2005 Nissan Xterra Engine cooling Problems
- Complaints
- 167about this part
- Share
- 20%of 845 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 97,750miles
- Trend
- StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 167 complaints about the engine cooling of the 2005 Nissan Xterra, 20% of the 845 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 97,750 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“Internal radiator transmission cooler cracked leaking coolant into the transmission and destroying it, rendering it useless. The transmission failed on me while I was driving and the vehicle gave me absolutely no warning lights or any indication of an issue occurring with the transmission. I had no advance notice so I was unable to avoid any damage to my transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10576888, filed 2014-04, 112,800 miles“My 2005 Nissan Xterra transmission went out as I was driving across the causeway and almost ended up in the marsh. I searched online and this is a common problem with the radiator leaking into the transmission. Nissan was involved in a class action lawsuit but it's to late for damages. I think this is a safety issue and Nissan should have recalled these vehicles before someone is killed.”
NHTSA complaint #10692624, filed 2015-03, 99,634 miles“My transmission just stuttered and stopped working while in traffic.turns out the radiator leaked coolant into the transmission causing it to fail. This is a known issue from Nissan, however the cost of the repair fell to me. Luckily, I did not incur any injury when the vehicle just stopped working during 5pm rush hour on a friday.”
NHTSA complaint #10547107, filed 2013-10, 90,000 miles“Driving my 2005 Nissan Xterra I purchased 8 months ago in january 2013, my air conditioner worked intermittently. Eventually in july of 2013, my car was not drive able. Had it towed to dealership I purchased it at, and they verified that my radiator was leaking coolant, which mixed with my transmission fluid. The resulted in the need to repair the radiator and transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #10537516, filed 2013-08, 121,000 miles“My Nissan Xterra started vibrating violently while traveling at high speed on the interstate. I sent the vehicle to the dealership to have it fixed. The cause of the problem is a faulty transmission cooler that leaks water into the transmission. After some research I find that this is a common problem with this model vehicle. Here is the reference # dp12004.”
NHTSA complaint #10480165, filed 2012-10, 95,011 milesRelated recalls
- 10V517000Oct 28, 2010Nissan is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 armada, titan, infiniti qx56 and model year 2005-2006 frontier, pathfinder and xterra vehicles. The…Covers: Nissan Xterra 2005–2006, Titan 2004–2006, Armada 2004–2006 +3 more
Related service bulletins
- 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.
- 10192591Jun 24, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION After ECM reprogramming, the Calibration Verification Number (CVN) needs to be automatically calculated prior to State emissions testing (also known as…
- 10033710Apr 20, 2010Nissan: blower motor does not work. The blower motor for heater and air conditioner does not operate. There are signs of water intrusion in the blower motor.
- 10022421Jul 17, 2007Buzzing/whining noise from timing chain area.
- 10019613Mar 31, 2006Mil on with dtc u1000 or u1010 stored in engine control unit.
- 10019300Feb 8, 2006Malfunction indicator lamp on with diagnostic trouble code u1000 or u1010 stored in engine control unit.
Engine cooling: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 8 | 7% |
| 2007 | 75 | 13% |
| 2006 | 106 | 14% |
| 2005 | 167 | 20% |
| 2004 | 6 | 7% |
| 2003 | 7 | 10% |
| 2002 | 24 | 15% |
| 2001 | 11 | 7% |
| 2000 | 33 | 15% |
Other parts of the 2005 Nissan Xterra
412 complaintsFuel system
323 complaintsEngine
114 complaintsElectrical system
39 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 29, 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