NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
845 reports49,500 miles · Jul 18, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE SLOWLY SHOWS THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE CAR (APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK). FROM MANY FORUMS THE PROBLEMS IS OBVIOUS AND THERE IS A NEED FOR A RECALL BY NISSAN. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IN THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE ON ALL NISSAN XTERRA'S PLATFORM (INCLUDING FRONTIER & PATHFINDER) AFTE…
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2005 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE SLOWLY SHOWS THE AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE CAR (APPROXIMATELY AN HOUR AFTER FILLING UP THE TANK). FROM MANY FORUMS THE PROBLEMS IS OBVIOUS AND THERE IS A NEED FOR A RECALL BY NISSAN. THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IN THE VEHICLE IS DEFECTIVE ON ALL NISSAN XTERRA'S PLATFORM (INCLUDING FRONTIER & PATHFINDER) AFTER 40K MILES ON THE CAR. THE COST OF SUCH REPAIR BY DEALERS AMOUNTS TO $600 DOLLARS FOR PARTS AND LABOR. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277289
57,000 miles · Jul 17, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
FUEL SENSOR HAS GONE OUT AT 57,000 MILES. THIS CAUSES THE GAS GAUGE NOT TO WORK OR WORK VERY SLOWLY. IN TAKING IT TO DEALER, FIX IS 475.00. I HAVE RESEARCHED THIS AND IT SEEMS ALL NISSAN SUV EXPERIENCE THIS. I ASKED DEALER ABOUT THIS AND HE SAID THERE WAS A BULLETIN, BUT IT RECOMMENDED BUYING A BETTER PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10277238
74,200 miles · Jul 13, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY NISSAN XTERRA IS HAVING A FUEL GAUGE/SENSOR PROBLEM WHICH RESULTS IN THE DRIVER HAVING NO IDEA HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE GAS TANK. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON NISSAN XTERRAS, PATHFINDERS AND FRONTIERS. ALL ONE NEEDS TO DO IS AN INTERNET SEARCH TO SEE HOW COMMON THIS PROBLEM IS. NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND WILL NOT …
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MY NISSAN XTERRA IS HAVING A FUEL GAUGE/SENSOR PROBLEM WHICH RESULTS IN THE DRIVER HAVING NO IDEA HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN THE GAS TANK. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON NISSAN XTERRAS, PATHFINDERS AND FRONTIERS. ALL ONE NEEDS TO DO IS AN INTERNET SEARCH TO SEE HOW COMMON THIS PROBLEM IS. NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL AND WILL NOT COOPERATE WITH ME IN GETTING THIS FIXED. THE COST OF THE REPAIR IS BETWEEN $300-500 (MOST OF WHICH IS LABOR) AND A VEHICLE CAN NOT PASS INSPECTION IF THEY HAVE THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE ALREADY RUN OUT OF GAS IN A NOT SO NICE AREA WHILE GOING 55 MPH AND CONTROLLING THE VEHICLE/GETTING IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD WAS DIFFICULT WHEN IT WAS OUT OF GAS. I WAS FEARFUL OF NOT ONLY THE DIFFICULTY IN HANDLING/DEALING WITH THE VEHICLE IN A SAFE MANNER SO AS TO NOT CAUSE AN ACCIDENT BUT IMAGINE MY SURPRISE THAT WAS OUT OF GAS AND I COULD NOT TELL BECAUSE OF THE FAULTY SENSOR NOT INDICATING ACTUALLY HOW MUCH GAS WAS IN THE CAR. I WAS FEARFUL FOR MY SAFETY BECAUSE THIS HAPPENED ON A HIGHWAY IN A NOT SO NICE AREA IN THE METRO NYC AREA. ALL ONE NEEDS TO DO IS AN INTERNET SEARCH ON NISSAN FUEL GAUGE OR SENSOR PROBLEMS AND WILL SEE MANY COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS ISSUE. NISSAN HAS RECALLED EARLIER MODELS FOR THIS SAME ISSUE BUT HAS NOT RECALLED ANY VEHICLES FROM 2005 ON FOR THIS DEFECTIVE PROBLEM. A NISSAN MECHANIC AT A LOCAL DEALERSHIP TOLD ME THAT THIS WAS A COMMON PROBLEM ON XTERRAS, PATHFINDERS AND FRONTIERS AND WISHED ME GOOD LUCK IN GETTING NISSAN TO FIX IT UNDER A RECALL SINCE HE THOUGHT IT WAS HIGHLY UNLIKELY THAT NISSAN WOULD DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND THEY WERE NOT HELPFUL AT ALL. THEY BASICALLY TOLD ME THAT NISSAN WILL NOT REPAIR THIS ISSUE SINCE THERE IS NO RECALL ON IT EVEN THOUGH THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON THEIR VEHICLES. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10276496
74,488 miles · Jul 5, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION. WITH MIS-READING ON THE FUEL LEVEL, THE VEHICLE MAY RUN OUT OF FUEL WHEN IT APPEARS TO HAVE PLENTY OF FUEL IN THE TANK, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON '05+ NISSAN XTERRA AND PATHFINDER SUV'S. THESE ARE USUALLY CORRELATED WITH A PO463 EMISSION FAILURE…
