IllustrationTRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING IN HIGH GEAR, BECAUSE OF A LEAK FROM A KNOWN FAULTY RADIATOR LETTING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION. *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 CAR BEGAN TO VIBRATE AT 40 MPH. I TOOK IT TO TWO MECHANICS WHO COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I TRIED REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND TIRE ROTATION AND BALANCE BUT THE VIBRATION CONTINUED. FINALLY, WHILE I WAS OUT OF TOWN, A MECHANIC DROPPED THE TRANSMISSION PAN AND DISCOVERED THE ENGINE COOLANT HAD ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION SY…
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THE CAR BEGAN TO VIBRATE AT 40 MPH. I TOOK IT TO TWO MECHANICS WHO COULD NOT FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. I TRIED REGULAR MAINTENANCE AND TIRE ROTATION AND BALANCE BUT THE VIBRATION CONTINUED. FINALLY, WHILE I WAS OUT OF TOWN, A MECHANIC DROPPED THE TRANSMISSION PAN AND DISCOVERED THE ENGINE COOLANT HAD ENTERED THE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM. HE DISCOVERED THAT THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH THE NISSAN XTERRA 2005 - 2010. NISSAN EVEN HAS A BYPASS PART TO BE INSTALLED. THIS PIECE WAS INSTALLED AND THE TRANSMISSION FLUSHED AND NEW TRANSMISSION FLUID PUT IN. THE RADIATOR APPEARS TO BE FINE, NO CRACKS AS OFTEN REPORTED WITH THIS PROBLEM. NOW, THREE MONTHS LATER, I HAVE SERIOUS TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS. THE CAR JERKS VIOLENTLY AT 40MPH ON ACCELERATION AND DECELERATION. THE MIXING OF ENGINE COOLANT WITH THE TRANSMISSION HAS OBVIOUSLY CAUSED SERIOUS DAMAGE TO MY TRANSMISSION. I AM DEVASTATED. I LOVE THIS CAR BUT HAVE NO FINANCIAL MEANS TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. *TR
WAS DRIVING WHILE MY TRANSMISSION WENT OUT. DEALER SAID THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUID WERE MIXED. MY VEHICLE HAD 99,000 ON IT. HAD IT FIXED THEN AT 140,000 IT HAPPENED AGAIN. NISSAN WANTS ME TO PAY 5500.00 BUT I REFUSE. THIS VEHICLE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED. *TR
MY TRANSMISSION JUST STUTTERED AND STOPPED WORKING WHILE IN TRAFFIC.TURNS OUT THE RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FROM NISSAN, HOWEVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR FELL TO ME. LUCKILY, I DID NOT INCUR ANY INJURY WHEN THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED WORKING DURING 5PM RUSH HOUR ON A FRID…
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MY TRANSMISSION JUST STUTTERED AND STOPPED WORKING WHILE IN TRAFFIC.TURNS OUT THE RADIATOR LEAKED COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING IT TO FAIL. THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE FROM NISSAN, HOWEVER THE COST OF THE REPAIR FELL TO ME. LUCKILY, I DID NOT INCUR ANY INJURY WHEN THE VEHICLE JUST STOPPED WORKING DURING 5PM RUSH HOUR ON A FRIDAY. *TR
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON AND THE TROUBLE SHOOTING NUMBER IS P0463. WHICH I UNDERSTAND NISSAN AUTOMOBILES HAVE A LOT OF TROUBLE WITH THIS SITUATION. I WOULD LIKE TO INFORMED WHEN THEY ARE HAVING A RECALL TO REPAIR THIS PROBLEM. *TR
I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD CONTAMINATED TRANSMISSION FLUID IN MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THIS DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR WAS KNOWN TO OCCUR IN HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLES SUCH AS MINE AND WAS KNOWN TO NISSAN AS THEY EXTENDED A SERVICE WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES. UNFORTUNATELY, MY VEHICLE'S MILEA…
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I WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALERSHIP SERVICE DEPARTMENT THAT RADIATOR FLUID HAD CONTAMINATED TRANSMISSION FLUID IN MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THIS DEFECT IN THE RADIATOR WAS KNOWN TO OCCUR IN HIGH MILEAGE VEHICLES SUCH AS MINE AND WAS KNOWN TO NISSAN AS THEY EXTENDED A SERVICE WARRANTY TO 100,000 MILES. UNFORTUNATELY, MY VEHICLE'S MILEAGE IS OVER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY AND I AM NOW RESPONSIBLE FOR THE COST OF THE REPAIRS. THIS IS A HUGE SAFETY ISSUE AS THE TRANSMISSION PLAYS A VITAL ROLE IN THE ABILITY FOR THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE INTO AND ACROSS TRAFFIC ON BUSY HIGHWAYS AND ROADS. THE INABILITY TO DO SO PROPERLY WITH A DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION MAY LEAD TO ACCIDENTS. NOT TO MENTION THAT THE CONTAMINATED RADIATOR COOLANT MAY NOT ACCOMPLISH THE INTENDED GOAL OF COOLING ENGINE COMPONENTS LEADING TO OVER HEATING AND ENGINE DYSFUNCTION. I FEEL STRONGLY THAT NISSAN NEW ABOUT THE DEFECT AND DID NOT TAKE APPROPRIATE ACTION TO NOTIFY CONSUMERS TO HAVE THE RADIATORS REPLACED PRIOR TO HAVING COMPLICATIONS FROM THE DEFECTIVE PARTS. *JS
DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA I PURCHASED 8 MONTHS AGO IN JANUARY 2013, MY AIR CONDITIONER WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. EVENTUALLY IN JULY OF 2013, MY CAR WAS NOT DRIVE ABLE. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT AT, AND THEY VERIFIED THAT MY RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT, WHICH MIXED WITH MY TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE RESULTED IN TH…
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DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA I PURCHASED 8 MONTHS AGO IN JANUARY 2013, MY AIR CONDITIONER WORKED INTERMITTENTLY. EVENTUALLY IN JULY OF 2013, MY CAR WAS NOT DRIVE ABLE. HAD IT TOWED TO DEALERSHIP I PURCHASED IT AT, AND THEY VERIFIED THAT MY RADIATOR WAS LEAKING COOLANT, WHICH MIXED WITH MY TRANSMISSION FLUID. THE RESULTED IN THE NEED TO REPAIR THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. *TR
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME UP IN MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA AT 85,000 MILES. TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE I MAKE OIL CHANGES, I WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION BROKE AND RADIATOR FLUID CONTAMINATION. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, BUT THEY FLAT OUT REFUSED THE CONTAMINATION, INSTEAD OFFER TO REPLACE BOTH TR…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME UP IN MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA AT 85,000 MILES. TOOK IT TO THE REPAIR SHOP WHERE I MAKE OIL CHANGES, I WAS TOLD TRANSMISSION BROKE AND RADIATOR FLUID CONTAMINATION. TOOK IT TO THE DEALER, THEY CONFIRM THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILURE, BUT THEY FLAT OUT REFUSED THE CONTAMINATION, INSTEAD OFFER TO REPLACE BOTH TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FOR $5,500 TO AVOID FUTURE PROBLEMS. I WAS NOT CONVINCED. IMMEDIATELY, ANOTHER GUY IN THE DEALERSHIP OFFERS TO TRADE IN FOR A NEW CAR. I TOOK THE CAR OUT AND WENT TO ANOTHER TRANSMISSION SHOP. SURE ENOUGH, THEY NOTICED RADIATION FLUID CONTAMINATING THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. COST WAS AROUND $3,750. BECAUSE, THE DEADLINE WAS EARLY JUNE'2013 AND NOW IS EARLY JULY, THEY ARE TELLING ME I CANNOT SUBMIT THE CLAIM. I HOPE THE COURT DOES NOT APPROVE THE FINAL SETTLEMENT. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL AND PAY FOR THE REPAIRS OF DEFECTIVE TRANSMISSION/ RADIATOR. *TR
WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 XTERRA SE NOTICED LOUD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END - FOUND OUT TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD BECOME MIXED WITH COOLANT FROM RADIATOR. (I HAVE A SAMPLE OF THE CLOUDY LOOKING FLUID). THE PROBLEM RENDERED THE SUV UNDRIVABLE SO WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE SPENT $5,400 TO HAVE BOTH TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED, B…
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WHILE DRIVING MY 2005 XTERRA SE NOTICED LOUD NOISE COMING FROM FRONT END - FOUND OUT TRANSMISSION FLUID HAD BECOME MIXED WITH COOLANT FROM RADIATOR. (I HAVE A SAMPLE OF THE CLOUDY LOOKING FLUID). THE PROBLEM RENDERED THE SUV UNDRIVABLE SO WAS TOWED TO DEALER WHERE SPENT $5,400 TO HAVE BOTH TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACED, BUT DO NOT KNOW FOR SURE IF THIS A PERMANENT FIX OR NOT. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE RADIATOR FLUID WA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE AS THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR DIAGNOSIS. THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,400. *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.