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2005 Nissan Xterra transmission problems

412 complaints (49% of all complaints for this car). Typical mileage when it fails: 104,000.

owner complaints
412
of this car's complaints
49%
typical mileage
104,000
crashes
0
recalls
0

Which part fails

  • Automatic transmission
    52
  • Manual transmission
    3
  • Driveline: differential unit
    3
  • Driveline
    2
  • Transfer case (4-wheel drive)
    1
  • Clutch assembly
    1
  • Axle assembly: axle shaft
    1
  • Automatic transmission: cooling unit and lines
    1

At what mileage

Complaints by mileage at the time of the problem.

0k-25k
25k-50k
50k-75k
75k-100k
100k-125k
125k-150k
150k-175k
175k-200k
200k+

Nissan Xterra transmission problems in other years

2000200520102015

Specific symptoms reported on the 2005 Nissan Xterra transmission

Phrases found in the owners' own descriptions, so one complaint can mention several symptoms.

Transmission failure 115Slipping 28Jerking 23Won't shift 17Shudder 13Hesitation 10Whining noise 6

Related recalls

No recalls on record for this model year.

Related investigations

Transmission FailuresOpened June 11, 2012, closed October 22, 2016

On February 29, 2012 the federal safety agency received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.the federal safety agency conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential hazard (unable to maintain speed, no motive power, engine stall) and 1,867 concern customer satisfaction issues including, but not limited to, repair cost, vehicle shudder and shake, and engine overheating.Taking into account the allocation of agency resources and priorities and the likelihood that additional investigation would result in a finding that an unreasonable risk to highway safety exists, we conclude that further investigation is not warranted and deny the petition.ODI Complaint ID numbers are referenced on the next page.

DP12004

What 2005 Nissan Xterra owners say

Most recent owner complaints, unedited.

Filed Feb 15, 2023 · Transmission · WA

I have a 2005 Nissan Xterra and the transmission failed due to my transmission fluid and radiator fluid mixed

Filed Aug 4, 2022 · Acceleration, Engine · CA

I have a 2005 Nissan Xterra. I am the original owner and have been driving it over 16 years. Two years ago, in 2020 while driving my car on the road and with kids inside (with a 1 year old and a 6 year old child), the car began to shake and turned off (we were stranded in the middle of the road, at a traffic light). Since it was my only means of transportation I kept driving it (no kids inside anymore--which was another HUGE inconvenience having to coordinate and at times pay for babysitters). During my continued usage, it will continue to fail to accelerate causing great danger on the freeway and or on public roads. After a while, I managed to drive it to a transmission shop, who told me they had to either hold onto the car or have it towed--as it was deemed unsafe to drive. Upon inspection, the transmission shop confirmed "coolant bypassed into transmission," among other issues (vehicle does not accelerate, chick engine light is on, etc.) I paid with credit card, $4359.34. Once paid and transmission shop fixed issue, I continued to drive the car with family inside. Now two years later July 2022--I am experiencing the same "vehicle does not accelerate" issue.

Filed Feb 14, 2022 · Transmission · 149,000 miles · ID

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated while driving 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated no warning light was illuminated. The contact stated she was able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle stalled after driving 50 feet. The vehicle was not drivable. The contact towed the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the transmission to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact towed the vehicle to an independent mechanic and was also informed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 149,000.

Filed Feb 7, 2022 · Transmission · WA

Transmission Failure Due To Internal Cracks In The Radiator's Oil Cooler Tube

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 Jan 2, 2021 · Transmission · 95,234 miles · CA

Transmission issues. Radiator leaking coolant into transmission fluid.

Filed Oct 21, 2020 · Driver assistance, Fuel system · 121,000 miles · MD

Car cuts off when driving and while car is idled. Fuels stops repeatedly when refueling.

Filed Jun 26, 2019 · Transmission · 95,000 miles · WI

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. While driving approximately 50 MPH, the vehicle shook violently and did not shift gears. In addition, the check engine indicator illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who performed a bypass and flushed the transmission. The vehicle was then taken to another independent mechanic who specialized in transmission service. The transmission was flushed and the filter was changed. The technician also located failure codes 1754 and 1759. The contact called rosen nissan of madison (located at 2510 w beltline hwy, madison, wi 53713) and was informed that the mechanic who performed the bypass wrecked the vehicle. The contact was informed that nothing could be done. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and provided a case number. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 95,000.

Filed May 8, 2019 · Transmission · 133,164 miles · NY

On 3/14 I went to work as I work where I live when to drive the truck and it would not accelerate. Was like being in 4th gear even though I was in first gear. I then noticed the check engine light came on. I borrowed a code reader and got the code p1769 called the mechanic and they came and towed to shop. The code wasn't what was wrong the radiator leaked into the transmission and it destroyed the transmission. The mechanic rebuilt entire tranny re ran cooling lines and added two cooling fans. He had to buy a brand new valve body and rebuild entire transmission as it was destroyed by the antifreeze. We did see this was a problem with this year nissan and no recall was ever done. The vehicle was in the shop for almost 8 weeks and the amount it cost to repair was a months worth of bring home pay for my self and wife who is disabled. The truck is repaired now thankfully but would of been nice to have nissan foot some of this bill for sure

Filed Jan 31, 2019 · Transmission · 150,000 miles · NY

Radiator cracks allowed transmission fluid and engine coolant to mix as a direct cause for transmission destruction! Car will no longer move and no warning signs or recalls. This is a known problem by nissan for years and no recall? Who got paid at here to allow nissan to get away with that for so many model vehicles for years! Car stalled and died while in motion almost causing a major accident with my 2 kids aboard!

Questions about the 2005 Nissan Xterra transmission

Does the 2005 Nissan Xterra have transmission problems?

Owners have filed 412 complaints about the transmission of the 2005 Nissan Xterra, 49% of all its complaints, more than any other problem.

At what mileage do 2005 Nissan Xterra transmission problems start?

The typical (median) mileage in owner complaints is 104,000 miles.

Was there a recall on the 2005 Nissan Xterra transmission?

There is no recall for this problem on this model year.

What year does the Nissan Xterra have bad transmission?

The Nissan Xterra model years with the most transmission complaints are 2005 (412 complaints), 2006 (268 complaints) and 2007 (231 complaints).

Other 2005 Nissan Xterra problems

Fuel system 323Engine 280Electrical 39Airbags 19Acceleration 12Steering 10Driver assistance 8Suspension 8Visibility 5Body 4Brakes 4Lights 3Locks 1Wheels 1

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