Nissan · Xterra · 2005
6
Recalls
845
Complaints
-
Not Rated
The 2005 Nissan Xterra has 6 recalls and 845 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most reported issue: fuel system, gasoline (218 reports).
Source: NHTSA Public Records · Updated Apr 22, 2026
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE. THE INTERNAL PART NUMBERS WITHIN HOPKINS ARE: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035, AND 1290376035. A WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN AN INCORRECT POSITION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING. THIS RESULTS IN AN INCORRECT ROUTING OF WIRES BETWEEN THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND THE TOWING VEHICLE WIRING SYSTEM.
Remedy Status
HOPKINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL HARNESS WITH A REVISED HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT HOPKINS AT 800-835-0129.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.
Remedy Status
NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
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.
Remedy Status
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.
CERTAIN VALLEY INDUSTRIES HITCH-CLASS III RECEIVER TRAILER HITCHES P/N 82850 MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER 2005 SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 2005 NISSAN XTERRA PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WELD STRENGTH, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE HITCHES MAY BREAK WHILE IN USE.
Remedy Status
VALLEY INDUSTRIES WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 3, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VALLEY INDUSTRIES AT 209-368-8881.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled inadvertently on several occasions. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road on several occasions. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact continued driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Intelligent Power Distribution Module (IPDM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V517000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.
The front airbag crash sensor on my 2005 Nissan Xterra failed and is currently unavailable due to an extended backorder. Firestone Auto provided a work order confirming the need for replacement. The airbag warning light has been flashing continuously for the past four months, indicating a system malfunction. My advisor contacted Nissan dealers three times, and they confirmed the part remains on backorder. This ongoing issue poses a significant safety risk, particularly with the increased driving expected during the upcoming winter season. The sensor has not been replaced or inspected by Nissan, a technician, insurance representatives, or other parties. The part failure has been confirmed by Firestone, but not inspected directly by the manufacturer. I would love to have it solve so I can take my wife to DMV road test.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the vehicle was losing motive power. The service engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle stalled with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle moved forward and stopped suddenly intermittently. On another occasion, the A/C became inoperable. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic and unknown repairs were performed. The dealer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the vehicle was not insured due to the several failures, and the not being able to be repaired. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (AIR BAGS). The vehicle was not repaired for the recent failure. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 50,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not yet available. No information on parts availability was provided. The contact stated that the manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
The plastic on my sun visor broke and with the use of it the wires inside the mirror light become exposed and almost caused a fire
Transmission Failure Due To Internal Cracks In The Radiator's Oil Cooler Tube
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she was able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle stalled after driving 50 feet. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was also informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact that while stopped at a traffic light the vehicle stalled. The contact was immediately able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle kept stalling. The contact restarted the vehicle however while entering a parking garage the vehicle stalled again. After several attempts the vehicle restarted. The contact emphasized that the failure was most evident while stopped or driving at slower speeds. On one occasion the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The contact connected a DTC scanner and retrieved a fault code regarding the fuel gauge sensor that was contacted to the submersible fuel pump. The contact stated that after removing the fuel tank from the vehicle and while changing the internal fuel tank submersible fuel pump, he became aware that the positive wire of the wiring harness on top of the fuel pump and the fuel pump housing above were both charred. The contact was concerned that excessive heating and sparking had caused the failure. The contact purchased a new fuel pump to replace the defective one. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.
I have a 2005 Nissan Xterra and the transmission failed due to my transmission fluid and radiator fluid mixed
AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS ON THEN ABOUT A MONTH AGO IT STARTED STALLING AND DIDN'T WANT TO TAKE OFF ALMOST GOT ME KILLED. AND NOW THE O2 SENSORS BLINK IS ON AND SHIFT SOLENOID WHAT'S NEXT I LOVE MY NISSAN BUT IT'S ALMOST GOTTEN ME KILLED 4 TIMES.
