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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.

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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

Power Train complaints

412 reports
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88,000 miles · Jun 28, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

IN SEPTEMBER, 2010 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA AT 55 MPH ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY WHEN IT THE TEMPERATURE SPIKED OVERHEATING THE ENGINE AFTER PULLING OVER AND CHECKING IT I DISCOVERED I HAD TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR. COME TO FIND OUT THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT ON 2005 THRU 2010 NISSAN XTERRA'S, PATHFINDERS, AND FRONTI…

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IN SEPTEMBER, 2010 I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA AT 55 MPH ON A TWO LANE HIGHWAY WHEN IT THE TEMPERATURE SPIKED OVERHEATING THE ENGINE AFTER PULLING OVER AND CHECKING IT I DISCOVERED I HAD TRANSMISSION FLUID IN THE RADIATOR. COME TO FIND OUT THERE IS A KNOWN DEFECT ON 2005 THRU 2010 NISSAN XTERRA'S, PATHFINDERS, AND FRONTIER'S IN WHICH THE RADIATORS INTERNALLY LEAK WATER INTO THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSIONS AND CAUSES THE VIOLENT SHAKING AT HIGH SPEEDS. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE ISSUE AND HAS ONLY CHOSEN TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY ON THE RADIATORS AND NOT RECALL THE VEHICLES. IN FACT THE LETTER SENT TO THE CONSUMERS DOESN'T EVEN REFERENCE THE TRANSMISSION (IN WHICH IT DESTROYS). WHILE MY FAMILY AND I WERE NOT HURT, IT WAS A CLOSE CALL AND COULD HAVE EASILY BEEN WORSE AT THE SPEED I WAS GOING AND THE EFFECT THE FAILURE HAS ON THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A GARAGE AND THE RADIATOR REPLACED AND TRANSMISSION FLUSHED. WHILE SERVICING MY VEHICLE THE MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT THE ENGINE HEAD HAD CRACKED. I INCURRED OVER 2,400 DOLLARS IN REPAIRS...USING A USED REPLACEMENT ENGINE. NISSAN CORPORATION AFTER 9 WEEKS OF WAITING HAS INFORMED ME THAT THEY HAVE OPTED NOT TO ASSIST IN THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE NOR PROVIDE REIMBURSEMENT. ON JUNE 23, 2011, MY TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO FAIL. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10409237

152,000 miles · Jun 28, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A LACK OF ACCELERATION NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AT A STOP SIGN. WHEN TAKEN TO MY MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THAT THE TROUBLE CODE INDICATED THE TCM AND OR THE FRONT BRAKE SOLENOID, BOTH OF WHICH ARE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY WOULD COST AT LEAST $2000 TO FIX. THE DEALER WOULD NOT TALK TO ME …

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MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA SUDDENLY DEVELOPED A LACK OF ACCELERATION NEARLY CAUSING AN ACCIDENT AT A STOP SIGN. WHEN TAKEN TO MY MECHANIC I WAS TOLD THAT THE TROUBLE CODE INDICATED THE TCM AND OR THE FRONT BRAKE SOLENOID, BOTH OF WHICH ARE IN THE TRANSMISSION AND THEY WOULD COST AT LEAST $2000 TO FIX. THE DEALER WOULD NOT TALK TO ME OR RETURN MY CALLS AFTER LETTING ME KNOW THAT A FIX WOULD COST @$5000+ I CANNOT AFFORD TO REPLACE THIS AND AFTER FINDING THAT IT HAPPENS WITH NEARLY ALL 05 XTERRAS I WILL NOT. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10409230

95,000 miles · Jun 27, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE RADIAT…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION BEGAN TO SHAKE EXCESSIVELY. THE FAILURE RECURRED WHENEVER THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE TRANSMISSION WAS FLUSHED. THE MECHANIC ALSO STATED THAT THE RADIATOR WAS CRACKED AND LEAKING TRANSMISSION FLUID INTO THE ENGINE. AS A RESULT, SEVERE DAMAGE WAS BEING DONE TO THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ODI #10409085

132,000 miles · Jun 27, 2011
Fuel System, OtherPower Train

ON OR ABOUT MAY 14TH 2011 I OBSERVE FLUID LEAKING FROM MY NISSAN 2005 XTERRA. I SOUGHT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. IT WAS MANDATORY THAT I REPLACE THE RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND FLUSH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. IT BECAME VERY APPARENT THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I THEN CONTACT FIVE TOWNS NISSAN, WHO INDICATED THAT MY VEHICLE WA…

