2005 Nissan Xterra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 412about this part
- Share
- 49%of 845 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 104,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 412 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2005 Nissan Xterra, 49% of the 845 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 104,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“My vehicle lost all power. First started to shake and rattle, then all power was lost. Upon further investigation, my engine coolant looked like a milk shake. Call Nissan, and they said it happens quite often that they have a name for it, the milk shake . Appearently the inner tube, that cools the trans, broke causing fluids to mix, resulting in failure of transmission.”
NHTSA complaint #11115208, filed 2018-08, 139,000 miles“My 2005 Nissan Xterra trans just died on 5/10/2018. I was driving over the whitestone bridge queensbound on my way to work when it just stopped. My mechanic told me today, 5/18/2018, that the fan went inside the trans and would cost thousands to fix. Apparantly this is a common problem. I'm so angry.”
NHTSA complaint #11096797, filed 2018-05, 135,000 miles“My 2005 xteraa transmission and radiator needs replaced due to lines breaking and there is water all in the passenger side floorboard and the radiator has goo looking stuff in it and the vehicle will not go in drive at times. I just bought this car february 2016 for my daughter and still owe on this vehicle”
NHTSA complaint #10983657, filed 2017-05, 147,000 miles“Transmission failure because of coolant fluid leaking into it. A design flaw which brought a class action suit against Nissan. Nissan lost the suit, but did not recall these vehicles for repair. I was forced to pay $3000.00 deductible for the repair, but I may be lucky since many with this problem will not be covered at all. Very unfair of Nissan.”
NHTSA complaint #10604715, filed 2014-06, 76,500 miles“I took my car into the shop because of a rumbling noise and shake that was happening while driving. It feels like hitting the safety strips on the edge of the road by the shoulder. The mechanics pulled things apart and identified that there was radiator fluid and engine coolant leaking into my transmission. There were also metal shavings mixed in with the fluids.”
NHTSA complaint #10576041, filed 2014-03, 120,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10192821May 10, 2016SERVICE INFORMATION Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies and replacement control valves (valve bodies) now come with blank Transmission…
- 10192691Nov 30, 2015IF YOU CONFIRM: A remanufactured automatic transmission supplied by ATC Drivetrain is installed in an APPLIED VEHICLE AND CONSULT-III plus (C-III plus) is not able to communicate…
- 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…
- 10192474Nov 20, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the…
- 10192051Oct 12, 2012Nissan has decided in the interest of customer satisfaction, to further extend the warranty for the Radiator Assembly on all 2005-10 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra vehicles…
- 10043950Apr 10, 2012Nissan: ecm replacement procedures with consult iii plus. Applies to all 2004 and later (does not apply to leaf/ev) vehicles.
- 10033345Mar 19, 2010Nissan: oil leaking from transfer case. Oil is leaking from one or a combination of three bolts at the rear of the transfer case. If bolts are not missing, do not replace…
- 10024689Apr 28, 2008Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement. 2004 to current nissan vehicles.
- 10019623Mar 24, 2006Rear final drive breather.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 | 60% |
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2012 | 6 | 38% |
| 2011 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 11 | 29% |
| 2009 | 6 | 32% |
| 2008 | 47 | 40% |
| 2007 | 231 | 41% |
| 2006 | 268 | 34% |
| 2005 | 412 | 49% |
| 2004 | 6 | 7% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 22 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2005 Nissan Xterra
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 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