Illustration2005 THRU 2007 NISSA XTERRAS AND PATHFINDERS MADE IN THESE MODEL YEARS HAVE A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR. THE TRANSMISSION LINE CORRODES AND COOLANT LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION LINE AND CONTAMINATES THE TRANSMISSION. REPAIRS HAVE TO MADE TO THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION AND ALL ASSOCIATED LINES.
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
167 reportsMY CAR WOULD SHUT OFF EVERYTIME I WENT OVER A BUMP. THE REPAIR GUY SAID IT WAS THE COMPUTER THAT WENT OUT IN MY CARE. THEN 2 MONTHS LATER MY ENGINE WENT OUT AND MY CATALYTIC CONVERTER. MY VEHICLE ALMOST STOPPED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE BUSY FREEWAY. *TR
INTERNAL RADIATOR FAILURE THAT LED TO A TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,300.00 BY THE NISSAN DEALER WHERE THEY ASSURED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE. A MONTH LATER I PAID $5,000.00 TO AAMCO TO HAVE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO COUNTLES…
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INTERNAL RADIATOR FAILURE THAT LED TO A TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,300.00 BY THE NISSAN DEALER WHERE THEY ASSURED ME THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FINE. A MONTH LATER I PAID $5,000.00 TO AAMCO TO HAVE THE ENTIRE TRANSMISSION REBUILT. THIS HAS HAPPENED TO COUNTLESS 2005 PATHFINDERS AND XTERRAS. NISSAN WILL NOT PROVIDE FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE OR MAKE A RECALL. NISSAN NEEDS TO BE HELD RESPONSIBLE! *CN
2005 NISSAN XTERRA, RADIATOR FAILURE , CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK INTO COOLANT AND COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. REPAIR COST ABOUT $5,000. A SOURCE WITHIN A DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH 2005 XTERRAS AND PATHFINDERS, IF CAUGHT EARLY IT CAN BE FIXED ,HOWEVER MOST CUSTOMERS…
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2005 NISSAN XTERRA, RADIATOR FAILURE , CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK INTO COOLANT AND COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. REPAIR COST ABOUT $5,000. A SOURCE WITHIN A DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH 2005 XTERRAS AND PATHFINDERS, IF CAUGHT EARLY IT CAN BE FIXED ,HOWEVER MOST CUSTOMERS DON'T KNOW THIS UNTIL IS TOO LATE. THERE IS NO NOTICE FROM NISSAN ON THIS PROBLEM OR WARNING. *TR
ERROR CODE ON 2005 NISSAN XTERRA - P0643 HAS SHOWN UP ON MANY MODELS WITH THIS ENGINE. NOTED ON AN EMISSION INSPECTION FOR ANNUAL TX INSPECTION. *TR
SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT AND FUEL SENSOR SENDING UNIT FAILURE. *TR
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
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.