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ON OR ABOUT MAY 14TH 2011 I OBSERVE FLUID LEAKING FROM MY NISSAN 2005 XTERRA. I SOUGHT PROFESSIONAL ADVICE. IT WAS MANDATORY THAT I REPLACE THE RADIATOR, THERMOSTAT AND FLUSH THE ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION. IT BECAME VERY APPARENT THAT THIS WAS A MANUFACTURE DEFECT. I THEN CONTACT FIVE TOWNS NISSAN, WHO INDICATED THAT MY VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY (80,000). I DID RECEIVE AN UNDATED 'WARRANT NOTIFICATION' FROM NISSAN NORTH AMERICA INC WHICH DID COMPROMISE ANY EXTENDED WARRANTY ESPECIALLY IF IT IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA INC DID ACKNOWLEDGE THAT THERE WAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT ON THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY THAT WILL CAUSE LEAKAGE OF THE ENGINE COOLANT (ANTIFREEZE) TO MIX WITH THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE REBUILT. THIS WILL COST OVER $6,000.00 TO REPAIR. WHAT BECAME OBVIOUSLY SUSPICIOUS IS THAT NISSAN SENT THE 'WARRANT NOTIFICATION' AFTER THE FACT KNOWING THAT ALL AND OR MOST OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES WERE OUT OF WARRANTY. IT BECAME APPARENT THAT NISSAN WAS FULLY AWARE OF THE DEFECTS, HENCE, BEING LIABLE FOR THEIR NEGLIGENCE. AMIDST ALL THE COMPLAINTS NISSAN REFUSE TO RECALL AND OR FIX THE DEFECTS. SECONDLY, I DO HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THE EMISSION SYSTEM OF THE SAID NISSAN 2005 XTERRA, OF WHICH, I DID REPORTED TO NISSAN. IN JUNE 2009 IT WAS DETERMINE UPON PAID INSPECTION BY NISSAN SERVICE CENTER, THAT BOTH #1 AND #2 CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, FUEL LEVEL SENSOR AND GAS GAUGE WERE ALL DEFECTIVE. I HAD THE GAUGE REPLACE, BUT BOTH #1 AND #2 CATALYTIC CONVERTOR, FUEL LEVEL SENSOR WILL COST OVER $4,000.00 TO REPAIR. IT NOW HAS A MANUFACTURER DEFECT OF THE TIMING CHAIN THAT CAN BE DISASTROUS, AND WILL COST $2,500.00. I AM MOST RESPECTFULLY ASKING YOUR OFFICE TO LAUNCH AN IMMEDIATE INVESTIGATION ABOUT THE MANUFACTURER DEFECTS THAT I HAVE LISTED, AND WOULD LIKE NISSAN TO FULLY COMPENSATE ME FOR THE REPAIRS. I WOULD LIKE YOU TO TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION OF ALL THE CONSUMERS WHO ARE FRUSTRATED BY THIS DILEMMA, AND HAVE NO POSSIBLE ALTERNATIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10409004

21,500 miles · Jun 19, 2011
Power Train

6 MONTHS AGO, I BEGUN TO LOSE MY HAND BRAKE THAT WAS SLIPPING ON AN UPGRADE. HAD IT ADJUSTED WITH MY LOCAL MECHANIC. IT WORKED AGAIN AFTER THE ADJUSTMENT. NOTICE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO THAT EVEN ON A LEVEL GROUND THE HAND BRAKE WAS SLIPPING. SINCE I HAVE 6 SPD MANUAL TRANS, WOULD JUST LEAVE VEHICLE ON 2ND OR 1ST GEAR TO PREVENT THE …

