There are 1 owner-reported brakes complaints for the 2005 Nissan Xterrain NHTSA's database. These are unverified consumer reports and may not reflect confirmed defects.
I HAVE A 2005 NISSAN XTERRA 4-WHEEL DRIVE. WHILE DRIVING IT IN SNOW, ICE, WET ROADS OR SIMPLY STOPPING QUICKLY, I HEAR A HORRIBLE GRINDING NOISE FROM THE FRONT END. IT HAPPENS WHEN I APPLY THE BRAKES COMING TO A STOP. IT HAS TO BE A CONDITION WHERE THE WHEELS MAY LOCK UP. ALSO, THE BRAKES LET THE VEHICLE "LOOSE" FOR SEVERAL FEET AND/OR SECONDS BEFORE THE GRINDING BEGINS. I AM USED TO THE FLUCTUATION OF THE BRAKE PEDAL WITH AN ABS SYSTEM. HOWEVER, I HAD NEVER HEARD A SOUND THAT REMINDED ME OF GRINDING ALUMINUM CANS IN A COFFEE MILL. I TOOK IT TO THE SERVICE DEPT WHEN THIS FIRST HAPPENED (DECEMBER 2005; LAST INCIDENT, APRIL 2010) AND THEY HAVE ASSURED ME THAT THIS IS HOW THE ABS IS SUPPOSED TO SOUND, FEEL AND WORK. MY HUSBAND NOTICED THE SAME FEELING/SENSATION AND ASKED WHAT WAS WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. I TOLD HIM NISSAN SAYS THAT IS HOW THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO WORK. IT DOESN'T SOUND ACCEPTABLE THAT AN AUTOMOBILE COMPANY WOULD PRODUCE A SAFETY SYSTEM THAT SOUNDS/FEELS LIKE YOUR DIFFERENTIAL IS BEING GROUND INTO LITTLE METAL PIECES. *TR
Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA. A high complaint count may reflect vehicle popularity, not defect severity. Data sourced from NHTSA public records.
Data synced from NHTSA on Apr 25, 2026