2005 Nissan Xterra Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Avoid The 2005 Nissan Xterra ranks 2nd worst of 11 model years, with a complaint index of 90 and 845 NHTSA complaints. Owners most often reported transmission and powertrain problems (49% of complaints), plus fuel system and engine issues, backed by 3 recalls.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 90/100
- #2 of 11 Xterra years
- Verdict
- Avoid
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 845
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 3
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 7
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 6
- Injuries
- 8
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 16.5
- 14.5 city / 19.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 8 / 0
Top 2005 Nissan Xterra problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain412 (49%)
- Fuel System323 (38%)
- Engine287 (34%)
- Electrical System42 (5%)
- Other32 (4%)
- Airbags19 (2%)
- Brakes12 (1%)
- Steering10 (1%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires9 (1%)
- Structure & Body8 (1%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Airbags sometimes fail to deploy in moderate-speed collisions, including frontal and side-impact crashes.
- Transmission failure has coincided with radiator fluid mixing into the transmission fluid, leading to sudden deceleration or stalling.
- Engine seizure with smoke has occurred while driving at moderate speeds, often traced to combined transmission and radiator failure.
- Electrical wiring problems have led to under-hood smoke and, in some cases, vehicle fires.
- A fuel gauge misreading has caused unexpected stalling by showing fuel remaining when the tank was empty.
- A steering control arm has broken while driving, causing loss of control and crashes, tied to a later safety recall.
2005 Nissan Xterra recalls
3 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 10V517000Oct 28, 2010Engine747,480 vehicles
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.
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.
- NHTSA 08V690000Dec 29, 2008Airbags242,720 vehicles
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.
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. These owners will be notified of the warranty extension by mail and will receive a sticker to place in their warranty booklet explaining the extended warranty coverage. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
- NHTSA 05V458000Oct 5, 2005Structure & Body12,500 vehicles
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.
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 november 21, 2005, notifying them to bring their vehicles in for repair. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
2005 Nissan Xterra fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 14.5 MPG
- Highway
- 19.5 MPG
- Combined
- 16.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,925
- 15,000 mi/yr
- Fuel
- Regular
- Current regular gas
- $4.32/gal
- national avg.
EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.
2005 compared with other Xterra years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2005 Nissan Xterra reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2005 Xterra ranks 2nd worst among 11 model years, with a complaint index of 90 and 845 complaints, most involving transmission and powertrain problems.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2005 Nissan Xterra?
- Transmission and powertrain issues make up 49% of complaints, with a median mileage at failure of 104,000 miles, followed by fuel system (38%) and engine (34%) problems.
- Does the 2005 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2005 Xterra, covering an engine control module relay issue, a front airbag sensor replacement, and a tow hitch weld defect.
- How does the 2005 Xterra compare to other model years?
- The 2005 Xterra has a complaint index of 90, worse than most other years; only the 2006 model, with an index of 100, ranks worse. Later years like 2014 and 2015 are rated Best with much lower indexes.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2005 Nissan Xterra?
- The 2005 Xterra gets 16.5 mpg combined (14.5 city / 19.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,925 according to the EPA.