IllustrationFUEL GAUGE REGISTERS EMPTY TO ARBITRARILY AMOUNTS OF REMAINING FUEL REGARDLESS HOW MUCH FUEL IS ACTUALLY IN TANK. ONGOING PROBLEM TO DATE. *TR
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 reportsRADIATOR COOLANT AND OIL MIXTURE AND DUE TO THAT, THE TRANSMISSION MAKES THE CAR VIBRATE TO AN UNDRIVABLE POINT AFFECTING THE DRIVER ABILITY TO CONDUCT A SAFE OPERATION ON THE ROAD INCLUDING BUSY HIGHWAYS. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN IN TENNESSEE ON A FAMILY VACATION, WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED BECAUSE THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. IN ORDER TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION I HAD TO DRIVE IN REVERSE TO A DRIVEWAY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A YOUNG CHILD AND MY FIANCE IN THE CAR. UPON FUR…
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I WAS DRIVING DOWN A MOUNTAIN IN TENNESSEE ON A FAMILY VACATION, WHEN MY TRANSMISSION FAILED BECAUSE THE COOLANT WAS LEAKING INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID. IN ORDER TO GET TO A SAFE LOCATION I HAD TO DRIVE IN REVERSE TO A DRIVEWAY WHICH COULD HAVE CAUSED ME TO BE IN AN ACCIDENT WITH A YOUNG CHILD AND MY FIANCE IN THE CAR. UPON FURTHER RESEARCH I REALIZED THAT NISSAN HAS OVER 500 COMPLAINT ON THE SAME ISSUE AND IT WAS NEVER RESOLVED. I PAID 4800 DOLLARS OUT OF POCKET IN ORDER TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. *TR
THE TRANSMISSION BECAME STUCK IN 3RD OR 4TH GEAR AND WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. THEN IT WORKED FOR A FEW DAYS. AFTER THAT IT GOT STUCK IN 1ST AND WOULD NOT SHIFT. IT IS CURRENTLY STUCK IN 3RD OR 4TH AGAIN. THE TRANSMISSION FLUID IS A RED BROWN FOAMY COLOR. IT IS GIVING A CODE OF P1754. *TR
THERE IS A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT WITH THE RADIATOR IN WHICH IT CRACKS AND LEAKS FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH THEN DESTROYS THE TRANSMISSION. WHEN WE CALLED NISSAN TO ASK IF THEY WERE GOING TO STAND BY THEIR PRODUCT, THEY TOLD US THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO FOR US. *TR
"SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AT 106000 MILES. IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT IN TO GET IT DIAGNOSED (THE NEXT MORNING). THEY SAID THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION, AND THEREFORE, I WOULD NEED A NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THIS APPARENTLY SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH 2005-2010 NISSAN SUVS AND NIS…
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"SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AT 106000 MILES. IMMEDIATELY TOOK IT IN TO GET IT DIAGNOSED (THE NEXT MORNING). THEY SAID THAT THE RADIATOR WAS LEAKING RADIATOR FLUID INTO THE TRANSMISSION, AND THEREFORE, I WOULD NEED A NEW RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. THIS APPARENTLY SEEMS TO BE A PROBLEM WITH 2005-2010 NISSAN SUVS AND NISSAN IS DOING NOTHING ABOUT IT. THE CLASS ACTION SETTLEMENT DOES NOTHING FOR US. *TR
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN WHEN I FILLED VEHICLE WITH FUEL GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY AND LOW FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. GAUGE DOES NOT COME BACK ON U TIL VEHICLE IS DRIVEN FROM 85 TO 125 MILES AND THEN TAKES AWHILE TO REACH UP TO AROUND 3/4 FULL. NEVER REALLY SURE HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN TANK. WAS ADVISED TO CHANGE THE FUEL TANK CAP AND…
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CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON THEN WHEN I FILLED VEHICLE WITH FUEL GAUGE WENT TO EMPTY AND LOW FUEL LIGHT CAME ON. GAUGE DOES NOT COME BACK ON U TIL VEHICLE IS DRIVEN FROM 85 TO 125 MILES AND THEN TAKES AWHILE TO REACH UP TO AROUND 3/4 FULL. NEVER REALLY SURE HOW MUCH FUEL IS IN TANK. WAS ADVISED TO CHANGE THE FUEL TANK CAP AND DID TWICE BUT STILL NOT WORKING. HAVE TO RELY ON TRIP GAUGE TO KNOW IF I HAVE ENOUGH FUEL. THIS SEEMS RISKY FOR AN ALMOST 75 YEAR OLD WOMAN. *TR
I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65-70MPH ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND CARS WERE AT THAT RATE AND FASTER. MY VEHICLE BEGINNING SLOWING DOWN, I IMMEDIATELY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED SLOWING DOWN. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN MAKING MY WAY OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. MY LIGHTS BEGAN FLICKERING (BOTH HEAD…
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I WAS DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 65-70MPH ON A 4 LANE HIGHWAY. TRAFFIC WAS HEAVY AND CARS WERE AT THAT RATE AND FASTER. MY VEHICLE BEGINNING SLOWING DOWN, I IMMEDIATELY PRESSED THE ACCELERATOR BUT THE VEHICLE CONTINUED SLOWING DOWN. I IMMEDIATELY BEGAN MAKING MY WAY OVER TO THE BREAKDOWN LANE. MY LIGHTS BEGAN FLICKERING (BOTH HEADLIGHTS AND INSIDE LIGHTS). MY BRAKE LIGHT, ABS LIGHT, CHECK ENGINE LIGHT, ETC ALL POPPED UP ON THE DASH. AS I MADE IT TO THE BREAK DOWN LANE THE VEHICLE STOPPED AND IN PRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, IT WOULD NOT GO FORWARD. NEXT THE VEHICLE THEN SHUTOFF COMPLETELY AND WOULD NOT START. I HAD NO WARNING THIS WAS GOING TO TAKE PLACE. LUCKY FOR ME, I HADN'T GONE INTO THE FAST LANE BECAUSE I NEVER WOULD HAVE MADE IT INTO THE BREAKDOWN LANE WITHOUT A SERIOUS ACCIDENT BECAUSE IT CAME TO A SUDDEN HALT.
