IllustrationBECAUSE OF A FAILED RADIATOR, COOLANT BECAME MIXED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THE TRANSMISSION STOPPED WORKING IN RUSH HOUR TRAFFIC. *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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
167 reportsTHE COOLING SYSTEM FAILED AND MIXED COOLANT WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID, TRANSMISSION SUBSEQUENTLY FAILED. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TIMING BELT WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THERE WAS A LOUD NOISE HEARD FROM THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE INTERMITTENTLY. THE AUTHORIZED DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REPLICATE OR DIAGNOSE THE FAILURE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER WHERE THE TIMING BELT WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE CONTACT WAS ALSO ADVISED THAT THERE WAS A LEAK IN THE ENGINE. ADDITIONALLY, WHEN THE HOOD WAS OPENED THE CAP TO THE TRANSMISSION OVERFLOW WAS MISSING AND WAS REPLACED BY THE DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER FOR FURTHER INSPECTION AND DIAGNOSIS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 44,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 65,000.
MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN RADIATOR CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN QUITE DANGEROUS UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED BY HUGE NUMBERS OF NISSAN OWNERS OF VARIOUS YEAR MODELS AND STYLES. NISSAN REFUSES TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE FAILURE AND DENIES ACCEPTABLE SERVICE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS ON THIS …
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MANUFACTURING DEFECT IN RADIATOR CAUSED TRANSMISSION FAILURE THAT COULD HAVE BEEN QUITE DANGEROUS UNDER SOME CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS HAS BEEN WIDELY REPORTED BY HUGE NUMBERS OF NISSAN OWNERS OF VARIOUS YEAR MODELS AND STYLES. NISSAN REFUSES TO BE ACCOUNTABLE FOR THE FAILURE AND DENIES ACCEPTABLE SERVICE TO THEIR CUSTOMERS ON THIS ISSUE. *TR
WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHUDDER AND THUD INTO GEAR. HAD VEHICLE CHECKED OUT AND TOLD THERE WAS A DEFECT IN WHICH THE CONNECTION BETWEEN RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND COOLANT MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID, THEREBY DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS AP…
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WHEN DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS, VEHICLE WOULD START TO SHUDDER AND THUD INTO GEAR. HAD VEHICLE CHECKED OUT AND TOLD THERE WAS A DEFECT IN WHICH THE CONNECTION BETWEEN RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION MALFUNCTIONED AND COOLANT MIXED WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID, THEREBY DESTROYING THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. I HAVE FOUND THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY A VERY COMMON PROBLEM OF NISSAN XTERRAS FROM 2005 TO 2010 THAT I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT. THIS REALLY SHOULD BE RECALLED ON ALL AFFECTED VEHICLE, BECAUSE IT IS SUCH A COMMON PROBLEM AND IF ONE HAS OVER 80K MILES THEY STILL PAY HALF FOR THE REPAIR AND IF OVER 100K MILES THERE IS NO WARRANTY COVERAGE FROM NISSAN. THE WARRANTY EXTENSION WAS THE RESULT OF A CLASS ACTION SUIT BUT IS NOT ENOUGH WHEN FULL REPAIR CAN BE $6000 AND THERE HAS BEEN NO WARNING FROM NISSAN THAT THIS IS A POTENTIAL PROBLEM TO LOOK FOR. *TR
THE VEHICLE DOESN'T MOVE,DESPITE ACCELERATION, NO ENGINE LIGHT. WENT TO THE DEALER AND AFTER DIAGNOSIS THEY SAID THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS LEAKING. THE COST COMES TO $7500. CONTACTED NISSAN THEY SAY ITS NOT WITHIN WARRANTY. THESES IS A DEFECTIVE DESIGN ON THE RADIATOR. UPDATED 05/01/14
INTERNAL RADIATOR TRANSMISSION COOLER CRACKED LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYING IT, RENDERING IT USELESS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE GAVE ME ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY INDICATION OF AN ISSUE OCCURRING WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD NO ADVANCE NOTICE SO I WAS UNABLE…
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INTERNAL RADIATOR TRANSMISSION COOLER CRACKED LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND DESTROYING IT, RENDERING IT USELESS. THE TRANSMISSION FAILED ON ME WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND THE VEHICLE GAVE ME ABSOLUTELY NO WARNING LIGHTS OR ANY INDICATION OF AN ISSUE OCCURRING WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I HAD NO ADVANCE NOTICE SO I WAS UNABLE TO AVOID ANY DAMAGE TO MY TRANSMISSION. *TR
RADIATOR COOLANT AND OIL MIXTURE AND DUE TO THAT, THE TRANSMISSION MAKES THE CAR VIBRATE TO AN UNDRIVABLE POINT AFFECTING THE DRIVER ABILITY TO CONDUCT A SAFE OPERATION ON THE ROAD INCLUDING BUSY HIGHWAYS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN IN TENNESSEE ON A FAMILY VACATION, WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED BECAUSE THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. IN ORDER TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION I HAD TO DRIVE IN REVERSE TO A DRIVEWAY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A YOUNG CHILD AND MY FIANCE IN THE CAR. UPON FUR…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN IN TENNESSEE ON A FAMILY VACATION, WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED BECAUSE THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. IN ORDER TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION I HAD TO DRIVE IN REVERSE TO A DRIVEWAY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A YOUNG CHILD AND MY FIANCE IN THE CAR. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I REALIZED THAT NISSAN HAS OVER 500 COMPLAINT ON THE SAME ISSUE AND IT WAS NEVER RESOLVED. I PAID 4800 DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. *TR
IT WAS A VERY COLD MORNING WHEN I GET READY FOR WORK, JUST GOT OUT OF OUR DRIVE WAY AND SUDDENLY WE HEARD 2 LOUD THUMP SOUND LIKE WE HAVE JUST RUN OVER SOMETHING LIKE ROCKS OR WOODS. IT SCARED US A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE OF THE VIBRATION, THEN IT RUNS NORMALLY AGAIN, THE NEXT DAY IT HAPPEN AGAIN BUT 1 TIME ONLY AND TODAY THE SAME. I…
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IT WAS A VERY COLD MORNING WHEN I GET READY FOR WORK, JUST GOT OUT OF OUR DRIVE WAY AND SUDDENLY WE HEARD 2 LOUD THUMP SOUND LIKE WE HAVE JUST RUN OVER SOMETHING LIKE ROCKS OR WOODS. IT SCARED US A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE OF THE VIBRATION, THEN IT RUNS NORMALLY AGAIN, THE NEXT DAY IT HAPPEN AGAIN BUT 1 TIME ONLY AND TODAY THE SAME. I WONT WAIT LONGER BEFORE SOMETHING WORST HAPPEN SO ILL BRING MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECK TOMORROW. HOPE THIS WILL GIVE ME SOME ANSWERS . HOPE THIS IS NOT A RECALL DEFECT AGAIN BECAUSE I ALREADY HAD 1 VEHICLE RENDERED NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BEFORE AND THE COMPANY BOUGHT IT BACK.
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.