5N1AN0NW9FN6661402015 NISSAN Xterra
2015 NISSAN Xterra was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 10 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
Executive Summary
2015 NISSAN Xterra
2015 NISSAN Xterra was analyzed across NHTSA recalls, owner complaints, crash test data, and public auction records. 10 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA — review the complaint section for the most common failure patterns.
10 owner complaints filed — top areas: Engine/Powertrain (60%), Suspension/Wheels (20%), Body/Structure (10%).
Title Brand Check
Mined from auction damage fields and listing titles — not a DMV title history pull
No auction records available. Title brand status could not be verified — request title history from seller or state DMV.
Vehicle Specifications
Decoded from NHTSA vPIC database
- Make
- NISSAN
- Model
- Xterra
- Year
- 2015
- Trim / Series
- Wagon Body Style
- Body Style
- Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV]
- Vehicle Type
- MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV)
- Drive Type
- 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4
- Fuel Type
- Gasoline
- Engine
- 4.0L
- Doors
- 4
- Manufacturer
- NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
- Assembly
- CANTON, MISSISSIPPI, UNITED STATES (USA)
- GVWR
- Class 1D: 5,001 - 6,000 lb (2,268 - 2,722 kg)
Assembly Plant Quality
Nissan North America (Canton)
Builds Titan, Frontier, Armada, Murano, and Altima. Solid quality record.
Safety Intelligence
Composite analysis from NHTSA recall, complaint, and crash data
✓ No high-risk recall components found
Driver Assistance Features
ADAS equipment data from NHTSA vPIC database
Deferred Failure Risk
Vehicle-specific risks from this model-year's complaint record, known defects, and service milestones
Owners of the 2015 NISSAN Xterra report engine/powertrain issues more than most other systems. Complaints concentrated in one area often signal a systemic weakness worth a targeted pre-purchase inspection.
Worn chain tensioners cause timing chain skip or snap — common on GM 5.3L/6.2L, Ford EcoBoost, VW/Audi EA888, BMW N47/N63. Listen for cold-start rattles.
Water pump failure causes rapid overheating. If the engine overheats even once, head gasket damage is likely — turning a $400 part into a $3,000+ repair.
Degraded transmission fluid destroys clutch packs and solenoids. CVT transmissions are especially sensitive — neglected fluid can result in a $4,000–$8,000 replacement.
On 4WD/AWD vehicles, neglected differential or transfer case fluid causes metal-on-metal wear. Replacement costs $1,500–$4,000.
Degraded coolant loses corrosion inhibitors and attacks aluminum engine components. Can cause head gasket failure and water pump corrosion.
Worn spark plugs cause misfires that can foul and crack catalytic converters. A $150 tune-up can prevent a $1,200 catalytic converter replacement.
Dirty or failing injectors cause rough idle, reduced fuel economy, and increased emissions. Cleaning costs $100–$200; replacement $800–$1,600.
NHTSA Safety Recalls
CLEARComplaint Intelligence
10 complaints analyzed across 4 system categories
60% of complaints filed in Mar & Jun — may indicate temperature-sensitive or weather-related failures.
Owner Complaints
HIGH VOLUME10 safety complaints filed with NHTSA
Rear passenger side door will not open from the inside or outside. This is apparently a widespread problem for Nissan Xterra rear doors. It creates a safety problem as passengers cannot leave the vehicle in case of an accident.
Leaf spring snapped. Large piece of metal was found in the road. Rear shocks were replaced under warranty several years prior. Known weak point of xterras. Dealer replacement costs were astronomical so I upgraded the equipment for the same cost and did the work myself as I am now slightly out of warranty.
