2005 Nissan Xterra Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 10about this part
- Share
- 1%of 845 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,145miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 10 complaints about the steering of the 2005 Nissan Xterra, 1% of the 845 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,145 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“According to your recalls and my VIN# my new used vehicle has not been maintenance for the recall. There is distinct play in the steering and the vehicle is bouncy. I need to know where to take my Xterra to have it fixed asap if possible. Recall campaign numbers are 10e019000 & 10v208000”
NHTSA complaint #11218598, filed 2019-06, 140,000 miles“My daughter had just purchased a 2005 Nissan Xterra, the day before her accident. She was traveling on a roadway approaching a curve in the road when the front right tire locked up causing the vehicle to pull slightly right and fail to respond to counter steer. The vehicle left the roadway and went into the grass began to spin sideways and struck a hydrant and flip 2.5 times resting on its roof. I saw where there was several recalls, but when I enter the VIN its had no open recalls on the specific VIN. Although, this same exact problem has occurred in the same models.”
NHTSA complaint #11186049, filed 2019-03, 137,350 miles“Just started moving after stopping at a light, and the engine stalled. Would not restart immediately, but when it finally restarted it was missing. Every time I have driven this car since then it has stalled, usually but not always after I have stopped or slowed to make a turn. I took it to the dealer this week (1/5/2013) and was told the problem is the transmission and radiator. The transmission is leaking fluid into the radiator and they both need to be replaced. I was told about the extended warranty and the $3000.00 co-pay. …”
NHTSA complaint #10491680, filed 2013-01, 98,000 miles“2005 Nissan Xterra purchased in 2006 with 19,000 miles current mileage 59,000. After the purchase I noticed that when the truck hits ruts on the highway it will follow them. At times the truck feels completely uncontrollable. About two weeks ago the truck caught ruts that threw me into the other lane no amount of correction could stop it. Had there been a car next to me there would have been an accident. When I asked the dealer to investigate my safety concerns they wanted to charge me money rather than address my safety concerns. …”
NHTSA complaint #10317049, filed 2010-03, 19,000 miles“My husband and I purchased our 2005 Nissan Xterra, 17 miles young. Exactly one month after we purchased, the rear differential went out and was covered under warranty. No problems for a few years, until we noticed that the gas gauge was not giving accurate readings, we had to watch our odometer count to make sure we didn't run out of gas, which is a very scary thought when you have two young children. This happened when we had approximately 80000 miles on the truck and $600 to repair. Shortly after, the transmission was acting up and the heater wasn't working. No why wasn't that working? …”
NHTSA complaint #10440200, filed 2011-12, 80,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10232652Feb 22, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10192524Feb 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when…
- 10192217Jul 23, 2013If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and…
- 10192216Jul 23, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item…
- 10043771Mar 22, 2012Nissan: pathfinder, xterra, and frontier; power steering hose service part change.
- 10034871Sep 27, 2010Nissan: power steering oil cooler service. If a power steering oil cooler needs to be replaced for any reason, please refer to the service procedure.
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2011 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 5% |
| 2007 | 6 | 1% |
| 2006 | 22 | 3% |
| 2005 | 10 | 1% |
| 2004 | 20 | 24% |
| 2003 | 12 | 17% |
| 2002 | 22 | 14% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
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 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 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