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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.

About this comparison →
845Owner complaints

Model-year median: 78

3Recall campaigns

View recall details →

1Investigations

View investigation details →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
157
200272
200384
2004845
2005780
2006557
2007119
2008
Compare all Xterra years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
412Fuel System, Gasoline
242Engine And Engine Cooling
167Engine
114Fuel System, Other
49
All reported categories
Electrical System
39Fuel/propulsion System
32Unknown Or Other
25Air Bags
19Vehicle Speed Control
12Steering
10Electronic Stability Control (esc)
8Suspension
8Equipment
6Structure
4Visibility
4Exterior Lighting
3Service Brakes
3Trailer Hitches
3Child Seat
1Latches/locks/linkages
1Service Brakes, Hydraulic
1Visibility/wiper
1Wheels
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

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

Equipment complaints

6 reports
Clear category filter
Mileage unknown · Feb 3, 2011
Equipment

HELLO: I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA SUV. THE ROCKFORD-FOSGATE CD-PLAYER EXCHANGER IS MALFUNCTIONING WITH THE CD'S STALLED IN THE CD PLAYER ITSELF. I HAD SERVICED THE VEHICLE AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE, HOWEVER, WHEN THE SERVICE HAD BEEN COMPLETED, THE CD-PLAYER DID NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY AND I HAD LET THE DEALERS…

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HELLO: I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA SUV. THE ROCKFORD-FOSGATE CD-PLAYER EXCHANGER IS MALFUNCTIONING WITH THE CD'S STALLED IN THE CD PLAYER ITSELF. I HAD SERVICED THE VEHICLE AT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP FOR AN OIL CHANGE, HOWEVER, WHEN THE SERVICE HAD BEEN COMPLETED, THE CD-PLAYER DID NOT FUNCTION CORRECTLY AND I HAD LET THE DEALERSHIP KNOWN OF THE ISSUE. UNFORTUNATELY, THEY HAD STATED THAT THE CD-PLAYER COULD NOT HAVE MAL-FUNCTIONED DUE TO AN OIL CHANGE VISIT AND HAD BEEN INFORMED THAT THESE TYPES OF EQUIPMENTS ARE ELECTRONIC DEVICES AND THEY HAVE A TENDENCY TO 'ACT UP'. TO SUMMARIZE THE VISIT THE DISCUSSION CONCLUDED AS I HAD BEEN FALSIFYING THE INFORMATION WHEN UP TILL THE SERVICE APPOINTMENT ALL HAD BEEN WELL. ALSO, NISSAN MOTORS CURRENTLY HAS A HANDFUL OF RECALLS THAT HAVE BEEN ISSUED, HOWEVER, IT IS A SURPRISE TO MYSELF THAT NO RECALLS HAVE BEEN MADE OR BROUGHT ABOUT IN REGARDS TO THEIR ROCKFORD FOSGATE CD PLAYER. I WOULD APPRECIATE IT IF SOMEONE CAN LOOK INTO THIS MATTER AND GET BACK TO ME. THANKS FOR THE KIND ASSIST IN ADVANCE. PLEASE TAKE CARE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10380177

Mileage unknown · Mar 4, 2010
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

MY 2005 XTERRA GAS GAGE GOES TO EMPTY AND WILL NOT SHOW TRUE AMOUNT IN TANK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE STAYS ON AND I KNOW IT IS FROM THE FILL VALVE FROM THE GAS TANK. I HAD ONE REPLACED ALREADY ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO AND THE PROBLEM IS BACK. THIS IS A RE OCCURRING PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN CONTINUIN…

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MY 2005 XTERRA GAS GAGE GOES TO EMPTY AND WILL NOT SHOW TRUE AMOUNT IN TANK. THIS HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR ABOUT 1 MONTH. ALSO THE CHECK ENGINE STAYS ON AND I KNOW IT IS FROM THE FILL VALVE FROM THE GAS TANK. I HAD ONE REPLACED ALREADY ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO AND THE PROBLEM IS BACK. THIS IS A RE OCCURRING PROBLEM THAT HAS BEEN CONTINUING FOR THE LAST 2 MONTHS. ALSO THE LATCH FOR THE REAR HATCH SOME TIMES WILL LOCK AND NOT OPEN I ALSO REPLACED THIS ABOUT 1 YEAR AGO AND THE PROBLEM CONTINUES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10316572

