Two problems related to engine rattling and whining sounds have been reported for the 2005 Nissan Xterra. The most recently reported issues are listed below. Please also check out the statistics and reliability analysis of the 2005 Nissan Xterra based on all problems reported for the 2005 Xterra.
I purchased this car used from a dealer with approx 64,000 miles. After 2 days and less than 200 miles the car started shuddering as if I was driving over rumble strips and the check engine light came on. The next morning when I went to take it to the dealer there was a horrible rattling sound coming from under the hood that softened as the car warmed up. Needless to say that both of the more common complaints about this car raised their ugly heads at the same time: transmission and timing chains!! I took it to my local Nissan dealer for evaluation and repair and was told that the cost would be between $8-9,000. Thank god for aftermarket warranty. Anyway. . . If Nissan does not intend to issue a recall, there should be a disclosure on carfax/autocheck/etc for these significant problems.
The timing chain guides are faulty and at this time I am hearing the whining noise that has been described from several other complaints. It is known that this can completely destroy the engine and fail at any given time, possibly causing an accident or death because of the accident caused by this issue.