SkipThatYearREAL DATA. SMARTER CAR DECISIONS.
← New search

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

Fuel System, Gasoline complaints

242 reports
Clear category filter
60,000 miles · Oct 19, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. I HAVE HAD A CODE THAT READS P0463 THAT HAS CAUSED MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON. THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE IS MALFUNCTIONING AND IT IS MISREADING THE LEVEL OF FUEL THAT I ACTUALLY HAVE. HOW IS THIS NOT A RECALL ISSUE. INSTEAD I HAVE TO PAY 600 DOLLARS TO HELP PREVENT ME FROM RUNNING OUT OF FUEL ON TH…

Read full complaint

I OWN A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. I HAVE HAD A CODE THAT READS P0463 THAT HAS CAUSED MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT ON. THE FUEL LEVEL GAUGE IS MALFUNCTIONING AND IT IS MISREADING THE LEVEL OF FUEL THAT I ACTUALLY HAVE. HOW IS THIS NOT A RECALL ISSUE. INSTEAD I HAVE TO PAY 600 DOLLARS TO HELP PREVENT ME FROM RUNNING OUT OF FUEL ON THE HIGHWAY AND CREATING A DANGEROUS SITUATION. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10289034

39,100 miles · Oct 19, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN XTERRA. DEFECTIVE FUEL SENSOR GIVES ERRONEOUS GASOLINE GAUGE READINGS AND ACTIVATES A WARNING LIGHT "SERVICE ENGINE SOON". REPAIR INVOLVES REMOVAL OF FUEL TANK. INTERNET SEARCHES REVEAL THAT THIS A COMMON COMPLAINT AMONG NISSAN VEHICLES. NISSAN HAS NOT ISSUED A RECALL ON THIS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10288935

35,000 miles · Oct 12, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE. THE FUEL LEVEL WAS MIS READING LEVEL OF FUEL, SOON AFTERWARDS AN ERROR CODE P0463 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION) ON YOUR 2ND GEN X HAS OCCURRED. IT HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY READING THE ERROR. I CHECK THE FUSE BOX AND RESET THE CPU, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. COST TO REPLACE IS $600.00 WHICH I CAN NOT…

Read full complaint

NORMAL OPERATION OF VEHICLE. THE FUEL LEVEL WAS MIS READING LEVEL OF FUEL, SOON AFTERWARDS AN ERROR CODE P0463 (FUEL LEVEL SENSOR MALFUNCTION) ON YOUR 2ND GEN X HAS OCCURRED. IT HAS BEEN CONSTANTLY READING THE ERROR. I CHECK THE FUSE BOX AND RESET THE CPU, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL REMAINS. COST TO REPLACE IS $600.00 WHICH I CAN NOT AFFORD. I AM WRITING THIS TO PRESSURE NISSAN TO RECALL AND REPLACE THIS PART. MY CAR HAS NOW 58K MILES ON THE ODOMETER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10287094

78,000 miles · Oct 3, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

I FILLED UP MY VEHICLE WITH GAS DROVE A FEW MILES THEN THE GAS GAUGE SHOWED EMPTY AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I THOUGHT IT WAS LEAKING GAS BUT FOUND OUT THAT IT IS A FUEL SENSOR SYSTEM. THE GAUGE CONTINUES TO GO TO EMPTY WHENEVER MY GAS FALL BELOW HALF FULL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10286207

43,500 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL SENDING UNIT MALFUNCTION AFTER 40,000 MILES, SO FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK. REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED SINCE VEHICLE WAS ACQUIRED NEW IN 2005. GAUGE WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES TO REGISTER FULL AFTER FILL-UP AND THEN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY DROP BACK TO 3/4 OR SLIGHTLY BE…

