Used 2005 Nissan Xterra SUV Consumer Reviews
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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.
Outstanding transportation
Norman Prevatt, 10/13/2008
2005 Nissan Xterra S 4WD 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 6M)
4 of 4 people found this review helpful
This is my wife's car. We purchased it for our move to N.VA from TX, because we would be back in snowy country in winter. She loves this vehicle, and it performs best in her hands. Her last trip to GA produced 23 mpg, with the "service engine soon" light on. I expect to keep this vehicle for many years unless gas goes over $5/gal. It is highly dependable, and perfect for our travels. Many will complain about performance/comfort issues, but most of these are people who are ignorant of what this thing is. It is a TRUCK! It is supposed to be tough. It's supposed to be rugged. The commercial says it best, "Everything you need. Nothin' you don't." Thank you.
2005 Nissan Xterra for sale near you
3 of 32 listings
- SE 4dr SUVMSRP: $7,995199 mi away
- S 4dr SUVMSRP: $6,995210 mi away
- S 4dr SUVMSRP: $4,450406 mi away
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2005 Xterra Stay Away
Dean Allen, 05/12/2017
2005 Nissan Xterra SE Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
7 of 9 people found this review helpful
Radiator fluid will eventually leak into the transmission and destroy it. Be ready for high repair costs. Nissan does not stand behind this vehicle. Most dealers will get you to sign the purchased as is document right away even though they are aware of this factory defect.
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Very durable, versatile vehicle
Jt, 10/27/2019
2005 Nissan Xterra S Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 6M)
5 of 6 people found this review helpful
These vehicles DO NOT have a transmission flaw. Most vehicles with auto trans, has the trans cooler inside the radiator. On certain xterra models 05-09 and maybe the 2010 had an issue where the seal in the radiator would let coolant mix with the tranny fliud. That is what ruins the transmission. Coolant will destroy the engine if it gets in the oil and the transmission if it gets in the tranny fluid. All u have to do is check the fluid occasionally to make sure it's not mixing or simply replace the radiator. Radiators are not expensive and easy to replace. I can not understand how so many people are having issues and spending 3-4k for repairs, when it is so avoidable. People don't pay attention and are ignorant, too lazy to do a little reasearch. Also, mechanics / shops / dealers not having enough intelligence to educate people. Some mechanics are stupid n don't care. Check you fluid, change your fluid periodically, even if u replace the radiator or install an aftermarket trans cooler and these transmission will last for a Very long time. I found an 05 with 6sp manual transmission, so I wouldn't have to deal with this ridiculous issue. These excellent vehicles and very dependable. You give it good quality simple maintenance, care for it like a mature person and u will be surprised atvhiw long it will last.
Hanging on by a thread
sparrow1257, 02/01/2012
2005 Nissan Xterra SE Rwd 4dr SUV (4.0L 6cyl 5A)
3 of 3 people found this review helpful
I love the car but will never purchase another Nissan. I bought the car new and starting at 15k miles the repairs started and never ended: tensioned assembly replaced three times, all brake assemblies replaced at 25k miles, transmission and radiator replaced due to fluid peeking into the transmission, cracked transfer case, bad veil and oil sending units, abs assembly on the driver side completely failed, coolant leaking onto passenger side firewall. Fortunately I purchased the 100k extended. I have 105k miles on the car. My total out of pocket for the past year would have been $18k if not for the warranty!! That is a new car! Nissan also damaged car during repairs and refused to pay.