IllustrationCHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. IT WAS A BAD FUEL SENDING UNIT. I HAD TO HAVE IT REPLACED. MANY OTHERS I KNOW HAVE HAD THIS HAPPEN TOO. IT WAS $350 TO REPLACE. *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 reports2005 NISSAN XTERRA OFF-ROAD CONTAINED A DEFECTIVE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THE DEFECT PRESENTED IN NOV-07. VEHICLE PRIMARILY OPERATED IN NEW ENGLAND. *TR
AT 24,000 MILES THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD TO BE REPLACED, IT TOOK OVER 6 WEEKS TO GET THE PART (IT WAS REPLACED AT 28,000 MILES). AGAIN AT 42,000 IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED SAME PROBLEM I WAS TOLD 5 DAYS TO GET THE PART IT IS GOING ON 3 WEEKS AND I WAS TOLD JUST TOLD IT WOULD BE IN BY 7/9 I DON'T BELIEVE IT. ATTEMPTED E-MAILS TO NI…
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AT 24,000 MILES THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAD TO BE REPLACED, IT TOOK OVER 6 WEEKS TO GET THE PART (IT WAS REPLACED AT 28,000 MILES). AGAIN AT 42,000 IT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED SAME PROBLEM I WAS TOLD 5 DAYS TO GET THE PART IT IS GOING ON 3 WEEKS AND I WAS TOLD JUST TOLD IT WOULD BE IN BY 7/9 I DON'T BELIEVE IT. ATTEMPTED E-MAILS TO NISSIAN HAVE NEVER BEEN ANSWERED. THE CAR HAS NEVER EVEN BEEN OFF THE ROAD. ALL HIGHWAY MILES! NISSAN HAS A PROBLEM WITH THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL FOR SURE AND DON'T SEEM INTRESTED IN HELPING THE CONSUMER. THIS WILL BE THE LAST NISSIAN I OWN. VERY POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE.
DIFFERENTIALS FRONT AND REAR ARE UNDER ENGINEERED AND BREAK EXTREMELY EASILY. TRANSFER CASE ALSO WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. *TR
AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT GOES OFF AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DOES NOT ACTIVATE WHEN PASSENGER IS IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS A LOSE CONNECTOR SECOND TIME I WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER HAD TO BE RESET. THIRD TIME I WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. IT IS NOW BACK IN NISSAN…
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AIRBAG SYSTEM FAILURE LIGHT GOES OFF AND PASSENGER AIRBAG DOES NOT ACTIVATE WHEN PASSENGER IS IN FRONT PASSENGER SEAT. AIRBAG MAY NOT DEPLOY IN AN ACCIDENT. FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS A LOSE CONNECTOR SECOND TIME I WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER HAD TO BE RESET. THIRD TIME I WAS TOLD THE COMPUTER WAS REPLACED. IT IS NOW BACK IN NISSAN SERVICE FOR THE FORTH TIME. *TR
DIFFERENTIALS FRONT AND REAR ARE UNDER ENGINEERED AND BREAK EXTREMELY EASILY. NISSAN WOULD NOT WARRANTY REPLACEMENT DESPITE MANY OF FAILURES AND CLAIMED IT WAS NOT AN ENGINEERING DEFECT. CURRENTLY MINE HAS A BLOWN REAR DIFFERENTIAL, AND VEHICLE IS NOT DRIVABLE. *AK.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA INC. HAS SENT ME TWO LETTERS INDICATING A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR TRAILER HITCHES SOLD ON 2005 NISSAN XTERRA VEHICLES. I HAVE CALLED AND DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP BUT THEY CAN NOT FIND A RECALL FOR MY VIN NUMBER AND REFUSE TO LOOK AT MY TRAILER HITCH. I HANDED THE SERVICE ADVISOR MY RECALL NOT…
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NISSAN NORTH AMERICA INC. HAS SENT ME TWO LETTERS INDICATING A SAFETY RECALL NOTICE FOR TRAILER HITCHES SOLD ON 2005 NISSAN XTERRA VEHICLES. I HAVE CALLED AND DRIVEN TO THE LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP BUT THEY CAN NOT FIND A RECALL FOR MY VIN NUMBER AND REFUSE TO LOOK AT MY TRAILER HITCH. I HANDED THE SERVICE ADVISOR MY RECALL NOTICE THAT HAD MY VIN PRINTED ON IT, AND THEY HAVE STILL REFUSED TO LOOK AT MY VEHICLE. I HAVE CALLED NISSAN'S CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER: 1-800-647-7261 (1-800-NISSAN1) THE REPRESENTATIVES INSISTED THAT MY VIN NUMBER DOES NOT HAVE A RECALL AND WERE NOT ABLE TO HELP ME. