IllustrationTRANSMISSION DIED AND NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, DUE TO THE RADIATOR ISSUES OF THE XTERRAS FROM THE YEAR. *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 reportsWHILE DRIVING AND IN FLOW OF TRAFFIC VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER, BUT RPMS WOULD STILL INCREASE DUE TO FAULTY TRANSMISSION IN THE XTERRA. FAULTY TRANSMISSION LEADS TO MIXING OF THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING LOSS OF ACCELERATION. ALMOST CAUSED AN ACCIDENT WITH ANOTHER VEHICLE. *TR
ENGINE COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. REPLACEMENT TRANSMISSION IS REQUIRED. *TR
I HAD MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED IN MY 05 NISSAN XTERRA IN DEC 2010 AT 69,000 MILES DUE TO DEFECT OF RADIATOR LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSED ME TO BRAKE DOWN ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. THE NISSAN SERVICE/DEALER IN KINGSTON MA WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TRIED TO TELL US ALL THAT WAS NEEDED WAS A RADIATOR AND TRA…
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I HAD MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED IN MY 05 NISSAN XTERRA IN DEC 2010 AT 69,000 MILES DUE TO DEFECT OF RADIATOR LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSED ME TO BRAKE DOWN ON A 2 LANE HIGHWAY. THE NISSAN SERVICE/DEALER IN KINGSTON MA WHERE WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE TRIED TO TELL US ALL THAT WAS NEEDED WAS A RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUSH BUT WE HAD ALREADY CONTACTED NISSAN CORPORATE AND FOUND OUT WE WERE ENTITLED TO A NEW TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR ASSEMBLY DUE TO A RECALL. THEY UNWILLINGLY REPLACED BOTH ASSEMBLIES. I HAVE NOW EXPERIENCED A 2ND BRAKE DOWN ON AN ON RAMP ENTERING THE HIGHWAY AND COULD NOT MOVE MY CAR AS THE TRANSMISSION AGAIN FAILED AT 153,900 MILES. I HAD IT TOWED TO THE NISSAN SERVICE/DEALER IN KINGSTON MA AND WAS INFORMED THE TRANSMISSION WE HAD PUT IN 2010 WAS ONLY UNDER WARRANTY FOR 1 YR/12000 MILES AND I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL REPAIR COSTS. I HAVE TO THINK THAT THE ORIGINAL REPAIR WAS NOT DONE PROPERLY AND THE SAME PROBLEM EXISTED IN THE NEW ASSEMBLIES THAT WERE PUT IN AS A NEW TRANSMISSION SHOULD LAST LONGER THAN THIS. I FEEL MY SAFETY AND THE SAFETY OF OTHER MOTORISTS WAS PUT AT RISK DUE TO THESE PROBLEMS AS SEVERE ACCIDENTS COULD HAVE OCCURRED DUE TO THE FACT THAT THE MY VEHICLE LOST THE ABILITY TO MOVE AT ALL ON THE HIGHWAY IN TWO DIFFERENT INCIDENTS. NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR NOT FIXING THE INITIAL PROBLEM PROPERLY. *TR
COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. ESTIMATE OF $5800 TO REPAIR. *TR
WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH, MY CAR SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR AND THE RPM'S SHOT UP CAUSING MY CAR TO PRETTY MUCH STOP MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL FOR A TOW. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO TOLD US THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FRIED. BY LOOKING …
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 60 MPH, MY CAR SHIFTED OUT OF GEAR AND THE RPM'S SHOT UP CAUSING MY CAR TO PRETTY MUCH STOP MOVING ON THE HIGHWAY. I WAS ABLE TO PULL OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND CALL FOR A TOW. WE HAD THE CAR TOWED TO A TRANSMISSION SPECIALIST WHO TOLD US THAT THE TRANSMISSION WAS FRIED. BY LOOKING AT THE FLUID IN THE TRANSMISSION JUST ON A QUICK LOOK, HE DEDUCED THAT THE RADIATOR HAD MOST LIKELY LEAKED COOLANT, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. UPON RESEARCHING THIS ISSUE, I LEARNED THAT THIS HAS HAPPENED TO MANY NISSAN VEHICLES AND COULD BE A HUGE PROBLEM FOR MANY PEOPLE. LUCKILY I WAS ABLE TO GET TO SAFETY AND WAS NOT HIT BY ANOTHER CAR OR SUSTAINED ANY INJURIES. FINALLY, I HAD TO TRADE THE CAR IN FOR A GIGANTIC LOSS! VERY UPSET. *TR
MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA WITH 75600 MILES JERKS WHEN IT SHIFTS. AFTER DOING MY OWN ONLINE RESEARCH AND BRINGING TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND MIXING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS DEFECT TO 80,000 OR 96MONTHS. I QUALIFIED FOR THE MILEAGE BUT NO…
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MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA WITH 75600 MILES JERKS WHEN IT SHIFTS. AFTER DOING MY OWN ONLINE RESEARCH AND BRINGING TO THE DEALERSHIP, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT AND MIXING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. THERE IS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FOR THIS DEFECT TO 80,000 OR 96MONTHS. I QUALIFIED FOR THE MILEAGE BUT NOT THE SERVICE DURATION (6 MONTHS OVERDUE). THE DEALERSHIP SAID IT WOULD BE A $2500 COPAY TO REPLACE MY RADIATOR AND REPAIR MY TRANSMISSION. I TALKED TO NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS BUT THEY REFUSED TO HELP AND SAID $2500 IS MY ONLY OPTION. THIS RADIATOR IS A KNOWN ISSUE AND SHOULD BE A RECALL FOR ALL THE DAMAGE IT CAUSED. I'VE OWNED MANY NISSANS BEFORE AND HAD GREAT LOYALTY TO THEM. NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR KNOWING ABOUT THEIR FAULTY RADIATOR AND NOT FIXING THEM BEFORE THEY CAUSED FURTHER DAMAGE! *TR
MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA HAVE THIS COMMON PROBLEM WHERE THE RADIATOR LEAKS INTO TRANSMISSION AND CAUSE THE TRANSMISSION TO STOP WORKING. AND SINCE I WAS OVER 100,000 NISSAN DEALERS WANT TO CHARGE ME A COPAY OF $3000. *TR
I BEGAN TO HAVE VIBRATION IN MY VEHICLE WHEN I REACHED SPEEDS OF 45 MPH AND GOT WORSE AROUND 65 MPH. I TOOK MY CAR TO NISSAN TWICE IN AUG. 2013 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS ROAD VIBRATION. IN EARLY NOV. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THE VIBRATION WASN'T ROAD VIBRATION AND THAT IT WAS EITHER MY DRIVE S…
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I BEGAN TO HAVE VIBRATION IN MY VEHICLE WHEN I REACHED SPEEDS OF 45 MPH AND GOT WORSE AROUND 65 MPH. I TOOK MY CAR TO NISSAN TWICE IN AUG. 2013 AND WAS TOLD IT WAS ROAD VIBRATION. IN EARLY NOV. I TOOK MY CAR TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC FOR THIS PROBLEM AND WAS TOLD THE VIBRATION WASN'T ROAD VIBRATION AND THAT IT WAS EITHER MY DRIVE SHAFTS OR TRANSMISSION. ON NOV. 17TH I DROVE FROM ALTOONA PA TO UPPER MARLBORO MD AND ARRIVED AROUND 2 AM. I WENT TO DRIVE MY CAR INTO DC ON THE MORNING OF THE 18TH AND WHEN I PUT IT IN REVERSE IT BACKED UP, BUT WHEN I PUT IT IN DRIVE IT WOULDN'T DRIVE FORWARD. AFTER SHIFTING THROUGH THE GEARS FOR A FEW MINUTES MY CAR DROVE FORWARD SO I PARKED IT IN MY DRIVEWAY. MY CAR HASN'T BEEN ABLE TO BE DRIVEN SINCE. WHEN I PUT IT IN GEAR AND PRESS THE GAS THE ENGINE JUST REVS. WHEN I START MY CAR I CAN HEAR THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION MAKING A WHINING NOISE. MY RADIATOR ALSO BROKE IN LATE AUGUST OF 2013 AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. *TR
MY 2005 XTERRA S-V6 4X2 HAD LOSS OF POWER AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER LOCATED IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY THAT ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN DAMAGED TO THE RADIATOR THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE T…
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MY 2005 XTERRA S-V6 4X2 HAD LOSS OF POWER AND HAD TO BE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. THEY DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER LOCATED IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY THAT ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN DAMAGED TO THE RADIATOR THAT HAD TO BE REPLACED AND THE TRANSMISSION IS NOW DAMAGED. THERE WERE NO WARNING SIGNS LEADING UP TO THE FAILURES. WHEN I SPOKE TO NISSAN THEY STATED THERE WAS NO RECALL. AFTER I DID SOME RESEARCH, I FOUND OUT THERE IS A EXTENDED WARRANTY. WHEN I CALLED NISSAN BACK THEY STATED IT WAS ONLY UP TO 80,000. SO REPAIRS ARE ON ME. *TR
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.