2005 Nissan Xterra electrical problems

Filed Feb 25, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · 130,000 miles · FL

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, and the contact continued driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Intelligent Power Distribution Module (IPDM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to the federal safety agency Campaign Number: 10V517000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

Filed Nov 19, 2021 · Electrical, Fuel system · 200,000 miles · TX · fire

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact that while stopped at a traffic light the vehicle stalled. The contact was immediately able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle kept stalling. The contact restarted the vehicle however while entering a parking garage the vehicle stalled again. After several attempts the vehicle restarted. The contact emphasized that the failure was most evident while stopped or driving at slower speeds. On one occasion the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The contact connected a DTC scanner and retrieved a fault code regarding the fuel gauge sensor that was contacted to the submersible fuel pump. The contact stated that after removing the fuel tank from the vehicle and while changing the internal fuel tank submersible fuel pump, he became aware that the positive wire of the wiring harness on top of the fuel pump and the fuel pump housing above were both charred. The contact was concerned that excessive heating and sparking had caused the failure. The contact purchased a new fuel pump to replace the defective one. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

Filed Mar 27, 2018 · Electrical, Fuel system · 81,000 miles · FL

Check engine light came. Gas gauge reads empty even after you fill it up completely. Diagnostic code p0463, fuel level sensor. The fuel gauge does not accurately state the amount of fuel in the tank. This issue is known to nissan and the federal safety agency. It is a safety issue as you never know how much gas is left in the tank or how many miles you can go. This was previously recalled for certain 2006, 2007 and 2008 xterras. Not sure why it hasn't been for the 2005 model year as it is the same issue.

Filed Mar 28, 2017 · Electrical, Engine · 223,000 miles · GA

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. While driving 15 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact stated that "ECM" was displayed on the instrument panel. The vehicle was repaired by an independent mechanic and the battery and crank shaft positioning sensor were replaced, but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 223,000.

Filed Sep 9, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 145,000 miles · CT

Please see attached uploaded document.

Filed Aug 31, 2016 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 116,000 miles · CA

Vehicle turns off while driving and is unable to start. With vehicle in off state there is not control over speed, braking, steering. Nissan is unable to provide an answer to the problem after diagnosis. Code p0335 crankshaft position sensor.

Filed Mar 23, 2016 · Electrical, Engine · 140,000 miles · ID

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that the transmission failed and the vehicle jerked. The vehicle was taken to an authorized mechanic who stated that radiator fluid leaked into the transmission, which caused the transmission to fail. The transmission was replaced. The contact also stated that the fuel gauge failed. The contact did not know if the fuel tank was full or empty. The fuel gauge was not repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was 140,000.

Filed Dec 15, 2015 · Electrical, Engine · 140,000 miles · MA

I purchased a 2005 nissan xterra . The vehicle's transmission is gone due to a fault in the manufacturing. This could have been a potentially dangerous situation - but luckily for me I was not driving or on the highway. I have contacted nissan regarding this issue and was told that they are not going to assist me in repairing the problem because the vehicle warranty has run out. I bought this vehicle used - the dealer never mentioned anything about a recall or problem at the time that could be fixed by nissan nor did I receive any correspondence from nissan themselves. Now I am stuck with the financial burden of $5000 for the repair. I don't think this is fair - the used car dealers should be mandated by law to fix vehicles with recalls and inform car buyers that there is a manufacturing defect. Nissan also should be held accountable.

Filed Mar 11, 2015 · Electrical · 89,000 miles · TN

Did not pass emissions due to issues with the fuel level sensor circuit high input. Had been having problems with the fuel gauge malfunction. Repaired by nissan dealership (ECM recall, repaired one week prior for engine stalling out). Appears to be a common problem.

Filed Nov 13, 2014 · Electrical · 80,000 miles · TX

The car stopped running at a stop light. The failure is a known recall by nissan in model of 2005 xterra - it is the recall from 2010 for the ECM (engine control module). The problem started after a weekend on non-use when my battery was dead on monday 11-3-2014. Then after keeping the car running with the assistance of a battery box and traveling short way to work I had the battery evaluated at autozone and replaced on monday night, 11-10-2014. The car the next morning died twice after quick temp change in driveway but then ran to get wife and 5 month child to work. On way home while on feeder road on mopac south at duval died at stop light unable to restart. Called aaa and tow was in route when car restarted 20 min after failure allow wife to pull into apartment complex lot. Had car towed then researched failure with long cranking and rough idle and then towed to town north nissan on 10-12-2014 again by aaa. The care was unable to start and run properly after getting into the safety of the apartment parking lot. Town north nissan confirmed recalled part which had not been done on vehicle. Wife purchased vehicle close to 2010 recall campaign but did not receive notice. The ECM module appears to remain and issue and outstanding campaign of concern. If the vehicle was not on feeder road car could have easily been in major accident with my wife and 5 month old child. Please investigate if recall notice needs to be remailed or if the replacement ECM is prone to similar failure. In this case luckily it was the ECM that was subject to recall that was the problem.