IllustrationGAS GAUGE VERY SLOW (DAYS) TO REGISTER FULL AFTER FILLUP. THE 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' LIGHT ILLUMINATES. *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 reportsI HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE VEHICLE IS WELL-MAINTAINED. RECENTLY, AFTER SERVICE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND REMAINED ON FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. I NOTICED THAT MY GAS GAUGE WASN'T RESPONDING WHEN I FILLED UP THE FUEL TANK. MY FUEL GAUGE WOULD READ 1/4 TANK AFTER FILLING UP, AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WOULD COME O…
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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE VEHICLE IS WELL-MAINTAINED. RECENTLY, AFTER SERVICE THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON, AND REMAINED ON FOR SEVERAL WEEKS. I NOTICED THAT MY GAS GAUGE WASN'T RESPONDING WHEN I FILLED UP THE FUEL TANK. MY FUEL GAUGE WOULD READ 1/4 TANK AFTER FILLING UP, AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WOULD COME ON. *TR
WE EXPERIENCED A FAILED FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON OUR 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WE FILLED THE GAS TANK COMPLETELY AND THEN NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT RISE ABOVE 2/3. THEN THE 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' WARNING LAMP CAME ON. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INCIDENT WE FOUND THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS POSTED ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS A RECURR…
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WE EXPERIENCED A FAILED FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON OUR 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WE FILLED THE GAS TANK COMPLETELY AND THEN NOTICED THE FUEL GAUGE WOULD NOT RISE ABOVE 2/3. THEN THE 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON' WARNING LAMP CAME ON. AFTER RESEARCHING THE INCIDENT WE FOUND THERE ARE MANY SIMILAR INCIDENTS POSTED ON THE INTERNET. THIS IS A RECURRING PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL NISSAN VEHICLES MODELS AND SEEMS TO BE AN INEVITABLE INCIDENT WITH MOST OF THE MODELS. WE BELIEVE THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL ISSUE. THE REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART WILL COST BETWEEN $300 - $400. *TR
2005 NISSAN XTERRA HAD AN ELECTRICAL WIRE PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE FIRE COMPLETELY DESTROY IT. *NJ
FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE. *TR
FUEL GAUGE READING UNDER 3/4 OF A TANK AFTER FILLUP. I PLAN TO REPLACE THE SENDING UNIT ON THE FUEL TANK. *TR
TODAY I FILLED THE GAS TANK ON MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA, AND THOUGH THE TANK IS FULL, THE GAS GAUGE STILL READS EMPTY AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS ON. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT ON PRE-2005 XTERRAS, AND IS INCREASINGLY EMERGING AS A DEFECT IN MORE RECENT MODELS. I BELIEVE IT POSES A SAFELY HAZARD BECAUSE …
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TODAY I FILLED THE GAS TANK ON MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA, AND THOUGH THE TANK IS FULL, THE GAS GAUGE STILL READS EMPTY AND THE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT IS ON. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS WAS A KNOWN DEFECT ON PRE-2005 XTERRAS, AND IS INCREASINGLY EMERGING AS A DEFECT IN MORE RECENT MODELS. I BELIEVE IT POSES A SAFELY HAZARD BECAUSE THERE'S NO WAY TO TELL WHETHER THE 'SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT INDICATES A REAL ENGINE PROBLEM, OR JUST THE FAILURE OF THE FUEL SENSOR. *TR
FUEL SENDER UNIT FAILURE - SUDDEN FAILURE WHILE ON FREEWAY. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR WARNING OF FAILURE PROCEEDING THE ACTUALLY FAILURE. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER OF THE VEHICLE WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR
THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING. I WOULD FILL UP THE GAS TANK AND THE GAUGE WOULD SAY IT WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD WITH 55000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT STARTED TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND IT COST 400.00 TO HAVE THE FUEL SENSOR REPLACE…
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THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT WORKING. I WOULD FILL UP THE GAS TANK AND THE GAUGE WOULD SAY IT WAS EMPTY. THE VEHICLE IS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD WITH 55000 MILES ON IT WHEN IT STARTED TO HAVE THIS ISSUE. I TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER TO HAVE IT REPAIRED AND IT COST 400.00 TO HAVE THE FUEL SENSOR REPLACED. THE MECHANIC ACKNOWLEDGED THAT HE HAS CHANGED THE FUELS SENSOR NUMEROUS TIMES AND NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO PAY FOR THE REPAIR. THIS IS AN OBVIOUS DEFECT WITH THE NISSAN XTERRA. *TR
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WENT TO HAVE IT TAKEN CARE OF AND GET AN EARLY STATE INSPECTION STICKER. FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO THE EVAPORATION VENT CONTROL. SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT I WAS NOT ALONE. NISSAN HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2003 ON X-TERRA, PATHFINDERS AND FRONTIERS. NISSAN KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAS…
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SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WENT TO HAVE IT TAKEN CARE OF AND GET AN EARLY STATE INSPECTION STICKER. FAILED INSPECTION DUE TO THE EVAPORATION VENT CONTROL. SEARCHED ONLINE AND FOUND THAT I WAS NOT ALONE. NISSAN HAS BEEN HAVING THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2003 ON X-TERRA, PATHFINDERS AND FRONTIERS. NISSAN KNOWS THERE IS A PROBLEM AND HAS KNOWN FOR A LONG TIME BUT WON'T FIX IT. 2008 MODELS ARE ALSO STARTING TO HAVE PROBLEMS. THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ALSO WENT OUT WITH IT AS WELL. *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.