IT WAS A VERY COLD MORNING WHEN I GET READY FOR WORK, JUST GOT OUT OF OUR DRIVE WAY AND SUDDENLY WE HEARD 2 LOUD THUMP SOUND LIKE WE HAVE JUST RUN OVER SOMETHING LIKE ROCKS OR WOODS. IT SCARED US A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE OF THE VIBRATION, THEN IT RUNS NORMALLY AGAIN, THE NEXT DAY IT HAPPEN AGAIN BUT 1 TIME ONLY AND TODAY THE SAME. I…
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IT WAS A VERY COLD MORNING WHEN I GET READY FOR WORK, JUST GOT OUT OF OUR DRIVE WAY AND SUDDENLY WE HEARD 2 LOUD THUMP SOUND LIKE WE HAVE JUST RUN OVER SOMETHING LIKE ROCKS OR WOODS. IT SCARED US A LITTLE BIT BECAUSE OF THE VIBRATION, THEN IT RUNS NORMALLY AGAIN, THE NEXT DAY IT HAPPEN AGAIN BUT 1 TIME ONLY AND TODAY THE SAME. I WONT WAIT LONGER BEFORE SOMETHING WORST HAPPEN SO ILL BRING MY CAR TO THE MECHANIC SHOP TO HAVE IT CHECK TOMORROW. HOPE THIS WILL GIVE ME SOME ANSWERS . HOPE THIS IS NOT A RECALL DEFECT AGAIN BECAUSE I ALREADY HAD 1 VEHICLE RENDERED NOT SAFE TO DRIVE BEFORE AND THE COMPANY BOUGHT IT BACK.
MY 16 YEAR SON WAS DRIVING HOME AT 11:00 PM ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN, WITH NO WARNING, THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION POWER. HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AND GOT IT INTO 3RD GEAR. IT WOULD NOT WORK IN DRIVE. HE PROCEEDED VERY SLOWLY FOR A SHORT DISTANCE UNTIL HE WOULD LOSE ACCELERAT…
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MY 16 YEAR SON WAS DRIVING HOME AT 11:00 PM ON THE INTERSTATE WHEN, WITH NO WARNING, THE CAR LOST ALL ACCELERATION POWER. HE WAS ABLE TO GET THE CAR TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON AND GOT IT INTO 3RD GEAR. IT WOULD NOT WORK IN DRIVE. HE PROCEEDED VERY SLOWLY FOR A SHORT DISTANCE UNTIL HE WOULD LOSE ACCELERATION POWER. HE HAD TO CONTINUE TO TURN THE CAR OFF AND ON THE HIGHWAY MULTIPLE TIMES TO GET IT HOME THAT EVENING. HE CONTINUED VERY SLOWLY WITH HIS FLASHING LIGHTS ON. IT SUBSEQUENTLY HAD TO BE TOWED. THANKFULLY, IT DID NOT RESULT IN A CRASH ON THE INTERSTATE. THE CAR IS BLACK AND IT WAS VERY DARK. IT WOULD'VE BEEN VERY DIFFICULT FOR SOMEONE IMMEDIATELY BEHIND HIM TO REACT ON THE INTERSTATE. MY SON'S SAFETY WAS SEVERELY COMPROMISED. THE PROBLEM TURNED OUT TO BE THE RADIATOR/TRANSMISSION PROBLEM NISSAN IS ALREADY BEING INVESTIGATED FOR (NHTSA ACTION NUMBER DP12004). IT REQUIRED A NEW RADIATOR, A NEW TRANSMISSION AND A NEW TRANSMISSION COMPUTER AS THIS WAS ALL RUINED WITH THE CATASTROPHIC FAILURE OF THE RADIATOR. THE COST OF REPAIRS WAS $4632.97 INCLUDING THE TOW CHARGE. NISSAN HAS BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM FOR QUITE SOME TIME AND EVEN SETTLED A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT FOR THIS VERY ISSUE A FEW YEARS AGO. HAD THEY VOLUNTARILY RECALLED THE VEHICLE AND FIXED THE PROBLEM, MY SON WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN PUT IN THIS DANGEROUS SITUATION AND THE COSTS WOULD HAVE BEEN MINIMIZED. I DESIRE FOR NISSAN TO BE HELD LIABLE FOR THIS - YOU HAVE RECEIVED LITERALLY HUNDREDS OF THE VERY SAME COMPLAINT. PLEASE CONDUCT A RECALL ON THE XTERRA, PATHFINDERS AND FRONTIERS YOU KNOW ARE IMPACTED. WE WERE FORTUNATE NOT TO HAVE A CRASH RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH; THE NEXT FAMILY MAY NOT BE SO LUCKY. *TR
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.