CarBrief

NHTSA has 845 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Nissan Xterra, more than for any other Xterra model year[1][2]. The biggest groups name the power train (412), engine (280) or fuel system (242), and the car has 3 recalls to check[3][4][5][6][7][8].

845owner complaints[1]
3recalls[2]
16–17MPG combined (EPA)[9]

Most reported problems

Owners filed 845 complaints with NHTSA for this model year[1]. Of those, 7 mention a crash, 6 a fire and 8 injuries[1]. None report a death[1]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name more than one part.

The biggest groups by count:

What owners describe, based on a small sample of complaint texts we read:

Fuel system complaints come at lower mileage than power train and engine complaints, going by the median figures above[3][4][5][10].

There are also 19 air bag complaints[12]. They are few, but they include 4 crashes and 5 injuries[12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists 3 recalls for this model year[2]. Newest first:

Ask for proof that each repair was done.

Fuel economy

All versions use a 4.0L 6-cylinder engine and regular gas[13][9][14][15]. EPA ratings:

Version City Highway Combined Annual fuel cost
2WD, automatic 5-speed[13] 14 20 16 $4,200
2WD, manual 6-speed[9] 15 21 17 $3,950
4WD, automatic 5-speed[14] 14 19 16 $4,200
4WD, manual 6-speed[15] 15 19 17 $3,950

The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices from when the car was new.

Engine and size

Specs below are Canadian-market specifications for the 4WD S/Off-Road/SE 4-door variant, and US models can differ slightly[16].

Source for all five:[16].

How 2005 compares with other years

2000: 214 complaints, 3 recalls20002001: 150 complaints, 3 recalls2002: 157 complaints, 5 recalls20022003: 72 complaints, 3 recalls2004: 84 complaints, 2 recalls20042005: 845 complaints, 3 recalls84520052006: 780 complaints, 3 recalls20062007: 557 complaints, 1 recalls2008: 119 complaints, 6 recalls20082009: 19 complaints, 3 recalls2010: 38 complaints, 4 recalls20102011: 24 complaints, 2 recalls2012: 16 complaints, 2 recalls20122013: 4 complaints, 0 recalls2014: 10 complaints, 0 recalls20142015: 10 complaints, 0 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Xterra model year. The 2005 is highlighted[2].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
20002143
20011503
20021575
2003723
2004842
20058453
20067803
20075571
20081196
2009193
2010384
2011242
2012162
201340
2014100
2015100

The 2005 model year has the highest complaint count of any Xterra year on file, 845[2]. The next two are 2006 with 780 and 2007 with 557[2]. The 2004 model year has 84[2].

Recalls tell a different story. 2005 has 3, while 2008 has 6, 2002 has 5 and 2010 has 4[2].

Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold, so use them to compare years of the same model, not to rank this Xterra against other cars.

Should you buy a used 2005 Xterra?

The complaint record is heavy for this model year, and the biggest groups are the power train, engine and fuel system[1][3][4][5]. Owners in the complaints we read describe radiator-related transmission damage and a faulty fuel gauge, but this is a small sample and the reports are unverified[3][4][5][10]. Before buying, ask for proof that all three recalls were done[6][7][8]. Have a mechanic check the radiator, transmission and differentials, and test the fuel gauge after a fill-up. If the price and the service history look right, those checks give you a fair picture of what you are getting.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Xterra?
By complaint count, the power train has 412, the engine 280 and the fuel system, gasoline 242[3][4][5]. In the sample of complaints we read, owners describe radiator and transmission trouble, differential failures and a wrong fuel gauge[3][4][10].
Does the 2005 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?
Yes, NHTSA lists 3: an ECM relay (10V517), an air bag crash sensor (08V690) and an accessory tow hitch (05V458)[6][7][8].
What is the gas mileage of a 2005 Nissan Xterra?
EPA rates it 14 to 15 mpg city, 19 to 21 highway and 16 to 17 combined, depending on drive and transmission[13][9][14][15].
Is the 2005 Xterra the worst Xterra year?
It has the most complaints of any Xterra year, 845 against 780 for 2006[2]. Counts are not adjusted for sales, so that is a signal and not a verdict.

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 845 owner complaints on file for the 2005 Nissan Xterra (7 mention a crash, 6 a fire, 8 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Xterra model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. 412 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries, median mileage at failure 104,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 280 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 101,992). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 242 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 61,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. Recall 10V517, filed October 28, 2010: Engine And Engine Cooling. NHTSA recall database
  7. Recall 08V690, filed December 29, 2008: Air Bags › Frontal. NHTSA recall database
  8. Recall 05V458, filed October 5, 2005: Trailer Hitches. NHTSA recall database
  9. EPA rating for Xterra 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  10. 49 complaints name the fuel system, other component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 58,678). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 39 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 3 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 82,650). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 19 complaints name the air bags component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 5 injuries, median mileage at failure 80,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Xterra 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 20 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Xterra 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Xterra 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XTERRA 4DR SUV 4WD S/OFF-ROAD/SE: length 178 in, width 73 in, height 75 in, wheelbase 106 in, curb weight 4,350 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.