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6 MONTHS AGO, I BEGUN TO LOSE MY HAND BRAKE THAT WAS SLIPPING ON AN UPGRADE. HAD IT ADJUSTED WITH MY LOCAL MECHANIC. IT WORKED AGAIN AFTER THE ADJUSTMENT. NOTICE ABOUT 2 MONTHS AGO THAT EVEN ON A LEVEL GROUND THE HAND BRAKE WAS SLIPPING. SINCE I HAVE 6 SPD MANUAL TRANS, WOULD JUST LEAVE VEHICLE ON 2ND OR 1ST GEAR TO PREVENT THE CAR FROM MOVING AT PARK. HAD THE HAND BRAKES CHECKED AND EVEN HAD NEW BRAKE SHOES ON HAND IF IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. MECHANIC DISCOVERED THAT DIFFERENTIAL GEAR FLUID WAS SIPPING OUT OF THE 2 WHEEL SEALS AND HAVE CAKED ON THE BRAKE SHOES AND SURROUNDING AREA. THE TECH DISCOVERED THAT THE RELEASE PRESSURE VALVE LOCATED ON THE UPPER PASSENGER SIDE WAS CLOGGED AND NOT RELEASING PRESSURE OF GEAR OIL AS THE VEHICLE TRAVELS. GEAR OIL HAD NO PLACE TO GO BUT THROUGH THE WHEEL DIFFERENTIAL SEALS. IT WOULD TAKE A LOT OF WORK TO REPLACE THE WHEEL SEALS AS THE 2 REAR AXLES HAVE TO BE PULLED OUT AND DIFFERENTIAL GEAR BOX HAVE TO BE OPENED TO UNLOCK THE 2 AXLES. TECH REMOVED THE PRESSURE RELEASE VALVE AND INSTALLED HOSE IN PLACE OF THE SPRING CAP TO RELEASE PRESSURE AS TEMPORARY FIX. HOPEFULLY WHEEL SEALS ARE NOT BROKEN. WILL USE VEHICLE IN MEANTIME TO SEE OF DIFF WHEEL SEALS NEED NOT BE REPLACED WITH THE PRESSURE RELEASE VALVE IN OPEN POSITION. ACCIDENT CAN HAPPEN SHOULD VEHICLE RUN OUT OF GEAR OIL AND RUIN GEAR BOX THAT HAS THE DRIVE SHAFT ATTACHED. PLS LET ME KNOW OF SIMILAR INCIDENT. THANK YOU FOR LOOKING INTO THIS. THAT PRICE OF THAT PRESSURE RELEASE VALVE CAN ONLY COST LESS THAN $20 FROM A DEALER IN MY ESTIMATE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407407

70,006 miles · Jun 18, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

CAR OVERHEATING, WOULDN'T RUN ON HIGHWAY, JERKING, COULDN'T CATCH SPEED, RADIATOR BLEW DUE TO COOLANT PROBLEM WHICH WENT INTO TRANSMISSION NEEDING NEW TRANSMISSION. HOLDING UP TRAFFIC, HAD TO KEEP MY HAZARDS ON. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. RADIATOR REIMBURSED BY NISSAN BUT WOULDN'T PAY FOR TRANSMISSION DESPITE CLE…

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CAR OVERHEATING, WOULDN'T RUN ON HIGHWAY, JERKING, COULDN'T CATCH SPEED, RADIATOR BLEW DUE TO COOLANT PROBLEM WHICH WENT INTO TRANSMISSION NEEDING NEW TRANSMISSION. HOLDING UP TRAFFIC, HAD TO KEEP MY HAZARDS ON. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS DRIVING CONDITIONS. RADIATOR REIMBURSED BY NISSAN BUT WOULDN'T PAY FOR TRANSMISSION DESPITE CLEAR DOCUMENTATION THAT IT WAS DUE TO A RECALL. HAD TO PULL OVER SEVERAL TIMES ON HIGHWAY TO GET OUT OF HARMS WAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10407339

64,500 miles · Jun 7, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

2005 NISSAN XTERRA. HIGHWAY DRIVING AND CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IT WAS HARD TO STAY IN CONTROL FOR A BIT THERE. HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS BUT I HAVE. NISSAN XTERRA'S HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR FAILING AND LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, THEREBY RUINING IT. MY CAR HAS BEEN OVERHEATING AND THE TRANSMISSION …

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2005 NISSAN XTERRA. HIGHWAY DRIVING AND CAR BEGAN TO SHAKE VIOLENTLY. IT WAS HARD TO STAY IN CONTROL FOR A BIT THERE. HARD TO FIGURE OUT WHAT IT WAS BUT I HAVE. NISSAN XTERRA'S HAVE A PROBLEM WITH THE RADIATOR FAILING AND LEAKING COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION, THEREBY RUINING IT. MY CAR HAS BEEN OVERHEATING AND THE TRANSMISSION GIVING OUT WHILE I'M TRAVELING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS WITH MY WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN IN CAR SEATS. NISSAN VOLUNTARILY EXTENDED WARRANTY ON THE RADIATOR. THAT IS NO HELP TO THE CONSUMER AS ONCE THE RADIATOR FAILS YOU ALSO HAVE A BAD TRANSMISSION. PLEASE MAKE THEM ACCOUNTABLE FOR THEIR UNETHICAL DODGING OF A SERIOUS PROBLEM --- AND A DANGEROUS ONE! THANK YOU. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10405513

