Nissan Xterra problems and recalls by year

2,422 owner complaints since 2005, most for the 2005 (845); 12 recalls, 1 investigation.

By model year

Xterra by model year
Year	Complaints	Recalls	Most-reported system
2015	10	0	Power train
2014	10	0	Air bags
2013	4	0	Engine
2012	16	2	Power train
2011	24	2	Air bags
2010	38	4	Air bags
2009	19	3	Air bags
2008	119	6	Power train
2007	557	1	Power train
2006	780	3	Power train
2005	845	3	Power train

Years with 100+ complaints

2008 Xterra: 119 complaints

9 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries · 23V067000, 10V401000, 10V075000, 08V690000, 08V045000, 07V528000

2008 Xterra, 119 complaints
Component	Complaints	Median miles
Power train	43	109,000
Engine	23	90,000
Air bags	20	60,000
Electrical system	10	90,000
Fuel/propulsion system	9	110,000
Fuel system, gasoline	8	57,000
Unknown or other	8	164,000
Service brakes	7	88,600

2007 Xterra: 557 complaints

3 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries · 08V690000

2007 Xterra, 557 complaints
Component	Complaints	Median miles
Power train	216	111,000
Fuel system, gasoline	133	51,000
Engine	85	113,000
Fuel/propulsion system	63	95,000
Engine and engine cooling	61	99,000
Unknown or other	30	119,000
Electrical system	26	80,000
Fuel system, other	24	48,000

2006 Xterra: 780 complaints

12 crashes, 3 fires, 19 injuries, 1 death · 10V517000, 10V075000, 08V690000

2006 Xterra, 780 complaints
Component	Complaints	Median miles
Power train	240	112,000
Fuel system, gasoline	204	52,000
Engine	104	112,234
Fuel/propulsion system	94	90,000
Engine and engine cooling	78	101,000
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Auxillary tank	38	60,000
Fuel system, other	37	48,000
Electrical system	33	75,000

2005 Xterra: 845 complaints

7 crashes, 6 fires, 8 injuries · 10V517000, 08V690000, 05V458000

2005 Xterra, 845 complaints
Component	Complaints	Median miles
Power train	354	105,689
Fuel system, gasoline	237	61,500
Engine and engine cooling	123	99,634
Engine	114	108,000
Power train › Automatic transmission	52	88,000
Fuel system, other	40	58,000
Electrical system	37	84,000
Fuel/propulsion system	32	84,765

12 recall campaigns since 2005

January 25, 2008 · 08V045000 · 2008 · Equipment › Other › Labels

NISSAN IS RECALLING 5,523 MY 2008 TITAN, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.' THE TIRE PLACARD LISTS AN INCORRECT VEHICLE…

Remedy: NISSAN WILL MAIL A CORRECT TIRE PLACARD AND INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS TO OWNERS OF THE AFFECTED VEHICLES.
November 16, 2007 · 07V528000 · 2008 · Service brakes, hydraulic › Antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip › Control unit/module

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ANTILOCK BRAKE SYSTEM/VEHICLE DYNAMIC CONTROL (ABS/VDC) ACTUATOR IS DESIGNED WITH ONE BALL IN THE VALVE SECTION.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE ABS/VDC ACTUATOR WITH A NEW ONE.
October 5, 2005 · 05V458000 · 2005 · Trailer hitches

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.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE TOW HITCHES.

Shared, in full on the sibling's page:

Nissan Pathfinder: 23V067000 (2008–2011, air bags); 12V462000 (2012, suspension); 11V592000 (2011–2012, engine and engine cooling); 10V517000 (2005–2006, engine and engine cooling); 10V208000 (2010, suspension); 10V115000 (2010, air bags); 10V075000 (2006, 2008, fuel system, gasoline); 08V690000 (2005–2009, air bags)
Nissan Altima: 10V401000 (2008–2010, equipment)

Defect investigations

0 of 1 open.

Investigations naming the Xterra
Investigation	Years	Opened	Subject	Status
DP12004	2005–2010	June 11, 2012	Transmission Failures	Closed

Complaints are unverified owner reports, and a recall names a model year, not a car: for one car, decode its VIN here or look it up at NHTSA. Nissan models.

Data: NHTSA, October 17, 2026.