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.

2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
79,216 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2005 Nissan Xterra fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2005 Nissan Xterra Owner Comments (Page 2 of 2)

« Read the previous 20 complaints

problem #12

Dec 072010

Xterra

  • miles

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

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that the fuel gauge and the window motors malfunctioned. The vehicle was taken to the dealer. The technician diagnosed that the fuel sensor was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but did not offer any assistance since the vehicle had surpassed the specified mileage. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage and current mileage was unknown.

- Tallassee, TN, USA

problem #11

Oct 292012

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 37,000 miles
Last year, 10/29/12, I noticed my gas gauge showing empty when I had slightly more than 1/4 tank of gas, but needle moved once truck warmed up and started moving. Then last month the check engine light came on. Nissan is telling me I have to pay roughly $600 to fix the fuel level sensor (code P0463). My truck has not even 38,000 miles on it. Now I didn't pass inspection. I strongly believe that Nissan should be responsible for this repair and recall due to this part.

- Avenel, NJ, USA

problem #10

Jan 222013

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 90,000 miles
While I am driving my vehicle the fuel gauge stopped showing the fuel limit properly and service engine soon light came on since then. I did not find any solution, Nissan has the faulty device and it should fix it. [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).

- Fremont, CA, USA

problem #9

Oct 012012

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 108,500 miles

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

Recently the vehicle has been turning off while in use (driving down the road) and we have to throw it in neutral, crank back up, then put it back in gear. This is not safe. Took it in to get it diagnosed and the scan came back reading the catalytic converters could be going out (2 on each side, pretty sure only one side is affected). Then were told about an ECM relay recall. Mechanics have told us that this can cause the cats to fail. Nissan said to take it to a dealership and see what they say. What?! of course the Nissan dealership is going to replace only the ECM component of the recall and say it won't affect the cats, while other mechanics at non dealer affiliated shops have more than a few times said it can be a direct effect of the ECM. So we have a "case" number with Nissan and Nissan will "investigate" and let us know if they are willing to pay any towards the repair, or if a recall is issued in the near future we'll get reimbursed for the repair... how about you just make a vehicle without faulty parts and if a faulty part contributes to another part going out, you repair the parts affected.

- Kyle, TX, USA

problem #8

Sep 292012

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 66,700 miles
Vehicle fuel gauge abruptly dropped from approximately 1/2 full to completely empty with low fuel light illumination while traveling at approximately 55 mph in heavy traffic. Fuel gauge remained at empty with light on after refueling and maintained this status for the remainder of travel (approx. 1 hour, 50 miles). Vehicle was then parked for 1 hour and upon restart, gauge showed 6/8 level. Vehicle was again refueled to ensure adequate fuel and gauge level did not change. After approximately 10 miles gauge again abruptly dropped to empty and remained there.

- Magnolia, DE, USA

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problem #7

Aug 092012

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 88,000 miles
I was driving to work a few mornings ago. My car had over a 4th of gas. Then my gas tank drops to below empty then my check engine light turns on. Then it turns off and turns back on continues to move and turns back on all while driving. I pull into a gas station fill up the gas tank then proceed to go home. The car turns back on one last time and when I try and turn it back on it shakes and turns off. Had to tow my car to my home had multiple mechanics come to my home and diagnose my car. I have replaced the fuel pump and yet still does not work. My mechanic told me the problems is deeper and this car and this year is known to have staggering issues. This should be recalled and fixed by Nissan not the consumer. I have never had an issue before. Im putting more and more money into a manufacture defect.

- La Puente, CA, USA

problem #6

Apr 122011

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 50,000 miles

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

I got on the freeway and my car stopped gassing. I was on fast lane and avoided an accident pulling to the shoulder. I was going about 65-70 mph. Found out later my fuel sensor malfunctioned. I had no gas in my tank where at the time of incident it showed a full tank.

