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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
Mileage unknown · Dec 30, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. EARLIER THIS WEEK I FUELED UP THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED HOME. I REALIZED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE WAS READING ONLY 3/4 OF A TANK. SO, I WENT BACK UP TO THE GAS STATION AND TRIED TO FINISH FILLING THE TANK (ON .57 CENTS). EVERY DAY SINCE THEN, ONCE I START THE CAR THE FUEL GAUGE READS BAD. THIS PAST MONDAY …

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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. EARLIER THIS WEEK I FUELED UP THE VEHICLE AND CONTINUED HOME. I REALIZED THAT MY FUEL GAUGE WAS READING ONLY 3/4 OF A TANK. SO, I WENT BACK UP TO THE GAS STATION AND TRIED TO FINISH FILLING THE TANK (ON .57 CENTS). EVERY DAY SINCE THEN, ONCE I START THE CAR THE FUEL GAUGE READS BAD. THIS PAST MONDAY THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT HAD COME ON. I THEN WENT OUT AND PURCHASED AN OBD II SCANNER TO READ THE ERROR CODE. IT WAS P0463 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR A CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT). DID SOME RESEARCH ON THE SUBJECT AND FOUND THAT IT MEANS THAT I HAVE A FAULTY FUEL SENDING UNIT. IT SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM FOR 2005-2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUES. IF MY WIFE IS DRIVING MY DAUGHTER BACK TO NYC AND THE CAR RUNS OUT OF FUEL AND THEY ARE STRANDED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NEW JERSEY TURNPIKE WITH PEOPLE DRIVING PAST THEM IN EXCESS OF 70-80 MPH.... THAT IS FAR FROM SAFE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253243

48,000 miles · Dec 30, 2008
Fuel System, Other

1. NORMAL USE OF VEHICLE. CITY DRIVING MOSTLY. 2. FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE DOES NOT CORRECTLY SHOW THE AMOUNT OF FUEL AFTER INITIALLY FILLING UP THE GAS TANK. AFTER SOME MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE NEEDLE CORRECTLY SHOWS A FULL TANK. THEN AFTER ABOUT 3/4 FUEL LEVEL, THE NEEDLE DROPS BACK TO EMPTY. ADDITIONALLY, THE DIGITAL GAUGE DOES …

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1. NORMAL USE OF VEHICLE. CITY DRIVING MOSTLY. 2. FUEL GAUGE NEEDLE DOES NOT CORRECTLY SHOW THE AMOUNT OF FUEL AFTER INITIALLY FILLING UP THE GAS TANK. AFTER SOME MINUTES OF DRIVING, THE NEEDLE CORRECTLY SHOWS A FULL TANK. THEN AFTER ABOUT 3/4 FUEL LEVEL, THE NEEDLE DROPS BACK TO EMPTY. ADDITIONALLY, THE DIGITAL GAUGE DOES NOT ACCURATELY COMPUTE FUEL MILES LEFT AND MPG. THIS BEHAVIOR REPEATS EACH TIME THE FUEL TANK IS FILLED. WITHOUT THESE FUNCTIONS I AM UNABLE TO DETERMINE HOW MUCH FUEL I HAVE LEFT IN THE TANK. LEAVING THE POSSIBILITY FOR BEING STRANDED SOMEWHERE, IF I DO NOT ACCURATELY GUESS AT HOW MUCH GAS IS LEFT. 3. NOTHING WAS DONE (YET) TO CORRECT THE FAILURE. A MECHANIC TOLD ME IT THE PROBLEM IS PROBABLY CAUSED BY A MALFUNCTION FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR. I HAVE ALSO CONFIRMED THE DIAGNOSIS ON X.NISSANHELP.COM. I AM AWAITING TO DETERMINE IF THESE VEHICLES COULD BE RECALLED BY THE DEALERS AND/OR NISSAN, AS IT APPEARS MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THE SAME ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253235

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN XTERRA. FUEL GAUGE IS ERRATIC AND READS INCORRECTLY 90% OF THE TIME. FROM OWNER'S FORUM DISCUSSIONS, THIS SEEMS TO BE A DEFECT IN THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR UNIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253094

Mileage unknown · Dec 17, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

1. SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON WHEN GAS GETS BELOW 1/2 TANK. WHEN I FILL THE TANK THE GAUGE DOESN'T REGISTER THE FILL UNTIL VEHICLE IS RESTARTED. OR, THE GAUGE DROPS TO E AND THE LIGHT COMES ON. 2. OCCURS ALL THE TIME. 3.THE PART REQUIRED IS A FUEL LEVEL SENDING SENSOR UNIT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10252134

41,000 miles · Dec 11, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005/06 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT FAILED. COMMON PROBLEM AMONG THIS VEHICLE THAT SHOULD BE RECALLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251539

45,000 miles · Dec 10, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN XTERRA - SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT COMES ON, THEN FUEL GAUGE DROPS TO ZERO. LIGHT GOES ON AND OFF APPARENTLY IN RELATION TO AMOUNT OF GAS IN THE TANK. SEARCHED "SERVICE ENGINE SOON GAS GAUGE" AND TOP OF THE LIST WERE DOZENS OF NISSAN OWNERS' COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE VERY SAME PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251426

Mileage unknown · Dec 9, 2008
Suspension

MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA REAR END BOTTOMS OUT WITH 4 PEOPLE IN THE TRUCK ON ANY KIND OF BUMPY ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251161

64,000 miles · Dec 9, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN XTERRA OFFROAD. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT ON, FUEL GAUGE NOT FUNCTIONING, READS EMPTY AFTER A FILL UP AND VICE VERSA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251142

33,000 miles · Dec 8, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE NOT WORKING CORRECTLY EVERYTIME TANK IS REFILLED. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATES. SEE NTB07-069A. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10251025

58,000 miles · Nov 30, 2008
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 XTERRA FUEL GAUGE FAILURE. GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY WHEN FULL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. DEALER WANTS $550 TO FIX. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT OF RECALL. IF A WOMAN WAS ALONE LATE AT NIGHT AND THE GAS GAUGE SUDDENLY SHOWED EMPTY SHE WOULD BE FORCED TO STOP AT THE NEAREST STATION WHICH MAY N…

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2005 XTERRA FUEL GAUGE FAILURE. GAUGE SHOWS EMPTY WHEN FULL AND CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. DEALER WANTS $550 TO FIX. THIS IS A KNOWN DEFECT AND SAFETY ISSUE AND SHOULD BE SUBJECT OF RECALL. IF A WOMAN WAS ALONE LATE AT NIGHT AND THE GAS GAUGE SUDDENLY SHOWED EMPTY SHE WOULD BE FORCED TO STOP AT THE NEAREST STATION WHICH MAY NOT BE IN THE SAFEST AREA. I KNOW, BECAUSE I WORK NEAR AN AIRPORT IN A HIGH CRIME AREA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10250184

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.