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.
10.0
really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
62,210 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.
In my 2005 Nissan Xterra, my fuel gauge began not reading correctly once it got below 1/4 tank. When I fill it up, it doesn't always register that I put gas in. Now my service engine soon light keeps coming on for days at a time. It will go off for a few days, then come on again.
My 2005 Nissan X-terra's fuel gauge works intermittently and its functionality is tied to a "service engine soon" light. The gauge will read empty even when there is gas in the tank. This seems to be a common issue with Nissan.
2005 Nissan Xterra fuel gauge slowly shows the amount of fuel in the car (approximately an hour after filling up the tank). From many forums the problems is obvious and there is a need for a recall by Nissan. The fuel sending unit in the vehicle is defective on all Nissan Xterra's platform (including frontier & pathfinder) after 40K miles on the car. The cost of such repair by dealers amounts to $600 dollars for parts and labor.
Fuel sensor has gone out at 57,000 miles. This causes the gas gauge not to work or work very slowly. In taking it to dealer, fix is $475. I have researched this and it seems all Nissan SUV experience this. I asked dealer about this and he said there was a bulletin, but it recommended buying a better part.
My Nissan Xterra is having a fuel gauge/sensor problem which results in the driver having no idea how much fuel is in the gas tank. This is a very common problem on Nissan Xterras, pathfinders and frontiers. All one needs to do is an internet search to see how common this problem is. Nissan has not issued a recall and will not cooperate with me in getting this fixed. The cost of the repair is between $300-500 (most of which is labor) and a vehicle can not pass inspection if they have this problem. I have already run out of gas in a not so nice area while going 55 mph and controlling the vehicle/getting it to the side of the road was difficult when it was out of gas. I was fearful of not only the difficulty in handling/dealing with the vehicle in a safe manner so as to not cause an accident but imagine my surprise that was out of gas and I could not tell because of the faulty sensor not indicating actually how much gas was in the car. I was fearful for my safety because this happened on a highway in a not so nice area in the metro nyc area. All one needs to do is an internet search on Nissan fuel gauge or sensor problems and will see many complaints about this issue. Nissan has recalled earlier models for this same issue but has not recalled any vehicles from 2005 on for this defective problem. A Nissan mechanic at a local dealership told me that this was a common problem on Xterras, pathfinders and frontiers and wished me good luck in getting Nissan to fix it under a recall since he thought it was highly unlikely that Nissan would do anything about it. I have contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs about this issue and they were not helpful at all. They basically told me that Nissan will not repair this issue since there is no recall on it even though this is a very common problem on their vehicles.
- Wharton, NJ, USA
Search CarComplaints.com for these popular complaint phrases...
2005 Nissan Xterra fuel level sensor malfunction. With mis-reading on the fuel level, the vehicle may run out of fuel when it appears to have plenty of fuel in the tank, causing a safety hazard. This is a very common problem on '05+ Nissan Xterra and pathfinder SUV's. these are usually correlated with a PO463 emission failure code.
2005 Nissan Xterra. At 40000 miles it is common for this model to have the fuel level sensor fail. This can cause disabled vehicles due to vehicles running out of gas. This is a common problem with this model vehicle and the manufacturer is aware of the problem but refuses to assist or even warn owners of the potential problems. Nissan recalled 2001-2003 models for the same issue, but continue to use the same faulty part. Nissan or a mechanic must removed the gas tank to get to the fuel pump and the fuel level sensor. It even requires a special tool to remove this unit. Total cost of repair between $550 & $600 for a $90 part.
205 Nissan Xterra. At approx 65,000mi, fuel gauge started going to empty after filling the tank and check engine light came on. After 40-60 miles driven, fuel gauge begins to read again, but is inaccurate.
My 2005 Xterra check engine light just went on and after testing my ECU I received error code P0463, which is a faulty fuel level sensor. This condition can cause potentially dangerous conditions for people traveling at high speed who are under the impression they still have gas in their tank when in fact they do not.
2005 Nissan X-terra fuel gauge stops working, making you uncertain of fuel level in vehicle. Also causes check engine light to come on and stay. According to internet research, this is a very common problem, costing consumers around $600 to repair, as Nissan claims it is out of warranty part.
