Nissan Xterra Engine and Engine Cooling Problems
Owners have filed 440 complaints with NHTSA about engine and engine cooling problems on the Nissan Xterra across 12 model years. The 2005 model year has the most (167). The words owners use most often: “transmission radiator” (15% of reports).
- 440engine and engine cooling complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 4mention a crash
- 1mention an injury
- 2related recalls
- $2,000typical repair cost reported by owners
- 37%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Transmission radiator: mentioned in 66 of 440 complaints (15%)
- Class action: mentioned in 28 of 440 complaints (6%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine and engine cooling repair on the Nissan Xterra at $2,000, and half of them between $1,550 and $3,850.
Based on 15 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2003–2012), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine and engine cooling problems happen?
Based on 377 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 440 complaints, 4 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 1 an injury.
Nissan Xterra engine and engine cooling complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine and Engine Cooling complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 Xterra | 1 | 4% | 140,000 |
| 2010 Xterra | 1 | 3% | 83,800 |
| 2009 Xterra | 1 | 5% | 60,000 |
| 2008 Xterra | 8 | 7% | 104,000 |
| 2007 Xterra | 75 | 13% | 99,000 |
| 2006 Xterra | 106 | 14% | 102,410 |
| 2005 Xterra | 167 | 20% | 97,750 |
| 2004 Xterra | 6 | 7% | 33,000 |
| 2003 Xterra | 7 | 10% | 66,500 |
| 2002 Xterra | 24 | 15% | 52,214 |
| 2001 Xterra | 11 | 7% | 70,500 |
| 2000 Xterra | 33 | 15% | 71,319 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (2)
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2011, 2012
Problem: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011 infiniti fx, model year 2012 infiniti m, model year 2011-2012 nissan frontier, model year 2011-2012 nissan xterra, model year 2011-2012 nissan pathfinder, and model year 2012 nissan nv vehicles. Some of the bolts that connect the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine in these vehicles may have been manufactured to below specification strength. As a result, the bolt may break at the oil filter attachment point and can cause an engine oil leak.
Risk: If there is an engine oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. The safety recall began on january 30, 2012. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2005, 2006
Problem: 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 which causes silicon oxide to develop on the ecm relay contact due to arcing.
Risk: This could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash.
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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled inadvertently on several occasions. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road on several occasions. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted…
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, an engine oil leak was present. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the oil connector bolt and O-ring seal needed to be…
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated while driving 20 MPH, the vehicle was shaking. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who replaced the catalytic converter; however, the failure recurred. The vehicle was towed back to the independent mechanic, who diagnosed that…
Tl* the contact owns a 2008 nissan xterra. While driving 50 mph, the vehicle decelerated. The contact coasted the vehicle to the shoulder and had the vehicle towed to his home. In addition, the check engine and 4wd warning indicators illuminated. An independent mechanic came to the contact's home…
Tl* the contact owns a 2006 nissan xterra. While driving approximately 50 mph, the radiator fractured and there was a transmission fluid leak. The contact, an independent mechanic, diagnosed that the oil cooler within the radiator was faulty. A dealer was not made aware of the failure. The…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Nissan Xterras have engine and engine cooling problems?
No. NHTSA has 440 owner complaints about engine and engine cooling for the Nissan Xterra. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Nissan Xterra engine and engine cooling?
Yes: 2 safety recalls list engine and engine cooling. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine and engine cooling problems on the Nissan Xterra?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,000 (half paid between $1,550 and $3,850), from 15 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine and engine cooling problems on the Nissan Xterra?
The most frequent phrase is “transmission radiator”, in 66 of 440 complaints, followed by “class action” (28).
Other Nissan Xterra problems
- Power Train problems (1,032)
- Fuel System, Gasoline problems (721)
- Engine problems (375)
- Fuel/propulsion System problems (231)
- Electrical System problems (204)
- Air Bags problems (177)
- Fuel System, Other problems (139)
- Steering problems (108)
See all Nissan Xterra problems.