The following is an email that I had sent to CSX Risk Management describing what happened with my vehicle on Friday, 2.25.2022. I suspect that a defective leaf spring could have contributed to my accident. This is the passenger side leaf spring. I say this because I had to replace the same leaf spring on a 2011 Nissan Xterra PRO-4X before. I now have a 2015. -- I went over the CSX Railroad Tracks on Three Oaks Road (Northbound, just before Old M-11) in Sawyer last night -- approximately 9:13PM EST. Upon going over the bumpy tracks, it caused my passenger rear wheel to be pushed back into wheel well. The tire was rubbing on the wheel well and it smelled like burning rubber. I'd stopped right away and saw white smoke from the tires. It's looks like the bumpy tracks caused the leaf spring to be damaged or out of place. I can't tell if there are any other damages. My car had to be towed, as it was not drivable. Chikaming Township Police assisted. The police officer, Sargeant Brandon Jones, and tow truck driver said that the bumpy tracks have been in need of repairs for maybe seven years! Why has the tracks not been repaired in such a long time?!! I wasn't the first casualty, and won't be the last. A police report was made. I have an incident # that I have attached to this email. And, a few pictures. More photos of the track will be included in the police report, as Sargeant Brandon Jones went to look at the tracks to investigate. My car was towed to my home in Benton Harbor, Michigan -- as there are no shops to take it to oven the weekend. It will then be towed again to a shop next week. I am officially putting in a claim for property damage to my vehicle.
The contact owns a 2015 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the emergency brake activated, the emergency brake button was stuck. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, and it was diagnosed that the axles were leaking oil and needed to be replaced. However, there were no axles available for replacement and that there probably not be any available in the future. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 66,000.
VEHICLE STARTED SHOWING SIGNS OF CLUTCH SLIPPING AT 50,000 MILES: ENGINE WOULD REV UP WHILE CLUTCH PEDAL WAS FULLY OUT, THEN YOU WOULD FEEL IT RE-ENGAGE COMPLETELY AFTER A FEW SECONDS OF WHINING AND SPINNING. I'M A LIFETIME CLUTCH DRIVER (NEARLY 20 YEARS), AND EVERY VEHICLE GOT IN EXCESS OF 150,000 MILES BEFORE NEEDING A NEW CLUTCH. THE SECOND GENERATION XTERRA MANUAL TRANSMISSION CLUTCH IS UTTERLY JUNK. DON'T EVER BUY THIS VEHICLE IN MANUAL, OR ANY NISSAN. AFTER OWNING 3 XTERRAS IN MY TIME I WILL NEVER OWN ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN. THIS PREMATURE FAIL IS A MANUFACTURING/OEM DEFECT. PLEASE RECALL!!!
BOUGHT MY X-TERRA BRAND NEW AND WAS TOLD IS HAS A BUMPER TO BUMPER 36,000 MILE WARRANTY, AT 22,000 THE CAR WOULD NOT SHIFT INTO GEAR. HAD IT TOWED TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP THAT IS SAYING THE CLUTCH IS BAD FROM NORMAL WEAR AND TEAR AND NOT COVERED UNDER THE WARRANTY. WE'VE READ A LOT OF OTHER REVIEWS OF THIS HAPPENING TO OTHER PEOPLE AS WELL AND WANT TO REPORT IT. BOTH DRIVERS IN OUR HOUSEHOLD ARE EXPERIENCED CLUTCH DRIVER WITH A COMBINED 20+ YEAR EXPERIENCE. I CALLED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE TO FURTHER INVESTIGATE AND THEY CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND JUST "TOOK THEIR WORD FOR IT" NOTHING WAS REALLY INVESTIGATED AT ALL. POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE ON BOTH ENDS. I CALLED THE DEALERSHIP WE BOUGHT IT FROM THAT IS 4+ HOURS AWAY FROM OUR CURRENT HOME AND THEY SAID THEY WOULD'VE TAKEN CAR OF IT AND FIXED IT UNDER THE WARRANTY. WE CAN'T HAVE IT TOWED 4+ HOURS AWAY AFTER BEING TAKEN APART. BOTTOM LINE NISSAN HAS SOMETHING GOING ON WITH THEIR CLUTCHES, AND IS BLAMING IT ON THE CONSUMERS AND NOT ABIDING TO THEIR WARRANTY.
