Nissan Xterra Reviews

I would love to find a newer 4WD Xterra with low miles on it. The main thing I like is the fact there isn't a bunch of stuff that I don't need that will go bad. It is my daily driver. I am nervous about buying another car because I know how I have maintained this one. I plan to keep it running as long as I can. I hate having a car payment. I wish they still made them. I would love to see a new generation.

Amy

Beware of those pedalling brand myths. Those days are gone. No one carmaker is a safe haven any longer. All have made some real stinkers, some more so than others, but there was a time when cars were a lot less complex, when parts were not made in China, Malaysia, Vietnam or some other third world factory paying starvation wages in a corporate race to the bottom.

Over the last 45 years I’ve owned most true 4x4 brands available in North America (and a few Japanese RHDs) and I continue to use the Nissan Xterra. I’ve owned four Xterras since 2007 and currently run two 2nd Generation models; a 2008 ‘X’ automatic transmission and a 2013 Pro4x 6 speed standard, both kitted out for 4-6 month overlanding trips. They must hold and do everything a tiny, mobile cabin can plus move my wife and I across distant rough country. I trust my Xterra knowledge and have driven them through the -40F wind and snow of Arctic Canada to the +95F jungle and mud of Belize. They have proved worthy of sinking that kind of money into because the VQ40DE (4.0 L) engine and the RE5RO5A automatic (and standard transmission) are sturdy and reliable.

Numerous other parts are also durable and if they need replacing, many are shared among Nissan’s Frontier and Pathfinder models of which many are still on the road (and salvage yards) from Tuktoyaktuk to Timbuktu. Parts and after-market upgrades have never been a problem for me and are unlikely to be for years to come. How to buy a used one? For starters never buy an Xterra that’s:

1. promoted as being “excellent, fantastic, great” -- if the seller mumbles (usually under questioning) “that it occasionally shakes (shimmies, stutters or hesitates) during driving” and “that it only does it when the transmission gets hot” or “only after driving it awhile in hot weather (or on the highway, up hills, downhills, etc.)” Variations on this theme are many but DO NOT be fooled. This describes the death knell of Nissan’s RE5RO5A automatic transmission and NO, it can’t be salvaged with one or ten transmission flushes and a new filter. And NO, there are no ‘special additives from Lucas, STP, Draino or Tidy Bowl that can save it either. No matter what ‘they say’, it’s done, cooked, finito, Benito. Any owner or prospective buyer disregarding this advice is fooling themselves as it’s only a matter of weeks before you’ll be facing the decision to ‘invest’ a further $4000-$8000 in that Xterra for a rebuilt, reconditioned or new automatic transmission.

2. advertised as ”...recently had all its fluids changed” -- especially the transmission fluid and antifreeze! These two fluids are the ‘smoking guns’ of a tranny dying from Nissan’s notorious ‘shared radiator, and though Nissan isn’t the only carmaker to use a system where transmission fluid and engine coolant run through a twin walled heat exchanger, Nissan was unlucky or stupid enough to take irresponsible, penny-pinching engineering to such a high level. As an investigator (and that’s how you should approach buying a used car), you want that stuff left alone as it is the best way to discover if the Xterra you are considering is afflicted with SMOD (Google ‘Strawberry Milkshake of Death’).

3. exhibits a whistling, rasping sound upon start-up or on accelerating (especially when the motor is cold) very likely has a dying timing chain. This is not a cheap fix but an essential one on all vehicles with high mileage. Especially if you intend to keep healthy for very long. 2005, 2006, 2007 and a mixed bag of 2008 Xterras were afflicted by bad chains. Google will explain why that happened but because the Nissan V6 is an ‘interference-type engine’ (most newer engines are no matter who makes them) a broken timing chain will instantly destroy the engine’s cylinder heads (if you’re lucky) and a whole lot more (if you are not lucky). If you hear rattling and rasping get it replaced. Do it NOW. Or park it till you can afford the fix. The 4.0L Nissan V6 is a great motor once those with poorly made timing chains are sorted out and it can take you to 350,000-450,000 kilometers if you do regular fluid changes and the periodic maintenance shown in the Owners Manual. READ IT. Use fully synthetic API SN+ rated oil of 0w-30 rather than the old SM rated 5w-30 conventional oil in the manual. Lubrication has come a long way since 2005. Whatever you decide, always have a first rate 4x4 mechanic check it out before you put down cash. It's worth the little extra even if you walk away.

Off the subject a little, a Suzuki Grand Vitara is the closest thing to an affordable, bullet-proof, used SUV with real 4x4 capability for offroad and backroad travels you can find. I especially prefer the gutsy little 4 cylinder or the 3.2L V6 -- avoid the GM 3.5L V6 installed in some later models. Suzuki still builds them in Japan and markets them almost everywhere but North America. They are loved for their reliability and their freedom from costly repair. Too bad they are a bit small for our overlanding needs but we love GV for day to day life in the bush.

The other issue is the front wheel bearings. They are $300 a piece for the cheap off brands. $500 a piece for name brand. They are the most expensive bearings I ever had to purchase. Thank goodness I do all my own repairs. Otherwise it would be sitting in my yard dead. It is a love hate relationship with this SUV. It gets around really well but like I said xterra customers should of been compensated for their tranny/radiator screw up. If you buy one make sure it has been bypassed.

If I could offer some advice it would be to research the vehicle on internet forums before buying. With regard to Xterras, perhaps people should stay away from '05 to '08 Xterras unless the owner had recently changed out the radiator and changed the timing chain, guides and tensioners. And if you're going to buy used make sure the vehicle had basic maintenance done to it. I have written records for every fluid change, tire rotation, etc. Apparently, by 2009 Nissan had corrected the radiator and timing chain issues. I'm still on my original timing chain, but I'm always listening for 'whining' noises from the front end that would tell me the chain is about to go.

The key to a long lasting timing chain is regular oil changes, every 5k to 7k miles. I drain/refill my transmission fluid annually as well. My Xterra doesn't leak oil, doesn't use oil and the transmission is as smooth as the day I bought it. The Xterra is a great truck and I hate it that Nissan has failed its customers with not being more forthcoming about known problems.

I got very, very lucky with the leaky radiator problem. The shop identified the oily coolant and knew the transmission fluid mixing had started. They replaced the radiator and cleaned up the system. They also documented their diagnosis so completely that I actually got a check from the class action suit! (In 2018, I had to replace the radiator again. NOT good, Nissan!)

I have stayed in love with the truck. Back in NY, I have over 200K miles on it. Now, however, I have a problem with the belt coming off in the rain. My shop replaced the tensioner with a new device that Nissan made available (but Nissan isn't very upfront about why this is needed) and replaced the rotted-out splash guard. But, rain is still getting in through the hood and making the belt wet enough to slip off when I start the car, on occasion.

I am able to limp the 1 mile to my shop without power steering, they put the belt back on for me every time without a charge, because they're annoyed with themselves that they can't figure out a fix. We haven't replaced, or roughed-up, the belt yet and/or maybe there is misalignment in a pulley that's difficult to detect. I am sad that I can't rely on this car the way I did before. I want to drive back to CA, but I'm afraid to replace this car with a late model Nissan given what I've read. I may have to find a new car to love sooner than I want.