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ON MY OWN TIME, AND FOUND THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS FOR THIS RECALL 05V458000 AND 05E062000. I HAVE CALLED THE NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER AND ASKED THEM TO ADD THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS TO MY FILE. ALL THE NISSAN REPRESENTATIVES THAT I HAVE SPOKEN WITH INSIST THERE IS NO RECALL FOR MY VIN BECAUSE THEY CANNOT FIND IT IN THEIR COMPUTER SYSTEM. I DON'T BELIEVE THIS RECALL CAMPAIGN IS TRACKED BY THE VIN NUMBER BECAUSE THE RECALL IS FOR AN OPTIONAL ACCESSORY. I PURCHASED A 2005 XTERRA WITH A TRAILER HITCH INSTALLED. I AM WORRIED THE HITCH IS DEFECTIVE AND PART OF THE RECALL THAT I HAVE RECEIVED NOTICES. NISSAN HAS REFUSED TO CHECK MY VEHICLE TO VERIFY IF THE TRAILER HITCH NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. *JB
ON FEBRUARY 11, 2006, I WAS DRIVING NOT FAR FROM MY HOUSE, WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL. WE ROLLED FIVE TIMES BEFORE WE HIT THE FIRST TREE. WE WENT RIGHT OVER THAT TREE. THEN WE ROLLED ANOTHER THREE TIMES BEFORE WE WERE STOPPED BY A CHAIN LINK FENCE WITH A EUCALYPTUS TREE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. MY VEHICLE WAS …
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ON FEBRUARY 11, 2006, I WAS DRIVING NOT FAR FROM MY HOUSE, WHEN MY VEHICLE SUDDENLY LOST CONTROL. WE ROLLED FIVE TIMES BEFORE WE HIT THE FIRST TREE. WE WENT RIGHT OVER THAT TREE. THEN WE ROLLED ANOTHER THREE TIMES BEFORE WE WERE STOPPED BY A CHAIN LINK FENCE WITH A EUCALYPTUS TREE. MY AIRBAGS DID NOT GO OFF. MY VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. *NM
POWER WINDOW DEVICE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEEMED TO WORK FINE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF RATTLING IF IT WAS NOT ALL THE WAY UP OR DOWN. AND EVERYTIME THAT IT WOULD BE ROLLED UP IT SOUNDED LIKE A CHIPPING NOISE. I TOOK IT INTO TOWN CENTER NISSAN, KENNESAW, GA AND THEY REPLACED IT THE SAME DAY (2-27-06) AND IT HAS BEEN WORKING JUST FINE.…
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POWER WINDOW DEVICE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE SEEMED TO WORK FINE WITH THE EXCEPTION OF RATTLING IF IT WAS NOT ALL THE WAY UP OR DOWN. AND EVERYTIME THAT IT WOULD BE ROLLED UP IT SOUNDED LIKE A CHIPPING NOISE. I TOOK IT INTO TOWN CENTER NISSAN, KENNESAW, GA AND THEY REPLACED IT THE SAME DAY (2-27-06) AND IT HAS BEEN WORKING JUST FINE. THE VEHICLE CAME THAT WAY, BUT I HAD NO ISSUE IN GETTING IT REPLACED.*JB
I PURCHASED AN 05 XTERRA IN SEPTEMBER. AT ABOUT 6,000 MILES IT DEVELOPED A SQUEAK IN THE FRONT END. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME THEY WERE ABLE TO LOCATE THE NOISE AND STOP IT. I ASKED THE SERVICE WRITER WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND SHE TOLD ME I DIDN'T WANT TO KNOW. I PUSHED FOR AN ANSWER AND WAS TOLD …
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I PURCHASED AN 05 XTERRA IN SEPTEMBER. AT ABOUT 6,000 MILES IT DEVELOPED A SQUEAK IN THE FRONT END. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES AND THE LAST TIME THEY WERE ABLE TO LOCATE THE NOISE AND STOP IT. I ASKED THE SERVICE WRITER WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS AND SHE TOLD ME I DIDN'T WANT TO KNOW. I PUSHED FOR AN ANSWER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME ON THE PASSENGER SIDE FRONT WAS NOT WELDED, CAUSING THE METAL TO RUB TOGETHER AND SQUEAK. SHE ALSO TOLD ME THAT THE WASHER FLUID TANK WAS RUBBING THE FRAME. THE ONLY THING WRITTEN ON MY SERVICE ORDER WAS THE WASHER FLUID TANK. I DON'T KNOW IF MY XTERRA HAS A FAULTY FRAME OR NOT. THE CONSUMER LINE FOR NISSAN HAS A FILE NUMBER FOR ME BUT I HAVE MADE REPEATED ATTEMPTS TO GET A CALL BACK FROM THEM WITH NO RESPONSE.*AK
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.