MY NISSAN XTERRA 2005 HAS A TRANSMISSION PROBLEM CAUSED BY COOLANT FLUID IN TRANSMISSION. THEY ARE CHARGING ME FOR A REBUILT TRANSMISSION $6,000.00. THIS IS WHAT MY CAR COSTS. IF THEY HAVE TOLD ME BEFORE ABOUT THE PROBLEM I COULD HAVE FIX IT FOR LITTLE MONEY. NOW THEY DON'T ANSWER MY CALLS. SHOULD I THROW MY CAR IN A JUNKER NOW? THIS IS A MAJOR PROBLEM CAUSED BY A DEFECT FROM THE CAR. THEY NEVER SEND ANY LETTERS REGARDING THIS TRANSMISSION PROBLEM.
AFTER 30000 MILES NEEDS A NEW CLUTCH BOUGHT USED AT 24000 MILES IN NOV. 2015. IT IS NOT COVERED UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY. SO THE CONSUMER HAS TO PAY FOR THE WEAR AND TEAR ITEM. IT WENT OUT AFTER PARKING AT HOME LUCKLY. THE 2006 XTERRA HAD CLUTCH PROBLEMS AND SOME OF THE OTHER MODLES PATHFINDER HAD SOME CLUCTCH PROBLEMS.
TRANSMISSION FAILURE DUE TO PAST RADIATOR LEAK, SAME AS COMPLAINT ON FILE
NISSAN XTERRA 2015 PURCHASED ON 3/14/2015. ODOMETER AT 4200 MILES. VEHICLE HAS LOSS OF POWER FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS. VDC DASH INDICATOR TURNS ON. SOMETIMES ACCOMPANIED BY METALLIC GRINDING NOISE AS IF THE ABS SYSTEM HAS TURNED ON. THIS HAS OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES ALWAYS ON DRY ASPHALT PAVEMENT. USUALLY AFTER A 90 DEGREE TURN. ALTHOUGH HAS ALSO HAPPENED PREVIOUSLY FOR A SECOND OR TWO WHEN MODERATELY ACCELERATING FROM A STOP CONTROL. CHECKED TIRE PRESSURES AND IT IS WITHIN NORMAL LIMITS (I.E. 38-40 PSI) THIS HAS OCCURRED 3 TIMES PRIOR FOR SHORTER INTERVALS. HOWEVER THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE SINCE IT HAS NOW SUBSEQUENTLY OCCURRED TWO TIMES ON 6/28/2015 FOR APPROXIMATELY 30 SECONDS EACH TIME. NOTE, I HAVE VIDEO RECORD OF BOTH OCCURANCES ON 6/28/2015 OF THE DASH PANEL AND ROADWAY SHOWING THE PROBLEM, VDC INDICATOR LIGHT, ACCOMPANYING GRINDING NOISE, AND LACK OF ACCELERATION. THE SECOND TIME THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PAST 10 MPH AND I HAD TO PULL OVER TO THE SHOULDER TO ALLOW A FOLLOWING VEHICLE TO SAFELY PASS. THE VEHICLE SPEED IN INITIATING THE TURN IS USUALLY AROUND 20 MPH. TOOK VEHICLE PREVIOUSLY TO STOCKTON, CA NISSAN DEALER SERVICE DEPARTMENT ON 6/23/2015. THEY HAD THE VEHICLE FOR 3 DAYS. SERVICE TECH TEST DROVE VEHICLE AND REPLICATED PROBLEM, BUT ACCORDING TO THE SERVICE REP FOR ONLY A VERY SHORT TIME AND IN A U-TURN. THIS IS INDICATED ON THE SERVICE PAPERWORK. SERVICE REP SAID NO OBD2 CODES WERE RECORDED. SERVICE TECH CALLED NISSAN TECH LINE WHO TOLD HIM THIS IS "NORMAL". IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT SERVICE TECH DID NOT GET NOISE AND LOSS OF POWER TO OCCUR FOR 30 SECONDS SO PROBABLY TOLD NISSAN TECH LINE THAT IS WAS ONLY FOR A SHORT TIME IN A U-TURN.