My 2005 Xterra check engine light just went on and after testing my ECU I received error code P0463, which is a faulty fuel level sensor. This condition can cause potentially dangerous conditions for people traveling at high speed who are under the impression they still have gas in their tank when in fact they do not. A similar problem was found on the 2000-2004 Xterra models and a recall was performed when the vehicle would stop after not getting any fuel, posing a great danger. There is a general consensus that everyone who is having the problem is experiencing the same thing after having the vehicle for over 2 yrs and with around 39K-49K. If this problem existed in previous models, and it was recalled, the 2005-2007 Xterras, frontiers, and pathfinders should get this fixed at no charge to the customer!! why wait for accidents and possible deaths, especially since the problem lies in an integral part of the vehicle. Thank you for your consideration.
Check engine light turns on and gas gauge reads empty even when full. My warranty is np longer in force and I did some research and found out the cost to us consumers, on this prexisting factory defect, not only affects Xterras but also other Nissan models. I.e. internet link: X.nissanhelp.com/forums/Xterra/4151-fuel-gauge-problem-sevice-engine-soon-light.html.
2005 Nissan Xterra's check engine light came on. Took it to autozone to have them check the error codes and the test resulted with a P0463 code (fuel level sensor circuit high input). I have notices problems with the fuel gauge being stuck on empty with low fuel indicator light on even after filling tank to full. After driving for few days the gauge eventually and slowly begin to indicate fuel. I've since read many forums on Nissan SUV's that have same issue.
2005 Xterra: Fuel gage inoperable. 10 days ago, fuel gage quit working. Next few days, it would work sometimes; sometimes not. Last 4 days, it has not worked at all.
Hi I have a 2005 Nissan Xterra. These vehicles are having major problems with the fuel sending unit, located in the gas tank on the fuel pump. The symptoms are that one day out of the blue, with low miles on the vehicle, the gas gauge stops working or becomes inaccurate. On the odb II, it shows as PO463. Nissan will not cover and this is unsafe, as you have to "guess" by mileage how much fuel is left. Mine went out and I fixed it myself as I was concerned with safety of running out of fuel at a bad time.
2005 Nissan Xterra. Have approx 43K miles on it and the service engine soon light has come on. I took it in to a Nissan dealer in oceanside, ca and was told that I need a new fuel sensor. The current fuel sensor in my car must be fine since I have had zero problems with my fuel readings. There has been zero change in driveability, but Nissan is trying to stick me for $515 for a new sensor, I declined the service. I've seen a number of people that have this same problem and it sounds like it's not isolated to just myself. A recall must be made by Nissan to alleviate this problem!
I own a 2005 Nissan Xterra and recently my fuel gauge has been reading 1/2 tank full, then out of no where, it drops to empty. Upon refilling the tank (15gal worth) the gauge remains on empty w/ the "check engine light" on. After some driving the gauge eventually returns to the proper location, and the process continues every time. I've read a few discussion boards on the subject and it seems to be very common on Nissan SUV's and alot of complaints concerning the fuel pump/sending unit.
Learned a few things on this issue. I am out of warranty as well and would have to pay out of pocket for 2005 Xterra w/42,000 miles to get it fixed (dealership quotes appx $600)......kind of a rear end burner. Seems like most folks are having this problem towards 3/4 to a full tank. Could this part of the metal strip be corroding when it's not submerged in the fuel ?? if I have to guess it's a metal coating or type of metal used when manufactured problem. You don't have to go too far to realize this is a problem! just google "2005 Nissan Xterra fuel gauge issues"...or "ses light on issue" you'll see pages upon pages of consumer's getting screwed by what Nissan would rather ignore!!
2005 Nissan Xterra SE, check engine light came on after I noticed my fuel level gauge and digital read out were starting to act funny. Autozone checked the code from the engine. Faulty fuel level sensor. After reading tons of discussion boards, a lot of people with Nissan's are having this problem. At $600 for a replacement, a recall is necessary as this problem is spread through many different models.
A D V E R T I S E M E N T S
- Glendale, AZ, USA