2005 Nissan Xterra Nissan Xterra 2005

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2005 Nissan Xterra repairs by problem area

Engine (35%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (28%)

Brakes and Traction Control (7%)

Suspension and Steering (17%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (12%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (1%)

Other (2%)

Chart based on 127 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2005 Nissan Xterra.

2005 Nissan Xterra repair cost distribution

$2500+ (4%)

$1000 - $2499 (19%)

$500 - $999 (18%)

$100 - $499 (39%)

< $100 (21%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 106 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2005 Nissan Xterra

Engine not specified

Nissan Xterra in Texas, United States
Dec 2010 - Jan 2011
Jan 2011 Tailgate struts needed to be replaced. Timing chain and tensioner needed to be replaced. Made a loud squeal and whine with a bit of a rattle thrown in until engine warmed up. Unclear if could break and destroy engine. Common problem with 2005 Xterras. Was going to cost $1,200. 
Nissan Xterra in California, United States
Nov 2013 - Jan 2015
Nov 2013

88000 mi

US $400
factory defect in radiator prone to failure allowing antifreeze into the transmission case necessitating replacement of both at high expense The fusible link on the positive terminal failed causing the battery to not charge 
Dec 2013

89000 mi

US $250
the leaf spring system on the rear is known to be inadequate and the car was bottoming out even with new kyb shocks. a pair of supersprings were installed to give the car more stability, anti-sway strengthen and help 
Feb 2014

89000 mi
fault lights would not go out. There are known problems with the grounding connections at four points on the engine. This repair is expensive even though simple. Also, factory recall was found in a relay and fixed free this fixed it. 

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2005 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

265-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range

Nissan Xterra in Oregon, United States
Aug 2014 - Jun 2022
Dec 2015

74000 mi
A faulty ECM relay caused engine to run intermittently. Found out Nissan had issued a recall. Dealer replaced ECM relay as per recall. 
Nissan Xterra in Wisconsin, United States
Jan 2016 - Dec 2021
Feb 2016

135200 mi

US $1400
New upper and lower ball joints 
Nov 2016

150000 mi

US $800
Alternator bearings failed. Pins holding interior liftgate cover failed causing squeaking. 
Mar 2017

160000 mi

US $2000
Rear differential bearings needed to be replaced. Repair took a long time because the independent shop would not listen to directions and they left the differential in the locked position. 
May 2017

155000 mi

US $1500
Left front wheel bearing failed New front pads and rotors 
Aug 2017

165000 mi

US $3000
New clutch and flywheel. The lining wore out and the flywheel warped. 
Jul 2018

175000 mi

US $800
Bad wheel bearing New pads and rotors 
Aug 2018

175000 mi

US $2000
Clutch replaced 
Feb 2019

190000 mi

US $1100
Rear differential rebuilt 
Nissan Xterra in Virginia, United States
Jun 2013 - Jun 2022
Mar 2020

25 mi

US $350
Driveshaft had to be replaced 
Feb 2022

123000 mi
Replaced O2 sensors 
Nissan Xterra in British Columbia, Canada
Oct 2010 - Feb 2011
Feb 2011

113460 mi

C $441
Noticed vibration at speed and repetitive clunky noise not related to engine RPM as vehicle coasted to a stop. Dealer diagnosed and replaced worn U-joint on front prop shaft of driveshaft. 
Nissan Xterra in California, United States
Jul 2012 - Sep 2013
Sep 2013

58000 mi

US $930
Leaks in the center and rear differentials were fixed, nearly all labor and fluids that needed to be replaced. 
Nissan Xterra in Arizona, United States
Feb 2007 - Jul 2013
Oct 2007

22000 mi
Oil pressure always reads high. Dealer replaced pressure switch under warranty, no charge. 
Jun 2010

48510 mi

US $1000
Both rear axle bearing seals leaking. Replaced seals, bearings. Leakage also ruined parking brake shoes; replaced. Nissan parts very costly, and laborious to replace (thus the high repair cost.) This problem is chronic on these vehicles. 
Jun 2012

48000 mi

US $250
Noticed manual trans shifter moving more than normal on bumpy roads, also clutch engagement was getting jumpy. Shop discovered both front motor mounts seperating. Replaced w/aftermarket brand. Symptoms now gone. 
Nissan Xterra in Illinois, United States
Feb 2010 - Jun 2011
Mar 2010

66000 mi

US $1400
Drive shaft and ball bearing replacement.  

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2005 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD

Nissan Xterra in Arizona, United States
Nov 2012 - Dec 2014
Nov 2014

97000 mi
changed fuel gauge sending unit in tank 
Nissan Xterra in Tennessee, United States
Sep 2013 - Sep 2013
Sep 2013

155000 mi

US $4200
Transmission died and took radiator with it. I was told by the shop that this is a common issue with xterra and Pathfinders. 

