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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 →

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
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37,689 miles · Oct 11, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

I HAVE A 2005 XTERRA WITH 38K MILES, "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER, DIAGNOSIS IS A BAD FUEL SENDING UNIT $600.00 TO REPLACE. I'M JUST OVER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT DEALERSHIP CANNOT HELP. THE SENDING UNIT AND GASKET ARE $200.00. $400.00 FOR LABOR SEEMS A BIT STEEP…

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I HAVE A 2005 XTERRA WITH 38K MILES, "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON, TOOK IT TO THE DEALERSHIP, HOOKED IT UP TO THE COMPUTER, DIAGNOSIS IS A BAD FUEL SENDING UNIT $600.00 TO REPLACE. I'M JUST OVER THE EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT DEALERSHIP CANNOT HELP. THE SENDING UNIT AND GASKET ARE $200.00. $400.00 FOR LABOR SEEMS A BIT STEEP. AT WHAT POINT IN TIME WILL NISSAN RECALL THIS ISSUE? *KB

NHTSA ODI #10429406

36,800 miles · Oct 3, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL SENDING UNIT DIED AT 36800 MILES; APPROXIMATELY 800 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. NISSAN LATER ADMITTED FAULT (OVER 5 YEARS LATER) AND EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 72000 MILES AS IT APPLIES TO THAT PART, BUT MY VEHICLE WAS WELL PAST THAT MILEAGE BY THAT POINT. VEHICLE NOW FAILS NJ INSPECTION BECAUSE OBD II CODE IS RETURNED FOR FAULTY FU…

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FUEL SENDING UNIT DIED AT 36800 MILES; APPROXIMATELY 800 MILES OUT OF WARRANTY. NISSAN LATER ADMITTED FAULT (OVER 5 YEARS LATER) AND EXTENDED WARRANTY TO 72000 MILES AS IT APPLIES TO THAT PART, BUT MY VEHICLE WAS WELL PAST THAT MILEAGE BY THAT POINT. VEHICLE NOW FAILS NJ INSPECTION BECAUSE OBD II CODE IS RETURNED FOR FAULTY FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10428324

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

"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. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER CO…

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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. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED AFTER 30K MILES. 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 #10428148

94,125 miles · Sep 28, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

HAD A P0463 CODE COME UP FOR FUEL LEVEL SENSOR A CIRCUIT HIGH INPUT. I UNDERSTAND THAT THIS IS VERY COMMON ON SECOND GENERATION NISSANS. *TT

NHTSA ODI #10427739

88,000 miles · Sep 20, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

ENGINE LIGHT SERVICE SOON IS ON THE CAR IS STARTING TO STALL. OUT OF WARRANTY BUT WHILE RESEARCHING THIS IS A KNOW ISSUE FOR NISSAN XTERRAS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10426429

95,000 miles · Sep 20, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $500 TO FIX THE SENSOR WHICH WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND RECALLED ON EARLIER AND LATER MODELS OF THIS TRUCK. AND IS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM FOR OTHER XTERRA OWNERS. PLEASE RECALL THIS PART. FUEL LEVEL SENSORS LAST MUCH LONGER …

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THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $500 TO FIX THE SENSOR WHICH WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND RECALLED ON EARLIER AND LATER MODELS OF THIS TRUCK. AND IS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM FOR OTHER XTERRA OWNERS. PLEASE RECALL THIS PART. FUEL LEVEL SENSORS LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THIS IS OTHER MAKES AND MODELS OF VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10426400

97,000 miles · Sep 16, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY AND THE FUEL GAGE WOULD READ INACCURATELY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WOULD ILLUMINATE SPORADICALLY AND THE FUEL GAGE WOULD READ INACCURATELY. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS DEFECTIVE AND WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED BUT DENIED ANY ASSISTANCE WITH REPAIR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 97,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE 98,000. UPDATED 11/29/11 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED A RECALL WAS ISSUED FOR HIS MAKE AND MODEL, BUT NOT THE YEAR, AS WELL AS OTHER MODELS. UPDATED 12/12/11

NHTSA ODI #10425772

102,584 miles · Sep 7, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

THIS MORNING THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $500 TO FIX THE SENSOR WHICH WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND RECALLED ON EARLIER MODELS OF THIS TRUCK. AND IS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM FOR OTHER XTERRA OWNERS. PLEASE RECALL THIS PART. FUEL LEVEL SENSORS LAST MUCH …

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THIS MORNING THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR ON MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA STOPPED WORKING AS I WAS DRIVING TO WORK. THE DEALERSHIP WANTS $500 TO FIX THE SENSOR WHICH WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM AND RECALLED ON EARLIER MODELS OF THIS TRUCK. AND IS ALSO A COMMON PROBLEM FOR OTHER XTERRA OWNERS. PLEASE RECALL THIS PART. FUEL LEVEL SENSORS LAST MUCH LONGER THAN THIS IS OTHER MAKES AND MODELS OF VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10424081

Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

TEENAGE DAUGHTER RAN OUT OF GAS AT NIGHT WHILE GAUGE REGISTERED NEARLY A FULL TANK! SHE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT HER FATHER MUST HAVE RECENTLY FILLED THE TANK, WHICH OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT THE CASE. THE GAUGE REGISTERS FULL WHEN IT'S NOT AND EMPTY WHEN IT'S NOT! RECEIVED "CODE PEWEE FUEL CENSOR A TOO HIGH" AFTER RESEARCHING,…

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TEENAGE DAUGHTER RAN OUT OF GAS AT NIGHT WHILE GAUGE REGISTERED NEARLY A FULL TANK! SHE WAS UNDER THE IMPRESSION THAT HER FATHER MUST HAVE RECENTLY FILLED THE TANK, WHICH OBVIOUSLY WAS NOT THE CASE. THE GAUGE REGISTERS FULL WHEN IT'S NOT AND EMPTY WHEN IT'S NOT! RECEIVED "CODE PEWEE FUEL CENSOR A TOO HIGH" AFTER RESEARCHING, I SEE THAT THIS IS, AND HAS BEEN, AN ISSUE WITH XTERRAS! AND FOR OLDER GENERATIONS THERE WAS A RECALL. HOWEVER FOR THIS MODEL WE WERE NOT NOTIFIED OF ANY ISSUE THEREBY PUTTING MY DAUGHTER AT RISK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423208

70,000 miles · Aug 27, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline

DTE (DISTANCE TO EMPTY) INDICATION FLASHES "---". VEHICLE "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT ILLUMINATED. CODE PO463, FUEL LEVEL SENSOR A CIRCUIT INPUT HIGH IS STORED IN MEMORY. ACCORDING TO INTERNET SEARCHES AND CIRCUIT DIAGRAM, BELIEVED TO BE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR (IN-TANK). *TT

NHTSA ODI #10421685

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.