2005 Nissan XTERRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
845 owner complaints analyzed
3 distinct recall campaigns
89,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2005 model year. Data snapshot: . 769 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 354 of 845 complaints (41.9%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 421 | 49.8% |
| Fuel system concerns | 68 | 8.0% |
| Engine operation | 52 | 6.2% |
| Braking behavior | 20 | 2.4% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 15 | 1.8% |
| Steering behavior | 11 | 1.3% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 354 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 237 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 123 |
| Engine | 114 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 52 |
| Fuel System, Other | 40 |
| Electrical System | 37 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 32 |
Power Train: 354; Fuel System, Gasoline: 237; Engine And Engine Cooling: 123; Engine: 114; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 52; Fuel System, Other: 40; Electrical System: 37; Fuel/Propulsion System: 32
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 21 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 80 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 159 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 215 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 261 |
| 150,000 and above | 33 |
Under 25,000: 21; 25,000 to 49,999: 80; 50,000 to 74,999: 159; 75,000 to 99,999: 215; 100,000 to 149,999: 261; 150,000 and above: 33
100,000 to 149,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (261). 76 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 4 |
| 2006 | 5 |
| 2007 | 5 |
| 2008 | 31 |
| 2009 | 78 |
| 2010 | 158 |
| 2011 | 111 |
| 2012 | 103 |
| 2013 | 118 |
| 2014 | 73 |
| 2015 | 60 |
| 2016 | 41 |
| 2017 | 17 |
| 2018 | 15 |
| 2019 | 5 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 5 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2025 | 2 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2005: 4; 2006: 5; 2007: 5; 2008: 31; 2009: 78; 2010: 158; 2011: 111; 2012: 103; 2013: 118; 2014: 73; 2015: 60; 2016: 41; 2017: 17; 2018: 15; 2019: 5; 2020: 7; 2021: 5; 2022: 3; 2023: 3; 2025: 2; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 421 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 68 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 52 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10195055 · 2007-06-30 (June 30, 2007)
DIFFERENTIALS FRONT AND REAR ARE UNDER ENGINEERED AND BREAK EXTREMELY EASILY. TRANSFER CASE ALSO WOULDN'T SHIFT INTO 4 WHEEL DRIVE. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 23,808 miles reported. Look up ODI 10195055 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10290989 · 2009-11-04 (November 4, 2009)
2005 NISSAN XTERRA, RADIATOR FAILURE , CAUSING TRANSMISSION FLUID TO LEAK INTO COOLANT AND COOLANT LEAKING INTO TRANSMISSION, CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. REPAIR COST ABOUT $5,000. A SOURCE WITHIN A DEALERSHIP SAID IT IS COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH 2005 XTERRAS AND PATHFINDERS, IF CAUGHT EARLY IT CAN BE FIXED ,HOWEVER MOST CUSTOMERS DON'T KNOW THIS UNTIL IS TOO LATE. THERE IS NO NOTICE FROM NISSAN ON THIS PROBLEM OR WARNING. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10290989 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10227227 · 2008-05-10 (May 10, 2008)
I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED AFTER 30K MILES. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND DOING RESEARCH, I WENT ONLINE TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH, I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM. APPARENTLY IT HAS SOMETHIN…
Owner-reported narrative. 38,985 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227227 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10227790 · 2008-05-14 (May 14, 2008)
FOLLOWING IS A COMPLAINT ALREADY FILED AND RECEIVED BY YOUR OFFICE: "I HAD 1/4 OF A TANK OF GAS AND WENT TO FILL UP. AFTER FILLING UP MY GAS TANK, I TURNED ON THE CAR, AT WHICH POINT THE NEEDLE DID NOT REGISTER THE FULL TANK. AFTER DRIVING A COUPLE MILES, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I WENT DIRECTLY TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT IT WAS A FUEL SENDING UNIT/SENSOR AND THAT IT WAS NO LONGER COVERED AFTER 30K MILES. AFTER RETURNING HOME AND DOING RESEARCH, I WENT ONLINE TO X.NISSANHELP.COM AFTER PERFORMING A SEARCH; I CAME ACROSS MANY OTHERS W…
Owner-reported narrative. 39,950 miles reported. Look up ODI 10227790 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10241705 · 2008-09-10 (September 10, 2008)
FUEL SENDER UNIT FAILURE - SUDDEN FAILURE WHILE ON FREEWAY. NO CHECK ENGINE LIGHT OR WARNING OF FAILURE PROCEEDING THE ACTUALLY FAILURE. SUDDEN LOSS OF POWER OF THE VEHICLE WHILE AT HIGHWAY SPEED. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 45,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10241705 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10283450 · 2009-09-09 (September 9, 2009)
