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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.

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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

Engine And Engine Cooling complaints

167 reports
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70,006 miles · Jun 18, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CAR OVERHEATING, WOULDN'T RUN ON HIGHWAY, JERKING, COULDN'T CATCH SPEED, RADIATOR BLEW DUE TO COOLANT PROBLEM WHICH WENT INTO TRANSMISSION NEEDING NEW TRANSMISSION. HOLDING UP TRAFFIC, HAD TO KEEP MY HAZARDS ON. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. RADIATOR REIMBURSED BY NISSAN BUT WOULDN'T PAY FOR TRANSMISSION DESPITE CLE…

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CAR OVERHEATING, WOULDN'T RUN ON HIGHWAY, JERKING, COULDN'T CATCH SPEED, RADIATOR BLEW DUE TO COOLANT PROBLEM WHICH WENT INTO TRANSMISSION NEEDING NEW TRANSMISSION. HOLDING UP TRAFFIC, HAD TO KEEP MY HAZARDS ON. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. RADIATOR REIMBURSED BY NISSAN BUT WOULDN'T PAY FOR TRANSMISSION DESPITE CLEAR DOCUMENTATION THAT IT WAS DUE TO A RECALL. HAD TO PULL OVER SEVERAL TIMES ON HIGHWAY TO GET OUT OF HARMS WAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407339

64,500 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2005 NISSAN XTERRA. HIGHWAY DRIVING AND CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IT WAS HARD TO STAY IN CONTROL FOR A BIT THERE. HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS BUT I HAVE. NISSAN XTERRA'S HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR FAILING AND LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, THEREBY RUINING IT. MY CAR HAS BEEN OVERHEATING AND THE TRANSMISSION …

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2005 NISSAN XTERRA. HIGHWAY DRIVING AND CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IT WAS HARD TO STAY IN CONTROL FOR A BIT THERE. HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS BUT I HAVE. NISSAN XTERRA'S HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR FAILING AND LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, THEREBY RUINING IT. MY CAR HAS BEEN OVERHEATING AND THE TRANSMISSION GIVING OUT WHILE I'M TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS. NISSAN VOLUNTARILY EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE RADIATOR. THAT IS NO HELP TO THE CONSUMER AS ONCE THE RADIATOR FAILS YOU ALSO HAVE A BAD TRANSMISSION. PLEASE MAKE THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR UNETHICAL DODGING OF A SERIOUS PROBLEM --- AND A DANGEROUS ONE! THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405513

84,000 miles · Apr 21, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ABNORMALLY MIXED WITH THE RADIATOR COOLANT. THE RADIATOR INITIALLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THE DEALER ADVI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ABNORMALLY MIXED WITH THE RADIATOR COOLANT. THE RADIATOR INITIALLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER YET THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10397076

Mileage unknown · Apr 8, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA SE WITH 82K MILES HAD THE RADIATOR FAIL, LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN SUVS AND TRUCKS FOR AT LEAST 2005-2007 MODEL YEARS. NISSAN VOLUNTARILY EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY TO COVER THIS TYPE OF ISSUE TO 80K MILES, BUT IT SEEMS TYPICAL FORM THE MANY ONLINE MESSAGE BO…

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MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA SE WITH 82K MILES HAD THE RADIATOR FAIL, LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH NISSAN SUVS AND TRUCKS FOR AT LEAST 2005-2007 MODEL YEARS. NISSAN VOLUNTARILY EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY TO COVER THIS TYPE OF ISSUE TO 80K MILES, BUT IT SEEMS TYPICAL FORM THE MANY ONLINE MESSAGE BOARDS ADDRESSING THIS ISSUE THAT THE PROBLEM ARISES AFTER 80K MILES. NISSAN REFUSES TO COVER ANY OF THE COSTS OF REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10395255

104,000 miles · Apr 5, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, Gasoline

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. MY PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE FUEL LEVELING SYSTEM AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. IT WAS THE FUEL LEVELING SENDER. MY FUEL WAS NOT REGISTERING CORRECTLY AT ALL. NEXT CAME STALLING OF MY SUV. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND IT WOULD ACT AS IF IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS AND CUT OFF. THAT TURN OUT TO BE …

