18 problems related to vehicle shudder 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 car shudders and wont accelerate. The transmission won't shift properly. I understand this was was a class action lawsuit and recall. I am outside the time frame. I was never notified and was deployed at the time.
While driving vehicle vibrated as if it didn't know whether to shift or not. Found out later that I had water in my trans and trans fluid in my radiator.
The car began to vibrate at 40 mph. I took it to two mechanics who could not figure out the problem. I tried regular maintenance and tire rotation and balance but the vibration continued. Finally, while I was out of town, a mechanic dropped the transmission pan and discovered the engine coolant had entered the transmission system. He discovered that this is a problem with the Nissan Xterra 2005 - 2010. Nissan even has a bypass part to be installed. This piece was installed and the transmission flushed and new transmission fluid put in. The radiator appears to be fine, no cracks as often reported with this problem. Now, three months later, I have serious transmission problems. The car jerks violently at 40mph on acceleration and deceleration. The mixing of engine coolant with the transmission has obviously caused serious damage to my transmission. I am devastated. I love this car but have no financial means to fix this problem.
Car started vibrating like it was going over a rumble strip, loss of power/rpms, unable to accelerate. Problem was intermittent and got worse. Took it to Nissan dealership, and apparently this is a known problem on some makes and models manufactured between 2005-2010 with defective radiators that leak coolant into the transmission system hence damaging it. Since I was at 100,000miles I had a copay of $3000.
The car started to shake very badly apx 40 mph. I took it in for repair and found out that the radiator had malfunctioned and allowed coolant into the transmission. The damage was non repairable. My car is in the shop now waiting to have the radiator and transmission replaced.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 40 mph, the vehicle began shaking excessively and would not accelerate. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The contact stated that the failure was caused by contamination of the transmission by the radiator. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure the vehicle was not repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 129,000.
The trans cooler and radiator has busted. Almost caused us to wreck / vehicle started shaking badly. Was not made aware by Nissan that there could be a "mostly likely to occur" problem until this happened to us. Fuel guage also quit working a few months back. Nissan will not help because vehicle has over 100,000 miles. Their hotline (in the phillipines) was of no help or concern. Repairs , not including fuel gauge, are starting at $5600. Nissan should have told us years ago that the radiators were mostly likely going to be defected so we could have spent the $600 or so then to replace !!!!!.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving 55 mph, the vehicle started shaking and stalled without warning. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The technician stated a crack in the atf caused a cross contamination of the engine coolant into the transmission. As a result of the failure, the transmission would need to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 93,000.
The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds and shifting gears, the vehicle would grind and shake abnormally. The vehicle was not inspected by a dealer or an independent mechanic. The manufacturer was contacted and they offered no assistance to the contact. The failure mileage was approximately 60,000. The current mileage was approximately 66,000. The VIN was unavailable.
While driving on the 73n freeway in orange county, my car started shuddering. The temp gauge was ta the max so I pulled over. I was towed in to a Nissan dealership where the master mechanic told me that the problem was caused by the transmission cooler in the radiator failing causing radiator fluid and transmission fluid to mix rendering both inoperable. He also told me that this is a growing problem with Nissan and he has personally seen many such cases. He said that Nissan is using defective radiators which is the main cause of this.
Failure of radiator causes engine coolant to mix with transmission fluid causing transmission destruction. While driving on the highway, vehicle shakes violently and shifts hard during slower driving. Happens to be a very common problem I was un aware of, until it was too late. Dealer service dept advised me it was a $8,000 "known issue" and instructed me to contact Nissan about helping with repairs.
Transmission failed to shift and made loud noises while driving. Caused the car to shake but did not lose control. Failed part in radiator allowed antifreeze into transmission and transmission fluid into radiator. Complete failure of radiator and transmission could have occurred on highway at speed. Know issue from Nissan who did nothing to communicate to vehicle owners on risks or precautions to take as well as no ownership for fixing this.
Vehicle vibrates around 40 mph, vibrates at certain rpms.
My Nissan Xterra started making a vibration sound around August of 2011. It sounded like your vehicle was running over a "rumble strip". It was infrequent at first so I ignored it. I did notice some other warning signs of potential trouble (at hindsight). The vehicles heater would never heat the interior of the vehicle at idle, but would do it at speed. Nissan knows the issue is a defect but refuses to take responsibility. Several times while I have been driving the vehicle it would shudder and almost result in a accident. I have only narrowly avoided a collision on 3 separate occasions. Nissan extended the powertrain warranty to 80,000 miles because they know of the issue, but refuse to admit its a defect. Had I been informed about the warranty extention I may have been able to have it services while within the warranty period. My vehicle is currently at 83,000 miles, but within the 96 month portion of the warranty. I'm currently afraid to drive the vehicle on the highway because I'm worried the transmission will fail at high speed and result in a serious accident.
05 Nissan Xterra radiator leaked antifreeze into the transmission causing the vehicle to not move until rpm's reached a certain speed. Car had been vibrating prior to incident which was thought to be tires. Car was towed to transmission shop and at a cost of $4800 for repairs. I understand this is a problem that multiple owners have had and that Nissan is not accepting responsibility for. I was put at risk as I drive 35 miles each way to and from work and a majority of this driving is done on the highway. My drive time is very early in the morning and very late at night. If the car had broke down I would have been stranded on the side of the highway.
The contact owns 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact was driving 45 mph when the vehicle started to shake. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where they confirmed that the transmission needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was contacted but the vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 99,000 and the current mileage was 110,000.
Transmission failure caused by radiator leak, which causes vibration in vehicle which can be hazardous and costly. Internet comments suggest problem is known by manufacturer but warrantees have not been extended, and dealer quoted full price for repair: $5,000+ on vehicle worth $11,000.