How many recalls does the 2005 Nissan Xterra have?

The 2005 Nissan Xterra has 3 NHTSA safety recall campaigns on record.

How do I check if my 2005 Nissan Xterra has an open recall?

Enter your 17-character VIN at NHTSA's official recall lookup (nhtsa.gov/recalls) to see open, unrepaired recalls for your specific vehicle. Recall repairs are free.

What do owners complain about most on the 2005 Nissan Xterra?

Of 1,175 NHTSA complaints on file, the most-reported component is power train.

2005 Nissan Xterra Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2005 Nissan Xterra has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,002,700 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 1,175 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the power train. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 10V517000 2010-10-28 747,480 affected

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM…

Consequence

THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ECM RELAY INSIDE THE IPDM ASSEMBLY. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 6, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

AIR BAGS 08V690000 2008-12-29 242,720 affected

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE…

Consequence

THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FRONT CZS WITH A REDESIGNED SENSOR. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 26, 2009. OWNERS IN THE OTHER STATES WILL RECEIVE EXTENDED WARRANTY COVERAGE FOR THE SENSOR TO 10 YEARS. THESE OWNERS WILL BE NOTIFIED OF THE WARRANTY EXTENSION BY MAIL AND WILL RECEIVE A STICKER TO PLACE IN THEIR WARRANTY…

TRAILER HITCHES 05V458000 2005-10-05 12,500 affected

Defect

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A NISSAN ACCESSORY TOW HITCH, INADEQUATE QUALITY OF SOME WELDED JOINTS IN THE HITCH ASSEMBLY MAY RESULT IN SEPARATION OF THE HITCH FROM THE VEHICLE WHEN BEING USED TO TOW.

Consequence

THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRAILER SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TOW HITCHES. ON OCTOBER 17, 2005, OWNERS WERE SENT AN INTERIM LETTER ADVISING THEM NOT TO USE THE TOW HITCH UNTIL IT CAN BE REPAIRED. ANOTHER LETTER WAS SENT OUT ON NOVEMBER 21, 2005, NOTIFYING THEM TO BRING THEIR VEHICLES IN FOR REPAIR. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Complaints by component

POWER TRAIN

354

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

237

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

123

ENGINE

114

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM

Total complaints1,175

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled inadvertently on several occasions. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road on several occasions. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted,…”

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING · reported 2025-12-25

“The contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled inadvertently on several occasions. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road on several occasions. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted,…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2025-12-25

“The front airbag crash sensor on my 2005 nissan xterra failed and is currently unavailable due to an extended backorder. Firestone auto provided a work order confirming the need for replacement. The airbag warning light has been flashing continuously for the past four months, indicating a system…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2025-03-26

“The contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle was losing motive power. The service engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle stalled with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle moved forward and stopped suddenly…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2025-03-10

“The contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated while driving 45 mph, the vehicle was losing motive power. The service engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle stalled with the accelerator pedal depressed. The contact stated that the vehicle moved forward and stopped suddenly…”

ENGINE · reported 2025-03-10

“The contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23e012000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted, and the contact was informed that the part for the recall repair was not yet…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2023-08-08

“The plastic on my sun visor broke and with the use of it the wires inside the mirror light become exposed and almost caused a fire”

EXTERIOR LIGHTING · reported 2023-01-01

“Transmission failure due to internal cracks in the radiator's oil cooler tube”

POWER TRAIN · reported 2022-02-05