KnownCarProblems2005 Nissan Xterra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 845 complaints with NHTSA about the 2005 Nissan Xterra, most often about the transmission (49% of complaints, typically around 104,000 miles). It is the most complained-about Xterra model year since 2000 and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2005 Nissan Xterra problems
Transmission
412 complaints · 49%Half of these problems showed up before 104,000 miles. Parts named most often: automatic transmission, driveline, manual transmission, axle assembly.
2005 Nissan Xterra- transmission failure due to leakage of radiator fluid from transmission cooling line infiltrating into transmission and causing it to fail. Transmission when fails will cause severe vibrations or will seize up. Dealership has no specific information about technical bulletins but service persons…
Driving of vehicle has resulted in the failure of the automatic transmission. There appears to be a design flaw in the cooling system to leak onto the transmission causing failure. The only option is replacement of the transmission.
Fuel system
323 complaints · 38%Half of these problems showed up before 63,000 miles. Parts named most often: storage, delivery.
This vehicle has a faulty fuel gauge, gas tank, fuel pump...whatever! This is the 3rd gas tank and fuel pump for a 2005 model! The first time, after a few months of ownership, was covered by warranty. Now after less than 3 yrs ownership, we have the same problem and we have to pay almost 600.00! Out of warranty. This…
Check engine light comes on, gas gauge does not work. Vehicle only has 61,000 miles and just went over the extended warranty. Looking it up on the internet, sounds like a major defect as other numerous complaints.
Engine
280 complaints · 33%Half of these problems showed up before 102,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, engine, exhaust system.
Radiator failure causing fluid to drain into transmission. This caused damage to the transmission and torque converter. I was left stranded without warning in the middle of an intersection. The transmission was rebuilt, the torque converter was replaced, an external transmission was installed. Cost of repair: $2,852.
My car would shut off everytime I went over a bump. The repair guy said it was the computer that went out in my care. Then 2 months later my engine went out and my catalytic converter. My vehicle almost stopped in the middle of the busy freeway.
Electrical
39 complaints · 5%Half of these problems showed up before 82,500 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, instrument cluster/panel.
*** ipdm and double catalytic converter failure in 2005 Nissan Xterra *** my 2005 Nissan Xterra engine once shut down as I am driving on a busy street; I had to let the Xterra coast a short distance without power to pull over and stop my SUV to the side of a safer section of the road. I could not immediately restart…
I noticed the service engine soon light come on 3/13/2013. Today, 3/15 I took it to the Nissan dealership that I get my vehicle serviced at and they told me that the fuel sending unit is malfunctioning and the price to fix it. They also mentioned that they have seen this problem a few times now with other Xterra…
Other or unspecified
25 complaints · 3%Half of these problems showed up before 110,500 miles.
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…
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…
Air bags
19 complaints · 2%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan x terra. The contact stated that the air bag warning light illuminated. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who stated the vehicle was out of warranty due to the mileage and the VIN was not included under NHTSA campaign id number: 08v690000 (air bags:frontal). The vehicle was…
The passenger side air bag light started blinking even with the seatbelt on properly. This vehicle had never been in crash once or ever. I am very concern.
Speed control
12 complaints · 1%Half of these problems showed up before 118,000 miles.
I was driving my 2005 Nissan Xterra down the highway around 65mph when I noticed the vehicle would not accelerate when pushing the gas pedal. I was able to maneuver the vehicle off the road just before the steering wheel locked up & the vehicle went dead. Had it towed into dealership, was told the transmission had…
Unexpectedly, transmission seemed to be in neutral. Applying gas just revved engine. Then strong jerk and back into gear. Happening at highway speeds on a busy interstate had it gone on longer or I not been able to pull to the side, this could have triggered a major pile up.
Steering
10 complaints · 1%Half of these problems showed up before 100,000 miles.
Tl contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH the vehicle began to vibrate. The contact stated, if they decrease and increase the speed the vehicle would function normally for a short time and then the failure would recur. The dealer replaced the front wheel bearings, the brake pads and…
While driving in the street, the right control arm of my vehicle broke resulting lost control of the vehicle and crash. There first recall of this part happen sometime in 2010 but I did not receive it. In 2015, I had the accident. Earlier this year, 2017 I receive the email about this part being defective and part of…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2005 Nissan Xterra recalls
Engine: engine and engine cooling
Risk: This could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Air bags: frontal
Risk: 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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Equipment: trailer hitches
Risk: This could result in the trailer separating from the vehicle and cause a crash without warning.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Transmission failures
Summary
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 satisfa
Questions about the 2005 Nissan Xterra
- What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Xterra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: transmission (412 complaints, typically around 104,000 miles); fuel system (323 complaints, typically around 63,000 miles); engine (280 complaints, typically around 102,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Xterra have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from October 28, 2010 (engine). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2005 a bad year for the Nissan Xterra?
- It is the most complained-about Xterra model year since 2000, with 845 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.