2005 Nissan Xterra problems
Owners have filed 1,175 complaints about the 2005 Nissan Xterra with NHTSA. Power train accounts for 35.6% of them — the clear leader, ahead of fuel system, gasoline at 20.8%.
Complaints1,175
Crashes11
Fires11
Injuries14
Deaths0
What owners report breaking
Power train 35.6% · 418
Fuel system, gasoline 20.8% · 244
Engine and engine cooling 14.3% · 168
Engine 9.7% · 114
Fuel system, other 4.2% · 49
Electrical system 3.3% · 39
Fuel/propulsion system 2.7% · 32
Unknown or other 2.1% · 25
Severity
Of those complaints, 11 describe a crash, 11 describe a fire and 14 report an injury.
Reading the numbers
Across the 8 model years of the Nissan Xterra in this data, 2005 draws the most complaints of any of them.
Filings have fallen off, 8 in the last three years against 25 in the three before. That is normal as a generation leaves the road.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 93,000 miles.
In owners' own words
A Nissan faulty radiator (original equipment) caused antifreeze to mix with transmission fluid slowly deteriorating the components of the powertrain/transmission of the vehicle. Nissan has acknowledged and agree to replacement costs or repair to the faulty radiator and to its potential harm to the transmission but refuses to acknowledge or warranty the eroded transmission caused by the defective radiator. Power train · reported at 98,800 miles
Car was acting funny so I took it to my mechanic. Coolant was leaking into the transmission. Replaced the radiator before it caused any major issues with the tranny but still cost me $1200. Now a check engine light came on indicating something with the tranny. I am afraid it will fail now and I will have to put more money. Nissan extended the warranty to 80k miles but this issues started happening after that. Power train · reported at 110,000 miles
Car started vibrating like it was going over a rumble strip, loss of power/rpms, unable to accelerate. Problem was intermittent and got worse. Took it to Nissan dealership, and apparently this is a known problem on some makes and models manufactured between 2005-2010 with defective radiators that leak coolant into the transmission system hence damaging it. Since I was at 100,000miles I had a copay of $3000. Power train · reported at 99,800 miles
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…