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I OWN A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. MY PROBLEM STARTED WITH THE FUEL LEVELING SYSTEM AND MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMING ON. IT WAS THE FUEL LEVELING SENDER. MY FUEL WAS NOT REGISTERING CORRECTLY AT ALL. NEXT CAME STALLING OF MY SUV. I WOULD BE DRIVING AND IT WOULD ACT AS IF IT WAS RUNNING OUT OF GAS AND CUT OFF. THAT TURN OUT TO BE THE EMC, IN WHICH I PAID FOR BUT WAS REIMBURSE BECAUSE NISSAN ISSUED A RECALL FOR THE EMC. THIS DID NOT FIX THE FUEL LEVELING SENDER PROBLEM. A FEW MONTHS LATER, MY SUV WAS HAVING A "HARD CRANK". IT JUST DID NOT WANT TO TURN OVER. IT WOULD STALL WHILE DRIVING. I WOULD JUST CUT OFF. I TOOK THAT TO A DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID IT WAS THE CAM SENSORS. SO, I HAD THE CAM SENSORS REPLACED AND I HAD THE FUEL LEVEL SENDER REPLACED. IT WAS RECOMMENDED THAT I HAVE A MULT-POINT INSPECTION, SO I HAD EVERYTHING WITH THAT REPLACE. I SPENT A $1000, ONLY FOR MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TO COME BACK ON THE NEXT DAY. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR THEM TO TELL ME NOW IT IS THE CATALYST CONVERTERS AND BOTH NEEDS TO BE REPLACE. THE PRICE FOR BOTH PARTS ALONE WAS $1300. I DO NOT UNDERSTAND WHY SO MANY XTERRA OWNERS ARE HAVING THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS AND NISSAN ARE NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR FIXING THEM. THEY WILL OFFER AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AFTER THE FACT, BUT BY THE TIME THE PROBLEM OCCUR A 2005 DOES NOT QUALIFY FOR THE EXTENDED WARRANTY. THE CATALYST CONVERTERS AFFECTS THE CLEAN AIR FOR YOUR VEHICLE. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394330

103,000 miles · Mar 16, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

RADIATOR FAILURE CAUSING FLUID TO DRAIN INTO TRANSMISSION. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER. I WAS LEFT STRANDED WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. *TR THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED, AN EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED. COST OF REPAIR: $2,852…

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RADIATOR FAILURE CAUSING FLUID TO DRAIN INTO TRANSMISSION. THIS CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AND TORQUE CONVERTER. I WAS LEFT STRANDED WITHOUT WARNING IN THE MIDDLE OF AN INTERSECTION. *TR THE TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT, THE TORQUE CONVERTER WAS REPLACED, AN EXTERNAL TRANSMISSION WAS INSTALLED. COST OF REPAIR: $2,852.

NHTSA ODI #10390431

76,000 miles · Mar 14, 2011
Engine And Engine Cooling

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V517000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE FLASHING ON AND OFF ABNORMALLY AS THE VEHICLE STALLED.…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V517000 (ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING) AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. AFTER LEAVING THE DEALER, THE DRIVER NOTICED THAT ALL THE INTERIOR LIGHTS WERE FLASHING ON AND OFF ABNORMALLY AS THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT RESTART AND WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER. THE DEALER THEN ADVISED THAT THEY REPAIRED THE RECALLED COMPONENT ONLY AND THAT THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO ASSIST IN ANY OTHER WAY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 76,000.

NHTSA ODI #10390041

86,000 miles · Mar 10, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE INTAKE VALVE GASKET WAS BENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VALVE GASKET WAS BENDING BECAUSE THE INTAKE VA…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN SLIPPING AND THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR A DIAGNOSIS. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT ANTI-FREEZE WAS LEAKING INTO THE ENGINE BECAUSE THE INTAKE VALVE GASKET WAS BENT. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE VALVE GASKET WAS BENDING BECAUSE THE INTAKE VALVE AND RADIATOR WERE MADE OF PLASTIC. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 86,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 95,000. UPDATED 05/03/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED DUE THE DEFECT WITH THE RADIATOR, ANTI-FREEZE LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. UPDATED 08/04/11

NHTSA ODI #10389763

120,000 miles · Feb 24, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

I JUST RECENTLY STARTED EXPERIENCING A 'SHUDDER' UNDER MILD ACCELERATION BETWEEN 40-60 MPH WITH MY 05XTERRA, V6 4X4 (~120K MILES). FEELS LIKE MY REAR WHEELS ARE GOING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP AND ONLY LASTS A FEW BRIEF MOMENTS. TOOK MY XTERRA BACK TO DEALER AND THEY INDICATED POSSIBILITY OF TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAK ALLOWING ANTIFREEZ…

