH 2010 FUEL SENSOR RECALL EVEN THOUGH PARTS ARE IDENTICAL. SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED WITH MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA AT 63000 MILES. THIS VEHICLE IS ALSO NOT PART OF THE RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316050

26,425 miles · Mar 2, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FAULTY GAS GAUGE SENSOR. MISS READS GAS AMOUNT ON EVERY FILL UP. WAS LEFT WITH OUT GAS ELEVEN MILES FROM PAVED ROAD WHERE HE COULD NOT FIND ANY HELP IN 30 DEGREE WEATHER. UPDATED 04/17/10

NHTSA ODI #10315847

60,000 miles · Feb 26, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

NISSAN 2005 XTERRA'S FUEL SENDING UNIT IS BAD ON THIS VEHICLE CAUSING FUEL GAUGE NOT TO WORK. DEALER WANTS OVER $600 TO FIX AND CLAIMS NISSAN WON'T RECALL BECAUSE IT IS NOT A "SAFETY ISSUE". IF AN ELDERLY WOMAN RUNS OUT OF GAS ON A DESERTED ROAD, TO ME, THAT IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314608

45,000 miles · Feb 26, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

FAILURE OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. DRIVING ALONG AND FUEL GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY EVEN THOUGH I HAD 3/4 OF A TANK LEFT. IT OCCURS EVERY TIME I GET BELOW HALF A TANK OF FUEL. WHEN ITS COLD. SOMETIMES IT COMES BACK UP SOMETIMES IT DOESN'T. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10314519

50,000 miles · Feb 24, 2010
Air Bags

DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SENSOR FOR 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. RECALL ON NHTSA ID # 08V690000, DATED 12/18/2008. HAD SENSOR REPLACED BY NISSAN DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 9 OR 10, 2009. ON 02/24/2010 AIRBAG LIGHTS FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER CAME ON, OWNERS MANUAL STATES THE AIRBAG IS NON-OPERATIONAL AND NEEDS SERVICED. WILL THIS BE ON THE PRIOR RECA…

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DEFECTIVE AIRBAG SENSOR FOR 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. RECALL ON NHTSA ID # 08V690000, DATED 12/18/2008. HAD SENSOR REPLACED BY NISSAN DEALERSHIP ON APRIL 9 OR 10, 2009. ON 02/24/2010 AIRBAG LIGHTS FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER CAME ON, OWNERS MANUAL STATES THE AIRBAG IS NON-OPERATIONAL AND NEEDS SERVICED. WILL THIS BE ON THE PRIOR RECALL? WILL THIS BE A NEW RECALL? WILL I NEED TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY DUE TO A PRIOR RECALL? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10313620

75,000 miles · Feb 20, 2010
Fuel System, Other

2005 NISSAN XTERRA-FUEL SENSOR WENT OUT, THEREFORE YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE TANK. THIS CAUSES THE ENGINE TO QUIT EVEN WHILE DRIVING. CRASHES ARE INEVITABLE WITH YOUR ENGINE DYING. PARTS AND LABOR $600.00+. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312356

100,110 miles · Feb 19, 2010
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY CAR WOULD SHUT OFF EVERYTIME I WENT OVER A BUMP. THE REPAIR GUY SAID IT WAS THE COMPUTER THAT WENT OUT IN MY CARE. THEN 2 MONTHS LATER MY ENGINE WENT OUT AND MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MY VEHICLE ALMOST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY FREEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10312259

45,000 miles · Feb 12, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY SHOWING ERROR CODE P0463. THIS REFERS TO A FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THEY LIGHT WILL COME BACK ON A FEW DAYS AFTER BEING RESET. NOT KNOWING THE CORRECT FUEL LEVEL CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY RUN OUT OF FUEL, CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE REPAIR COSTS AROUND $600.00…

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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ON CONSTANTLY SHOWING ERROR CODE P0463. THIS REFERS TO A FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THEY LIGHT WILL COME BACK ON A FEW DAYS AFTER BEING RESET. NOT KNOWING THE CORRECT FUEL LEVEL CAN CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO SUDDENLY RUN OUT OF FUEL, CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. THE REPAIR COSTS AROUND $600.00. THE 1ST GENERATION XTERRAS (2000-2004) HAD A SIMILAR PROBLEM THAT TURNED INTO A RECALL CAMPAIGN BY NISSAN. BY READING THE BULLETIN BOARDS, THIS PROBLEM IS ALSO WIDESPREAD ON THE 2ND GENERATION XTERRAS (2005-2010), BUT NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL YET. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308944

50,000 miles · Feb 11, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN XTERRA, FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10308715

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.