Differential Unit problems of the 2005 Nissan Xterra

My husband and I purchased our 2005 Nissan Xterra, 17 miles young. Exactly one month after we purchased, the rear differential went out and was covered under warranty. No problems for a few years, until we noticed that the gas guage was not giving accurate readings, we had to watch our odometer count to make sure we didn't run out of gas, which is a very scary thought when you have two young children. This happened when we had approximately 80000 miles on the truck and $600 to repair. Shortly after, the transmission was acting up and the heater wasn't working. No why wasn't that working? apparently, Nissan thought it would be a cool trick to have the radiator leak into the transmission. . . . Brilliant business plan they have. Took the truck in and had to pay $5800 to have the transmission, radiator and computer all replaced. This financial hardship was in fact a hardship. One that shouldn't have had to happen had Nissan provided quality parts and provided stellar service. I will sue Nissan for this major safety issue, blog/facebook my little heart away about how insincere of a company Nissan is and never ever-ever-ever give them a positive recommendation.

Left and right rear axle seals blew out and leaked differential fluid. Differential fluid leaking on rear brake rotors which could cause brake failure, which was a major safety concern to me. At time of failure no suspension modifications had been done to vehicle. Also, the rear differential oil will slowly leak and cause the rear differential to lose fluid and fail. The leaking differential fluid has also contaminated the parking/emergency brake shoes and they will not hold or slow vehicle.

2005 Xterra se. When driving at 1. 5 to 2 rpms truck rumbles underneath like it is going over the rumble strips on the side of the highway. Acceleration or deceleration stops the noise. Rear differential issues have been raised on many Nissan and truck forums discussing the later 2000 Xterra models. Nissan said I need the new rear differential. Curious if this is a wide range problem.

I have a 2005 Nissan Xterra 4-wheel drive. While driving it in snow, ice, wet roads or simply stopping quickly, I hear a horrible grinding noise from the front end. It happens when I apply the brakes coming to a stop. It has to be a condition where the wheels may lock up. Also, the brakes let the vehicle "loose" for several feet and/or seconds before the grinding begins. I am used to the fluctuation of the brake pedal with an abs system. However, I had never heard a sound that reminded me of grinding aluminum cans in a coffee mill. I took it to the service dept when this first happened (December 2005; last incident, April 2010) and they have assured me that this is how the abs is supposed to sound, feel and work. My husband noticed the same feeling/sensation and asked what was wrong with the brakes. I told him Nissan says that is how they're supposed to work. It doesn't sound acceptable that an automobile company would produce a safety system that sounds/feels like your differential is being ground into little metal pieces.

I have a 2005 Nissan x-terra and the rear differential has burned up. This issue has actually been going on for about a year. I had to take the car in because I was having a transmission issue and the Nissan dealership did not think it was the transmission. The service manager rode in the back and thought it to be the wheel bearings. They switched that out but it did not fix the issue. Long story short at that particular time it ended up being an issue with the transmission which was replaced but ever since I got the vehicle back in 1/09 is had the whistling noise when going down the highway at higher speeds and when you let off the gas it whistles. Bottom line is there was an issue in January 2009 with the rear differential and it was blown off by the dealership and now it has blown and Nissan will not stand behind it. I will never buy another Nissan. Mine has had 2 transmissions replaced and now this all within a year. Rear-ends should not go out this easily.

At 24,000 miles the rear differential had to be replaced, it took over 6 weeks to get the part (it was replaced at 28,000 miles). Again at 42,000 it needs to be replaced same problem I was told 5 days to get the part it is going on 3 weeks and I was told just told it would be in by 7/9 I don't believe it. Attempted e-mails to nissian have never been answered. The car has never even been off the road. All highway miles! Nissan has a problem with the rear differential for sure and don't seem intrested in helping the consumer. This will be the last nissian I own. Very poor customer service.

Differentials front and rear are under engineered and break extremely easily. Nissan would not warranty replacement despite many of failures and claimed it was not an engineering defect. Currently mine has a blown rear differential, and vehicle is not drivable. .

Differentials front and rear are under engineered and break extremely easily. Transfer case also wouldn't shift into 4 wheel drive.