IllustrationSERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AND FUEL GAUGE COMPLETELY UNRELIABLE. FUEL GAUGE WOULD READ EMPTY WITH FULL FUEL AND THEN CHANGE TO VARIOUS READINGS. *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 LEVEL SENDING UNIT FAILS WITH A P0463 STORED IN SELF-DIAGNOSIS. THIS IS THE SAME AS THE OPEN RECALL FOR 06-08 IN TSB NTB07-069B. HOWEVER MINE IS AN 05 AND IF YOU LOOK ON THE WEB,,,,,,,THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH XTERRA S FROM 05-09 NOT JUST 06-08. NISSAN IS NOT BEING HELPFUL, AND RUNNING OUT OF FUEL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE R…
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FUEL LEVEL SENDING UNIT FAILS WITH A P0463 STORED IN SELF-DIAGNOSIS. THIS IS THE SAME AS THE OPEN RECALL FOR 06-08 IN TSB NTB07-069B. HOWEVER MINE IS AN 05 AND IF YOU LOOK ON THE WEB,,,,,,,THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM WITH XTERRA S FROM 05-09 NOT JUST 06-08. NISSAN IS NOT BEING HELPFUL, AND RUNNING OUT OF FUEL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD IS NOT GOOD, NOR IS THE $500+ DOLLARS THEY WANT TO FIX THIS!! *TR
I HAVE A 200D XTERRA THAT I BOUGHT NEW AT THE END OF 2005. RECENTLY THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. I WOULD FILLIT UP THAN HE GAS LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH SERVICE ENGINE SOON. NEXT DAY GAS GAUGE READS 3/4 FULL THAN NEVER MOVES. NISSAN WANTS TO CHARGE $450 JUST SO HAPPENS MY EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT 10-15-11 AND I HAVE OVER …
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I HAVE A 200D XTERRA THAT I BOUGHT NEW AT THE END OF 2005. RECENTLY THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED WORKING. I WOULD FILLIT UP THAN HE GAS LIGHT COMES ON ALONG WITH SERVICE ENGINE SOON. NEXT DAY GAS GAUGE READS 3/4 FULL THAN NEVER MOVES. NISSAN WANTS TO CHARGE $450 JUST SO HAPPENS MY EXTENDED WARRANTY RAN OUT 10-15-11 AND I HAVE OVER 72,000 MILES ON IT. *TR
STARTED HEARING A RUMBLE STRIP SOUND WHILE ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT. VEHICLE STARTED SHIFTING HARDER, WITH SLIGHT VIBRATIONS. BEFORE I COULD TAKE IT IN, I WAS INVOLVED WITH A HIT IN RUN IN A PARKING LOT. NISSAN SAID THE UPPER AND LOWER RADIATOR HOSES WERE SOAKED IN TRANSMISSION FLUID. MANAGER SAID IT HAD BEEN LEAKING FOR SOME TIME…
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STARTED HEARING A RUMBLE STRIP SOUND WHILE ON SMOOTH PAVEMENT. VEHICLE STARTED SHIFTING HARDER, WITH SLIGHT VIBRATIONS. BEFORE I COULD TAKE IT IN, I WAS INVOLVED WITH A HIT IN RUN IN A PARKING LOT. NISSAN SAID THE UPPER AND LOWER RADIATOR HOSES WERE SOAKED IN TRANSMISSION FLUID. MANAGER SAID IT HAD BEEN LEAKING FOR SOME TIME. HE SAID I NEEDED A NEW RADIATOR, AND TRANSMISSION COST OF 6500. NISSAN UPDATED THEIR RADIATORS BECAUSE THEY NEW IT WAS A DEFECTIVE PART, BUT REFUSE TO TAKE CARE OF DAMAGE THEY HAVE CAUSED. SEE LINK HTTP://WWW.NISSANASSIST.COM/WEB/RADIATOR/FAQS.PHP?MENU=22
FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILED 800 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY; CAUSES DRIVER TO HAVE NO IDEA OF FUEL LEVEL. CREATES DANGEROUS POSSIBILITY OF RUNNING OUT OF FUEL ON HIGHWAYS, IN TRAFFIC, ETC. WITHOUT MOTOR RUNNING, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES DO NOT WORK, CREATING EVEN HIGHER RISK OF ACCIDENT. VERY COMMON ISSUE ON 2005 XTERRA; SHOULD…
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FUEL LEVEL SENSOR FAILED 800 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY; CAUSES DRIVER TO HAVE NO IDEA OF FUEL LEVEL. CREATES DANGEROUS POSSIBILITY OF RUNNING OUT OF FUEL ON HIGHWAYS, IN TRAFFIC, ETC. WITHOUT MOTOR RUNNING, POWER STEERING AND POWER BRAKES DO NOT WORK, CREATING EVEN HIGHER RISK OF ACCIDENT. VERY COMMON ISSUE ON 2005 XTERRA; SHOULD HAVE BEEN A RECALL. *TR
FUEL GAUGE, FUEL SENDING UNIT IS NOT WORKING PROPERLY. *TR
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR IS NOT WORKING CORRECTLY CAUSING AN UNSAFE FUEL INDICATION READING. *TR
I HAD 1/4 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 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND DOING RESEARCH, I WENT ONLINE TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME AC…
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I HAD 1/4 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 CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. 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-59K. 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
THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ERROR CODE IS ON DUE TO A PART FAILURE AND THIS IS A KNOWN FAULT THAT OCCURS FREQUENTLY AND HAS SAFETY CONCERNS DUE TO POSSIBILITY OF RUNNING OUR OF FUEL. *TR
AFTER MY "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED, I PROCEEDED TO TAKE MY NISSAN XTERRA TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN HAWTHORNE, CA, TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. NISSAN CHARGED ME $129 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH FOUND AN ERROR CODE OF P0463. THAT ERROR CODED INDICATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING. I DECLINED TO P…
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AFTER MY "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT WAS ACTIVATED, I PROCEEDED TO TAKE MY NISSAN XTERRA TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN HAWTHORNE, CA, TO HAVE IT CHECKED OUT. NISSAN CHARGED ME $129 FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TEST, WHICH FOUND AN ERROR CODE OF P0463. THAT ERROR CODED INDICATED THAT THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WAS MALFUNCTIONING. I DECLINED TO PAY $570 TO HAVE IT REPAIRED. IN DOING SOME RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT SEVERAL NISSAN VEHICLES, ESPECIALLY ITS TRUCKS AND SUVS, HAVE SUFFERED FROM THIS PRODUCT DEFECT. I WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE IT IF NISSAN RECTIFIED THE SITUATION BY RECALLING VEHICLES OR COVERING MY CHARGE FOR REPAIRS. *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.