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2005 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range

Nissan Xterra in Minnesota, United States
Jan 2016 - Mar 2016
Jan 2016

115000 mi

US $2000
Sudden, electrical failure. Was stuck in limp mode, check engine light came on. Valve body replaced. 
Nissan Xterra in Maryland, United States
Feb 2016 - Jun 2018
May 2016

114600 mi

US $1800
Brake Rotors and Calipers had rusted and warped. Major pulsing when using brakes. Front and rear had to be replaced. 
May 2017

124000 mi

US $80
Check Engine Light came on and car stalled. The Error Code P0345 is what came up which is the driver side Cam Position Sensor. I purchased a replacement part from a local store and installed it myself in less than an hour. I did not replace the part right away and the car stalled multiple times while in use. I was able to restart without help by switching into neutral and restarting even while moving on the highway. 
Nissan Xterra in California, United States
Dec 2016 - Jun 2018
Jan 2017

126000 mi

US $425
Fuel Sending Unit replaced 
Feb 2017

126745 mi

US $225
Replace oil pressure sending unit Rear brakes worn from normal use; rotors resurfaced and pads replaced 
Jun 2017

130623 mi

US $138
Leaking transmission cooler line replaced; pan removed and filter cleaned; ATF drained and replaced 
Nissan Xterra in Washington, United States
Jul 2016 - Jul 2019
Apr 2018

127000 mi

US $200
ECM Relay Blew, Transmission needed to be flushed, FSU replaced along with Fuel pump,  front anti roll bar bushings replaced. 
Apr 2019

143000 mi

US $300
Tie rods & shocks, sway bar bushings, alignment. 
Nissan Xterra in California, United States
Jun 2017 - Jun 2018
Jun 2018

128000 mi

US $175
Replaced brakes with aftermarket performance parts 
Nissan Xterra in Maryland, United States
Feb 2017 - May 2022
Apr 2017

112000 mi

US $1400
Ignition coil replacement 
Nissan Xterra in Idaho, United States
Apr 2016 - Apr 2017
Oct 2016

130000 mi

US $320
The xterra had random computer issues, lots of main electrical harness connection issues, communication errors, my (U1000 codes I believe), the trans computer kicking out, and the trans dash lights flashing. After much research, there was recall for a faulty relay on the main power board (IPDM board) which led me to discover the early generation IPDM boards had enough issues that nissan completely re-engineered the IPDM board but not enough problems to recall it. SO IF YOU HAVE A WHITE FUSE BOARD NEXT TO THE BATTERY REPLACE IT WITH THE NEW BLACK REPLACEMENT BOARD. Install is easy, disconnect the battery, pop the cover off, carefully unplug all the 7 or so car harness plugs, unclip the two clips retaining the board in the box and slide out the old. In with the new board install it as the old one came out. 
Apr 2017

135000 mi

US $650
The xterra would crank but not start, the battery terminal was loose so the computer was getting a poor signal. This led to the dealership failure to identify the actual problem, and instead diagnosed it as a pump failure, so this costed me the effort to drop the tank and replace a perfectly good fuel pump unit. 
Nissan Xterra in Iowa, United States
Jun 2013 - Apr 2015
Jul 2013

118300 mi

US $35
Replaced HEATER PIPING - TUBE-WATER HEATER heater piping -tube water heater part number 92412EA200 Plastic at heater core connection was cracked. 
Oct 2013

125200 mi

US $200
Front Drivers side door actuator. Clicking remote or door unlock/lock button did not work. Door lock still worked with manual key. 
Nissan Xterra in Nevada, United States
- Sep 2010
Sep 2010

58000 mi

US $380
Fuel sending unit had to be replaced. 
Nissan Xterra in Virginia, United States
Sep 2016 - Sep 2016
Sep 2016

75000 mi

US $250
Serpentine belt came off while going through large puddle. Serpentine belt tensioner found to be weak. 
Nissan Xterra in Kentucky, United States
Mar 2012 - Oct 2016
Apr 2012

104300 mi

US $850
Radiator failed, leaked in transmission. Transmission was flushed, and radiator + assembly was replaced. 
Nissan Xterra in South Carolina, United States
Mar 2010 - Jun 2018
Sep 2015

328000 mi

US $500
Timing chain system and cooling system were updated. 
Nissan Xterra in New Brunswick, Canada
Mar 2010 - Sep 2018
Nov 2010

47740 mi
Fuel sending unit not working correctly. Replaced under Nissan extended warranty. 
Dec 2010

48980 mi

C $300
Driver's side front wheel bearing had to be replaced. 
Aug 2011

53940 mi

C $300
I brought the vehicle in for its annual safety inspection, during the inspection they discovered my driver side lower ball joint would failn the next while. 
Jun 2012

