2005 Nissan Xterra Recalls, Complaints & Specs
3 safety recalls list the 2005 Nissan Xterra, and owners have filed 845 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
3 safety recalls for the 2005 Nissan Xterra
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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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 electrical current noise reduction. The ECM relay may allow silicon…
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.
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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 jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west…
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…
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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.
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…
845 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2005 Nissan Xterra have filed 845 complaints with NHTSA; 7 describe a crash and 6 describe a fire. Reports cite 8 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 89,076 miles. Complaints peaked in 2010 with 158 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled inadvertently on several occasions. The contact was able to pull over to the side of”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, February 25, 2026 · Engine and engine cooling
“The front airbag crash sensor on my 2005 Nissan Xterra failed and is currently unavailable due to an extended backorder. Firestone Auto provided a work order confirming the need for replacement. The a”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 21, 2025 · Air bags
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2005 Nissan Xterra (Xterra 2WD, Xterra 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 16–17 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 14–15 / 19–21 |
| Fuel | Regular |
| EPA class | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| Engine | 6 cyl, 4 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 5-spd; Manual 6-spd |
Compare Nissan Xterra model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Nissan Xterra model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 214 |
| 2001 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 150 |
| 2002 Nissan Xterra | 5 | 157 |
| 2003 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 72 |
| 2004 Nissan Xterra | 2 | 84 |
| 2005 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 845 |
| 2006 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 780 |
| 2007 Nissan Xterra | 1 | 557 |
| 2008 Nissan Xterra | 6 | 119 |
| 2009 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 19 |
| 2010 Nissan Xterra | 4 | 38 |
| 2011 Nissan Xterra | 2 | 24 |
| 2012 Nissan Xterra | 2 | 16 |
| 2013 Nissan Xterra | 0 | 4 |
| 2014 Nissan Xterra | 0 | 10 |
| 2015 Nissan Xterra | 0 | 10 |
Checking a specific 2005 Nissan Xterra
How do I know if my 2005 Nissan Xterra has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 3 campaigns currently list the 2005 Nissan Xterra; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Nissan dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 05V458000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Nissan models
- Altima15,472 complaints
- Pathfinder7,355 complaints
- Rogue7,322 complaints
- Maxima6,955 complaints
- Murano5,958 complaints
- Sentra5,954 complaints
- Frontier3,357 complaints
- Versa3,325 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.