Used 2005 Nissan Xterra SUV Consumer Reviews
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Beware of this SUV!
jerry, 05/26/2019
2005 Nissan Xterra S 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
The Xterra is actually a good car, functional, comfortable and drives very well. It has also been very reliable for normal maintenance, I've put less into it than most cars I've owned for routine maintenance. BUT, and it's a very big but, actually two big buts, it has two issues that are monumental. Namely the fluid leakage problem that causes transmission failure, just read through the other reviews, AND sludge buildup in the engine, the first of which required a new transmission and the 2nd of which required a new engine. I got hit with both of those coincidentally AFTER the warranty ran out. When it was all said and done I ended up dumping another 12 grand into the car for two design flaws that should never have happened in the first place, if Nissan engineers had been more competent. So if you're thinking about purchasing a used Xterra make sure the fluid leakages issue has been taken care of first and take the vehicle to a Nissan dealership and have them do an examination of the engine with their Nissan certified mechanics and equipment, they will let you know if sludge is building up in the engine. I made the mistake of taking it to non Nissan mechanics who charged me a lot of money trying to figure out what the problem was. It wasn't until somebody said you had better take it to the Nissan dealership even if it's a long ways away because only they can give you a diagnosis of this problem. And he was right. If you determine that the transmission fluid & sludge problems are not going to be issues with the car, then go ahead and buy it, otherwise stay away. Maybe look to some years outside the 2004-2007 period. If not for those two issues I would have given the Xterra a glowing review. As it is those two huge negatives negate the many positives. Another negative for Nissan was their stubbornness in not admitting the problem and working with owners, they eventually lost in court but it was too late for me. I'll never forgive them for that and won't buy another Nissan product because of it.
Love It but
Broker, 07/11/2010
2005 Nissan Xterra SE Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
6 of 6 people found this review helpful
Got Mine new. Loved it and babied it. Great power, handling and easy to drive and park. No problems at all. Literally NONE. Then.....75K and it fell apart. AC, water pump, differential, belt tensioner, rattles galore. It was like I got into someone else's vehicle. Maintenance was unbelievable. Hoses--- look out, there are a bunch and they COST. Brakes. WOW. Transmission fluid. Unbelievable. Sealed unit and ONLY dealer can get the "special" fluid easily. Nothing is ever in stock and will sit at dealer or even local guys) for days waiting. I still LOVE my baby, but Ford is my next bet.
2005 Nissan Xterra for sale near you
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- Off-Road 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,494290 mi away
- S 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,836329 mi away
- S 4dr SUVMSRP: $5,495406 mi away
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Loved it. now I hate it.
FrmXLvr, 10/09/2010
2005 Nissan Xterra SE 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
5 of 5 people found this review helpful
Everything I needed in a SUV and the stereo was simply the best. I had 3 trouble free years with the exception of the trailer hitch recall. Then the first of what was to become an endless string of repairs began with the $500 gas sender. Another known defective Nissan part that we the consumer had to eat. 3 months later, new brakes and front U joints. New battery and tires at 40,000 miles. Had the recall for the airbag sensor fixed in early 2010 along with a radiator flush. This September fell victim to the radiator failure/ tranny fry. I'm having it fixed independently as Nissan refused any assistance. I am also suing Nissan for my costs. Been a Nissan man for a while. No more.
I Made it to 140k Miles
silentrick, 07/26/2012
2005 Nissan Xterra SE Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
I have been pretty pleased overall with my 2005 Xterra. I have over 140,000 miles on it and I'm just now experiencing major issues with it. I've had recurring issues with the O2 sensors going out more than once and now I need a new catalytic converter. I wasn't aware of the transmission and radiator issues on the 2005 models until I read this post. As it turns out, I too have an issue with a cracked radiator leaking into my tranny and now I need to replace both. I thought it could have been due to a minor fender bender a few months back but now I'm not so sure, especially because I was hit in the rear. Seems like I got lucky to have made it as far as I did on mine.
Transmission Failures
chrisb, 10/14/2010
2005 Nissan Xterra S 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
2005 Nissan Xterras and Pathfinders have a known and fairly widespread problem with radiator failures. When the radiator fails, it dumps engine coolant (antifreeze) into the transmission. This of course ruins the transmission. Total repair cost is over $5,000. Nissan has not issued a service bulletin on this problem and according to senior person in "Consumer Relations" he had never heard of this problem before.