YES IN THE 2005 NISSAN XTERRAS THERE IS NO FLOATING ARM DEVICE WITHIN THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. WHICH IS WHAT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE FRONT DASH PANEL TO READ INCORRECTLY TO THE ELECTRONIC SCREEN. IT ALSO DOESN'T REPORT YOUR DTE ON THE DASH PANEL BECAUSE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS BEEN CORRODED, OR WAS MADE OF PLASTIC, AND HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DAMAGED. SO NOW WHEN THE VEHICLE SITS WHILE STARTED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME THE FUEL GAUGE WILL GO TO EMPTY BUT REMAIN RUNNING, OR YOU COULD FILL YOUR VEHICLE UP ALL THE WAY WITH GAS, AND THEN WHEN YOU START THE XTERRA, THE VEHICLE WILL THEN SHOW EMPTY STILL UNTIL IT WAS AT 3 QUARTERS OF THE TANK, THEN IT WILL READ IT AT 3 QUARTERS OF A TANK UNTIL HALF A TANK. UNLESS THE VEHICLE SITS TO LONG WITHOUT MOVING, THEN VEHICLE WILL SHOW THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE FRONT DASH PANEL TO BE EMPTY. THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IT WILL CAUSE NISSAN XTERRAS TO RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE ROAD WHICH COULD LEAD TO FRONT, SIDE, REAR, AND ROLLOVER CRASHES.
I have a 2005 Nissan Xterra. I am the original owner and have been driving it over 16 years. Two years ago, in 2020 while driving my car on the road and with kids inside (with a 1 year old and a 6 year old child), the car began to shake and turned off (we were stranded in the middle of the road, at a traffic light). Since it was my only means of transportation I kept driving it (no kids inside anymore--which was another HUGE inconvenience having to coordinate and at times pay for babysitters). During my continued usage, it will continue to fail to accelerate causing great danger on the freeway and or on public roads. After a while, I managed to drive it to a transmission shop, who told me they had to either hold onto the car or have it towed--as it was deemed unsafe to drive. Upon inspection, the transmission shop confirmed "coolant bypassed into transmission," among other issues (vehicle does not accelerate, chick engine light is on, etc.) I paid with credit card, $4359.34. Once paid and transmission shop fixed issue, I continued to drive the car with family inside. Now two years later July 2022--I am experiencing the same "vehicle does not accelerate" issue.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE. STARTED CAR AND HAD NO POWER WHEN PULLING OUT INTO STREET. SEEMED TO DRIVE IN 4TH GEAR.
I WAS ENTERING THE 101 FROM BROADWAY ROAD IN MESA. THERE WAS A CAR 2 SECONDS BEHIND ME. I WAS CHANGING LANES GOING TO THE LEFT AND THE CAR AGGRESSIVELY ACCELERATED WITH THE INTENT TO PASS ME AND NEARLY HIT ME. I HAD TO SWERVE BACK TO MY ORIGINAL LANE. I THEN CHANGED LANES AND WAS TRYING TO CHANGE LANES GOING LEFT AND THE SAME CAR ATTEMPTED TO AGGRESSIVELY PASS ME AFTER I HAD ALREADY BEGAN CHANGING LANES. I HAD TO SWERVE TO THE RIGHT AGAIN TO AVOID AN ACCIDENT. I LET THIS MAZDA CAR PASS AND THEN CHANGED LANES GOING LEFT. AT THAT POINT THE CAR ABRUPTLY SLOWED DOWN FROM GOING 75 MILES PER HOUR TO 60 MILES PER HOUR. THIS NEARLY CAUSED ANOTHER ACCIDENT AS IT WAS OBVIOUS THE CAR WAS TRYING TO ANNOY AND FRUSTRATE ME FOR NO REASON. HE CONTINUED THIS SPEED FOR ABOUT HALF A MILE BEFORE CHANGING LANES. HE NEARLY CAUSED 4 SEPARATE ACCIDENTS WITH HIS AGGRESSIVE DRIVING.
