IllustrationRADIATOR COOLANT LEAKING INTO AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION CAUSING TRANSMISSION FAILURE. STARTED NOTICING ISSUE AROUND 136K AT HIGHWAY SPEED. I HEAR THERE WAS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT BUT THE SETTLEMENT IS UNACCEPTABLE. NISSAN NEEDS TO STEP UP AND TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR DESIGN FAILURE.
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
Power Train complaints
412 reportsANTIFREEZE LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACEMENT
HAS 149 K MILEAGE AND HAS STARTED TO HAVE VIBRATION AT SPEEDS OVER 50 MPH. RADIATOR FLUID HAS OIL IN IT. WAS TOLD BY MECHANIC IT IS TRANSMISSION FLUID.
PLEASE SEE ATTACHED UPLOADED DOCUMENT.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED IN…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT MANEUVERED THE VEHICLE TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO A COMPLETE STOP. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN HOME. THE FOLLOWING DAY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT RADIATOR COOLANT LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CHAMBER AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,000. UPDATED 10/18/16*LJ *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 4 MPH, THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE STALLED. IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THIS ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 111,326.
VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVING WELL, WE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING, AND WERE HEARING NOISES SIMILAR TO WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. OUR MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS RADIATOR COOLANT MISSING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. VEHICLE WAS TRANSFERRED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WE OPENED A CASE WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AS …
Read full complaint
VEHICLE WAS NOT DRIVING WELL, WE WERE HAVING PROBLEMS ACCELERATING, AND WERE HEARING NOISES SIMILAR TO WHEN YOU DRIVE OVER RUMBLE STRIPS. OUR MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS RADIATOR COOLANT MISSING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. VEHICLE WAS TRANSFERRED TO NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WE OPENED A CASE WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS AS VEHICLE ONLY HAD 75K MILES, HOWEVER IT WAS 9 YEARS OLD AND THEREFORE SUBJECT TO THE $3,000 DEDUCTIBLE. AFTER REVIEWING OUR CASE FOR ALMOST THREE WEEKS, WE WERE INFORMED THAT NISSAN COULD NOT HELP US. WE PAID THE $3,000 DEDUCTIBLE TO HAVE THE TRANSMISSION REPLACED, HOWEVER FEEL THAT NISSAN SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE FOR FIXING THE KNOWN DEFECT WITH THIS VEHICLE THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED SIGNIFICANT ACCIDENTS AND INJURIES IF THE TRANSMISSION FAILED WHILE WE WERE DRIVING ON A BUSY ROADWAYS.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED.…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT INTO THIRD GEAR AND THE VEHICLE DECELERATED. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 110,000.
125K MUCH LIKE SEVERAL OTHER CUSTOMERS THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLES CONTAINS A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR COOLER TANK THAT RUPTURES AND FORCES COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE COOLER LINES. WHEN THE COOLANT MIXES WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID IT CREATES A FROTHY LIQUID THAT EATS VALVES, E…
Read full complaint
125K MUCH LIKE SEVERAL OTHER CUSTOMERS THE TRANSMISSION STARTED SLIPPING AND HAVE BEEN INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLES CONTAINS A DEFECTIVE RADIATOR COOLER TANK THAT RUPTURES AND FORCES COOLANT INTO THE TRANSMISSION THROUGH THE COOLER LINES. WHEN THE COOLANT MIXES WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID IT CREATES A FROTHY LIQUID THAT EATS VALVES, ERODES SEALS AND CAUSES CORROSION. WAITING TO SEE WHAT COST WOULD BE TO REPLACE SYSTEM BUT HAVE BEEN TOLD ITS AROUND 5K AND THE CAR IS NOT EVEN WORTH THAT!!
TRANSMISSION FAILURE (ATF CONTAMINATION). ODI RECEIVED A PETITION REQUESTING INVESTIGATION OF TRANSMISSION DAMAGE ATTRIBUTED TO CONTAMINATION BY ENGINE COOLANT. THE SOURCE OF THE CONTAMINATION IS A CRACKED ATF LINE THAT RUNS THROUGH AN ENGINE COOLANT CHAMBER IN THE RADIATOR.
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.