FaultScore

FaultScore report

2005 Nissan Xterra problems

Owners have filed 1,175 complaints about the 2005 Nissan Xterra with NHTSA between 2005 and 2026. The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain. Across this model's run it ranks 4 of 15 worst.

C

FaultScore 56/100

Higher is worse. Measured against the other years of the Nissan Xterra.

How this is worked out

The numbers

1,175

Complaints

11

Crashes reported

11

Fires reported

10

Injuries reported

93,500 mi

Median mileage at failure

Half of reported failures happened before this

5%

Failed under 36,000 miles

Inside a typical bumper-to-bumper warranty

What kind of bad

The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.

Complaint volume 100 vs 50 Severity 14 vs 50 Early failure 8 vs 50
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 100
Against the median year of the Nissan Xterra. 50 means typical for this model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 14
2.7% of these complaints involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of 9.7%.
Early failure — 8
5% of failures with a mileage on record happened under 36,000 miles, against a national rate of 29%.

How 2005 compares with every other Nissan Xterra

Click any bar to open that year's report.

Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade: A B C D F ungraded

What breaks on a 2005 Nissan Xterra

Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.

0 crashes, 2 fires · median 104,000 mi

Fuel & Propulsion 325 27.7%

1 crashes, 1 fires · median 63,000 mi

Engine & Cooling 282 24.0%

0 crashes, 3 fires · median 101,992 mi

0 crashes, 3 fires · median 82,650 mi

Median failure at 110,500 miles

Airbags 20 1.7%

4 crashes, 0 fires · median 80,000 mi

Median failure at 118,000 miles

Steering 10 0.9%

2 crashes, 0 fires · median 100,145 mi

Equipment & Accessories 9 0.8%

Median failure at 51,114 miles

Stability & Traction Control 8 0.7%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 113,500 mi

Suspension 8 0.7%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 53,000 mi

Windows, Mirrors & Wipers 5 0.4%

Median failure at 68,602 miles

Body & Structure 4 0.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 134,090 mi

Brakes 4 0.3%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 105,236 mi

Lights 3 0.3%

0 crashes, 1 fires · median 105,127 mi

Child Seats 1 0.1%

Median failure at 99,000 miles

Doors, Latches & Locks 1 0.1%

Median failure at 81,000 miles

Wheels 1 0.1%

1 crashes, 0 fires · median 134,090 mi

Exactly what failed

NHTSA files every complaint against a named sub-assembly, not just a system. This is the difference between knowing it was "the engine" and knowing which part of it — the list to hand a mechanic.

Automatic Transmission 52 46.0%
Cooling System 23 20.4%
Radiator Assembly 16 14.2%
Fuel Gauge System 8 7.1%
Auxillary Tank 4 3.5%
Frontal 4 3.5%
Differential Unit 3 2.7%
Body 3 2.7%

When it fails

Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all complaints include one.

Under 1,000 miles 7 0.7%
1,000 – 9,999 miles 12 1.1%
10,000 – 24,999 miles 18 1.7%
25,000 – 49,999 miles 88 8.2%
50,000 – 74,999 miles 187 17.4%
75,000 – 99,999 miles 311 28.9%
100,000 – 149,999 miles 407 37.8%
150,000+ miles 46 4.3%

When owners complained

A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single owner can see from inside their own car.

Nov 2005 peak 33 Feb 2026

NHTSA investigations into the 2005 Nissan Xterra

An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.

DP12004 Opened 11 Jun 2012 Closed 22 Oct 2016 POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)

Transmission Failures

On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential...

Recalls on the 2005 Nissan Xterra

A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous enough to fix for free — however old the car is.

United States — NHTSA

10V517000

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

Risk: THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

10E019000

SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM

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.

Risk: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

08V690000

AIR BAGS:FRONTAL

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.

Risk: THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

07E046000

EQUIPMENT

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.

Risk: THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE TOWING VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS BEING ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE TRAILER BRAKE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED ABILITY TO STOP AND CONTRIBUTE TO A POSSIBLE CRASH.

05V458000

TRAILER HITCHES

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.

Risk: THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRAILER SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

05E062000

TRAILER HITCHES

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.

Risk: THE TRAILER OR ITEM IN TOW MAY RELEASE PARTIALLY OR WHOLLY FROM THE MOTOR VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.

Canada — Transport Canada

Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not always mirror the American ones.

Recall 2023053 10,846 units in Canada

Airbag

Issue: On certain vehicles, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel airbag cover could detach and become a projectile when the airbag inflates in a crash. Note: This recall is for certain vehicles that had the steering wheel airbag replaced. Safety Risk: Projectiles in the occupant compartment could increase the risk of an injury. Corrective Actions: Nissan will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering wheel airbag cover.

Recall 2010373 24,207 units in Canada

Engine

On certain 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. In certain instances, this oxidation could cause engine performance issues (hesitation, rough engine idle, slow start/no-start condition), and engine stalling at low engine speeds which may result in a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the Engine Control Module (ECM) relay.

Recall 2008454 27,695 units in Canada

Airbag

On certain vehicles operated in areas of heavy road salt usage, the front Crash Zone Sensor (CZS) may rust internally. This could result in the non-deployment of the driver and passenger front airbags during a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of personal injuries or death in certain crash conditions. Correction: Dealers will replace the Crash Zone Sensor.