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2005 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION. WITH MIS-READING ON THE FUEL LEVEL, THE VEHICLE MAY RUN OUT OF FUEL WHEN IT APPEARS TO HAVE PLENTY OF FUEL IN THE TANK, CAUSING A SAFETY HAZARD. THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM ON '05+ NISSAN XTERRA AND PATHFINDER SUV'S. THESE ARE USUALLY CORRELATED WITH A PO463 EMISSION FAILURE CODE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275806
43,000 miles · Jun 30, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 NISSAN XTERRA. AT 40000 MILES IT IS COMMON FOR THIS MODEL TO HAVE THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAIL. THIS CAN CAUSE DISABLED VEHICLES DUE TO VEHICLES RUNNING OUT OF GAS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ASSIST OR EVEN WARN OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS.…
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2005 NISSAN XTERRA. AT 40000 MILES IT IS COMMON FOR THIS MODEL TO HAVE THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAIL. THIS CAN CAUSE DISABLED VEHICLES DUE TO VEHICLES RUNNING OUT OF GAS. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH THIS MODEL VEHICLE AND THE MANUFACTURER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM BUT REFUSES TO ASSIST OR EVEN WARN OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEMS. NISSAN RECALLED 2001-2003 MODELS FOR THE SAME ISSUE, BUT CONTINUE TO USE THE SAME FAULTY PART. NISSAN OR A MECHANIC MUST REMOVED THE GAS TANK TO GET TO THE FUEL PUMP AND THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. IT EVEN REQUIRES A SPECIAL TOOL TO REMOVE THIS UNIT. TOTAL COST OF REPAIR BETWEEN $550 & $600 FOR A $90.00 PART. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275411
65,000 miles · Jun 28, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
205 NISSAN XTERRA. AT APPROX 65,000MI, FUEL GAUGE STARTED GOING TO EMPTY AFTER FILLING THE TANK AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER 40-60 MILES DRIVEN, FUEL GAUGE BEGINS TO READ AGAIN, BUT IS INACCURATE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275147
52,000 miles · Jun 26, 2009
Fuel System, Other
I HAVE A 2005 XTERRA WITH AROUND 50K MILES ON IT. THE DOWN TO EMPTY MILEAGE HAS RECENTLY NOT BEEN CALCULATING AND LAST NIGHT WHEN I WENT TO FILL UP THE NEEDLE WOULDN'T RAISE TO A FULL TANK. THIS MORNING MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND HASN'T GONE OFF SINCE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ONLY TO FIND THAT SEVERAL O…
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I HAVE A 2005 XTERRA WITH AROUND 50K MILES ON IT. THE DOWN TO EMPTY MILEAGE HAS RECENTLY NOT BEEN CALCULATING AND LAST NIGHT WHEN I WENT TO FILL UP THE NEEDLE WOULDN'T RAISE TO A FULL TANK. THIS MORNING MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND HASN'T GONE OFF SINCE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ONLY TO FIND THAT SEVERAL OTHER 2005 XTERRA OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT SUPPOSEDLY HAS TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENSOR UNIT. THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED IN PRIOR MODELS OF THE XTERRA. I AM HOPING THAT I AM NOT GOING TO HAVE TO PAY OVER 600$ TO GET THIS FIXED CONSIDERING IT IS DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE SUDDEN STOPS AND/OR FIRE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10275042
Mileage unknown · Jun 15, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY 2005 XTERRA CHECK ENGINE LIGHT JUST WENT ON AND AFTER TESTING MY ECU I RECEIVED ERROR CODE P0463, WHICH IS A FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THIS CONDITION CAN CAUSE POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS CONDITIONS FOR PEOPLE TRAVELING AT HIGH SPEED WHO ARE UNDER THE IMPRESSION THEY STILL HAVE GAS IN THEIR TANK WHEN IN FACT THEY DO NOT. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10273898
60,000 miles · Jun 1, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline
2005 NISSAN X-TERRA FUEL GAUGE STOPS WORKING, MAKING YOU UNCERTAIN OF FUEL LEVEL IN VEHICLE. ALSO CAUSES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME ON AND STAY. ACCORDING TO INTERNET RESEARCH, THIS IS A VERY COMMON PROBLEM, COSTING CONSUMERS AROUND $600 TO REPAIR, AS NISSAN CLAIMS IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY PART.*TR
NHTSA ODI #10272608
47,000 miles · May 31, 2009
Fuel System, Other
FUEL SENDING UNIT BREAKS AT 47K MILES, NISSAN DEALER IS USED TO THE PROBLEM AND SAYS IT IS $550.00 TO REPLACE. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL UNITS AND FIX THEM WHEN THEY ARE FAULTY. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10272453
Official recalls
3Oct 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.
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.
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.
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