61380 mi

C $250
Idler puller bearing had to be replaced. Also had the serpentine belt replaced at the same time. 
Apr 2013

67260 mi

C $380
Passenger side front wheel bearing had to be replaced. 
Jun 2013

68820 mi

C $200
The check engine light came on, the code was P0455. It turned out to be the evaporative cannister solenoid. 
May 2014

73160 mi

C $280
Rear driveshaft front ujoint replaced. 
Sep 2014

74400 mi

C $420
The evap canister control valve quit working, and was causing the CEL to light.  Had the inner tie rods replaced at the same time. 
Feb 2015

76880 mi

C $400
The air fuel mixture sensor on the passenger side caused codes, and had to be replaced. 
Sep 2015

78740 mi

C $800
Replaced all four rotors and pads, fixed sticking calipers. 
Sep 2016

83080 mi

C $955
Front coil spring broke, replaced. OEM exhaust system replaced. 
Sep 2017

89280 mi

C $1600
One front strut and both rear shocks had to be replaced. One lower ball joint had to be replaced. Rad was leaking near the bottom, above the transmission oil portion of the rad. Rad replaced. 
Jun 2018

91760 mi

C $185
Front right brake line corroded and leaked. 
Nissan Xterra in Connecticut, United States
Jul 2010 - Apr 2017
Aug 2010

65000 mi

US $577
rear differential cover was leaking, removed, resealed. transmission fluid replaced and oil change done 
Aug 2011

72000 mi
rumble in transmission at high gears, coolanttrans fluid intermixed. radiator and transmission replaced under recent extended warranty on radiator offered by Nissan. Repairs estimated at $5500 
Dec 2012

84000 mi

US $47
windshield washer tank was cracked and leaking, replaced with part from junkyard 
Mar 2015

102000 mi

US $62
oil pressure sensor failed and needed to be replaced 
Oct 2015

106300 mi

US $740
rear axle seals were leaking and needed to be replaced for the 2nd time, first at 60k 
Jun 2016

113000 mi

US $220
replaced oil sender sensor as previous sensor would read low oil pressure causing light to come on 
Nissan Xterra in Nevada, United States
Feb 2010 - Apr 2015
Mar 2010

69000 mi

US $150
Replaced Manufacturer design flaw of the fuel sending unit and evaporative canister. Recalled on other vehicles, not this year. EVAP canister and valve replacement. Addition of EVAP filter kit. Not covered under recall Fuel level float unit replaced. Not covered under recall 
Oct 2012

109800 mi

US $150
Right wheel bearing was failing. I replaced it. 
Dec 2012

113000 mi

US $60
Right bank cam shaft sensor failed. I replaced it. 
Apr 2013

117800 mi

US $145
Other wheel bearing is failing. I replaced it. 
Sep 2013

127000 mi

US $200
One rear axle bearing was failing. I replaced both of them 
Mar 2014

135000 mi

US $70
I replaced the Camshaft position sensor again. After just over 1 1/2 years, it failed again. 
Apr 2014

135800 mi

US $100
I replaced a both front wheel bearing assemblies just over 1 year ago. The front right has already failed. 
Apr 2015

153000 mi
The transmission started vibrating in a certain gear and power load. Then recently, it threw a check engine code for a trans valve/sensor failing and locked in that gear. It has had the vibration for about a year. I also had planned to replace the front struts/shocks along with ball joints and axles, as they were worn too. 
Nissan Xterra in District of Columbia, United States
Feb 2010 - Jan 2014
Jul 2011

67000 mi

US $1600
complete transmission failure, caused by failure of cooling system, that backflowed and corroded the transmission 
Nissan Xterra in Washington, United States
Feb 2010 - Nov 2014
Mar 2010

63000 mi

US $5500
Radiator had internal failure causing ATF and anti freeze to mix. Destroyed transmission. Had at dealer at 59k and they said all was fine. Now out of warranty, they said Too Bad. 
Feb 2011

81000 mi
Also replaced transmission and reimbursed me $5500 for earlier replacements. 
Jun 2011

84000 mi

US $1100
Fuel sending unit failed Front propeller shaft replaced Bad u joints and spline 
Aug 2013

112000 mi

US $1903
Front differential was replaced. 
Sep 2014

126000 mi

US $1000
Bad cat 
Nov 2014

126000 mi

US $1300
Broken motor mounts 
Nissan Xterra in Nevada, United States
Feb 2009 - Jun 2012
Feb 2009

40000 mi

US $200
Replaced Leaking Strut/Shock 
Oct 2010

57000 mi

US $350
Rear axle seal on drivers side of vehicle had started leaking. Replaced axle seal. 
Jan 2012

69000 mi

US $775
Motor for air blend door broke and had to be replaced. 
Nissan Xterra in Colorado, United States
Jul 2010 - Oct 2011
Sep 2010

