Top High Mileage Issues 2005-2015 Nissan Xterra SUV 

I did vehicle inspection on school buses for 31yrs. Preventive Maintenance on any vehicle is a must. We were mandated by California State at every 3,000 miles or 45 calender days to inspect. I had a bus fleet of 98. Retirement is Great 👍

Wahoo i have one 2006 xterra i bought it in 2011 with 180,000 miles my frien tell not to buy it cause it will give me problems but i bought it like that and drive it a cross the country 10 times from Washington state to Florida Georgia ,New York,Texas and Pensilvania and i drive it into 2022 when i have 359,578 miles on it i sold it for 1900.00 box it was still running just fine i do all the services my self i definitely recommend the Nissan xterra from 2005 in up

I purchased a 2015 Xterra a year and 5 months. It had 78,000 miles on it and now it have 89,000 miles and yea, less than 100,000 miles on it and it run great. The only thing I replaced was the battery and the positive wire on it so far and most definitely I have changed my oil a few times. Great car. I love it..

For those watching. The cap on the radiator is NOT pressured. It should not have a spring. Only one that is pressured goes onto the coolant reservoir. Having the pressurized cap on the radiator can cause overheating.

I really appreciate the detail, I just got a 2015 relatively mint condition pro 4 x. Your video mean a lot

So much of this video was something I had never even thought about doing! Thank you so much for teaching me all this very useful information!

I have a 2012 Xterra Pro-4x. Bought brand-new, it has 125k miles on it. Maintenance has been meticulous and I had only a few problems. Early on there was an axle leak that was fixed under warranty. Since then the only other repairs have been the valve covers, vent control valve and parking brake, nothing too expensive. It's been a fun and reliable adventure rig.

Tomorrow, we are looking at 2010 Xterra that has 183,000 miles on it. It is supposed to a first car for our teenage daughter. Hopefully it doesn't look this bad. Great video by the way. Very informative. I am definitely watching more of your channel.👍👍

Great video. Liked the info on the various undercar fluids.

I have a 2001 Xterra with 244k miles and is working like new!

Awesome thank you for your insight on what to look for

Just looking under the radiator cap for the signs of mixing and not finding any, in no way implies "they took care of the issue". it can mean any one of 3 things: a) This is an original radiator but the problem simple hasnt occurred yet. b) The problem has occurred but the seller is informed enough to mask it via an after the fact parts replacement (usually a new rad or bypass) and radiator flush (this will generally will not save the tranny) c) The issue has been addressed with prophylactic radiator replacement ( best practices solution). Frequent rad flushes do not do a thing. On 05-10s that have the original radiator it should be prophylactically changed before the issue occurs. Even a day later might be too late. Alternatively if no money for the modest cost of a radiator is in the budget, there a fluid bypass can be done yourself for free, taking the factory heat ATF exchanger in the rad out of the loop. Instructions are on car forums.

I have a 2005 Xterra, thanks for the interesting and useful info!

Excellent tutorial, thank you. I'm hoping to buy a 2011 Pro 4X this week & after seeing this I asked the dealership to have it on the lift when I get there. The online listing photos showed me that the interior and exterior look great, so now I'm more interested in the view under the hood and under the frame. I already assume that I'll be paying my local garage to drain and replace all the fluids anyway, just because it's a 10 year old car, but now I'm curious about any broken rusted or heavily worn parts that may warn me off. Maybe the OEM skid plates on the Pro will get in the way of a visual inspection, but definitely my lack of any mechanical car knowledge will be the biggest challenge....

My Wife drives a 2005 Exterra Off-road and it makes a thumping sound when she stops at a stop sign or a traffic light. I now know what it is, just from watching this video 📹 Thank you for this video. ❤

Your vid is basically a maintenance and visual inspection that most adhere too …I’ve come here thinking ( because I do have 210,000 mi. With basically the same vehicle and engine ) that they maybe an inherent problem I may come across that I may prevent or be aware of in the foreseeable mileage….the rust on that xterra is just another factor in some cases… because I do all my own repairs knowingly what I’ve replaced and at what mileage ( and part quality) I can expect it to last a certain mileage for what I put my truck through ….all vehicles do have their own ( sometimes) unique longevity issues I.e… transmissions, drivelines and engines but common maintenance and replacement items comes naturally with high mileage…

Great videos. What does an actual tune up do? Could you show us? Thanks!

Outstanding Video. Great check list to ask your mechanic to check and report on. Thank you!

You forget to check the Engine mount also The transmission mount it’s also very Important.

thanks you.... i am actually in the market for one of these xterra. very helpful

Fantastic walk around! I have a 06 Off-road and do most preventative MX myself on my vehicles. About eight years ago an intense speed dependent vibration developed, a mechanic diagnosed it down to and replaced the rear drive shaft u-joints. I suspect that I’m beginning to hear/feel the early stages of the same symptom and am looking to get ahead of it myself. You mentioned that you would be able to tell the difference between a drive shaft wobble and a tire wobble, may I ask how so? I don’t notice any discernible play in the driveshaft and would like to not replace u-joints that aren’t bad.

You are an excellent instructor.

Is there anyway to determine the health of the catalytic converters?

Great video

I bought a 2015 XTerra a few years ago with only 45k miles. Due to circumstances and injury, it took until last summer to replace most of the fluids. The vehicle would be difficult to shift in and out of 4wd, sometimes it would need to be put into reverse for this to complete (seller told me about this). I changed the transfer case fluid and now it shifts into 4wd almost instantly. The fluid that came out of the transfer case was gray and almost had the consistency of water.

