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, Other complaints

49 reports
Clear category filter
109,000 miles · Jan 29, 2010
Fuel System, Other

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR WAS ERRATIC AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE FUEL GAUGE ERROR CODE WAS P0463. THE NISSAN DEALER QUOTED HIM AN $85 FEE TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT S…

Read full complaint

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR WAS ERRATIC AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL MECHANIC INFORMED HIM THAT THE FUEL GAUGE ERROR CODE WAS P0463. THE NISSAN DEALER QUOTED HIM AN $85 FEE TO PERFORM A DIAGNOSTIC TEST. THE NISSAN MANUFACTURER WAS CALLED AND STATED THAT SINCE HE DID NOT TAKE HIS VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER THEY WOULD NOT ASSIST HIM WITH THE REPAIR. THERE ARE NO RELATED RECALLS OR WARRANTIES FOR HIS VEHICLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.

NHTSA ODI #10303162

75,145 miles · Dec 30, 2009
Fuel System, Other

COUPLE WEEKS AGO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I BACKING OFF MY DRIVEWAY. THEN MY BATTERY DIED A WEEK AFTER SO I THOUGHT THE REASON WHY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IS BECAUSE OF MY BATTERY IS RUNNING OUT OF JUICE. SO, I REPLACE MY BATTERY BUT THEN THE FOLLOWING DAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THAT'S WHEN I WENT …

Read full complaint

COUPLE WEEKS AGO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I BACKING OFF MY DRIVEWAY. THEN MY BATTERY DIED A WEEK AFTER SO I THOUGHT THE REASON WHY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IS BECAUSE OF MY BATTERY IS RUNNING OUT OF JUICE. SO, I REPLACE MY BATTERY BUT THEN THE FOLLOWING DAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THAT'S WHEN I WENT TO MY LOCAL AUTO SHOP AND GET MY X GET CHECK. THEY TOLD THAT IS THE ERROR CODE P0463. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10297630

75,000 miles · Dec 3, 2009
Fuel System, Other

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA; AND A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED ACCURATELY REPORTING THE LEVEL OF GAS IN THE TANK. IN ADDITION, THE "SERVICE" LIGHT CAME ON (AND STAYED ON) PREVENTING ME FROM PASSING INSPECTION. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER OCCURRENCES OF THIS PROBLEM WITH VARIOUS N…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA; AND A FEW MONTHS AGO, THE GAS GAUGE STOPPED ACCURATELY REPORTING THE LEVEL OF GAS IN THE TANK. IN ADDITION, THE "SERVICE" LIGHT CAME ON (AND STAYED ON) PREVENTING ME FROM PASSING INSPECTION. AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH, I DISCOVERED THAT THERE ARE MANY OTHER OCCURRENCES OF THIS PROBLEM WITH VARIOUS NISSAN MODELS IN THE "2005" (ETC) YEAR. THIS IS A RELATIVELY EXPENSIVE REPAIR (APPROXIMATELY $500) FOR A FUEL GAUGE SENDING UNIT REPLACEMENT; AND IF NOT REPAIRED, WE WHO HAVE THIS PROBLEM ALL RUN THE RISK OF RUNNING OUT OF GAS, POSSIBLY UNDER DANGEROUS HIGH SPEED ROAD CONDITIONS! DESPITE THE FACT THAT THIS IS APPARENTLY A "FAULTY PART" SUPPLIED BY NISSAN, THE COMPANY HAS NOT OFFERED TO POST A RECALL AND/OR PAY FOR THIS REPAIR. WITH THE NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS, AND THE POSSIBLE DANGEROUS REPERCUSSIONS OF NOT KNOWING WHEN THE VEHICLE WILL RUN OUT OF GAS, I BELIEVE THAT NISSAN SHOULD REPLACE THIS PART AT NO CHARGE TO THE CONSUMER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10294411

