CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2005-2007 Xterra appears to have a widespread defect where coolant leaks into the transmission, causing transmission failure around 90,000 miles. Repair costs are typically upwards of $3,500.
The same defect exists in the Pathfinder & Frontier as well. And according to the New York Times & a class action lawsuit, the defect actually extends through 2010 model year. More info here.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 2
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
84,989 miles
About These NHTSA Complaints:
This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.
So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.
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.
Check engine light came. Gas gauge reads empty even after you fill it up completely. Diagnostic code P0463, fuel level sensor. The fuel gauge does not accurately state the amount of fuel in the tank. This issue is known to Nissan and NHTSA. It is a safety issue as you never know how much gas is left in the tank or how many miles you can go. This was previously recalled for certain 2006, 2007 and 2008 Xterras. Not sure why it hasn't been for the 2005 model year as it is the same issue.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. While driving 15 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that "ECM" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic and the battery and crank shaft positioning sensor were replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 223,000.
Vehicle turns off while driving and is unable to start. With vehicle in off state there is not control over speed, braking, steering. Nissan is unable to provide an answer to the problem after diagnosis. Code P0335 crankshaft position sensor.
- Mission Viejo, CA, USA
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The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that the transmission failed and the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was taken to an authorized mechanic who stated that radiator fluid leaked into the transmission, which caused the transmission to fail. The transmission was replaced. The contact also stated that the fuel gauge failed. The contact did not know if the fuel tank was full or empty. The fuel gauge was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 140,000.
I purchased a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The vehicle's transmission is gone due to a fault in the manufacturing. This could have been a potentially dangerous situation - but luckily for me I was not driving or on the highway. I have contacted Nissan regarding this issue and was told that they are not going to assist me in repairing the problem because the vehicle warranty has run out. I bought this vehicle used - the dealer never mentioned anything about a recall or problem at the time that could be fixed by Nissan nor did I receive any correspondence from Nissan themselves. Now I am stuck with the financial burden of $5000 for the repair. I don't think this is fair - the used car dealers should be mandated by law to fix vehicles with recalls and inform car buyers that there is a manufacturing defect. Nissan also should be held accountable.
Did not pass emissions due to issues with the fuel level sensor circuit high input. Had been having problems with the fuel gauge malfunction. Repaired by Nissan dealership (ECM recall, repaired one week prior for engine stalling out). Appears to be a common problem.
The car stopped running at a stop light. The failure is a known recall by Nissan in model of 2005 Xterra - it is the recall from 2010 for the ECM (engine control module). The problem started after a weekend on non-use when my battery was dead on Monday 11-3-2014. Then after keeping the car running with the assistance of a battery box and traveling short way to work I had the battery evaluated at autozone and replaced on Monday night, 11-10-2014. The car the next morning died twice after quick temp change in driveway but then ran to get wife and 5 month child to work. On way home while on feeder road on mopac South at duval died at stop light unable to restart. Called aaa and tow was in route when car restarted 20 min after failure allow wife to pull into apartment complex lot. Had car towed then researched failure with long cranking and rough idle and then towed to town North Nissan on 10-12-2014 again by aaa. The care was unable to start and run properly after getting into the safety of the apartment parking lot. Town North Nissan confirmed recalled part which had not been done on vehicle. Wife purchased vehicle close to 2010 recall campaign but did not receive notice. The ECM module appears to remain and issue and outstanding campaign of concern. If the vehicle was not on feeder road car could have easily been in major accident with my wife and 5 month old child. Please investigate if recall notice needs to be remailed or if the replacement ECM is prone to similar failure. In this case luckily it was the ECM that was subject to recall that was the problem.
My car was running fine and normal but when I tried to start it, nothing happened. I tried to jump the battery and I replaced the starter. After those attempts I had the vehicle towed to a nearby dealership who told me that coolant from the radiator leaked into the transmission and mixed fluid, damaging both the transmission and ECM. Car will not start and the is no communications working. The Nissan dealership recommended I get a new radiator, ipdm module, and transmission which was estimated at a cost of $5,500 after parts and labor. I had the vehicle towed to a local repair shop for a second opinion and was told the same thing as the dealer had said.
Driving down road and car quits steering was difficult hit a curb. The car all of a sudden came back on? has done this to me several times until I parked it now. Dangerous situation. Lucky no vehicles were around me.
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.
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.
Just bought auto from used car dealer day before. Drove it 30 miles pulled in visited then went out to start auto. Would not start traced back to blown fuse, changed fuse tried starting again, blew fuse again, one more time then when auto started smoke came out from under hood. After 3 months of replacing electrical wiring from frying narrowed down to radiator and transmission (fuse that blew) the coolant had backed up and tore up transmission. If it had been on the road there would have been a full blown fire on a highway with possibility of human damages.
Just fill up gas and fuel gauge indicates almost empty. Cannot tell if I still have enough fuel. Dangerous situation if I'm driving and suddenly run out of gas.
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 models. I mentioned to them that I cannot afford the repair at this time and they suggested I keep it full and it shouldn't be a problem. I got home and looked up the problem with my vehicle and it seems that a lot of other people are having the same problem, and not only with Xterras but with pathfinders and frontiers as well, as they are all based on the same drivetrain. Nissan is not covering this problem even though it seems to be a common issue with its vehicles.
Recently the vehicle has been turning off while in use (driving down the road) and we have to throw it in neutral, crank back up, then put it back in gear. This is not safe. Took it in to get it diagnosed and the scan came back reading the catalytic converters could be going out (2 on each side, pretty sure only one side is affected). Then were told about an ECM relay recall. Mechanics have told us that this can cause the cats to fail. Nissan said to take it to a dealership and see what they say. What?! of course the Nissan dealership is going to replace only the ECM component of the recall and say it won't affect the cats, while other mechanics at non dealer affiliated shops have more than a few times said it can be a direct effect of the ECM. So we have a "case" number with Nissan and Nissan will "investigate" and let us know if they are willing to pay any towards the repair, or if a recall is issued in the near future we'll get reimbursed for the repair... how about you just make a vehicle without faulty parts and if a faulty part contributes to another part going out, you repair the parts affected.
While driving down a busy los angeles street during rush hour, my car suddenly lost drivability. The engine RPM's increased, but the car would not engage. Nearly got into multiple accidents trying to get to the side of the road. Car was towed to a mechanic where a strawberry milk color liquid was found in the transmission. Was told coolant and transmission fluid mixing was the cause. Required to rebuild transmission, replace radiator and transmission control valve. Repair cost estimated at $5050 plus tax.
I was driving to work a few mornings ago. My car had over a 4th of gas. Then my gas tank drops to below empty then my check engine light turns on. Then it turns off and turns back on continues to move and turns back on all while driving. I pull into a gas station fill up the gas tank then proceed to go home. The car turns back on one last time and when I try and turn it back on it shakes and turns off. Had to tow my car to my home had multiple mechanics come to my home and diagnose my car. I have replaced the fuel pump and yet still does not work. My mechanic told me the problems is deeper and this car and this year is known to have staggering issues. This should be recalled and fixed by Nissan not the consumer. I have never had an issue before. Im putting more and more money into a manufacture defect.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- La Porte, TX, USA