IllustrationTRANSMISSION FAILURE. STARTED CAR AND HAD NO POWER WHEN PULLING OUT INTO STREET. SEEMED TO DRIVE IN 4TH GEAR.
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
Unknown Or Other complaints
25 reportsI WAS ENTERING THE 101 FROM BROADWAY ROAD IN MESA. THERE WAS A CAR 2 SECONDS BEHIND ME. I WAS CHANGING LANES GOING TO THE LEFT AND THE CAR AGGRESSIVELY ACCELERATED WITH THE INTENT TO PASS ME AND NEARLY HIT ME. I HAD TO SWERVE BACK TO MY ORIGINAL LANE. I THEN CHANGED LANES AND WAS TRYING TO CHANGE LANES GOING LEFT AND THE SAME CA…
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I WAS ENTERING THE 101 FROM BROADWAY ROAD IN MESA. THERE WAS A CAR 2 SECONDS BEHIND ME. I WAS CHANGING LANES GOING TO THE LEFT AND THE CAR AGGRESSIVELY ACCELERATED WITH THE INTENT TO PASS ME AND NEARLY HIT ME. I HAD TO SWERVE BACK TO MY ORIGINAL LANE. I THEN CHANGED LANES AND WAS TRYING TO CHANGE LANES GOING LEFT AND THE SAME CAR ATTEMPTED TO AGGRESSIVELY PASS ME AFTER I HAD ALREADY BEGAN CHANGING LANES. I HAD TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT AGAIN TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I LET THIS MAZDA CAR PASS AND THEN CHANGED LANES GOING LEFT. AT THAT POINT THE CAR ABRUPTLY SLOWED DOWN FROM GOING 75 MILES PER HOUR TO 60 MILES PER HOUR. THIS NEARLY CAUSED ANOTHER ACCIDENT AS IT WAS OBVIOUS THE CAR WAS TRYING TO ANNOY AND FRUSTRATE ME FOR NO REASON. HE CONTINUED THIS SPEED FOR ABOUT HALF A MILE BEFORE CHANGING LANES. HE NEARLY CAUSED 4 SEPARATE ACCIDENTS WITH HIS AGGRESSIVE DRIVING.
IN 2019 GOT AN INCIDENT WITH MY NISSAN XTERRA'S TRANSMISSION. SOMETHING FAILED IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT ALL OF THE SUDDEN STARTED TO SLOWDOWN SO I PARK AND IT GOT TOWED AND TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC. THEY CHARGED ME 2000 TO FIX IT. AND SINCE THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. SO AFTER MONTHS I TOOK IT TO A MECHA…
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IN 2019 GOT AN INCIDENT WITH MY NISSAN XTERRA'S TRANSMISSION. SOMETHING FAILED IN THE TRANSMISSION THAT WHEN I WAS DRIVING IT ALL OF THE SUDDEN STARTED TO SLOWDOWN SO I PARK AND IT GOT TOWED AND TOOK IT TO THE MECHANIC. THEY CHARGED ME 2000 TO FIX IT. AND SINCE THEN THE ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. SO AFTER MONTHS I TOOK IT TO A MECHANIC AGAIN AND THE GUY SAID THE RADIATION IS SENDING WATER INTO THE TRANSMISSION THAT'S WHY THE TRANSMISSION WAS FAILING
ACCORDING TO YOUR RECALLS AND MY VIN# MY NEW USED VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MAINTENANCE FOR THE RECALL. THERE IS DISTINCT PLAY IN THE STEERING AND THE VEHICLE IS BOUNCY. I NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO TAKE MY XTERRA TO HAVE IT FIXED ASAP IF POSSIBLE. RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBERS ARE 10E019000 & 10V208000
I WAS DRIVING FROM PENNSYLVANIA TO SUFFERN NY AND WHEN I TOOK THE EXIT TO SUFFERN THE CAR LOST POWER WITH PREVIEW SIGN THAT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN. WHEN I TRY TO GET TO A SHOP TO CHECK IT OUT IT WAS SMOKING AND I SAW LIQUID UNDER. THE CAR WILL START BUT CANNOT MOVE ANYMORE OR MOVE SLOWLY. I HAVE TO LEAVE IT IN SOMEONE'S HOUSE.
