Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Power Train (41.9% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.
Power Train complaints here are 5.7× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
2 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 4 rest on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 354 · 41.9% | Investigation closed | DP12004 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 237 · 28% | No official action | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 123 · 14.6% | Recalled | Recall 10V517000 |
| Engine | 114 · 13.5% | Recalled | Recall 10V517000 |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | 52 · 6.2% | Investigation closed | DP12004 |
| Fuel System, Other | 40 · 4.7% | No official action | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 845 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 10E019000 · 2010 · reported 05/20/2010
IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V517000 · 2010 · reported 10/28/2010
THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 08V690000 · 2008 · reported 12/29/2008
THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 05V458000 · 2005 · reported 10/05/2005
THIS COULD RESULT IN THE TRAILER SEPARATING FROM THE VEHICLE AND CAUSE A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07E046000 · 2007 · reported 07/03/2007
THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 05E062000 · 2005 · reported 09/30/2005
THE TRAILER OR ITEM IN TOW MAY RELEASE PARTIALLY OR WHOLLY FROM THE MOTOR VEHICLE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“INTERNAL RADIATOR FAILURE THAT LED TO A TRANSMISSION FAILURE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. I HAD THE RADIATOR REPLACED AT A COST OF $1,300.00…”NHTSA complaint 10306985 — filed 02/06/2010 · ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE SENSOR WAS ERRATIC AND THE LIGHT REMAINED ILLUMINATED. A LOCAL MECHANIC…”NHTSA complaint 10303162 — filed 01/29/2010 · FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:STORAGE:FUEL GAUGE SYSTEM
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 25 MPH THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER WHO STATED THAT…”NHTSA complaint 10302567 — filed 01/27/2010 · ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 354 of 845 NHTSA complaints (41.9%), followed by fuel system, gasoline (237), engine and engine cooling (123), engine (114). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
845 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 7 involved a crash, 6 involved a fire, and 8 reported injuries. No deaths were reported.
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 10E019000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
2 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
