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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2005 Nissan XterraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 845 owner complaints for the 2005 Nissan Xterra. Most complaints involve power train (412) and fuel system, gasoline (242). The EPA rates it 16–17 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
16–17mpg
EPA · 4 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Oct 2010
Owner complaints
845
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$3,650est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Engine and engine cooling

Free remedy

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.

Engine and engine coolingReported Oct 28, 2010NHTSA 10V517000

Suspension: lower arm

Free remedy

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.

SuspensionReported May 20, 2010NHTSA 10E019000

Air bags: frontal

Free remedy

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.

Air bagsReported Dec 29, 2008NHTSA 08V690000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

845 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2005 – Feb 2026
  1. Power train412
  2. Fuel system, gasoline242
  3. Engine and engine cooling167
  4. Engine114
  5. Fuel system, other49
  6. Electrical system39
  7. Fuel/propulsion system32
  8. Air bags19
  9. Vehicle speed control12

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Xterra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2000230
2001159
2002172
200372
200484
2005845
2006780
2007557
2008119
200919
201038
201124
201216
20134
201410
201510
Crashes reported
7
Fires reported
6
Injuries reported
8
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

412 reports2 fires
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2022Power train, Vehicle speed control, EngineODI 11477659

Fuel system, gasoline

242 reports1 crash
“PURCHASED MY '05 NISSAN XTERRA IN THE SPRING OF 2012 WITH ABOUT 160,000 MILES. FOR THE PAST 2 MONTHS I HAD MINOR ISSUES LIKE SHUDDERING/VIBRATIONS RANDOMLY WHEN I ACCELERATED AND THE HEAT NOT WORKING WHEN I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP. IT WAS NOT UNTIL THE OTHER DAY WHEN I WAS AT A COMPLETE STOP AND MY CAR WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY THAT I KNEW I HAD A PROBLEM WITH THE TRANSMISSION. I TOOK MY XTERRA TO 3 DIFFERENT MECHANICS AND EACH ONE EXPLAINED TO ME THAT I WOULD NEED A COMPLETELY NEW TRANSMISSION AND FROM THERE THEY WOULD SEE IF I IN FACT NEEDED TO CHANGE THE RADIATOR (WHICH THEY WERE POSITIVE WAS THE ORIGINAL ISSUE DUE TO SIMILAR ISSUES WITH OTHER NISSAN SUV OWNERS). THE REPAIRS WILL COST ME WELL OVER $4,000 AND UNFORTUNATELY AS A COLLEGE STUDENT, THERE IS NO WAY I CAN AFFORD TO REPAIR THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. WHAT WAS APPALLING TO ME WAS WHEN I RESEARCHED THE ISSUE ONLINE. THERE ARE HUNDREDS UPON HUNDREDS OF COMPLAINTS ONLINE ON VARIOUS WEBSITES ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND NISSAN HAS YET TO ISSUE A RECALL. THE EXTENDED WARRANTY EXCLUDED MANY PEOPLE AND PUT MANY MORE AT AN UNFAIR DISADVANTAGE. I PERSONALLY BOUGHT MY NISSAN, BECAUSE OF THEIR REPUTATION, BUT THE…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 5, 2014Fuel system, gasoline, Power train, EngineODI 10619152

Engine and engine cooling

167 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Feb 25, 2026Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 11720443
All 2005 Xterra problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

4 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 6-spd · Automatic 5-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Xterra 2WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650523
Xterra 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151917$3,650523
Xterra 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
142016$3,900555
Xterra 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
  • Xterra 2WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra 4WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 20 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2005 Nissan Xterra as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 1432
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2005 Xterra questions

How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Xterra have?

6 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2005 Nissan Xterra problems?

Owners filed 845 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (412), fuel system, gasoline (242), engine and engine cooling (167). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2005 Nissan Xterra get?

The EPA rates the 2005 Nissan Xterra at 16–17 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (4 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026