IllustrationTRANSMISSION HAS FAILED AT 135,000. FUEL GAUGE DOES NOT WORK.CHECK ENGINE LIGHT STAYS ILLUMINATED, THEREFORE I AM UNAWARE OF ANY ADDITIONAL ISSUES, AND CANNOT PASS EMISSIONS IN ATLANTA, GA, THEREFORE I CANNOT RENEW MY TAG.
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
What owners actually said
845 reportsI PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA . THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION IS GONE DUE TO A FAULT IN THE MANUFACTURING. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION - BUT LUCKILY FOR ME I WAS NOT DRIVING OR ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO ASSIST ME IN REPAIRING TH…
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I PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA . THE VEHICLE'S TRANSMISSION IS GONE DUE TO A FAULT IN THE MANUFACTURING. THIS COULD HAVE BEEN A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS SITUATION - BUT LUCKILY FOR ME I WAS NOT DRIVING OR ON THE HIGHWAY. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND WAS TOLD THAT THEY ARE NOT GOING TO ASSIST ME IN REPAIRING THE PROBLEM BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WARRANTY HAS RUN OUT. I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED - THE DEALER NEVER MENTIONED ANYTHING ABOUT A RECALL OR PROBLEM AT THE TIME THAT COULD BE FIXED BY NISSAN NOR DID I RECEIVE ANY CORRESPONDENCE FROM NISSAN THEMSELVES. NOW I AM STUCK WITH THE FINANCIAL BURDEN OF $5000 FOR THE REPAIR. I DON'T THINK THIS IS FAIR - THE USED CAR DEALERS SHOULD BE MANDATED BY LAW TO FIX VEHICLES WITH RECALLS AND INFORM CAR BUYERS THAT THERE IS A MANUFACTURING DEFECT. NISSAN ALSO SHOULD BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE.
CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURE AS A RESULT OF RADIATOR FLUID LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION ALLOWED BY A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE TRANSMISSION/RADIATOR. HAD TO PAY $5,158 TO FIX THIS PROBLEM. MANUFACTURER SEEMS TO TAKE NO RESPONSIBILITY FOR THIS DESIGN DEFECT WHEN FAILURE OCCURS OVER 100,000 MILES. THIS IS WRONG.
ENGINE COOLANT INFILTRATING IN TO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSES BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR TO FAIL. ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE THESE ITEMS IS APPROXIMATELY $4500. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS AND CORRODES THE VALVES, GASKETS AND SEALS. IN MY CASE WILL DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE T…
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ENGINE COOLANT INFILTRATING IN TO THE TRANSMISSION WHICH CAUSES BOTH THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR TO FAIL. ESTIMATED COST TO REPLACE THESE ITEMS IS APPROXIMATELY $4500. THIS PROBLEM HAPPENS AND CORRODES THE VALVES, GASKETS AND SEALS. IN MY CASE WILL DRIVING THE VEHICLE THE TRANSMISSION COMPLETELY FAILED CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO BE STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY FOR 2 HOURS WHILE A TOW TRUCK WAS ENROUTE.
MY TRANSMISSION IS FAILING AND I CANT DRIVE MY CAR NOW AND I VANT AFFORD TO FIX IT THERE SHOULD BE A RECALL ON THESE VEHICKLES..
RADIATOR HAS TRANSMISSION FLUID IN IT. TRANSMISSION HAS RADIATOR FLUID IN IT. WILL HAVE TO REPLACE BOTH. APP, $5000. VEHICLE SHIFTS HARD THEN STUTTERS, VIBRATION
RADIATOR FLUIDS LEAKED INTO TRANMISSION CAUSING FAILURE. THIS IS A KNOWN PROBLEM ON THESE VEHICLES AND NISSAN HAS NOT RECALLED THEM. THEY WERE IN A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT IN 2012.