Complaint & Reliability Timeline
Annual complaints (blue) vs. composite reliability score (amber) — recall years marked in red
The blue line shows 10 NHTSA complaints on file for the NISSAN Xterra — a relatively low volume that spans from 2015 to 2024.
The amber reliability line averaged 99/100 across the vehicle's life — relatively stable, with the lowest point of 98/100 in 2022.
Legal & Regulatory Actions
Known class action lawsuits, settlements, and manufacturer extended warranty programs
5-Year Total Cost of Ownership
Estimated based on EPA fuel data, risk-adjusted maintenance, and depreciation
Estimated 5-year cost of ownership: $33,114 (~$552/mo). Repair risk buffer is standard due to vehicle risk profile.
Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist
Tailored for the 2015 NISSAN Xterra — specific failure modes your mechanic must check, not a generic list
Recall Probability Forecast
Estimated likelihood of a new recall in the next 18 months based on NHTSA signals
5% baseline recall probability — no strong indicators of an imminent recall.
Maintenance Schedule
OEM-specified service intervals for this vehicle
Maintenance intervals vary significantly by make, model, year, engine, and driving conditions. Always follow the manufacturer's official schedule — not generic industry estimates.
Tip: Request the seller's service records and compare against the manufacturer schedule. Missing intervals are a negotiation point.
Auction History
Public sale records from Copart, IAAI, and auction aggregators
Searching Public Auction Records
Checking Copart, IAAI, BidFax, and other sources for 5N1AN0NW9FN666140. Results appear automatically when found.
Insurance Cost Estimate
Estimated annual premiums based on vehicle profile, theft data, and NHTSA safety ratings
Based on 2024 national avg ($2,011/yr full coverage). Individual rates vary by driver, location & insurer. Always compare 3+ quotes.
Manufacturer NHTSA Penalty History
Federal fines issued for recall delays and safety violations
NISSAN has been fined $3M+ by NHTSA. Most recently in 2014: Failure to file required Early Warning Reports on vehicle defects.
State-Specific Legal Protections
What consumer laws apply to this vehicle purchase in your state
Select your state to see what consumer protection laws, lemon law coverage, and title disclosure requirements apply to this vehicle purchase.
Complete Data Table
All decoded fields in a single flattened view
Vehicle Identity
| VIN | 5N1AN0NW9FN666140 |
| Model Year | 2015 |
| Make | NISSAN |
| Model | Xterra |
| Series | Wagon Body Style |
| Vehicle Type | MULTIPURPOSE PASSENGER VEHICLE (MPV) |
Body & Configuration
| Body Style | Sport Utility Vehicle [SUV]/Multipurpose Vehicle [MPV] |
| Doors | 4 |
| Drive Type | 4WD/4-Wheel Drive/4x4 |
| Fuel Type | Gasoline |
Engine
| Displacement (L) | 4.0 |
Manufacturer
| Manufacturer | NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. |
| Assembly City | CANTON |
| Assembly Country | UNITED STATES (USA) |
VIN Structure
| WMI (Chars 1–3) | 5N1 |
| Check Digit (Char 9) | 9 |
| Model Year Code (Char 10) | F |
| Plant Code (Char 11) | N |
| Sequence (Chars 12–17) | 666140 |
Safety Data
| NHTSA Recall Count | 0 |
| NHTSA Complaint Count | 10 |
VIN Structure Decode
ISO 3779 character-by-character breakdown of this Vehicle Identification Number
Disclaimer: Data sourced from NHTSA public APIs and scraped auction listings. For informational purposes only. Not a substitute for a paid vehicle history report. Retrieved: 8/1/2026, 2:05:14 PM.