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.
2.0
hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,216 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.
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 the same issue as described in recall #10V075000. This affected 2006 Nissan Xterras, mine is a 2005. The fuel gauge drops to empty when the tank is filled, after driving awhile it starts to climb back up to read near full, then it will appears to decrease as normal, but you never know how much fuel is actually in the tank, so you have to base it on miles traveled. The problem is you never know if the station attendant (I live in or so you can't fill your own vehicle with gas) has actually filled the tank or did it click off early again, which it frequently does. So you can run out of gas easily, because you have a fuel gauge that doesn't function correctly. This has been going on since about 2011, but I'm tired of dealing with it. Don't know the actual date when this problem started, but it has been ongoing.
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 vehicle in question started to lose power when driving this past Saturday. So, basically my car does start then after driving it a few minutes or more will stiffen and cut off. Thank you
- Pittsburg, CA, USA
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While driving my Xterra which has 65000 miles approximately, my gas gauge dropped from 3/4 tank to below empty. My check engine light came on and my car immediately stopped in the road. I had to be towed where I was told I have P0463 and my car was out of gas. I was told this is a major problem with. Issa Xterra. I went to dealer to get it replaced and they said $700. I see that this is too common an issue. I think the manufacturer should be responsible for this defect. I'm just happ happy I wasn't driving on the highway when it stopped. Luckily I was on side road.
My vehicle has 43,419 miles and after fueling the vehicle the fuel gauge dropped to empty and the service engine soon dashboard light illuminated. A check of the diagnostic trouble code (P0463) disclosed a faulty fuel level sensor "a" circuit high. I had the repair done at Nissan. The fee for labor and parts was $367.88. I see several hundred registered NHTSA complaints regarding this issue as well as hundreds and hundreds of complaints on the internet. I believe there should be a recall as this is clearly a defective part. There is a recall on the 2006 Xterra for the same issue.
Transmission has been slipping. I heard of a recall on this problem and I called Nissan and was told I missed extended warranty buy 8 days, they admitted that they did have problems with this vehicles transmission.but refuse to do anything about it, also very hard to put gas in,
Transmission has failed at 135,000. Fuel gauge does not work.check engine light stays illuminated, therefore I am unaware of any additional issues, and cannot pass emissions in atlanta, ga, therefore I cannot renew my tag.
Nissan knows about this issue in fact it involves multiple years and models. The radiator cracks and leaks into the transmission ruining both. They entered into a settlement agreement but set the bar so high that it is impossible to meet. This car technically has low mileage for a 10 year old vehicle yet misses the top parameter by 16,000 miles. This is unacceptable.
Service engine soon light when fuel goes below half tank. The fuel gauge may not always show correct reading, makes it possible for car to stop in middle of highway, in middle of snow-storm, or other dangerous situation, the service engine light comes on when fuel level is below half tank and resets itself when fuel tank is full.
My Nissan has the defect that brought a lawsuit against Nissan motor for a failure in the oil cooler that caused my transmission and radiator to be completely rebuilt/replaced because coolant had leaked into my transmission. I ended up with a bill for $3941.46, and now, I can't even file a reimbursement form or get a hold of any one at Nissan to help because all 3 numbers listed in letters and paperwork are no longer in service.
Upon exiting a highway, where traffic was congested and slow moving, my 2005 Nissan Xterra suddenly refused to accelerate. Suddenly, smoke appeared to be emanating from the undercarriage of my SUV. Initially, it appeared that my vehicle had caught on fire. Two passing fireman assisted me and determined that I had a transmission issue because of the fluid that was leaked onto the street. Since the Xterra was not drivable, it was towed to a transmission repair center. It was determined that the transmission failure was caused by a malfunctioning radiator. Apparently, radiator fluid contaminated the transmission fluid and severely damaged the transmission.
Fuel gauge issue P0463 fuel level sensor is erratic, inaccurate, or inoperative. Nissan refused to accept this recall. NHTSA action number 10032627 service bulletin number 280480.
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.
The Xterra fuel sending unit has gone bad/malfunctioned. Upon filling up vehicle the gas gauge continued to show Xterra was empty and diagnostic code P0463 was able to be read. I have heard numerous accounts of this issue with Xterras.
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.
My fuel sending unit went out while driving and I ran out of gas on the highway and almost crashed and killed myself. This issue needs to be address and fixed by Nissan before something really serious happens!
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Sheridan, AR, USA