Bought vehicle from used from private owner a year ago and noticed less then two weeks later while driving including on the freeway the engine just turns off with no steering control, almost no brake control, and sometimes takes a few minutes to start up again just to get out of the way of other vehicles. Now it’s overheating and leaking coolant on front passenger side floor along with the ground now shutting off more frequently . Also shortly after I bought the vehicle I could hear squeaking noises from under vehicle while driving over the smallest bump and every turn and is so loud it’s heard from 2 small streets away and feels like any second the body might separate from the wheels. I’m not sure about the rest.
TRANSMISSION ISSUES. RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID.
CAR CUTS OFF WHEN DRIVING AND WHILE CAR IS IDLED. FUELS STOPS REPEATEDLY WHEN REFUELING.
TL* THE CONTACT CALLED ON BEHALF OF HER NEIGHBOR WHO OWNS THE 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE WOULD MAKE A WHINING NOISE AS IF THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF FUEL. IN ADDITION, THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE VEHICLE FAILED TO START WHEN THE DRIVER ATTEMPTED TO DRIVE AND ON ANOTHER OCCASION WHILE THE DRIVER WAS DRIVING, THE VEHICLE STALLED AND A UNKNOWN SECURITY WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER OR AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR A DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THE SAME FAILURE OCCURRED WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 247,352.
ACCORDING TO YOUR RECALLS AND MY VIN# MY NEW USED VEHICLE HAS NOT BEEN MAINTENANCE FOR THE RECALL. THERE IS DISTINCT PLAY IN THE STEERING AND THE VEHICLE IS BOUNCY. I NEED TO KNOW WHERE TO TAKE MY XTERRA TO HAVE IT FIXED ASAP IF POSSIBLE. RECALL CAMPAIGN NUMBERS ARE 10E019000 & 10V208000
ON 3/14 I WENT TO WORK AS I WORK WHERE I LIVE WHEN TO DRIVE THE TRUCK AND IT WOULD NOT ACCELERATE. WAS LIKE BEING IN 4TH GEAR EVEN THOUGH I WAS IN FIRST GEAR. I THEN NOTICED THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I BORROWED A CODE READER AND GOT THE CODE P1769 CALLED THE MECHANIC AND THEY CAME AND TOWED TO SHOP. THE CODE WASN'T WHAT WAS WRONG THE RADIATOR LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION AND IT DESTROYED THE TRANSMISSION. THE MECHANIC REBUILT ENTIRE TRANNY RE RAN COOLING LINES AND ADDED TWO COOLING FANS. HE HAD TO BUY A BRAND NEW VALVE BODY AND REBUILD ENTIRE TRANSMISSION AS IT WAS DESTROYED BY THE ANTIFREEZE. WE DID SEE THIS WAS A PROBLEM WITH THIS YEAR NISSAN AND NO RECALL WAS EVER DONE. THE VEHICLE WAS IN THE SHOP FOR ALMOST 8 WEEKS AND THE AMOUNT IT COST TO REPAIR WAS A MONTHS WORTH OF BRING HOME PAY FOR MY SELF AND WIFE WHO IS DISABLED. THE TRUCK IS REPAIRED NOW THANKFULLY BUT WOULD OF BEEN NICE TO HAVE NISSAN FOOT SOME OF THIS BILL FOR SURE
Showing 1–20 of 25 complaints
The 2005 Nissan Xterra has 6 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
NHTSA has received 845 owner-reported complaints for the 2005 Nissan Xterra.
NHTSA has not published a safety rating for the 2005 Nissan Xterra.
The most commonly reported complaint categories for the 2005 Nissan Xterra are fuel system, gasoline (218 reports), power train (182 reports), engine and engine cooling,power train (125 reports).
Yes. NHTSA has 6 recalls on record for the 2005 Nissan Xterra. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.