Here Are The Nissan Xterra Years To Avoid
Are you in the market for a rugged SUV with the performance capabilities to boot? The Nissan Xterra is an excellent SUV renowned for its outstanding off-roading capabilities and solid reliability. However, to everyone’s disappointment, Nissan discontinued the Xterra line back in 2015.
Since you can’t purchase a brand-new Xterra anymore, reliability is critical when shopping for a used Nissan Xterra.
To be honest, the Nissan Xterra is a reliable off-road SUV as a whole. By the time it was discontinued in 2015, Nissan was able to iron out its manufacturing kinks. However, some model years are less reliable than others, like all car models.
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Today, we have picked out the most unreliable Nissan Xterra years to avoid and which ones are safe to buy used.
Which Nissan Xterra Years to Avoid?
According to RepairPal, the Nissan Xterra has a reliability rating of 4.0 out of 5.0 and a ranking of 9th out of 32 brands. In terms of reliability, it’s hard to go wrong with Nissan’s defunct SUV line. However, since you’re buying a used Xterra, we understand that you want to avoid the most unreliable models.
Below are the least reliable Nissan Xterra years to avoid:
- 2004 Nissan Xterra
- 2005 Nissan Xterra
- 2006 Nissan Xterra
- 2007 Nissan Xterra
- 2008 Nissan Xterra
2004 Nissan Xterra
We’re hesitant to include the 2004 Nissan Xterra because it barely has any black stains on its record. Even Car Complaints gave it a “Pretty Good” seal of approval with only 124 complaints. Nevertheless, the 2004 Xterra has a few issues worth looking into.
According to users, the main problem with the 2004 Xterra is its cracked radiator that leaks fluid into the transmission system. Apparently, this is a known problem in 2004 models with high mileage. Getting this fixed may cost you a whopping $4,000+.
Also, a few complaints regarding this model’s faulty transmission reportedly goes out after 80k+ miles. Moreover, the 2004 Xterra has less than perfect crash test ratings, which may be an issue if you value safety.
2005 Nissan Xterra
If we’re purely going with the number of complaints, the 2005 Xterra is undoubtedly one of the worst Nissan Xterra years to avoid. With over 400 complaints and six recalls, the 2005 Xterra appears to be the most problematic year for this particular SUV model.
Like the 2004 version, the 2005 Xterra suffers from a widespread radiator defect where the coolant leaks into the transmission system - causing a transmission failure. It’s worth noting that the same issue also affects the Pathfinder and Frontier models, which led to a class-action lawsuit.
Additionally, a few reports claimed that they experienced jerking and jolting while shifting into gear. In some cases, owners said they couldn’t shift out of first gear. Customers paid an average of $2,500 to get this issue fixed.
2006 Nissan Xterra
While the 2005 model was considered the worst Xterra SUV, many of its problems have persisted through the 2006 Xterra. With 225 complaints and five recalls, the 2006 version is more reliable but has issues that are hard to ignore.
Unfortunately, the leaky radiator problem persists in the 2006 Xterra, where the pink coolant leaks into the transmission fluid. This causes the transmission to fail outright and will require a radiator replacement. Drivers affected by this widespread defect have paid an average of $3,950.
The next most severe issue that affects the 2006 Xterra is the faulty timing chain. Several users have reported a high-pitched whine coming from the engine, indicating a defective timing chain.
THE MOST RELIABLE YEARS FOR THE NISSAN XTERRA
Let’s take a look to understand which Nissan Xterra years are considered most reliable so you can make a solid car purchasing decision.
2007 Nissan Xterra
The 2007 Xterra is another model year you may want to avoid since it inherited several significant issues with previous iterations. The 2007 Xterra has 219 complaints, two recalls, and the “Avoid Like the Plague” dishonorable badge by CarComplaints.com.
The primary issue that plagued the 2007 Xterra is, you guessed it - the rogue coolant leaking into the transmission system. At this point, the problem is so prevalent that people dubbed it the nickname strawberry milkshake of death or SMOD, which refers to the pink coolant liquid. It’s a significant design flaw that took time and several iterations before Nissan adequately addressed it.
Although to a lesser extent, another problem that affected the 2007 Xterra is the shuddering/vibrations as the vehicle accelerates. The problem becomes noticeable at 40+ mph and may cost $2,700+ to repair.
2008 Nissan Xterra
Right off the bat, the 2008 Xterra has significantly fewer complaints, but the SMOD issue still exists - it’s reason enough to include this model in this list of Nissan Xterra years to avoid.