I BOUGHT A USED NISSAN XTERRA LAST YEAR THAT HAD 100K MILE. TRAVELING FROM WORK WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MEINEKE FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE WARNING CODE READ TRANSMISSION. TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER KNOXVILLE TN THE NEXT DAY AND TECH DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER LOCATED IN THE RADIAT…
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I BOUGHT A USED NISSAN XTERRA LAST YEAR THAT HAD 100K MILE. TRAVELING FROM WORK WARNING LIGHTS COME ON. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO MEINEKE FOR DIAGNOSTIC. THE WARNING CODE READ TRANSMISSION. TOOK IT TO THE NISSAN DEALER KNOXVILLE TN THE NEXT DAY AND TECH DIAGNOSED PROBLEM AS A FAILED TRANSMISSION FLUID COOLER LOCATED IN THE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY THAT ALLOWED COOLANT TO MIX WITH AND CONTAMINATE THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID, RESULTING IN DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPONENTS AND A DAMAGED INTERNAL TRANSMISSION COMPUTER. THAT WEEK MY CAR PRODUCED SLOWING OF VEHICLE AND TIMES WHERE ENGINE WOULD NOT CRANK. I ENDED UP PAYING $3010.35 (ATTACHED) TO CHIP'S TRANSMISSION TO GET FIXED. I CONTACTED NISSAN NORTH AMERICA REGARDING THE ISSUE AND WAS PROVIDED DOCUMENTATION THAT AFTER REVIEWING MY CASE; THEY WERE UNABLE TO OFFER FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE BECAUSE THE VEHICLE WAS OUTSIDE THE NEW VEHICLE LIMITED WARRANTY. (ATTACHED) I FOUND OUT A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT WAS FILED REGARDING THIS MATTER AND THE FIX WAS AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. PER DOCUMENT IF YOU MILES WERE OVER 90K MILES YOU WERE OUT OF LUCK. WELL LUCK PLAYS NO PART IN THIS MATTER AS I HAD BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED OVER 100K MILES AND WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. I HAD A WARRANTY FOR 1 YR OR 12000 MILES WHEN I BOUGHT WAS NEVER NOTIFIED. I FEEL LIKE REGARDLESS OF THE MILEAGE. THIS WAS A DEFECTIVE PART THAT WAS INSTALLED BY NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WAS A KNOWN PROBLEM BY CONSUMERS. THIS PART SHOULD BE REPLACED OR RECALLED BY NISSAN AND THAT AN ONGOING INVESTIGATION ON THE BEHALF OF THOSE CONSUMER WHO HAD THESE VEHICLES SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY FOR SUCH EXTENSIVE REPAIRS OR DAMAGES BEING THAT IT IS NISSAN'S WRONGFUL INTENTIONS. I HAVE HAD TO EAT THE COST OF NOT ONLY MISSING WORK BUT PAYING FOR RENTAL CAR EXPENSES FOR 14 DAYS (ATTACHED) PLUS THE PARTS/REPAIR TO THIS VEHICLE. F YOU WOULD LIKE TO CONTACT ME REGARDING THIS MATTER.]
THE TRANSMISSION IS DAMAGED, BECAUSE THE COOLAND FLUID GOT MIXED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID. ALL OF THIS BECAUSE A BAD NISSAN DESIGN. NISSAN DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM, LEAVING THE COSTUMER WITH A MAYOR PROBLEM. PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BUY NISSAN. THIS COMPANY DOES NOTHING FOR PROBLEMS THAT THEY CREATED. IT HAPPENED IN …
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THE TRANSMISSION IS DAMAGED, BECAUSE THE COOLAND FLUID GOT MIXED WITH AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION FLUID. ALL OF THIS BECAUSE A BAD NISSAN DESIGN. NISSAN DOES NOT TAKE CARE OF THIS PROBLEM, LEAVING THE COSTUMER WITH A MAYOR PROBLEM. PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BUY NISSAN. THIS COMPANY DOES NOTHING FOR PROBLEMS THAT THEY CREATED. IT HAPPENED IN MOTION DRIVING ON A CITY STREET.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE JERKED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 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.