Recall 2005290 646 units in Canada

Other

Affects certain genuine accessory trailer hitches installed by Nissan dealers on 2005 Xterra vehicles. Inadequate quality of some welded joints in the hitch assembly may result in failure, possibly allowing the towed unit to separate from the towing vehicle. Correction: Dealers will replace all suspect genuine Nissan hitches.

Recalls cover specific build ranges, so check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or, in Canada, Transport Canada.

Complaints that involved harm

Reports where the owner recorded a crash, a fire, an injury or a death.

Richland, WA Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

NHTSA complaint #11507338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles La Porte, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11441040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles La Porte, TX Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

NHTSA complaint #11441040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,350 miles Buena Vista, GA Crash 1 injured

STEERING

MY DAUGHTER HAD JUST PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA, THE DAY BEFORE HER ACCIDENT. SHE WAS TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY APPROACHING A CURVE IN THE ROAD WHEN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE LOCKED UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL SLIGHTLY RIGHT AND FAIL TO RESPOND TO COUNTER STEER. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY AND WENT INTO THE GRASS BEGAN TO SPIN SIDEWAYS AND STRUCK A HYDRANT AND FLIP 2.5 TIMES RESTING ON ITS ROOF. I SAW WHERE THERE WAS SEVERAL RECALLS, BUT WHEN I ENTER THE VIN ITS HAD NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE SPECIFIC VIN. ALTHOUGH, THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN THE SAME MODELS.

NHTSA complaint #11186049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 137,350 miles Buena Vista, GA Crash 1 injured

SERVICE BRAKES

MY DAUGHTER HAD JUST PURCHASED A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA, THE DAY BEFORE HER ACCIDENT. SHE WAS TRAVELING ON A ROADWAY APPROACHING A CURVE IN THE ROAD WHEN THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE LOCKED UP CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO PULL SLIGHTLY RIGHT AND FAIL TO RESPOND TO COUNTER STEER. THE VEHICLE LEFT THE ROADWAY AND WENT INTO THE GRASS BEGAN TO SPIN SIDEWAYS AND STRUCK A HYDRANT AND FLIP 2.5 TIMES RESTING ON ITS ROOF. I SAW WHERE THERE WAS SEVERAL RECALLS, BUT WHEN I ENTER THE VIN ITS HAD NO OPEN RECALLS ON THE SPECIFIC VIN. ALTHOUGH, THIS SAME EXACT PROBLEM HAS OCCURRED IN THE SAME MODELS.

NHTSA complaint #11186049 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 100,290 miles LAS Vegas, NV Crash 1 injured

STEERING

WHILE DRIVING IN THE STREET, THE RIGHT CONTROL ARM OF MY VEHICLE BROKE RESULTING LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASH. THERE FIRST RECALL OF THIS PART HAPPEN SOMETIME IN 2010 BUT I DID NOT RECEIVE IT. IN 2015, I HAD THE ACCIDENT. EARLIER THIS YEAR, 2017 I RECEIVE THE EMAIL ABOUT THIS PART BEING DEFECTIVE AND PART OF THE RECALL.

NHTSA complaint #11041398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

The most recent complaints

In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.

at 130,000 miles Eustis, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11720443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 130,000 miles Eustis, FL

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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.

NHTSA complaint #11720443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Rochester, NY

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11675017 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Round Rock, TX

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11647503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 50,000 miles Round Rock, TX

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11647503 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Heartland, TX

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11537250 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richland, WA

POWER TRAIN

I have a 2005 Nissan Xterra and the transmission failed due to my transmission fluid and radiator fluid mixed

NHTSA complaint #11507337 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Richland, WA Fire

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

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

NHTSA complaint #11507338 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lancaster, CA

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11477659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lancaster, CA

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

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.

NHTSA complaint #11477659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Lancaster, CA

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11477659 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 149,000 miles Lewiston, ID

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11451951 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aberdeen, WA

POWER TRAIN

Transmission Failure Due To Internal Cracks In The Radiator's Oil Cooler Tube

NHTSA complaint #11450773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles La Porte, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11441040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 200,000 miles La Porte, TX Fire

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

NHTSA complaint #11441040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, CA

POWER TRAIN

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.

NHTSA complaint #11428187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, CA

SUSPENSION

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.

NHTSA complaint #11428187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Long Beach, CA

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11428187 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pitts, GA

AIR BAGS

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.

NHTSA complaint #11405180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pitts, GA

ENGINE

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.

NHTSA complaint #11405180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Pitts, GA

SERVICE BRAKES

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.

NHTSA complaint #11405180 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 129,000 miles Sheridan, AR

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

NHTSA complaint #11396894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 95,234 miles Perris, CA

POWER TRAIN

TRANSMISSION ISSUES. RADIATOR LEAKING COOLANT INTO TRANSMISSION FLUID.

NHTSA complaint #11386136 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 121,000 miles Parkville, MD

POWER TRAIN

CAR CUTS OFF WHEN DRIVING AND WHILE CAR IS IDLED. FUELS STOPS REPEATEDLY WHEN REFUELING.

NHTSA complaint #11365644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 121,000 miles Parkville, MD

ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

CAR CUTS OFF WHEN DRIVING AND WHILE CAR IS IDLED. FUELS STOPS REPEATEDLY WHEN REFUELING.

NHTSA complaint #11365644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.