2005 Nissan Xterra Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 39about this part
- Share
- 5%of 845 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 82,650miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 39 complaints about the electrical system of the 2005 Nissan Xterra, 5% of the 845 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 82,650 miles. 3 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Check engine light came on then when I filled vehicle with fuel gauge went to empty and low fuel light came on. Gauge does not come back on u til vehicle is driven from 85 to 125 miles and then takes awhile to reach up to around 3/4 full. Never really sure how much fuel is in tank. Was advised to change the fuel tank cap and did twice but still not working. Have to rely on trip gauge to know if I have enough fuel. This seems risky for an almost 75 year old woman.”
NHTSA complaint #10567957, filed 2014-03, 64,000 miles“I noticed the service engine soon light come on 3/13/2013. Today, 3/15 I took it to the Nissan dealership that I get my vehicle serviced at and they told me that the fuel sending unit is malfunctioning and the price to fix it. They also mentioned that they have seen this problem a few times now with other Xterra models. I mentioned to them that I cannot afford the repair at this time and they suggested I keep it full and it shouldn't be a problem. …”
NHTSA complaint #10503153, filed 2013-03, 81,300 miles“Driving down road and car quits steering was difficult hit a curb. The car all of a sudden came back on? Has done this to me several times until I parked it now. Dangerous situation. Lucky no vehicles were around me.”
NHTSA complaint #10627832, filed 2014-08, 111,000 miles“May 2012. I was driving the vehicle to work, the day the service engine soon light initially came on. 30 minutes later, yellow fuel indicator light came on, vehicle was not out of gas, had approx. 1/2 tank. I was concerned about the fuel light, so I immediately drove to a nearby gas station and filled up to a full tank of gas. Afterwards, fuel engine light remained on and gauge still showed empty. Only after driving it for several days, fuel light finally went off, service engine soon remained on. …”
NHTSA complaint #10462028, filed 2012-06, 103,600 miles“Fuel level sensor and the instrument panel control module . The truck die any where my truck in long island expressway(495) west in the left lane I believe that all Nissan 2005 Xterra the should call for this cane of problem is very dangerous.”
NHTSA complaint #10296925, filed 2009-12, 59,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11036444Aug 24, 2026VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN BODY CONTROL MODULE SUB-HARNESS Voluntary Service Campaign ID # P5234 is no longer active. · Repair orders opened after this bulletin’s published date…
- 11004962May 21, 2024VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 11004961May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 11004960May 21, 2024CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10208946Feb 22, 2022CAN COMMUNICATION â NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10130684Jan 4, 2018VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2004-2011 TITAN, AND 2005-2011 FRONTIER AND XTERRA; AIR BAG DIAGNOSIS SENSOR UNIT This bulletin has been amended. The reprogramming procedure has been…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 | 17% |
| 2010 | 8 | 21% |
| 2009 | 3 | 16% |
| 2008 | 11 | 9% |
| 2007 | 27 | 5% |
| 2006 | 41 | 5% |
| 2005 | 39 | 5% |
| 2004 | 11 | 13% |
| 2003 | 4 | 6% |
| 2002 | 13 | 8% |
| 2001 | 17 | 11% |
| 2000 | 26 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2005 Nissan Xterra
412 complaintsFuel system
323 complaintsEngine cooling
167 complaintsEngine
114 complaintsOther or unknown
29 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsVehicle speed control
12 complaintsSteering
10 complaintsElectronic stability control
8 complaintsSuspension
8 complaintsEquipment
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Nissan Xterra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology