Model year
2005 Nissan Xterra
NHTSA lists 3 recalls and 845 complaints for the 2005 Nissan Xterra (recall file dated Oct 23, 2026; complaint file dated Oct 23, 2026). The components listed on the most complaints are POWER TRAIN (354), FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE (237), ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING (123). NHTSA lists 1 investigation. NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here. EPA rates it 16–17 mpg combined depending on configuration (fuel economy file dated Sep 29, 2026). EPA's annual fuel-cost figures for these configurations are $3,950–$4,200, based on 15,000 miles and 55% city driving.
- 2000 214 complaints
- 2001 150 complaints
- 2002 157 complaints
- 2003 72 complaints
- 2004 84 complaints
- 2005 845 complaints
- 2006 780 complaints
- 2007 557 complaints
- 2008 119 complaints
- 2009 19 complaints
- 2010 38 complaints
- 2011 24 complaints
- 2012 16 complaints
- 2013 4 complaints
- 2014 10 complaints
- 2015 10 complaints
Recalls
10V517000 · Oct 28, 2010
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…
08V690000 · Dec 29, 2008
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…
05V458000 · Oct 5, 2005
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.
Complaints
845 distinct complaints. Crash flag on 7, fire flag on 6, injury field 8, deaths field 0. A complaint can be counted under more than one component. The injury and death figures are the file's numbers (the highest value on each complaint, then added), not a separate verified count of people.
Investigations
| Action | Subject | Opened | Closed |
|---|---|---|---|
| DP12004 | Transmission Failures · POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM); POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:COOLING UNIT AND… | Jun 11, 2012 | Oct 22, 2016 |
Safety ratings
NHTSA star ratings from before model year 2011 use an older method and are not shown here.
Fuel economy
| Configuration | Fuel | City | Hwy | Comb | kWh/100 mi | Range | Annual fuel cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xterra 2WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 20 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Xterra 2WD · 4L · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 21 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
| Xterra 4WD · 4L · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 14 | 19 | 16 | — | — | $4,200 |
| Xterra 4WD · 4L · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular Gasoline | 15 | 19 | 17 | — | — | $3,950 |
Open this model year in the fuel-cost calculator. The calculator starts with no fuel price filled in.
Check a vehicle
This page is not a VIN lookup. NHTSA's recall tool checks a specific vehicle: nhtsa.gov/recalls. NHTSA's page for this model year is 2005 Nissan Xterra at NHTSA. Complaint narratives stay on NHTSA's site and are not copied here.