IllustrationCAR HAS BROKEN DOWN 3 TIMES IN THE PAST MONTH. CAUSE: RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION.
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 reportsVEHICLE HAS UNWANTED VEHICLE ACCELERATION UP TO 30 MPH WITHOUT PRESSING ACCELERATOR. RPM'S SUDDENLY INCREASE AND THEN DECREASE DURING GEAR CHANGE. MEMPHIS WOLFCHASE NISSAN SERVICE CENTER (901) 255-3800 ADVISED RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND HAS CORRODED TRANSMISSION.. TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT REPAIR BILL …
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VEHICLE HAS UNWANTED VEHICLE ACCELERATION UP TO 30 MPH WITHOUT PRESSING ACCELERATOR. RPM'S SUDDENLY INCREASE AND THEN DECREASE DURING GEAR CHANGE. MEMPHIS WOLFCHASE NISSAN SERVICE CENTER (901) 255-3800 ADVISED RADIATOR FLUID LEAKED IN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND HAS CORRODED TRANSMISSION.. TRANSMISSION REPLACEMENT REPAIR BILL WILL BE IN EXCESS OF $5,300.
CONFIRMED DIAGNOSES OF VEHICLE DAMAGE OF RADIATOR ASSEMBLY & TRANSMISSION ARE DUE TO NISSAN'S DEFECTIVE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY WHICH ALLOWS COOLANT TO PASS THROUGH INTO THE TRANSMISSION RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE. NISSAN IS UNWILLING TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS OF DAMAGE CAUSED BY DEFECT. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS MANUF…
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CONFIRMED DIAGNOSES OF VEHICLE DAMAGE OF RADIATOR ASSEMBLY & TRANSMISSION ARE DUE TO NISSAN'S DEFECTIVE RADIATOR ASSEMBLY WHICH ALLOWS COOLANT TO PASS THROUGH INTO THE TRANSMISSION RENDERING THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO OPERATE. NISSAN IS UNWILLING TO ASSIST WITH THE REPAIRS OF DAMAGE CAUSED BY DEFECT. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THIS MANUFACTURING DEFECT. THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, A DAMAGED TRANSMISSION DUE TO COOLANT ENTERING IT HAS RENDERED THE VEHICLE UNSAFE TO DRIVE, A KNOWN DEFECT, YET THE MANUFACTURER WILL NOT EVEN COMPROMISE TO ASSIST WITH REPAIR OF THIS DEFECT. A MANUFACTURER SHOULD ASSIST WITH REPAIR OF ANY DEFECT THAT RENDERS THE EQUIPMENT UNSAFE TO OPERATE - NO MATTER WHEN THAT DEFECT DECIDES TO SHOW UP! NISSAN SHOULD ASSIST IN ALL REPAIRS DUE TO THEIR KNOWN DEFECT TO LET THE CONSUMER OPERATE THE VEHICLE IN SAFETY.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND ANOTHER COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH, THE VEHICLE SEIZED AND SMOKE EMITTED FROM THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE TRANSMISSION, RADIATOR, AND ANOTHER COMPONENT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 23,160.