61,000 miles · Nov 14, 2009
Fuel System, Other

FUEL GAUGE NOT ACCURATE CAUSING SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT TO GO ON. I CAN RUN OUT OF FUEL AT ANYTIME CAUSING A DANGEROUS SITUATION ON THE FREEWAY OR ROADS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10292173

59,357 miles · Sep 6, 2009
Fuel System, Other

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA, AND AFTER FILLING MY GAS TANK MY FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL. AFTER RESEARCHING A LITTLE IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THERE ARE NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER NISSAN CUSTOMERS. APPARENTLY NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THIS …

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA, AND AFTER FILLING MY GAS TANK MY FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. SHORTLY AFTER THAT THE SERVICE ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AS WELL. AFTER RESEARCHING A LITTLE IT SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL LEVEL SENSOR. THERE ARE NUMEROUS SIMILAR COMPLAINTS FROM OTHER NISSAN CUSTOMERS. APPARENTLY NISSAN WILL NOT COVER THIS AND THERE HAS NOT BEEN A RECALL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10283001

Mileage unknown · Aug 12, 2009
Fuel System, Other

2005 NISSAN XTERRA FUEL SENDING UNITE/SENSOR CORROSION CAUSING MALFUNCTION OF GAS GAUGE AND TURNING ON SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT. POSSIBLE RECALL WAS DONE ON 2000-2004 MODELS WHY NOT ON 2005. MALFUNCTION STARTS AT 39K-47K CAUSING DISTRACTION AND PANIC TO THE DRIVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10280191

52,000 miles · Jun 26, 2009
Fuel System, Other

I HAVE A 2005 XTERRA WITH AROUND 50K MILES ON IT. THE DOWN TO EMPTY MILEAGE HAS RECENTLY NOT BEEN CALCULATING AND LAST NIGHT WHEN I WENT TO FILL UP THE NEEDLE WOULDN'T RAISE TO A FULL TANK. THIS MORNING MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND HASN'T GONE OFF SINCE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ONLY TO FIND THAT SEVERAL O…

Read full complaint

I HAVE A 2005 XTERRA WITH AROUND 50K MILES ON IT. THE DOWN TO EMPTY MILEAGE HAS RECENTLY NOT BEEN CALCULATING AND LAST NIGHT WHEN I WENT TO FILL UP THE NEEDLE WOULDN'T RAISE TO A FULL TANK. THIS MORNING MY SERVICE ENGINE SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND HASN'T GONE OFF SINCE. I HAVE DONE SOME RESEARCH ONLINE ONLY TO FIND THAT SEVERAL OTHER 2005 XTERRA OWNERS HAVE HAD THIS SAME PROBLEM. IT SUPPOSEDLY HAS TO DO WITH THE FUEL SENSOR UNIT. THIS HAS BEEN RECALLED IN PRIOR MODELS OF THE XTERRA. I AM HOPING THAT I AM NOT GOING TO HAVE TO PAY OVER 600$ TO GET THIS FIXED CONSIDERING IT IS DANGEROUS AND COULD CAUSE SUDDEN STOPS AND/OR FIRE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10275042

47,000 miles · May 31, 2009
Fuel System, Other

FUEL SENDING UNIT BREAKS AT 47K MILES, NISSAN DEALER IS USED TO THE PROBLEM AND SAYS IT IS $550.00 TO REPLACE. NISSAN SHOULD RECALL UNITS AND FIX THEM WHEN THEY ARE FAULTY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10272453

55,000 miles · May 26, 2009
Fuel System, Other

2005 NISSAN EXTERRA. FUEL SENSOR LIGHT NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND WILL COST 350.00 TO REPLACE! WILL NOT PASS INSPECTION WITHOUT REPAIR. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10269921

89,000 miles · May 15, 2009
Fuel System, Other

FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT. NISSAN HAS HAD CRONIC PROBLEMS WITH FIVE DIFFERENT MODELS OVER THE PAST FIVE YEARS. CONTACTED NISSAN WITH NO SUCESS. THIS IS A DESIGN PROBLEM THAT NISSAN SHOULD COVER. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10268875

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.