Despite the fewer complaints, the 2008 Xterra’s leaking coolant problem can be a deal-breaker. First, this widespread issue appears at around 110k miles, which means that if you’re buying used, you’re likely to encounter this issue. Second, for some reason, it’s more expensive to repair this problem in the 2008 version, with a $5,100 typical repair cost.
If you can help it, skip the 2008 Xterra and buy the models we’ve outlined below instead.
Common Nissan Xterra Problems
The Xterra is a superb off-road SUV with above-average reliability ratings. However, it does have several major reliability issues that would-be buyers should know:
- Defective fuel level sensor – Many Xterra owners complained about inaccurate fuel gauge readings due to faulty fuel gauge sensors. It’s no fun thinking that you have a half tank of fuel when it’s actually close to running empty. This problem is quite prevalent with the 2001-2011 Xterra models.
- Leaky radiator – This issue was quite pronounced with the 2005 Xterra. According to the reports, the radiator leak may still occur even after tightening the cap. If addressed quickly, you may only need to repair the lower intake manifold. However, this issue may lead to transmission failure when not addressed.
- Transmission failure – The dreaded transmission failure is also common with Xterra, especially in the 2005 model year. Again, the radiator defect is the main culprit of failed transmission systems in the Xterra. Rebuilding or replacing the transmission is very expensive.
- Fuel injector failure – Several Xterra models have struggled with bad fuel injectors. A failed fuel injector may cause symptoms like engine misfires, loss of power, hesitation when accelerating, and excessive vibrations. The check engine light will come on when the vehicle detects a bad fuel injector.
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Which Nissan Xterras Models are Safe to Buy Used?
Now that we’ve gotten the list of Nissan Altima years to avoid out of the way, let’s take a look at the ones that you can safely buy as used:
2013 Nissan Xterra
If you’re in the market for a solid off-road SUV with the spirit of the old Jeep CJ but with a lot more reliability, the 2013 Xterra is an excellent pick.
The 2013 Xterra is a body-on-frame SUV that excels in off-road adventures, relatively modern safety and tech features, and comfortable rides. Over at CarComplaints.com, this SUV has two complaints, and no recalls - great signs that you’re dealing with a reliable vehicle.
2015 Nissan Xterra
The swan song of the Xterra line, the 2015 model year, was considered by many to be the quintessential Xterra experience. The 2015 Xterra received high marks for reliability from experts and customers alike. Also, this model’s overall quality and resale value don’t disappoint.
The 2015 Xterra features a powerful 4.0-liter V6 engine for the base model and a more powerful Pro-4X trim for more challenging off-road adventures. It also has a reasonably posh and spacious interior but is quite heavy on plastic finishings.
If we’re going to dock a point, it must be Xterra’s poor fuel economy (16 city / 22 highway).
Frequently Asked Questions: Nissan Xterra Years to Avoid
Q: Which Nissan Xterra model years are considered the least reliable and should be avoided?
A: When shopping for a used Nissan Xterra, it’s best to steer clear of the 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, and 2008 model years due to various issues and a higher number of complaints.
Q: What is the most problematic Nissan Xterra model year?
A: The 2005 Nissan Xterra is considered the worst year, with hundreds of complaints and numerous recalls, making it the most problematic model in the Xterra lineup.
Q: Are there any widespread issues with the radiator in certain Nissan Xterra model years?
A: Yes, the 2004-2008 Nissan Xterra models suffer from a common radiator defect where coolant leaks into the transmission system, causing transmission failure. This issue is particularly prevalent in the 2005 and 2007 models.
Q: Why is the 2007 Nissan Xterra nicknamed the “strawberry milkshake of death”?
A: The 2007 Xterra earned the nickname “strawberry milkshake of death” or “SMOD” due to the pink coolant leaking into the transmission system, a significant design flaw that took Nissan several iterations to address adequately.
Are Nissan Xterras typically reliable?
Nissan stopped making the Xterra after 2015, so any model you find will have many years of usage. Fortunately, newer examples, as do Xterras built from 1999-2003, tend to be more reliable. In particular, the 2004-2008 model years are Xterras known to have more problems.
How much does a used Nissan Xterra typically cost?
Despite the Nissan Xterra being out of production for many years, these rugged SUVs are still sought after. Add in tight used car supplies and a used Xterra often commands a premium, even for old examples. CoPilot Price Pulse shows that a 2009 Xterra has an average asking price of $9,094, including a 20% premium over normal marketplace conditions. A 2014 Nissan Xterra goes for $11,456, which reflects a 40% marketplace premium.
Is the Nissan Xterra a good car to purchase?
The Nissan Xterra can make for a great buy, but you shouldn’t purchase just any Xterra. Some model years are more prone to problems than others. This means you need to be selective in your shopping and learn which Nissan Xterras are the most reliable.
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