- Riverside, CA, USA

problem #5

Jul 152012

Xterra

  • 80,000 miles
After fueling the car, the fuel level indicator either shows the tank as empty or a random level (never full, although the tank was just filled). The level from then on is always unreliable and fluctuates at random levels; there is no way to know what is the level of fuel in the tank at any time. I am afraid that the car will run out of fuel without me knowing and stop the car in the middle of a highway or while crossing train tracks. This happens all the time, the indicator never shows full when I fill up the tank. It shows empty or 1/4 full and then after a couple of days the level goes up to a level that I know it is too high for the amount of driving that I have done.

- Buffalo Grove, IL, USA

problem #4

Jul 172012

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 58,000 miles
I was driving along and check engine light came on. Checked internet and found out that many people had this happen around 50,000 miles. This is supposed to be guaranteed for 50,000 miles and in practice most last a lot longer, but not in the case of the Xterra. Nissan has noticed the large number of incidents but although they have completely redesigned the system they refuse to recall it. Many of the posts here take about the engine conking out at speed which is an unsafe condition. The dealer admitted today that they have seen 4 this month, its becoming a real problem and should be recalled. Dealer quoted me $70 for the quote, $590 for the canister, and $90 for labor. I can't believe that Nissan would know about the bad design, engineer a fix for it, and withhold the fix from the customer, unless they are willing to cough up almost $800 to fix their mistake. This scares me as SUV accidents are usually pretty bad with far more rollovers than regular cars. Please take the appropriate action before someone is seriously hurt.

- Great Falla, MT, USA

problem #3

Jul 162012

Xterra

  • 85,000 miles
I was driving my car after a long trip, I had about a quarter tank left. I parked my car and when I returned to use it to run an errand I began to drive. My gas tank needle went all the way to below empty then my check engine light turned on as well. I have looked up this issue and found out there were multiple complaints about the exact same thing that happened to me. This is a Nissan issue that should not be taken out of pocket from the consumer. Especially since there is a long history regarding this exact same problem.

- La Puente, CA, USA

problem #2

May 012012

Xterra

  • 103,600 miles
May 2012. I was driving the vehicle to work, the day the "service engine soon "light initially came on. 30 minutes later, yellow fuel indicator light came on, vehicle was not out of gas, had approx. 1/2 tank. I was concerned about the fuel light, so I immediately drove to a nearby gas station and filled up to a full tank of gas. Afterwards, fuel engine light remained on and gauge still showed empty. Only after driving it for several days, fuel light finally went off, service engine soon remained on. Since this initial incident every time I put fuel in the vehicle, the tank still shows empty and takes several days of driving to show where I filled it up. I recently took the vehicle for a diagnostic test and it showed problems in the fuel sensor/fuel pump. I also visited my local Nissan dealer and they said, that I was not turning the gas cap enough after fueling up. I always ensure that I turn the gas cap several times at least 4 turns, until several clicks are heard when securing the gas cap after fueling. I am sure this was not the problem. I am very concerned as I drive a good distance to work, on graveyard shifts. This is the 1st major problem, I have had with my Nissan Xterra and unfortunately it does not show as a recall. I feel unsafe driving the vehicle as I do not know when it will run out of fuel particularly on freeways and busy intersections. I often have small children as passengers and this concerns me the most.

- Madison, NC, USA

problem #1

Apr 262012

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 67,000 miles
My 2005 Nissan Xterra has experienced a fuel sending unit failure. After researching this problem online, I have found that this is a know problem for this year and model. Nissan does not recognize it as problem, nor will they cover it under warranty. This is such a problem that there is over a 2 week wait to get the parts to correct the problem. The gas gauge will alternately read different fuel levels. When the tank is full, it reads that the tank is empty and the low fuel light is lit. It will then correct itself, and only register to a 1/4 of a tank. After it reaches that level, it will no longer give an accurate reading and at times will once again read an empty tank.

- Corry, PA, USA

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