2005 Nissan Xterra: grinding or squealing brakes

Filed Aug 7, 2021 · Engine, Suspension · CA

Bought vehicle from used from private owner a year ago and noticed less then two weeks later while driving including on the freeway the engine just turns off with no steering control, almost no brake control, and sometimes takes a few minutes to start up again just to get out of the way of other vehicles. Now it’s overheating and leaking coolant on front passenger side floor along with the ground now shutting off more frequently . Also shortly after I bought the vehicle I could hear squeaking noises from under vehicle while driving over the smallest bump and every turn and is so loud it’s heard from 2 small streets away and feels like any second the body might separate from the wheels. I’m not sure about the rest.

Filed Apr 3, 2013 · Transmission · 60,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and shifting gears, the vehicle would grind and shake abnormally. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance to the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The current mileage was approximately 66,000. The VIN was unavailable.

Filed Feb 14, 2013 · Engine, Transmission · 101,000 miles · CA

I was driving on the highway around 70 MPH. Experienced a loss of power followed by my car running hot. I pulled over and had the vehicle towed to my repair shop. Diagnosis was the radiator was leaking coolant into the transmission. The radiator was replaced and the transmission was flushed. Total costs $900. Possible damage to the transmission unknown at the time. The car is now back in the shop with the same issues slipping/grinding at highway speeds. Looking online it seems that a number of people have the same problems with a leaky radiator hose. I spoke with a nissan dealership and consumer affairs and they said that nothing can be done.

Filed Feb 23, 2011 · Engine, Fuel system · 80,000 miles · NY

Multiple complaints: at approx 55k miles, engine would rev out before shifting gears, at approx. 72k miles started vibration when at steady speed (approx 45 MPH), so purchased new tires. At approx. 76k miles temperature gauge would fluctuate and vibration and gear slam increased. At approx. 79k miles blower stopped working and temperature gauge would go up and down. At 80,532 mi. Had radiator replaced and coolant flushed and two transmission flushes done, as coolant and transmission fluids mixed due to radiator leaking. Transmission continued vibration and began slamming again 3 mos. Later. 6 mos. Later engine overheated , had towed. Engine was bad due to overheating from radiator assembly fault nissan describes. Rebuilt engine, new timing chain and timing control valve, and new radiator. Still cannot drive vehicle- severe transmission slamming gears, vehicle stalls when you take foot off gas, oil pressure gauge goes to bottom when foot off gas and up when you depress. Since, nissan has extended warranty to 80k for radiator assembly can crack and internal leakage of coolant mixes with transmission fluids. I am not covered they say, but if I had been notified of this 2 years ago I would have been. Their letter specifically states that it can occur at "higher mileages". I want nissan to reimburse me costs incurred and fix my transmission. I have been without a vehicle on and off for 8 mos. Of the past two years, and do not think this vehicle will ever run properly due to their negligence to notify owners of the potential problem. I've seen hundreds of complaints. Also have had engine light go on and off for last 2 years- due to fuel sending unit problem, nissan has extended warranty for this to 72k. I now have 94k - these issues need to be recalls and owners reimbursed- please investigate warranty extension issue! Also had squeaks, battery issue, no start even w/new battery, cleared electronics/radio blown, cds don't eject, driver window won't go up unless pulled.

Filed May 10, 2010 · Brakes, Transmission · 6,000 miles · NV

I have a 2005 nissan xterra 4-wheel drive. While driving it in snow, ice, wet roads or simply stopping quickly, I hear a horrible grinding noise from the front end. It happens when I apply the brakes coming to a stop. It has to be a condition where the wheels may lock up. Also, the brakes let the vehicle "loose" for several feet and/or seconds before the grinding begins. I am used to the fluctuation of the brake pedal with an ABS system. However, I had never heard a sound that reminded me of grinding aluminum cans in a coffee mill. I took it to the service dept when this first happened (december 2005; last incident, april 2010) and they have assured me that this is how the ABS is supposed to sound, feel and work. My husband noticed the same feeling/sensation and asked what was wrong with the brakes. I told him nissan says that is how they're supposed to work. It doesn't sound acceptable that an automobile company would produce a safety system that sounds/feels like your differential is being ground into little metal pieces.

Filed Jan 17, 2009 · Fuel system · NY

2005 nissan xterra fuel system. I have complained to the nissan dealership about squeaking from the moment I purchased this vehicle in 2005 (new) - but they claimed they could not hear it (??). Now my ses light comes on indicating a fuel system (fuel sensor gauge) problem. As I know that I am one of very many xterra and pathfinder owners with the same problem, it would appear that this item is defective. I also owned the 2000 xterra - there was a recall on the fuel system and it was replaced. Why is there not a recall now - since nissan is obviously doing nothing to remedy this situation.

Filed Jan 26, 2006 · Body · 6,000 miles · GA

I purchased an 05 xterra in september. At about 6,000 miles it developed a squeak in the front end. I took it back to the dealership 5 times and the last time they were able to locate the noise and stop it. I asked the service writer what the problem was and she told me I didn't want to know. I pushed for an answer and was told that the frame on the passenger side front was not welded, causing the metal to rub together and squeak. She also told me that the washer fluid tank was rubbing the frame. The only thing written on my service order was the washer fluid tank. I don't know if my xterra has a faulty frame or not. The consumer line for nissan has a file number for me but I have made repeated attempts to get a call back from them with no response.

Filed Dec 29, 2005 · Engine · AZ

3 months after purchasing vehicle I noticed that the car would squeal for 5-10 minutes when 1st starting, it did not matter if it was in the morning or mid-afternoon. I took the truck into the dealer and the drive belt was replaced. About 2,000 miles later the problem re-occurred, I took the truck back to the dealer and this time the auto tension pulley was replaced. About 1,000 miles later the truck was once again taken back and this time the lead tech assured me the problem would be fixed and the drive belt was replaced for a 2nd time. I have now had this truck for 9 months and again had to take in, this time I dealt with the service manager who was not helpful. They once again replaced the drive belt and stated this was a known nissan problem and that the problem will present itself again but they can not do anything until nissan issues a recall or tsb. I called nissan's 800-nissan1 number and spoke to a customer service rep. I was told that I would receive a call from the regional manager by the end of the next business day since I had taken the truck in 4 times for the exact same problem, I have yet to receive any calls from nissan's regional rep. I feel that both the nissan dealer and nissan are unwilling or unable to satisfactorily fix the re-occurring problem once and for all, and that I am just being given the run around.