MYRModel Year Report

2005 Nissan Xterra

■ Significantly worse — known issue year
2005 Nissan Xterra
BUILT 2026-10-10

This year had more than double the complaints of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
845
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2005

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Power train

49% of complaints

Complaints per year

2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 150 complaints 2002: 157 complaints 2002 2003: 72 complaints 2004: 84 complaints 2005: 845 complaints 2005 845 2006: 780 complaints 2007: 557 complaints 2008: 119 complaints 2008 2009: 19 complaints 2010: 38 complaints 2010 2011: 24 complaints 2012: 16 complaints 2012 2013: 4 complaints 2014: 10 complaints 2014 2015: 10 complaints
2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 150 complaints 2001 2002: 157 complaints 2002 2003: 72 complaints 2003 2004: 84 complaints 2004 2005: 845 complaints 2005 845 2006: 780 complaints 2006 2007: 557 complaints 2007 2008: 119 complaints 2008 2009: 19 complaints 2009 2010: 38 complaints 2010 2011: 24 complaints 2011 2012: 16 complaints 2012 2013: 4 complaints 2013 2014: 10 complaints 2014 2015: 10 complaints 2015
2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 150 complaints 2001 2002: 157 complaints 2002 2003: 72 complaints 2003 2004: 84 complaints 2004 2005: 845 complaints 2005 845 2006: 780 complaints 2006 2007: 557 complaints 2007 2008: 119 complaints 2008 2009: 19 complaints 2009 2010: 38 complaints 2010 2011: 24 complaints 2011 2012: 16 complaints 2012 2013: 4 complaints 2013 2014: 10 complaints 2014 2015: 10 complaints 2015

2005: 845 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19990
2000214
2001150
2002157
200372
200484
2005845
2006780
2007557
2008119
200919
201038
201124
201216
20134
201410
201510

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Power train

49% · 418 reports

Most commonly citing automatic transmission and manual transmission.

FIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

After driving to a remote fair ground facility, the transmission failed due to a leak allowing coolant to mix with the transmission fluid.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-08-14

Fuel system, gasoline

29% · 244 reports

Most commonly citing auxillary tank and filler pipe and cap.

CRASH

Engine and engine cooling

20% · 168 reports

Most commonly citing cooling system and radiator assembly.

FIRE

Engine

13% · 114 reports
FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Just bought auto from used car dealer day before. Drove it 30 miles pulled in visited then went out to start auto.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-10-24

Also filed under Electronic stability control (esc)

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2025-03-10

Also filed under Air bags

Fuel system, other

6% · 49 reports

Most commonly citing fuel gauge system and fuel pump.

FIRE

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2005Complaint volume 845 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2005-11-03Trailer hitches05E062000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2005-11-21Trailer hitches05V458000 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…

    Remedy: 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2007-08-17Equipment07E046000 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…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2009-01-26Air bags08V690000 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…

    Remedy: 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.…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2010-07-12Suspension10E019000 Nissan is recalling certain front and rear lower links, p/nos. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, and 54500ZR00A, sold…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2010-12-06Engine and engine cooling10V517000 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)…

    Remedy: 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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. I
    2012-06-11Defect petitionClosed 2016-10-22 Transmission Failures

Buy-smart checklist

2005 Nissan Xterra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Power train: 418 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel system, gasoline: 244 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 168 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 05E062000 · Trailer hitches
  • Recall 05V458000 · Trailer hitches
  • Recall 07E046000 · Equipment
  • Recall 08V690000 · Air bags
  • Recall 10E019000 · Suspension
  • Recall 10V517000 · Engine and engine cooling
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2005 Nissan Xterra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2005 Nissan Xterra is rated "significantly worse".
What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Xterra?
The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 49% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Xterra have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-09 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.