MY WIFE'S 05 NISSAN XTERRA STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN DRIVING WITH SHUTTERING, AND RUMBLE STRIP NOISES.STARTED NOTICING THE HEATER WOULD NOT BLOW HOT WHEN STATIONARY.TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND MY WORST FEAR CAME TRUE.WATER IN TRANSMISSION I BEEN HEARING ABOUT.TO TOP IT OFF HAD REAR END REPLACED SIX MONTHS AGO CAUSE THE OWNE…
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MY WIFE'S 05 NISSAN XTERRA STARTED HAVING PROBLEMS WHEN DRIVING WITH SHUTTERING, AND RUMBLE STRIP NOISES.STARTED NOTICING THE HEATER WOULD NOT BLOW HOT WHEN STATIONARY.TOOK TO TRANSMISSION SHOP AND MY WORST FEAR CAME TRUE.WATER IN TRANSMISSION I BEEN HEARING ABOUT.TO TOP IT OFF HAD REAR END REPLACED SIX MONTHS AGO CAUSE THE OWNER GUARANTEED ME THAT WAS WHERE THE SHUDDERING WAS COMING FROM.THAT WAS A 2000 DOLLAR REPAIR. NEEDLESS TO SAY IT WAS NOT THE [XXX] REAR END.WILL NEVER EVER BUY NISSAN AGAIN! THEY KNOW ALL ABOUT THIS HUGE PROBLEM.PEOPLE ARE HURTING FROM THIS MESS!THE LATEST REPAIR SHOP WON'T 4600 HUNDRED FOR REPLACEMENT OF TRANSMISSION &A RADIATOR.DO NOT KNOW WHAT TO DO BECAUSE U HEAR AND READ THE ABOUT THE ENGINE COULD BE CORRODED.OF COURSE NISSAN DOING NORA! PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
THE VEHICLE HAS 109,000 MILES. HAS STARTED TERRIBLE VIBATION AT BETWEEN 40 - 60 MPH AND WORSE ON ACCELERATION. HAVE READ COMPLAINTS ON ANTIFREEZE LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. THREE YEARS AGO I WAS DRIVING IN WINTER AND HEATER WAS NOT WORKING. WENT TO MECHANIC AND THERE WAS NO ATIFREEZE AND NO VISIBLE LEAK.…
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THE VEHICLE HAS 109,000 MILES. HAS STARTED TERRIBLE VIBATION AT BETWEEN 40 - 60 MPH AND WORSE ON ACCELERATION. HAVE READ COMPLAINTS ON ANTIFREEZE LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING THIS PROBLEM. THREE YEARS AGO I WAS DRIVING IN WINTER AND HEATER WAS NOT WORKING. WENT TO MECHANIC AND THERE WAS NO ATIFREEZE AND NO VISIBLE LEAK. AM A WIDOW OF 2 1/2 YEARS AND THIS IS MY MAIN VEHICLE.
ANTIFREEZE LEAKED INTO TRANSMISSION CAUSING IRREPARABLE DAMAGE TO TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR REPLACEMENT
CROSS CONTAMINATION OF RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. VEHICLE HAS 102K MILES ON IT AND CAN'T BE DRIVEN. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH 86K MILES AND WERE NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RECALL OR LAWSUIT. THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH A NISSAN I LOST THOUSAND TRADING IN A ALMOST NEW …
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CROSS CONTAMINATION OF RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION FLUIDS DUE TO FAULTY DESIGN. VEHICLE HAS 102K MILES ON IT AND CAN'T BE DRIVEN. WE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE USED WITH 86K MILES AND WERE NEVER INFORMED OF ANY RECALL OR LAWSUIT. THIS IS THE SECOND TRANSMISSION PROBLEM I HAVE HAD WITH A NISSAN I LOST THOUSAND TRADING IN A ALMOST NEW NISSAN ULTIMA 2007 PREVIOUSLY DUE TO CONSTANT TRANSMISSION PROBLEMS NOW THIS TRANSMISSION HAS SEIZED UP AND THE RADIATOR IS FULL OF GUNK. THIS SHOULD BE A FULL RECALL AND REPAIR ON THE PART OF NISSAN THEY KNOW THEIR DESIGN CAUSED THE PROBLEM. WE STILL OWE $$$ ON THIS CAR AND WILL RUIN OUR CREDIT BY TURNING IT IN AND CANNOT AFFORD THE $6K COST TO REPAIR THIS. THE DEAL THEY DID STILL LEFT THE CONSUMER HOLDING THE BAG FOR THEIR BAD DESIGN.
TRANSMISSION HAS BEEN SLIPPING . I HEARD OF A RECALL ON THIS PROBLEM AND I CALLED NISSAN AND WAS TOLD I MISSED EXTENDED WARRANTY BUY 8 DAYS ,THEY ADMITTED THAT THEY DID HAVE PROBLEMS WITH THIS VEHICLES TRANSMISSION.BUT REFUSE TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT, ALSO VERY HARD TO PUT GAS IN,
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.