51,114 miles · Mar 19, 2009
EquipmentFuel System, Other

THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT MY NISSAN XTERA 2005. I HAD 1/8 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON EVEN THOUGH MY NEXT SERVICE WAS NOT DUE YET. I WENT DIRECTL…

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THIS COMPLAINT IS ABOUT MY NISSAN XTERA 2005. I HAD 1/8 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON EVEN THOUGH MY NEXT SERVICE WAS NOT DUE YET. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR PROBLEM AND THAT IT NOT IN WARRANTY. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND DOING RESEARCH, I WENT ONLINE TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT HAS SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. A SIMILAR PROBLEM WAS FOUND ON THE 2000-2004 XTERRA MODELS AND A RECALL WAS PERFORMED WHEN THE VEHICLE WOULD STOP AFTER NOT GETTING ANY FUEL, POSING A GREAT DANGER. IT SEEMS THAT SOMETHING IN THE UNIT IS FAULTY AND WILL CORRODE OVER TIME. THERE IS A GENERAL CONSENSUS THAT EVERYONE WHO IS HAVING THE PROBLEM IS EXPERIENCING THE SAME THING AFTER HAVING THE VEHICLE FOR OVER 2 YRS AND WITH AROUND 39K-49K. IF THIS PROBLEM EXISTED IN PREVIOUS MODELS, AND IT WAS RECALLED, THE 2005-2007 XTERRAS, FRONTIERS, AND PATHFINDERS SHOULD GET THIS FIXED AT NO CHARGE TO THE CUSTOMER!! WHY WAIT FOR ACCIDENTS AND POSSIBLE DEATHS, ESPECIALLY SINCE THE PROBLEM LIES IN AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE VEHICLE. COST OF REPAIR RANGES FROM $300-600. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10262449

35,000 miles · Jan 6, 2009
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

2005 XTERRA 35000 MILES FILLED UP AT GAS STATION GAUGE WENT TO COMPLETELY EMPTY. THE DTE READ ------ . DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS AFFECTING ALL EXTERRA WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL MODELS, INCLUDING XTERRA'S. NOW TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY THEY APPARENTLY WON'T COVER IT. THIS NEEDS T…

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2005 XTERRA 35000 MILES FILLED UP AT GAS STATION GAUGE WENT TO COMPLETELY EMPTY. THE DTE READ ------ . DID SOME RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS IS AFFECTING ALL EXTERRA WHICH SEEMS TO INDICATE THIS IS A REAL PROBLEM WITH SEVERAL MODELS, INCLUDING XTERRA'S. NOW TRYING TO FIND OUT WHY THEY APPARENTLY WON'T COVER IT. THIS NEEDS TO BE A RECALL AS THIS IS AFFECTING ALL CUSTOMERS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10253944

63,000 miles · Jul 26, 2008
EquipmentFuel System, Gasoline

THIS VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE, GAS TANK, FUEL PUMP...WHATEVER! THIS IS THE 3RD GAS TANK AND FUEL PUMP FOR A 2005 MODEL! THE FIRST TIME, AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. NOW AFTER LESS THAN 3 YRS OWNERSHIP, WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE HAVE TO PAY ALMOST 600.00! OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS EXTREME…

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THIS VEHICLE HAS A FAULTY FUEL GAUGE, GAS TANK, FUEL PUMP...WHATEVER! THIS IS THE 3RD GAS TANK AND FUEL PUMP FOR A 2005 MODEL! THE FIRST TIME, AFTER A FEW MONTHS OF OWNERSHIP, WAS COVERED BY WARRANTY. NOW AFTER LESS THAN 3 YRS OWNERSHIP, WE HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM AND WE HAVE TO PAY ALMOST 600.00! OUT OF WARRANTY. THIS IS EXTREME MAINTENANCE FOR THE SAME PROBLEMS/PARTS ON A 3 YR OLD VEHICLE! NISSAN SHOULD PAY FOR THESE PARTS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10235873

Mileage unknown · Dec 2, 2005
Equipment

DT: CONTACT STATES THERE IS NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN CONCERNING THE TRAILER HITCHES. THE PARTS NEEDED TO REPAIR THEIR VEHICLE ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP. HE SPOKE TO THE MANUFACTURER, WHO CONFIRMED THAT THE PARTS WERE NOT AVAILABLE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10144200

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.