55000 mi
Need to get FSU replaced, item not on recall list yet. 
Apr 2011

58000 mi

US $600
wiring corrosion in factory trailer wiring from improper testing by someone. Turn signals and brake lights did not work in trailer. 600 bucks, we'll see if it works. 
Aug 2011

67000 mi

US $300
Ujoints on the front drive shaft went out. 
Nissan Xterra in Minnesota, United States
Sep 2010 - Feb 2022
Nov 2010

106000 mi

US $200
Heater blower motor and switch were replaced 
Dec 2010

108000 mi
Driver power window stuck down, rear passenger window stuck down. Power window tracks and motors replaced. 
Jun 2011

116000 mi

US $400
Front wheelbearings replaced as pair. Sparkplugs and filters replaced.  
Sep 2011

120000 mi

US $400
Both front u-joints replaced because of significant vibration between 40-60 mph. 
Jul 2012

133500 mi

US $300
Front wheel bearing and link replaced due to Front end shake 
Jan 2013

140000 mi

US $2500
Transmission solenoid replaced. Vehicle would not shift into any gears other than 4 or 5 
Feb 2013

140800 mi

US $800
U joint and drive shaft replaced 
Apr 2013

142500 mi

US $500
Another driveshaft replaced 
May 2014

159300 mi

US $550
Fuel pump replaced. 
Nissan Xterra in New York, United States
Jun 2011 - Sep 2021
Jul 2012

74000 mi
Oil pressure sensor topped working. 
Mar 2013

79000 mi
Oil pressure sensor and fuel Guage sender both went in the last 2 months at 78,000 miles. Oil sensor was repaired at the local dealership here on Staten Island (although I had to show them the info on thenewx.Org about the oil sensor because they wanted t Fuel gauge sender replaced. 
Oct 2014

90700 mi

US $382
Fuel level sender replaced by local shop. Check engine light active so truck would not pass inspection without the repair. 
Jun 2016

101000 mi

US $440
Camshaft sensors replaced after stalling while driving 
Feb 2018

108000 mi

US $300
brake and rotors 
Nissan Xterra in New Mexico, United States
Feb 2010 - Jun 2011
Aug 2010

48000 mi

US $750
Stock rear leaf springs too weak and collapsed 
Sep 2010

48000 mi

US $2000
Rear Differential exploded. 4 spider gear M205 differential design flaw. Warranty first refused until Nissan threatened with legal action. Successful repair using a non-Nissan replacement carrier. 
Nissan Xterra in New York, United States
Dec 2012 - Feb 2013
Jan 2013

129000 mi

US $1500
all four rotors replaced as well as new pads. Rear rotors and pads only had 20,000mi on them. Front right wheel hub replaced as well. 
Nissan Xterra in Florida, United States
May 2011 - Jun 2018
Jun 2011

56000 mi

US $950
Replaced evaporator can & sensor Along with some required maintenance 
Mar 2012

62000 mi

US $189
VDC OFF AND SLIP LIGHT ARE ON - DIAGNOSTICS WERE RUN & THEY FOUND "ST ANG SEN/CIRC C1143 CODE STORED DUE TO STEERING WHEEL'S POSITION. PERFORMED STEERING ANGLE ADJUSTMENT." THIS ALSO REQUIRED A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT. 
Dec 2012

65000 mi

US $761
2 camshaft sensors failed and caused the engine to shut off and turned off my hill incline, Slip but turned on my 4WD light. slight leak around the valve cover. 
Mar 2013

67000 mi

US $1657
replaced front drive shaft u-joint Replaced Left & Right Side Engine mounts Replaced Oil Cooler O-Ring 
Oct 2013

74000 mi
Rear differential cover leaking Replaced front U-joint Water found in the transmission. Replaced radiator & flushed system to see if it corrected problem (this involved the class action suit on Xterra's). Transmission failed and was then replaced. $2500 my portion per class action suit. 
Nissan Xterra in Michigan, United States
Mar 2011 - Jun 2013
Jan 2012

95000 mi
Air was caught in cooling system causing a no heat at idle problem. Had to "burp" cooling system and add fluid. 
Apr 2012

96200 mi

US $200
Replaced u-joint on rear driveshaft 
Nissan Xterra in District of Columbia, United States
Nov 2010 - Dec 2011
Nov 2011

140800 mi

US $1000
Radiator leaking and radiator fan belt auto tensioner bearing burnt 

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2005 Nissan Xterra 4-door

6-cylinder automatic 2WD

Nissan Xterra in Georgia, United States
May 2012 - Jun 2012
Jun 2012

96000 mi
Radiator should be replaced on every 2005 Xterra in existence. Read Class action lawsuit Radiator eventually rusts out at around 100k miles and drains into transmission lines which brilliantly go through the radiator. $6,000 to repair. 

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2005 Nissan Xterra Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2005 Nissan Xterra problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.