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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 · Jan 3, 2006
Trailer Hitches

I PURCHASED A NISSAN XTERRA IN SEPT. LAST YEAR. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TOW HITCH ASSEMBLY. I CALLED AND SCHEDULED TO GET IT REPLACED AT THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED. I CONFIRMED ON THE PHONE THEY HAD THE PART. I TOOK VEHICLE IN AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THE SERVICE DEPT. CALLED ME TO SAY THERE WAS NO PART I…

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I PURCHASED A NISSAN XTERRA IN SEPT. LAST YEAR. ALMOST IMMEDIATELY THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE TOW HITCH ASSEMBLY. I CALLED AND SCHEDULED TO GET IT REPLACED AT THE DEALER WHERE I PURCHASED. I CONFIRMED ON THE PHONE THEY HAD THE PART. I TOOK VEHICLE IN AND AT THE END OF THE DAY THE SERVICE DEPT. CALLED ME TO SAY THERE WAS NO PART IN STOCK. THIS HAPPENED IN OCT. THEY TOLD ME THE SHIPMENT SHOULD BE IN NOV. THAT I WOULD BE FIRST ON THE LIST THEY WOULD GIVE ME A CALL. NOW WE ARE IN THE NEW YEAR AND I CALL THE SAME DEALER TO FIND OUT NISSAN HAS YET TO DISTRIBUTE ANY REPLACEMENTS. HERE I AM 3 1/2 MONTHS LATER AND STILL NO WORD ON WHEN. I CALLED HEADQUARTERS AND HELD FOR AS LONG AS 25 MINUTES AND COULD NEVER GET THROUGH. WHAT TO DO WITH THIS DEALER AND MANUFACTURER? I SPECIFICALLY BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE WITH TOWING IN MIND. HOWEVER, THERE RECALL STATES DO NOT TOW UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. THANK YOU.. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146811

Mileage unknown · Dec 29, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WOULD SQUEAL FOR 5-10 MINUTES WHEN 1ST STARTING, IT DID NOT MATTER IF IT WAS IN THE MORNING OR MID-AFTERNOON. I TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE DEALER AND THE DRIVE BELT WAS REPLACED. ABOUT 2,000 MILES LATER THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED, I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER AND THIS T…

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3 MONTHS AFTER PURCHASING VEHICLE I NOTICED THAT THE CAR WOULD SQUEAL FOR 5-10 MINUTES WHEN 1ST STARTING, IT DID NOT MATTER IF IT WAS IN THE MORNING OR MID-AFTERNOON. I TOOK THE TRUCK INTO THE DEALER AND THE DRIVE BELT WAS REPLACED. ABOUT 2,000 MILES LATER THE PROBLEM RE-OCCURRED, I TOOK THE TRUCK BACK TO THE DEALER AND THIS TIME THE AUTO TENSION PULLEY WAS REPLACED. ABOUT 1,000 MILES LATER THE TRUCK WAS ONCE AGAIN TAKEN BACK AND THIS TIME THE LEAD TECH ASSURED ME THE PROBLEM WOULD BE FIXED AND THE DRIVE BELT WAS REPLACED FOR A 2ND TIME. I HAVE NOW HAD THIS TRUCK FOR 9 MONTHS AND AGAIN HAD TO TAKE IN, THIS TIME I DEALT WITH THE SERVICE MANAGER WHO WAS NOT HELPFUL. THEY ONCE AGAIN REPLACED THE DRIVE BELT AND STATED THIS WAS A KNOWN NISSAN PROBLEM AND THAT THE PROBLEM WILL PRESENT ITSELF AGAIN BUT THEY CAN NOT DO ANYTHING UNTIL NISSAN ISSUES A RECALL OR TSB. I CALLED NISSAN'S 800-NISSAN1 NUMBER AND SPOKE TO A CUSTOMER SERVICE REP. I WAS TOLD THAT I WOULD RECEIVE A CALL FROM THE REGIONAL MANAGER BY THE END OF THE NEXT BUSINESS DAY SINCE I HAD TAKEN THE TRUCK IN 4 TIMES FOR THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, I HAVE YET TO RECEIVE ANY CALLS FROM NISSAN'S REGIONAL REP. I FEEL THAT BOTH THE NISSAN DEALER AND NISSAN ARE UNWILLING OR UNABLE TO SATISFACTORILY FIX THE RE-OCCURRING PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL, AND THAT I AM JUST BEING GIVEN THE RUN AROUND. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146520

Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2005
Trailer Hitches

CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING 2005 NISSAN XTERRA RECALL.*TS THE RECALL WARNED NOT TO TOW ANYTHING UNTIL THE HITCH WAS REPLACED. THE ESTIMATED TIME FOR REPLACEMENT WAS MID NOVEMBER. THE CONSUMER COMPLIED WITH THE RECALL. AT THE END OF NOVEMBER THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT THE RECALL BUT THE WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE AN…

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CONSUMER COMPLAINT REGARDING 2005 NISSAN XTERRA RECALL.*TS THE RECALL WARNED NOT TO TOW ANYTHING UNTIL THE HITCH WAS REPLACED. THE ESTIMATED TIME FOR REPLACEMENT WAS MID NOVEMBER. THE CONSUMER COMPLIED WITH THE RECALL. AT THE END OF NOVEMBER THE CONSUMER CONTACTED THE DEALER ABOUT THE RECALL BUT THE WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THE RECALL. THE CONSUMER CALLED THE MANUFACTURER TWICE AND EACH TIME WAS PROMISED A RETURN CALL AND WAS GIVE A CASE NUMBER. THE CONSUMER HAS NOT HEARD BACK FROM ANYONE AT THE MANUFACTURER. THE PART NUMBER IS 999T5-KR100 (RECALL NUMBERS 05E062000 AND05V458000). *NM

NHTSA ODI #10146425

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2005
Equipment

DT: CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN CONCERNING THE TRAILER HITCHES. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. HE SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10144200

26,000 miles · Nov 30, 2005
Air BagsCrash

ON NOV. 4TH 2005, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA AT ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR. A DEER RAN INTO THE ROAD. I APPLIED MY BRAKES BUT HIT THE DEER. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON BUT MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AMM COLLISION AND OVER $3500.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE WAS DONE. THE AIRBAG HARNESS WIRE WAS CUT DURING THE ACCIDENT…

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ON NOV. 4TH 2005, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA AT ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR. A DEER RAN INTO THE ROAD. I APPLIED MY BRAKES BUT HIT THE DEER. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON BUT MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AMM COLLISION AND OVER $3500.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE WAS DONE. THE AIRBAG HARNESS WIRE WAS CUT DURING THE ACCIDENT. AT THIS TIME, WE ARE UNSURE IF THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED OR WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IF THE WIRE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN CUT. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP IN AUSTIN TX AND THE SERVICE DEPT GUY INDICATED THAT THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE GONE OFF WITH A 35 MPH HIT. I AM JUST TRYING TO FIND OUT IF ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS ISSUE. IS THIS A SAFETY ISSUE. AT THIS TIME, NISSAN DOESN'T HAVE THE PART TO REPLACE IT IN MY CAR. I CAN'T DRIVE MY CAR DUE TO THIS SAFETY ISSUE. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10144025

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.