Nissan Xterra knocking problems

Filed Feb 19, 2026 · Brakes, Seat belts · SC

I have a lot of ticking and stalling lights are blinking I think it’s may be the transmission and I smell gas inside the vehicle.

Filed Jun 9, 2015 · TN

On december 17, 2012, 2007 xterra with 63,200 miles was taken to nissan dealer in oregon. The complaint: at 50-55 MPH the transmission skips and catches like a bump on smooth surface. Also asked that dealer check whine from the engine compartment. Service dept recommended no repairs for radiator/transmission at this time just recommend routine service of transmission fluid as per 60,000 interval fluids not contaminated. Engine whine was diagnosed as timing chain issue. Secondary timing chains and tensioners were replaced. Total cost: $1,185.81. Service personnel said hang on to receipt, nissan may issue recall on chronic timing chain problem. On may 12, 2015 same vehicle with 88,500 miles, was taken to nissan dealer in tennessee. Complaint: at speeds between 40-45 MPH vehicle vibrates as shifts gears. Also, gas tank fuel-level sensor not functioning. Service dept. Replaced gas tank sensor and diagnosed vibration as insulating shield on driveshaft that had broken loose. Radiator also replaced as preemptive way to avoid nissan xterras ticking bomb of catastrophic transmission failure. Vehicle picked up after repair and vibration when transmission shifting resumed within half mile of dealership. Returned vehicle to dealer. Diagnosis: must not have been driveshaft problem, must be the transmission is already gone. One week later picked up vehicle with new transmission. Was told transmission fluid looked like chocolate milk contaminated by failed original radiator. Total bill: $3,178.99 including a $2,500 copay under warranty extension to address chronic defective radiator causing transmission failure.

Filed May 6, 2015 · Electrical, Fuel system · 138,000 miles · NC

I just purchased this car about 3 months ago and paid 4000 dollars for it. The vehicle stopped working and the fuel pump wasn't coming on. After searching for the power issue I discovered the fuel tank sending unit which is the top to the gas tank itself. Meaning the service hole of the tank access is the top part of the sending unit. The sending unit has 4 fuel line connections and 4 electrical connections. Two fuel conections and 2 electrical connections plug into the top side of the sending unit and they route through the plastic molded sending unit and connections are made in the bottom side. Basically fuel and electricity route through this unit into the tank. The power wire to the fuel pump burned and melted the conection inside the mold and burned the plastic all around the connection plug where the power goes to the gas tank. From what I understand the 00' and 02' sending units were recalled but not my 01'. This is the equivalent to riding down the road with a ticking time bomb under my children's seats. I have contacted nissan but I have gotten nowhere with them so I am reaching out to the transportation saftey authorities.

Filed Jun 16, 2014 · Transmission · 168,000 miles · AL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, the check engine warning lamp illuminated. The contact mentioned that the vehicle was making a loud knocking sound and was hesitating. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where the technician diagnosed that the transmission was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not available. The failure and current mileage were 168,000.

Filed Apr 24, 2014 · Engine · 118,000 miles · AR

During a drive home from a weekend in the country, my xterra began to overheat. A faint pop, like a backfire, happened. After I heard the noise, a consistent ticking or pinging sound started coming from the right front side of my xterra. The sound is consistent with the acceleration. Once I got home, I started to research the issue online. Found that 2000-2004 xterras have a very common problem with the exhaust manifold cracking due to weak material. I am an active member on www.clubxterra.org and many other members report the same issue. This is quite a set back for most people and can cause serious damage to the engine if it is not taken care of in a timely manner. Nissan should recognize that this is a manufacturing fault and issue a recall. Everyone I know that owns an xterra has or had this issue.

Filed Jun 15, 2013 · Suspension · 83,000 miles · OH

My xterra was sitting in my driveway on thursday june 13th and at 2 am my roommates come knocking on my door saying my front end of my car fell. I got up and looked and sure enough it had dropped. Had it towed to a mechanic shop and they said both torsion bars were broke. I had to take it to the dealer to get it fixed because they would not touch it. No can believe that I was not driving it when this happened, my xterra had been sitting for 7 hours when this happened. It is hard to believe both broke at the same time and while it was sitting in the driveway.

Filed Jan 29, 2013 · Engine · 117,000 miles · NJ

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that as the engine was started, there was a knocking sound coming from the engine area. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer. The manufacturer was not notified. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 117,000.

Filed Dec 30, 2011 · Engine · 80,000 miles · FL

Tl* the contact owns a 2005 nissan xterra. The contact stated that he heard knocking coming from under the hood while driving approximately 30 MPH. The contact also stated that the temperature gauge would display that the vehicle was overheating. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, but they were unable to diagnose a failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 80,000.

Filed Jul 1, 2011 · Fuel system · 6,400 miles · NJ

Several issues with my 2005 nissan x-terra that make it very dangerous to drive. We don't know what to do anymore .....the issue with the trans, that we replaced because all the violent shaking episodes...now hopefully done with. Now due to a knocking and sensor light alert, an issue with 4x4, fuel sensor was diagnosed day b/f yesterday. We were told this is extremely dangerous.....cost ? Over $3,000 added to the $9,000 trans repairs. Please tell me what to do!

Filed Dec 20, 2010 · Transmission · 90,200 miles · VA

On saturday december 18, 2010 I noticed a vibration in my 2005 nissan xterra. The following monday I took it to a dealer for service. I was told that my radiator had failed and that it had leaked coolant into my transmission, causing both components to need immediate replacement. The mechanic told me that the failure is a known problem and that it occurs with no warning...no check engine light, no noticeable deterioration of performance, it just happens. He said that in a worst-case scenario, the vehicle's transmission could seize causing an immediate stop and loss of control. When the problem occurred on my xterra, I was on the interstate traveling 60-70mph. Nissan knows about this problem and has extended the warranty on the radiator by 20,000 miles (to 80k from 60k) but they refuse to issue a recall even though this problem affects all of their mid-sized trucks and suvs manufactured in 2005. Furthermore, nissan issued this extension to dealerships and not directly to consumers. I was never notified of the change or any potential problem. As such, I have been driving a ticking time-bomb that luckily did not go off and harm myself or my family.