I BOUGHT A BRAND NEW 2005 NISSAN XTERRA IN JANUARY OF 2006. AT APPROXIMATELY 48,000 MILES THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WENT BAD. AFTER FILLING UP WITH GAS, THE GAUGE DID NOT MOVE FROM ALMOST EMPTY AND THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT CAME ON. AFTER DRIVING AROUND 60 MILES, THE GAUGE BEGAN TO MOVE, BUT EVENTUALLY STALLED ON A HALF TANK OF GAS. AFTER A FEW WEEKS THE GAS GAUGE STARTED WORKING AGAIN, BUT NOW ABOUT 14 MONTHS LATER, THE SAME THING IS HAPPENING CONSTANTLY. I HAVE NO IDEA HOW MUCH GAS I HAVE IN THE TANK. I WAS TOLD IT WOULD COST OVER $500 TO RE…
Owner-reported narrative. 48,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10283450 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10144025 · 2005-11-30 (November 30, 2005)
ON NOV. 4TH 2005, I WAS DRIVING MY 2005 NISSAN XTERRA AT ABOUT 40 MILES PER HOUR. A DEER RAN INTO THE ROAD. I APPLIED MY BRAKES BUT HIT THE DEER. MY AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON BUT MY AIRBAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE CAR WAS TAKEN TO AMM COLLISION AND OVER $3500.00 WORTH OF DAMAGE WAS DONE. THE AIRBAG HARNESS WIRE WAS CUT DURING THE ACCIDENT. AT THIS TIME, WE ARE UNSURE IF THE AIRBAG SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED OR WOULD HAVE DEPLOYED IF THE WIRE WOULDN'T HAVE BEEN CUT. I SPOKE WITH THE DEALERSHIP IN AUSTIN TX AND THE SERVICE DEPT GUY INDICATED THAT THE AIRBAG SHOU…
Owner-reported narrative. 26,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10144025 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10329707 · 2010-05-10 (May 10, 2010)
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA 4-WHEEL DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING IT IN SNOW, ICE, WET ROADS OR SIMPLY STOPPING QUICKLY, I HEAR A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. IT HAPPENS WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES COMING TO A STOP. IT HAS TO BE A CONDITION WHERE THE WHEELS MAY LOCK UP. ALSO, THE BRAKES LET THE VEHICLE "LOOSE" FOR SEVERAL FEET AND/OR SECONDS BEFORE THE GRINDING BEGINS. I AM USED TO THE FLUCTUATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH AN ABS SYSTEM. HOWEVER, I HAD NEVER HEARD A SOUND THAT REMINDED ME OF GRINDING ALUMINUM CANS IN A COFFEE MILL. I TOOK IT TO…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10329707 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10245952 · 2008-10-17 (October 17, 2008)
2005 NISSAN XTERRA HAD AN ELECTRICAL WIRE PROBLEM. CONSUMER STATES THAT THE VEHICLE FIRE COMPLETELY DESTROY IT. *NJ
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10245952 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10297630 · 2009-12-30 (December 30, 2009)
COUPLE WEEKS AGO MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON WHILE I BACKING OFF MY DRIVEWAY. THEN MY BATTERY DIED A WEEK AFTER SO I THOUGHT THE REASON WHY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IS BECAUSE OF MY BATTERY IS RUNNING OUT OF JUICE. SO, I REPLACE MY BATTERY BUT THEN THE FOLLOWING DAY MY CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON AGAIN. THAT'S WHEN I WENT TO MY LOCAL AUTO SHOP AND GET MY X GET CHECK. THEY TOLD THAT IS THE ERROR CODE P0463. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 75,145 miles reported. Look up ODI 10297630 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10317049 · 2010-03-05 (March 5, 2010)
2005 NISSAN XTERRA PURCHASED IN 2006 WITH 19,000 MILES CURRENT MILEAGE 59,000. AFTER THE PURCHASE I NOTICED THAT WHEN THE TRUCK HITS RUTS ON THE HIGHWAY IT WILL FOLLOW THEM. AT TIMES THE TRUCK FEELS COMPLETELY UNCONTROLLABLE. ABOUT TWO WEEKS AGO THE TRUCK CAUGHT RUTS THAT THREW ME INTO THE OTHER LANE NO AMOUNT OF CORRECTION COULD STOP IT. HAD THERE BEEN A CAR NEXT TO ME THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN AN ACCIDENT. WHEN I ASKED THE DEALER TO INVESTIGATE MY SAFETY CONCERNS THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME MONEY RATHER THAN ADDRESS MY SAFETY CONCERNS. MY RESEARC…
Owner-reported narrative. 19,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10317049 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10360242 · 2010-10-13 (October 13, 2010)
STEERING WHEEL SHAKES BETWEEN 55 AND 75 MPH, INCONSISTENTLY BUT ALWAYS SOMEWHERE IN THAT RANGE. CUSTOMER SERVICE AT NISSAN IS NON EXISTENT. THEY DO NOT RETURN CALLS,AND ARE NOT CONCERNED ABOUT CUSTOMER SAFETY DEALERS ARE A-HOLES, THEY DO NOT SERVE THEIR CUSTOMERS, ONLY WANT TO CHARGE A LOT OF MONEY AND THEN 1/2 THE TIME WILL NOT ACTUALLY FIX WHAT WAS WRONG. AT LEAST THE ONE IN MARYLAND WHICH I GO TO (JONES) I HAVE HEARD OF THEM TAKING YOUR CAR IN AND ACTUALLY TAKING PARTS OFF OF IT TO PUT ON SOMEBODY ELSE'S CAR, THEN PUTTING BAD PARTS BA…
Owner-reported narrative. 7,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10360242 at NHTSA ↗