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.

8.5

pretty bad
Typical Repair Cost:
$4,000
Average Mileage:
112,900 miles
Total Complaints:
4 complaints

Most Common Solutions:

  1. not sure (3 reports)
  2. replace transmission and radiator (1 reports)
2005 Nissan Xterra transmission problems

transmission problem

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2005 Nissan Xterra Owner Comments

problem #4

Dec 012015

Xterra LX 3.2L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 48,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

I had a transmission fail at 100,000 miles after taking it into the dealer several times after experiencing transmission issues, they said they could not find anything. Soon after the transmission went out and cost me $5,000 to replace. WITHIN 50,000 miles the newly replaced transmission went OUT!

- Brian S., FAIRFIELD, CA, US

problem #3

Oct 252016

Xterra

  • Manual transmission
  • 119,521 miles

First of all i definitely will never ever buy a nissan vehicle again. Especially the nissan dealer in temple tx. I was not told this vehicle had so many issues, my transmission broke had to fix that which I ended up paying 3,368.04 and now two years after fixing it I had to fix the radiator and my engine service light is still on.

- dorali, Belton, TX, US

problem #2

Oct 082015

Xterra 4.0L V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 130,000 miles

radiator failed causing transmission failure. Vehicle quit pulling in rush hour traffic so I had it towed to repair shop. Transmission was full of coolant which turned transmission fluid into milky substance.

- Parrish R., raleigh, NC, US

problem #1

Dec 312013

Xterra V6

  • Automatic transmission
  • 153,942 miles

We found out about the radiator and transmission problem when the Xterra broke down on the highway at 69,000 miles. The service department at Sullivan Brothers Nissan in Kingston MA tried to tell us all that was needed was to have the radiator and transmission flushed but we already knew about the problem and contacted Nissan recall division. They told us we were entitled to have the transmission and radiator replaced. We had to demand this from Sullivan Brothers and they unwillingly agreed to replace for free.

Now the new transmission just broke at 153,900 miles and there is nothing we can do except pay to have it fixed or junk the car as the new transmission was only warrantied for 1year/12000 miles. This is a complete SHAM and Nissan is a horrible company that does not stand behind their products. I will NEVER buy another Nissan and am going to tell every person that will listen to never buy Nissan products. Hopefully if anyone who reads this tells everyone they know not to buy Nissan products they will go bankrupt and never make another car again,,,,kind of like Datsun (which is actually now Nissan) who had the same crap products so needed to change their name. They haven't changed their business practices and it is the consumer who suffers.

- fenyusb21, Plymouth, MA, US

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