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I JUST RECENTLY STARTED EXPERIENCING A 'SHUDDER' UNDER MILD ACCELERATION BETWEEN 40-60 MPH WITH MY 05XTERRA, V6 4X4 (~120K MILES). FEELS LIKE MY REAR WHEELS ARE GOING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP AND ONLY LASTS A FEW BRIEF MOMENTS. TOOK MY XTERRA BACK TO DEALER AND THEY INDICATED POSSIBILITY OF TRANSMISSION COOLER LEAK ALLOWING ANTIFREEZE TO ENTER TORQUE CONVERTER AND TRANSMISSION CAUSING SLIPPAGE; ALTHOUGH THEY CHECKED MY FLUIDS AND NO CROSS CONTAMINATION WAS EVIDENT. THEY RECOMMENDED REPLACING TORQUE CONVERTER, TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR...TO THE TUNE OF ~$5000...THERE'S GOT TO BE BETTER ANSWER...AND ACCOUNTABILITY ON THEIR PART...I SEARCHED ON LINE AND FOUND THAT I'M NOT ALONE WITH THIS ISSUE... A NUMBER OF FOLKS HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME ISSUE...NISSAN HAS EVEN ACKNOWLEDGED A PROBLEM AND HAS EXTENDED THEIR WARRANTY ON THE RADIATOR, BUT NOT THE TORQUE CONVERTER, BUT MY MILEAGE EXCEEDS THE EXTENDED PERIOD; IF THEY KNOW OF THE ISSUE, WHY ISN'T THERE A RE-CALL...IF THE TORQUE CONVERTER FAILS WHILE DRIVING, IT WILL MOST CERTAINLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT...PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE AND MORE FREQUENT...THERE NEEDS TO BE ACTION BY NISSAN TO CORRECT THIS CONDITION BEFORE SOMEONE IS SERIOUSLY INJURED DUE TO A KNOWN PROBLEM... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384434

80,000 miles · Feb 23, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, GasolinePower Train

MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS: AT APPROX 55K MILES, ENGINE WOULD REV OUT BEFORE SHIFTING GEARS, AT APPROX. 72K MILES STARTED VIBRATION WHEN AT STEADY SPEED (APPROX 45 MPH), SO PURCHASED NEW TIRES. AT APPROX. 76K MILES TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE AND VIBRATION AND GEAR SLAM INCREASED. AT APPROX. 79K MILES BLOWER STOPPED WORKING AND …

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MULTIPLE COMPLAINTS: AT APPROX 55K MILES, ENGINE WOULD REV OUT BEFORE SHIFTING GEARS, AT APPROX. 72K MILES STARTED VIBRATION WHEN AT STEADY SPEED (APPROX 45 MPH), SO PURCHASED NEW TIRES. AT APPROX. 76K MILES TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD FLUCTUATE AND VIBRATION AND GEAR SLAM INCREASED. AT APPROX. 79K MILES BLOWER STOPPED WORKING AND TEMPERATURE GAUGE WOULD GO UP AND DOWN. AT 80,532 MI. HAD RADIATOR REPLACED AND COOLANT FLUSHED AND TWO TRANSMISSION FLUSHES DONE, AS COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS MIXED DUE TO RADIATOR LEAKING. TRANSMISSION CONTINUED VIBRATION AND BEGAN SLAMMING AGAIN 3 MOS. LATER. 6 MOS. LATER ENGINE OVERHEATED , HAD TOWED. ENGINE WAS BAD DUE TO OVERHEATING FROM RADIATOR ASSEMBLY FAULT NISSAN DESCRIBES. REBUILT ENGINE, NEW TIMING CHAIN AND TIMING CONTROL VALVE, AND NEW RADIATOR. STILL CANNOT DRIVE VEHICLE- SEVERE TRANSMISSION SLAMMING GEARS, VEHICLE STALLS WHEN YOU TAKE FOOT OFF GAS, OIL PRESSURE GAUGE GOES TO BOTTOM WHEN FOOT OFF GAS AND UP WHEN YOU DEPRESS. SINCE, NISSAN HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 80K FOR RADIATOR ASSEMBLY CAN CRACK AND INTERNAL LEAKAGE OF COOLANT MIXES WITH TRANSMISSION FLUIDS. I AM NOT COVERED THEY SAY, BUT IF I HAD BEEN NOTIFIED OF THIS 2 YEARS AGO I WOULD HAVE BEEN. THEIR LETTER SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT IT CAN OCCUR AT "HIGHER MILEAGES". I WANT NISSAN TO REIMBURSE ME COSTS INCURRED AND FIX MY TRANSMISSION. I HAVE BEEN WITHOUT A VEHICLE ON AND OFF FOR 8 MOS. OF THE PAST TWO YEARS, AND DO NOT THINK THIS VEHICLE WILL EVER RUN PROPERLY DUE TO THEIR NEGLIGENCE TO NOTIFY OWNERS OF THE POTENTIAL PROBLEM. I'VE SEEN HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS. ALSO HAVE HAD ENGINE LIGHT GO ON AND OFF FOR LAST 2 YEARS- DUE TO FUEL SENDING UNIT PROBLEM, NISSAN HAS EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS TO 72K. I NOW HAVE 94K - THESE ISSUES NEED TO BE RECALLS AND OWNERS REIMBURSED- PLEASE INVESTIGATE WARRANTY EXTENSION ISSUE! ALSO HAD SQUEAKS, BATTERY ISSUE, NO START EVEN W/NEW BATTERY, CLEARED ELECTRONICS/RADIO BLOWN, CDS DON'T EJECT, DRIVER WINDOW WON'T GO UP UNLESS PULLED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10384157

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.