Illustration2005 NISSAN XTERRA - FUEL SENDING UNIT FAILURE. *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
Fuel System, Gasoline complaints
242 reportsFUEL SENDING UNIT, SHOWS I HAVE 1/4 TANK OF FUEL BUT WAS ACTUALLY EMPTY. CAUSING MY CAR TO DIE ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MULTIPLE TIMES AS THE GAUGE/FUEL SENDING UNIT IS FAULTY SHOWING THE INCORRECT UNIT. *TR
THE GAS GAUGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA DOES NOT WORK. THIS MEANS, EVEN THOUGH I FILL UP MY TANK, IT SHOWS THAT MY CAR IS ON EMPTY. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AS AT ANY GIVEN TIME, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER I HAVE ENOUGH GAS TO GET FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN PERSISTING SINCE IT FIRST OCCURRED. I'VE HAD THIS PRO…
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THE GAS GAUGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA DOES NOT WORK. THIS MEANS, EVEN THOUGH I FILL UP MY TANK, IT SHOWS THAT MY CAR IS ON EMPTY. THIS IS INCREDIBLY DANGEROUS AS AT ANY GIVEN TIME, I DON'T KNOW WHETHER I HAVE ENOUGH GAS TO GET FROM ONE PLACE TO ANOTHER. THIS PROBLEM HAS BEEN PERSISTING SINCE IT FIRST OCCURRED. I'VE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR 6+ MONTHS! I KNOW OF OTHER XTERRA OWNERS WHO HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. A RECALL IS DEFINITELY CALLED FOR. *TR
THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE VEHICLE NO LONGER READS PROPERLY INDICATING INACCURATE LEVELS OF GASOLINE. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER REFILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE FUEL, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED AFTER REFILLING THE VEHICLE WITH GASOLINE FUEL, THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE INDICATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS EMPTY. THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE FUEL SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THERE WERE NO PRIOR WARNINGS OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 40,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 63,400 UPDATED 9/13/10 *CN THE CONSUMER STATED THE FUEL GAUGE IN THE INSTRUMENT PANEL STARTED MALFUNCTIONING AND SHOWING ERRONEOUS FUEL LEVELS. THE GAUGE WOULD THEN FLUCTUATE BETWEEN NORMAL LEVELS TO SHOWING EMPTY OR NEARLY EMPTY INACCURATELY. THE CONSUMER REFERENCED RECALL 10V075000. THE EXACT PROBLEM THAT HE WAS EXPERIENCING. HOWEVER, HIS MODEL YEAR WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. UPDATED 09/15/10
GAS GAUGE ON MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA STOPPED WORKING. TOLD IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT. I ONLY HAVE 79,000 MILES ON THE VEHICLE. DEALER TELLS ME IF I DON'T GET IT CHANGED THE VEHICLE WILL EVENTUALLY NOT START. THIS WOULD NOT BE A GOOD THING GIVEN THE RIGHT CIRCUMSTANCE. *TR
THE FOLLOWING RECALL IS IDENTICAL TO SYMPTOMS I OBSERVE WITH MY 2005 NISSAN X-TERRA, SINCE 10/2008: RECALL #38731: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED I…
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THE FOLLOWING RECALL IS IDENTICAL TO SYMPTOMS I OBSERVE WITH MY 2005 NISSAN X-TERRA, SINCE 10/2008: RECALL #38731: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY. *TR
NISSAN XTERRA 2005 -- FAULTY FUEL SENSOR, FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REPORT GAS IN TANK. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA 4X4. JUST RECENTLY I FILLED UP MY GAS TANK TO FULL, BUT WHEN I LOOKED AT MY FUEL GAUGE IT JUST STAYED AT THE HALF MARK. IT TOOK A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE IT CLIMBED TO FULL. MY MILEAGE WAS AT 44,950 MILES WHEN THIS FIRST OCCURRED. IT IS STILL HAPPENING EVERYTIME I HAVE TO FILL MY GAS TANK. I KEEP FILLI…
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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA 4X4. JUST RECENTLY I FILLED UP MY GAS TANK TO FULL, BUT WHEN I LOOKED AT MY FUEL GAUGE IT JUST STAYED AT THE HALF MARK. IT TOOK A COUPLE OF HOURS BEFORE IT CLIMBED TO FULL. MY MILEAGE WAS AT 44,950 MILES WHEN THIS FIRST OCCURRED. IT IS STILL HAPPENING EVERYTIME I HAVE TO FILL MY GAS TANK. I KEEP FILLING AT HALF BECAUSE I'M AFRAID I WILL RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE FREEWAY. I'VE NOTICED SOME OTHER 2005 XTERRA OWNERS HAD THE SAME PROBLEM. THEY SHOULD HAVE A RECALL ON THIS BECAUSE OF THEIR MALFUNCTIONING PART. I CALLED NISSAN ABOUT THIS BUT THEY TOLD ME MY CAR WAS NOT COVERED BECAUSE MY CAR VIN# WAS NOT UNDER IT. *TR
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA AND RECENTLY I HAD MY "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COME ON. I FOUND OUT THAT EARLIER NISSAN XTERRAS AND PATHFINDERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. IT WAS A CODE P0463, FUEL GAUGE DETECTIONPROBLEM. THE EARLIER MODELS GOT THIS TO BE A RECALL, BUT THE NEWER XTERRAS HAVE NOT. TO GET THIS FIXED I CAN ONLY GET IT DONE …
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I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA AND RECENTLY I HAD MY "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT COME ON. I FOUND OUT THAT EARLIER NISSAN XTERRAS AND PATHFINDERS HAD THE SAME ISSUE. IT WAS A CODE P0463, FUEL GAUGE DETECTIONPROBLEM. THE EARLIER MODELS GOT THIS TO BE A RECALL, BUT THE NEWER XTERRAS HAVE NOT. TO GET THIS FIXED I CAN ONLY GET IT DONE BY THE DEALER AND IS AROUND A $600 REPAIR. *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.