IllustrationRADIATOR CRACK AND MIX RADIATOR FLUID W TRANSITION FLUID ,TRANSITION PROBLEMS, NOT CHANGE GEARS WHEN I DRIVING .SERIOUS SAFETY PROBLEM WHEN I'M SLOW DAWN ON INTERSECTION I CAN'T GO FORWARD AND I STUCK ON THE CENTER OF INTERSECTION. POSSIBLE CRUSH ACCIDENT
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 reportsTHE WELL KNOWN LEAKING RADIATOR ISSUE THAT HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND HAS DESTROYED MY TRANSMISSION. BOTH MUST BE REPLACED. BUT OF COURSE IT IS BEYOND THE WARRANTY COVERED DATES. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE COVERED 100%, SHAME ON NISSAN FOR IGNORING THE ISSUE. WHEN SITES ARE POSTING "AVOID AT ALL COST",…
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THE WELL KNOWN LEAKING RADIATOR ISSUE THAT HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND HAS DESTROYED MY TRANSMISSION. BOTH MUST BE REPLACED. BUT OF COURSE IT IS BEYOND THE WARRANTY COVERED DATES. SINCE THIS IS A KNOWN ISSUE. IT SHOULD BE COVERED 100%, SHAME ON NISSAN FOR IGNORING THE ISSUE. WHEN SITES ARE POSTING "AVOID AT ALL COST", SHOULD BECOME A FEDERAL INVESTIGATION. I WILL NOT PURCHASE ANOTHER NISSAN.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SURGED, HESITATED, AND LOST ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE PULLING OUT OF THE DRIVEWAY, THE VEHICLE SURGED, HESITATED, AND LOST ACCELERATION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR FLUID WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND THE TRANSMISSION NEEDED REPLACEMENT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A HUMMING NOISE WAS PRESENT FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE MONTHS EVERY TIME THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 66,000.
A CRACK IN THE RADIATOR OCCURRED ALLOWING COOLANT IN TO THE TRANSMISSION MIXING WITH THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE TRANSMISSION. THANKFULLY, THE CAR WAS PARKED AND WOULD NOT START. HOWEVER, WE DID "JUMP" THE STARTER AND THE CAR CREPT HOME WITH VERY LITTLE ACCELERATION CAPABILITIES.
I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED FROM A DEALER WITH APPROX 64,000 MILES. AFTER 2 DAYS AND LESS THAN 200 MILES THE CAR STARTED SHUDDERING AS IF I WAS DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I WENT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THERE WAS A HORRIBLE RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD THAT S…
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I PURCHASED THIS CAR USED FROM A DEALER WITH APPROX 64,000 MILES. AFTER 2 DAYS AND LESS THAN 200 MILES THE CAR STARTED SHUDDERING AS IF I WAS DRIVING OVER RUMBLE STRIPS AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. THE NEXT MORNING WHEN I WENT TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER THERE WAS A HORRIBLE RATTLING SOUND COMING FROM UNDER THE HOOD THAT SOFTENED AS THE CAR WARMED UP. NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT BOTH OF THE MORE COMMON COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS CAR RAISED THEIR UGLY HEADS AT THE SAME TIME: TRANSMISSION AND TIMING CHAINS!! I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER FOR EVALUATION AND REPAIR AND WAS TOLD THAT THE COST WOULD BE BETWEEN $8-9,000. THANK GOD FOR AFTERMARKET WARRANTY. ANYWAY... IF NISSAN DOES NOT INTEND TO ISSUE A RECALL, THERE SHOULD BE A DISCLOSURE ON CARFAX/AUTOCHECK/ETC FOR THESE SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS.
MY RADIATOR BROKE AND LEAKED RADIATOR FLUID INTO MY TRANSMISSION RUINING THE WHOLE TRANSMISSION IN THE RADIATOR TRANSMISSION FLUID IN IT AND SO DID THE ENGINE RESULT $2600 TRANSMISSION BOUGHT.
RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO TRANMISSION
TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO GET IT INTO REVERSE, COSTS $3850. A FEW DAYS AFTER WORK WAS DONE THE VEHICLE STARTING RUNNING ROUGH. MECHANIC CHECKED IT OUT AND LET ME KNOW THAT TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE IN THE RADIATOR WAS ALLOWING COOLANT TO GET TO THE TRANSMISSION AND THIS VOIDED ANY WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION…
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TRANSMISSION WAS REBUILT WHEN I WAS UNABLE TO GET IT INTO REVERSE, COSTS $3850. A FEW DAYS AFTER WORK WAS DONE THE VEHICLE STARTING RUNNING ROUGH. MECHANIC CHECKED IT OUT AND LET ME KNOW THAT TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE IN THE RADIATOR WAS ALLOWING COOLANT TO GET TO THE TRANSMISSION AND THIS VOIDED ANY WARRANTY ON THE TRANSMISSION THAT HE HAD GIVEN ME AND NOW THE TRANSMISSION AS WELL AS THE RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. SINCE THIS HAPPENED, THRU SOME RESEARCH I SEE IM NOT THE ONLY ONE AND BESIDES THE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN RIPPED OFF BE THIS OBVIOUS DEFECT I'M SURE THERE ARE AT LEAST TWICE AS MANY THAT DIDNT BOTHER TO VOICE A COMPLAINT, DUE TO THE FACT THAT NOTHING HAS BEEN DONE, NOR DOES IT LOOK LIKE ANYTHING WILL BE DONE ABOUT THIS NO MATTER HOW OBVIOUS IT IS THAT THERE SHOULD OF BEEN A RECALL. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT SOMEONE OR MAYBE MORE HAVE BEEN COMPENSATED TO ENSURE THIS ISSUE WASNT PURSUED BY ANYONE THAT COULD MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
SUDDEY I FOUND MY HEAT NOT WORKING. STRANGE, I WAS LOW ON COOLANT AND NO VISIBLE LEAKS. WHILE RESEARCHING THIS I CAME ACROSS ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE WELDS ON THE ATF COOLER WITHIN THE RADIATOR. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO DEALER AND HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT AND PRESSURE TESTED FOR LEAKS. T…
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SUDDEY I FOUND MY HEAT NOT WORKING. STRANGE, I WAS LOW ON COOLANT AND NO VISIBLE LEAKS. WHILE RESEARCHING THIS I CAME ACROSS ALL THE COMPLAINTS OF TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO THE DEFECTIVE WELDS ON THE ATF COOLER WITHIN THE RADIATOR. I IMMEDIATELY WENT TO DEALER AND HAD EVERYTHING CHECKED OUT AND PRESSURE TESTED FOR LEAKS. THEY SAID ALL IS FINE AND TESTED OK, WE HAVE NO IDEA WHY YOU WOULD BE LOW ON COOLANT. MIND YOU, AT THIS POINT THERE IS 79K ON THE ODOMETER AND WE ALL KNOW NISSANS LAME WARRANTY EXTENSION IS USELESS DUE TO THE CONVENIENT MILEAGE CAP COMPLETELY AND OBVIOUSLY IS IN THEIR BEST INTEREST. APPALLING AND 100% A SAFETY ISSUE AND COMPLETE NEGLIGENCE. IN AN EFFORT TO BE PRO ACTIVE I ORDERED AN AFTERMARKET RADIATOR AND INSTALLED IT MYSELF. I ALSO FLUSHED AND REFILLED TRANNY FLUID. I AM NOW ABOUT TO BREAK 100K. I'M NOW WORRIED ABOUT THE TIMING CHAIN ISSUE NISSAN ALSO DOESN'T WANT TO DEAL WITH. ANYONE READING THIS SHOULD BE PRO ACTIVE AND CHANGE OUT YOUR RADIATOR AND FLUSH YOUR TRANSMISSION IMMEDIATELY, IT'S ALL YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW TO PREVENT A BIGGER ISSUE. IT ALSO COST ME $400 TO DO MYSELF. THE QUOTE FROM THE DEALER WAS $1500. GOOD LUCK TO ALL, I ARGUED AND CALLED AND CALLED AND NISSAN COULD CARE LESS AND WOULDN'T EVEN CONSIDER ANY HELP WHATSOEVER . THIS WAS MY WIFE AND I'S 5TH NISSAN. NEVER AGAIN!!!!!!
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE TRANSMISSION FAILED AND THE VEHICLE JERKED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. THE TRANSMISSION WAS REPLACED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED. THE CONTACT DID NOT KNOW IF THE FUEL TANK WAS FULL OR EMPTY. THE FUEL GAUGE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.
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.