Thanks can you do it on 04 Frontier?

300,000 and going strong on my 2006 X

Mine is a 2008 Xterra and my only worry is when I shift gear from Park to drive and press gas pedal it kinda jerk. Not moving smooth. I don't know may be its the nature of Xterra??

Loved my 2000

Excellent, I run a 2008 Xterra and have had a lot done, but I think the rear differential fluid on mine needs changing. Plus the cats and maybe fuel filter, it has been having starting issues lately. Thanks for a great video.

Question - Im looking at buying a used 2008 Nissan xterra X Sport Utility 4D 4.0 V6 with automatic transmission. He is asking $7,500. Its a year with the smod radiator leaking into transmission destroying both issue. Mileage on it currently is around 97,000 miles. Seller im talking with just bought the xterra less than a year ago after his wife totaled one of their other cars so they bought the xterra to help them in their move from florida to california where they and i are now. They say they dont need the additional vehicle as they also have other. I asked if they or previous owner already replaced the radiator and / or transmission given the xterra being one of years nissan made the badly designed radiators that can leak into transmission and vise versa. He said he does not know if either were replaced, but he hasnt replaced either. But he proudly said paid the nissan mechanic dealership to do a radiator or transmission flush. Yet from what Ive read its actually recommended to not flush the transmission in these old of xterras as it can damage transmission. Full replacement of transmission fluids being the more recommended safer option. So given assuming its the original transmission and radiator, and dealership at least gave the xterra a transmission flush instead of replacement, and unknown previous maintenence and repair and issues history before he bought it last year, i am wondering if its likely its going to fail soon? Or if it can likely continue working good for many years without needintg to replace transmission and or radiator within just a few years? I test drove it briefly and didnt notice anything obviously slipping, stalling, etc. But I only drove it maybe 10 or 15 minutes and forgot to try out the additional low gear options. And if there is no leaking at this point between radiator and transmission ( and how do i know for sure ) is it safe for me to just replace radiator and do transmission and radiiator change of fluids ( not another flush )? And this will prevent transmission being damaged, and is it reasonable to expect these transmissions to then last at least another 1000,000 miles before needing replaced?

this lady knows, heed her advice it is well worth your time !!!!!!!!!

These 2nd gen have a timing chain, how many miles are they good for?

You are so amazing!

2:38 This one has the incorrect radiator cap on it. The cap on the radiator on these should be non pressurized (without spring). The Pressure cap (with the spring) should be on the reservoir bottle on the passenger side. Having the caps reversed can cause problems.

Thanks .I have 2015.

Good lord...I though my Xterra had some rust!

2009 chevrolet equinox how to blood antifreeze from cooling system video please

What about the rear tire maybe caliper cover? Half of it looked rusted away.

well, i officially feel better about my 06 Xterra!

So..........much..........rust!!!!!!!! Good walk around! Thanks!

I have always had problems turning it on and it turn it off on a Sunday and didn’t turn on anymore

I love that so much .when I see I do a men work....i love mechanic so much....can you help me to find a good one for a cheep price..🙏🏾🙏🏾🇭🇹 I love does vehicles so much. Specialty the 2004 to 2008 4wd

I wish all mechabics were as thorough and knowledgeable as you.

Yeah. They never changed those diff or t case fluids.

Never knew the fluid went low when your brake pads went low.

Why in the world do some cities put salt on the roads??? Wow!

i think that stuff should be checked out before you hand over the cash.. and why aint you wearing eye protection under it with all the rust and dirt dropping down

That Xterra has seen quite a few New England salty 🧂 winters

Im impressed how this woman knows a lot

Not sure if this for a legit parts store or some one playing mechanic. But I got a laugh out of every misstatement,, mistake and completly missed problem on this video. Hope it wasn't meant to be an actual educational video.😂

Is all that corrosion from salt or what? Wowza

Man cars rust like crazy where ever you are at....

The real issue with these is the light duty timing belt. If this breaks it will ruin your day. Looking at it won't tell you a thing.

Wrong cap on the radiator.

🙏🙏🙏

Holy rust!

Too much rust for my taste n

Hello can you be my mechanic please?

Mine is a 2010 Xterra 4x4 118k miles & in the last couple years I've probably sunk at least $7,000 in repairs. Between transmission, brakes, replaced radiator, battery cables & assembly, seat belts, power steering leaks, AC fixed, rear axle differential leaks, front upper control arm replaced & I always get a yearly oil change on it to keep engine running good but....Im about to trade her in on something else.

This is just universal crap for any used car and nothing special for a xterra.

Nissan's seem to have corrosion issues.

That car is full or rust.. I will never buy due to that

Thx girlfriend 😘

That is one crusty xterra.

hello Captain obvious here....

This is the most irrelevant video ever... Xterra's are excellent vehicles. Especially when you can buy them for very little money now and if you find one that belonged to a person who doesn't abuse vehicles and actually maintained it properly, then you are getting something that will last for many years. I currently drive one that is 16 yrs old and I have no intention of getting rid of it. My friend just bought a new volkswagon SUV and it's been in the shop twice already and is now been sitting at the dealer for 3 weeks and still hasn't been repaired.. God I feel sorry for people b/c they just don't know how to care for a care and they have to depend on sub-standard mechanics.

Nissan are just not very good