Read full complaint

FUEL SENDING UNIT MALFUNCTION AFTER 40,000 MILES, SO FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT REGISTER THE CORRECT AMOUNT OF FUEL IN THE FUEL TANK. REGULAR MAINTENANCE PERFORMED SINCE VEHICLE WAS ACQUIRED NEW IN 2005. GAUGE WILL TAKE APPROXIMATELY 30 MINUTES TO REGISTER FULL AFTER FILL-UP AND THEN ALMOST IMMEDIATELY DROP BACK TO 3/4 OR SLIGHTLY BELOW AND REMAIN THERE. I HAVE FOUND NUMEROUS THREADS ON THIS ISSUE IN VARIOUS ONLINE FORUMS FROM OWNERS OF 2005 AND LATER XTERRA SUVS AND FRONTIER PICK UP TRUCKS. ALL STATE THAT NISSAN WILL NOT REPLACE THE DEFECTIVE PART OVER 36,000 MILES AND THE REPAIR IS LISTED AT $600 OR MORE AFTER THE ORIGINAL WARRANTY EXPIRES. NISSAN HAS ISSUED A TSB AND IS AWARE THAT THE PART IS DEFECTIVE, BUT REFUSES TO CONDUCT A RECALL, EVEN THOUGH THIS SEEMS TO BE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM. I LIVE IN THE WESTERN UNITED STATES AND, BY NECESSITY, HAVE TO TRAVEL FAIRLY LONG DISTANCES TO GET TO "CIVILIZATION". DUE TO THIS FACT, I THINK IT IS PRETTY IMPORTANT AND CONSIDER IT A SAFETY ISSUE THAT I KNOW HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE IN THE TANK, ESPECIALLY SINCE WINTER IS JUST A FEW WEEKS AWAY AND THE WEATHER HERE CAN BE QUITE SEVERE DURING THAT TIME. I ALSO HAVE A SECOND, 2006 MODEL XTERRA THAT IS APPROACHING 40,000 MILES, WHICH I'M SURE WILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM WITH AT SOME POINT IN THE NEXT FEW MONTHS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285539

48,900 miles · Sep 28, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL SENDER IS FAILING. DEALER INFORMED ME THE SENDER IS FAILING AND "OFFERED" TO REPLACE IT FOR $500.00! LOOKS LIKE THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT! WHERE IS THE RECALL ON THIS PART? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10285455

55,000 miles · Sep 17, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

CAR STARTED RUNNING POORLY AND USING MORE GAS. SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284425

53,300 miles · Sep 16, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL GAUGE SHOWS INCORRECT FUEL AMOUNT IN TANK. THE TANK WILL SHOW MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A TANK AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN DROP TO DEAD EMPTY AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WILL COME ON. THIS ALSO TRIGGERS THE TRIP COMPUTER TO READ '---' FOR THE DTE (DISTANCE TO EMPTY) READING. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL …

Read full complaint

FUEL GAUGE SHOWS INCORRECT FUEL AMOUNT IN TANK. THE TANK WILL SHOW MORE THAN A QUARTER OF A TANK AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN DROP TO DEAD EMPTY AND THE LOW FUEL LIGHT WILL COME ON. THIS ALSO TRIGGERS THE TRIP COMPUTER TO READ '---' FOR THE DTE (DISTANCE TO EMPTY) READING. THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM THAT NISSAN HAS ISSUED A TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN ON (NTB07-069B). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10284114

54,000 miles · Sep 14, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

MY FUEL SENSOR AND EVAP VALVE HAVE BOTH FAILED ON MY '05 NISSAN XTERRA. I USE IT OFF-ROAD, WHICH IS SUPPOSEDLY WHY THE EVAP VALVE FAILED. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS THAT THEY ARE CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NISSAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED NOT TO STAND BY THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCT; THEY SHOULD BE REPLACING IT FOR…

Read full complaint

MY FUEL SENSOR AND EVAP VALVE HAVE BOTH FAILED ON MY '05 NISSAN XTERRA. I USE IT OFF-ROAD, WHICH IS SUPPOSEDLY WHY THE EVAP VALVE FAILED. SO MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING THESE PROBLEMS THAT THEY ARE CLEARLY A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NISSAN SHOULD BE ASHAMED NOT TO STAND BY THE QUALITY OF THEIR PRODUCT; THEY SHOULD BE REPLACING IT FOR FREE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283892

50,000 miles · Sep 11, 2009
Fuel System, Gasoline

2005 NISSAN XTERRA, 50K MILES SOMETHING WITH THE FUEL SENSOR IS NOT WORKING. MY FUEL TANK WAS BELOW 1/4 OF A TANK. I WENT TO GO FILL IT UP AND WHEN I LOOKED AT THE GAGE IT STILL READ THE SAME NUMBER. AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF DRIVING THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WENT ON. I WENT ONLINE AND READ A FEW FORMS WITH COUNTING OVER 100 PEOPL…

Read full complaint

2005 NISSAN XTERRA, 50K MILES SOMETHING WITH THE FUEL SENSOR IS NOT WORKING. MY FUEL TANK WAS BELOW 1/4 OF A TANK. I WENT TO GO FILL IT UP AND WHEN I LOOKED AT THE GAGE IT STILL READ THE SAME NUMBER. AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF DRIVING THE "CHECK ENGINE" LIGHT WENT ON. I WENT ONLINE AND READ A FEW FORMS WITH COUNTING OVER 100 PEOPLE WHO HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AT ROUGHLY THE SAME MILEAGE. I BELIEVE THAT THE DEALER SHOULD PUT A RECALL ON THIS PRODUCT. (P0463 COMPUTER ERROR). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283695

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.