Model year guide

2005 Nissan Xterra

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2005 Nissan Xterra is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 111 on record.

2005 Nissan Xterra — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2005 Nissan Xterra at a glance

Safety recalls6
Owner complaints845
Combined17 mpg
Typical price$4,938

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2005 Nissan Xterra recalls 6

Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm NHTSA Campaign #10E019000 · 20/05/2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASS…

Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE ANY AFFECTED LOWER LINK FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 12, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Engine And Engine Cooling NHTSA Campaign #10V517000 · 28/10/2010

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 RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHIC…

Fix: 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:frontal NHTSA Campaign #08V690000 · 29/12/2008

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 ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTR…

Fix: 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…

Trailer Hitches NHTSA Campaign #05V458000 · 05/10/2005

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.

Fix: 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 1-80…

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #07E046000 · 03/07/2007

CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE. THE INTERNAL PART NUMBERS WITHIN HOPKINS ARE: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035, AND 1290376035. A WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN AN INCORRECT POSITION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING. THIS RESULT…

Fix: HOPKINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL HARNESS WITH A REVISED HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT HOPKINS AT 800-835-0129.

Trailer Hitches NHTSA Campaign #05E062000 · 30/09/2005

CERTAIN VALLEY INDUSTRIES HITCH-CLASS III RECEIVER TRAILER HITCHES P/N 82850 MANUFACTURED BETWEEN MARCH AND SEPTEMBER 2005 SOLD FOR USE AS REPLACEMENT EQUIPMENT FOR 2005 NISSAN XTERRA PASSENGER VEHICLES. DUE TO INSUFFICIENT WELD STRENGTH, UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, THE HITCHES MAY BREAK WHILE IN USE.

Fix: VALLEY INDUSTRIES WILL NOTIFY ITS CUSTOMERS AND REPLACE THE TRAILER HITCHES FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON NOVEMBER 3, 2005. OWNERS MAY CONTACT VALLEY INDUSTRIES AT 209-368-8881.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2005 Nissan Xterra common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 845 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Engine And Engine Cooling
Check coolant level and color, look for leaks, and confirm the engine reaches normal temperature without overheating.

2005 Nissan Xterra MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway20 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$3,725

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2005 Nissan Xterra worth?

Low
$2,700
Typical price
$4,938
High
$7,300

From 111 comparable 2005 Nissan Xterra listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2005 Nissan Xterra costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$18,625
Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,300
Total$21,925
Per mile$0.29

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($4,938) with the same model 5 model-years older ($1,624), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2005 Nissan Xterra trims & engines on record

Trims
S · Off-Road · SE
Engines
4.0L

2005 Nissan Xterra vehicles on record

Other Nissan Xterra model years

2005 Nissan Xterra — frequently asked questions

Does the 2005 Nissan Xterra have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls for the 2005 Nissan Xterra. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2005 Nissan Xterra?

Based on 845 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are power train, air bags, engine.

What gas mileage does the 2005 Nissan Xterra get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2005 Nissan Xterra at about 17 mpg combined (15 city / 20 highway).

How much is a 2005 Nissan Xterra worth?

Comparable 2005 Nissan Xterra listings run roughly $2,700–$7,300, typically around $4,938 (from 111 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.