Model year record

2005 Nissan Xterra

3 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 1,180 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V517000

Engine and engine cooling

Component
Engine and engine cooling
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
747,480
Reported to NHTSA
2010-10-28
Owners notified
2010-12-06

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 08V690000

Air bags: frontal

Component
Air bags: frontal
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
242,720
Reported to NHTSA
2008-12-29
Owners notified
2009-01-26

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY BOOKLET EXPLAINING THE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 05V458000

Trailer hitches

Component
Trailer hitches
Manufacturer
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected
12,500
Reported to NHTSA
2005-10-05
Owners notified
2005-11-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRAILER SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Manufacturer remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TOW HITCHES. ON OCTOBER 17, 2005, OWNERS WERE SENT AN INTERIM LETTER ADVISING THEM NOT TO USE THE TOW HITCH UNTIL IT CAN BE REPAIRED. ANOTHER LETTER WAS SENT OUT ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005, NOTIFYING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

ComponentComplaintsMedian mileage
Power train354105,689 mi
Fuel system, gasoline23761,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling12499,800 mi
Engine115107,333 mi
Power train: automatic transmission5288,000 mi
Fuel system, other4057,000 mi
Electrical system3884,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system3281,300 mi
Unknown or other25109,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system2384,000 mi
Air bags1880,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system: radiator assembly16101,000 mi
Vehicle speed control12118,000 mi
Steering10100,000 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)8111,000 mi
Fuel system, other: storage: fuel gauge system850,000 mi
Suspension6100,290 mi
Air bags: frontal426,000 mi
Equipment451,114 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: auxillary tank457,000 mi
Exterior lighting3105,127 mi
Power train: driveline: differential unit324,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission321,500 mi
Service brakes3105,236 mi
Structure: body3134,090 mi
Trailer hitches3
Engine and engine cooling: engine282,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system284,000 mi
Power train: driveline281,150 mi
Suspension: front219,000 mi
Visibility268,602 mi
Child seat199,000 mi
Electrical system: instrument cluster/panel180,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring1
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys1
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control154,000 mi
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer135,000 mi
Equipment: recreational vehicle/trailer: LPG systems: tank valve/gauge1
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump197,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly178,400 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap193,000 mi
Fuel system, other: delivery: fuel pump1200,000 mi
Latches/locks/linkages181,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines1100,000 mi
Power train: axle assembly: axle shaft123,808 mi
Power train: clutch assembly12,800 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)123,808 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic16,000 mi
Structure: frame and members16,000 mi
Visibility/wiper1
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system1
Visibility: power window devices and controls1200 mi
Wheels1134,090 mi

The 2004 model has 11 times as many complaints as this one. The 2006 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.