97,300 miles · Apr 25, 2011
Power Train

MY VEHICLE RUMBLED A LITTLE AS IF I WAS GOING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP. THEN AFTER A LITTLE BIT OF TIME, I LOST ALL GEARS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 4TH, THIS BECAME A SAFETY ISSUE IN TRAFFIC AS SLOWING DOWN CAUSED THE CAR TO ALMOST STOP COMPLETELY IN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. FOLLOWING THIS, I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS TO BE THE CASE FO…

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MY VEHICLE RUMBLED A LITTLE AS IF I WAS GOING OVER A RUMBLE STRIP. THEN AFTER A LITTLE BIT OF TIME, I LOST ALL GEARS WITH THE EXCEPTION OF 4TH, THIS BECAME A SAFETY ISSUE IN TRAFFIC AS SLOWING DOWN CAUSED THE CAR TO ALMOST STOP COMPLETELY IN TRAFFIC SITUATIONS. FOLLOWING THIS, I HAVE RESEARCHED AND FOUND THIS TO BE THE CASE FOR MANY OF THE SAME VEHICLES. THE RADIATOR LEAKS INTO THE TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10397439

84,000 miles · Apr 21, 2011
Engine And Engine CoolingPower Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ABNORMALLY MIXED WITH THE RADIATOR COOLANT. THE RADIATOR INITIALLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THE DEALER ADVI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WAS DRIVING 30 MPH WHEN THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FLUID ABNORMALLY MIXED WITH THE RADIATOR COOLANT. THE RADIATOR INITIALLY MALFUNCTIONED AND CAUSED THE FAILURE AND THE DEALER ADVISED REPLACING THE TRANSMISSION. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER YET THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT OFFER ANY FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 84,000.

NHTSA ODI #10397076

77,529 miles · Apr 6, 2011
Power Train

WHEN GETTING TO A SPEED OF 55 MPH AND ABOVE I WOULD START TO HEAR A RUMBLING SOUND. I HAD MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE FRONT RIGHT U-JOINT. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE U-JOINT AND WHEN I PICKED IT UP AND WAS ON MY WAY HOME THE SAME RUMBLING SOUND WAS STILL OCCURING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DE…

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WHEN GETTING TO A SPEED OF 55 MPH AND ABOVE I WOULD START TO HEAR A RUMBLING SOUND. I HAD MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALERSHIP TAKE A LOOK AT IT AND THEY TOLD ME IT WAS THE FRONT RIGHT U-JOINT. I HAD THEM REPLACE THE U-JOINT AND WHEN I PICKED IT UP AND WAS ON MY WAY HOME THE SAME RUMBLING SOUND WAS STILL OCCURING. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY KEPT IT A TWO DAYS AND THEN TOLD ME THE REAR AXIAL WAS CAUSING THE NOISE THE IT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. I HAD THEM REPLACE IT WHICH COST ME $2000.00. AGAIN, WHEN I PICKED IT UP AND WAS ON MY WAY HOME THE RUMBLING NOISE WAS STILL OCCURING. I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP GOT THE SEVICE MANAGER TO GO FOR A RIDE WITH ME SO HE COULD HERE THE NOISE BECAUSE NO ONE AT THE DEALERSHIP EVER TOOK THE CAR OUT TO HEAR THE NOISE. HE SAID THEY WOULD HAVE TO KEEP IT AGAIN TO SEE IF THEY COULD FIGURE OUT THE PROBLEM. THEY CALLED ME 2 DAYS LATER AND TOLD ME THAT A CRACK IN THE HOSE THAT RUNS THROUGH THE RADIATOR TO THE TRANSMISSION WAS ALLOWING ANTIFREEZE TO GET INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION WAS CAUSING THE RUMBLING NOISE. THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED TO HAVE THE READIATOR AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED AND IT WAS GOING TO COST ME $4200.00. NEEDLESS TO SAY I WAS NOT CONVINCED THEY KNEW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE CAR SINCE THEY WERE WRONG THE FIRST TWO TIMES, SO I TOOK IT TO A LOCAL TRANSMISSION REPAIR SHOP AND HAD THEM LOOK AT IT. THEY SAID IT WAS THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION SO I HAD THEM REPLACE BOTH AT A COST OF $3900.00. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10394377

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.