I WAS STARTING TO DRIVE MY NISSAN XTERRA 2005 AND HEARD A NOISE LIKE METALLIC RATTLING. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION OIL IS MIXED WITH COLAND FLUID. I WAS TOLD, TO FIX WILL COST $5000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM. IN THE INTERNET I FOUND OUT MANY COMPLAINS ABOUT NISSAN'S CARS FOR THIS…
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I WAS STARTING TO DRIVE MY NISSAN XTERRA 2005 AND HEARD A NOISE LIKE METALLIC RATTLING. THE MECHANIC TOLD ME THE TRANSMISSION OIL IS MIXED WITH COLAND FLUID. I WAS TOLD, TO FIX WILL COST $5000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND THE RADIATOR AND COOLING SYSTEM. IN THE INTERNET I FOUND OUT MANY COMPLAINS ABOUT NISSAN'S CARS FOR THIS CATASTROPHIC FAILURE. THIS IS A MANUFACTURER DEFECTIVE PRODUCT. DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION AS A RESULT OF THE DEFECTIVE CAR. NCCC (NORTH CAROLINA CONSUMER COUNCIL) HAS RECEIVED A NUMBER OF COMPLAINTS FROM CONSUMERS IN REGARDS TO SUDDEN, CATASTROPHIC TRANSMISSION FAILURES IN 2005-2010 NISSAN PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. ALL OF THE VEHICLES EXPERIENCING THESE FAILURES ARE NOT WITHIN THE TIME PERIOD SPECIFIED BY THE EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT ARE OFTEN BEYOND THE MILEAGE LIMIT. SO, WHY SHOULD I PAY FOR SOMEBODY (NISSAN) MISTAKES AND NEVER TRY TO CORRECT THEM? I NEVER GET FROM NISSAN AN ADVISE ON THIS POTENTIAL FAILURE OF MY CAR. NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM SINCE 2007 AND HAS UNDERTAKEN NO PREVENTIVE MEASURES TO PROTECT CONSUMERS FROM FAILURE. NISSAN DIDN'T WARN CONSUMERS THAT THE TRANSMISSION COULD FAIL. ANY HONEST COMPANY WILL AT LEAST WARN CONSUMERS OF THE CONSEQUENCES TO THE TRANSMISSION DEFECT. BUT THIS RIP OF COMPANY DO NOT CARE ABOUT THEIR PRODUCTS NOR THEIR CUSTOMERS. I DO NOT RECOMEND TO BUY A NISSAN CAR EVER !!! NISSAN MOTOR CORPORATION IS A RIP OF COMPANY THAT LACKS HONESTY !!!
TRANSMISSION COOLANT LINE CRACKED INSIDE THE TRANSMISSION, CAUSING THE TRANSMISSION TO BE DESTROYED. WAS QUOTED A REPAIR COST OF 5,500, BECAUSE THE VEHICLE IS 4X4 AND THE REPAIR THEY WOULD HAVE TO MAKE TO THE COOLANT SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE IS NOT REPAIRED AT THIS TIME DUE TO THE FACT THE VEHICLE IS ONLY WORTH 3,500.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND SHIFTED GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A MIXTURE OF TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUID THAT AFFECTED THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILUR…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE VEHICLE VIBRATED AND SHIFTED GEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS DIAGNOSED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS CAUSED BY A MIXTURE OF TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR FLUID THAT AFFECTED THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
TRANSMISSION ISSUE! BEING TOLD IT'S FROM COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, AND COOLANT HEATER HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO SHIFT GEARS AND THE SERVICE ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE RADIATOR, TRANSMISSION, AND COOLANT HEATER HOSE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURE WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 105,334.
MY NISSAN HAS THE DEFECT THAT BROUGHT A LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN MOTOR FOR A FAILURE IN THE OIL COOLER THAT CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT/REPLACED BECAUSE COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION. I ENDED UP WITH A BILL FOR $3941.46, AND NOW, I CAN'T EVEN FILE A REIMBURSEMENT FORM OR GET A HOLD OF ANY…
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MY NISSAN HAS THE DEFECT THAT BROUGHT A LAWSUIT AGAINST NISSAN MOTOR FOR A FAILURE IN THE OIL COOLER THAT CAUSED MY TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR TO BE COMPLETELY REBUILT/REPLACED BECAUSE COOLANT HAD LEAKED INTO MY TRANSMISSION. I ENDED UP WITH A BILL FOR $3941.46, AND NOW, I CAN'T EVEN FILE A REIMBURSEMENT FORM OR GET A HOLD OF ANY ONE AT NISSAN TO HELP BECAUSE ALL 3 NUMBERS LISTED IN LETTERS AND PAPERWORK ARE NO LONGER IN SERVICE.
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.