2005 Nissan Xterra Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 0%of 845 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 105,127miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2005 Nissan Xterra, 0% of the 845 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 105,127 miles. 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The license plate lights on the 2005 & 2006 Xterra are known to crack and melt causing failures. Replacing the bulb will not last due to the cracked housings. Nissan is no longer producing these lights. The lights were redesigned for 2007. In order to use the new style lights, you have to replace the rear bumper for the lights to fit. The rear bumper costs $683.20 for the part alone. The lighting is $40.20. You would have spend close to $1000 in parts and labor for working license plate lights that are factory. These costs are unacceptable to keep a vehicle in compliance..”
NHTSA complaint #10668487, filed 2014-12Related service bulletins
- 10032306Nov 27, 2013Nissan: exterior lamp fogging. Occasionally water is noticed in the exterior lamps. This is generally not due to a defect. All current exterior lamp assemblies are vented to the…
- 10032992Apr 27, 2010Nissan: xenon head lamp service. A xenon headlamp is not functioning because of an issue inside the headlamp assembly (an internal issue). In most cases, replacement of a bulb or…
- 10021508Apr 18, 2007Exterior lamp fogging.
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2005 Nissan Xterra
412 complaintsFuel system
323 complaintsEngine cooling
167 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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2005 Nissan Xterra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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