Topic: CD Article: Nissan X-Trail, 2005-2006

[Autos_Editor]

Today's Used Vehicle Review:

"On the whole, reliability of the Nissan X-Trail seems to be pretty good," says Contributing Editor, Chris Chase, "though it's hard to tell for sure after just two years' worth of X-Trails sold here."
   
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[Scotte23]

I have a 2005 Nissan X-Trail SE.  One issue potential owners need to be aware of is that the actuator on the drivers door has a faulty seal.  What this means is your door will freeze shut in cold temperatures, it can also fly open while you are driving if the frozen mechanism hasn't clicked properly.  There are dozens of people who have this same issue and dealerships have said it is a known problem.  The problem is Nissan wont issue a recall, and they wont cover it under warranty after 3 years.  In my case my x-trail had been kept in a parkade it's first 4 years of existence.  Now that it's outside the faulty seal has shown itself.  If you buy a used x-trail ask if the actuator has been fixed.  It is a $300+ repair, and like I said Nissan has not addressed it. 

Try a google for: X-trail door frozen

Check out Nissanforums, there are dozens of people frustrated by this.

If you are an x-trail owner and have experienced this problem please share your story.  I am not happy with my frozen door, and I am not happy with Nissan for pretending they've never heard of the issue.  I passed two people in a parking lot yesterday getting out of their x-trails.  I asked them about their doors, both owners had had their doors frozen shut. 

[Seafoam]

I have a 2005 Nissan X-Trail SE.  One issue potential owners need to be aware of is that the actuator on the drivers door has a faulty seal.  What this means is your door will freeze shut in cold temperatures, it can also fly open while you are driving if the frozen mechanism hasn't clicked properly.  There are dozens of people who have this same issue and dealerships have said it is a known problem.  The problem is Nissan wont issue a recall, and they wont cover it under warranty after 3 years.  In my case my x-trail had been kept in a parkade it's first 4 years of existence.  Now that it's outside the faulty seal has shown itself.  If you buy a used x-trail ask if the actuator has been fixed.  It is a $300+ repair, and like I said Nissan has not addressed it. 

Try a google for: X-trail door frozen

Check out Nissanforums, there are dozens of people frustrated by this.

If you are an x-trail owner and have experienced this problem please share your story.  I am not happy with my frozen door, and I am not happy with Nissan for pretending they've never heard of the issue.  I passed two people in a parking lot yesterday getting out of their x-trails.  I asked them about their doors, both owners had had their doors frozen shut. 

I wonder if this defect has to do with the X-trail not being originally designed for the Canadian market. Didnt  it start life in Europe for years before it made it here?

[rrocket]

Since 2001 IIRC....

[Seafoam]

Since 2001 IIRC....

Yeah like first generation fit

[scotte23]

I wonder if this defect has to do with the X-trail not being originally designed for the Canadian market. Didnt  it start life in Europe for years before it made it here?
[/quote]


I wondered that myself.  Seems odd though that a few people have the problem with all 4 doors but everyone i've heard from has reported it on the driver's door.  I guess it's possible that if you don't use the other doors often it's less likely that moisture will get into their faulty actuator seals and freeze up...

[Trainman]

Oh no, not this issue on this as well:

"The only potential mechanical problem I could find was an issue with screws located inside the 2.5-litre engine's variable-length intake manifold runners. These screws can become loose and get sucked into the combustion chamber, causing serious trouble."

This is also an issue with the 3.5 VQ motor on the Pathfinder and Nissan has so far refused to acknowledge the issue.  And now with the X-Trail.  Shame on Nissan.

[Leviathan]

Oh no, not this issue on this as well:

"The only potential mechanical problem I could find was an issue with screws located inside the 2.5-litre engine's variable-length intake manifold runners. These screws can become loose and get sucked into the combustion chamber, causing serious trouble."

This is also an issue with the 3.5 VQ motor on the Pathfinder and Nissan has so far refused to acknowledge the issue.  And now with the X-Trail.  Shame on Nissan.

The 2.5L engine also had problems with the pre-cat disintegrating and grit being sucked back into the engine which then leads to oil consumption. That is was what killed mine in the Spec-V I had.  Oh, and there was the stop-sell order from Nissan for Altimas and Sentras due to substandard rings that lead to oil consumption too.

Edit: Found a forum thread that explains the butterfly screws & precat problems QR25DE Precat and Butterfly Screw FAQ

[RK]

My problem is the two rear passenger doors.  In cold weather, If i leave the car unlocked I can open the doors but they won't latch close.  Then I lock them, they latch closed and I can't unlock them until the weather warms up... I bought my X trail used so I'm wondering if the latch has been replaced already on the  driver's door...

[Calbrez]

My X-Trail (SE 2005, manual) has been excellent so far! Very happy. Bought it used...

[Jonathan Lundeberg]

Hi so far the x-tail has been problem free. Two days ago the automatic shifter botton started to stick. I can hear that when the brake is applied the release for the shifter is working but when the botton is then pushed it does not release freely. What is going on here? This is not safe and I am feeling that the vehical can not be drove safely.

[sparky]

I had a 2005 X-Trail for four years, drove it through four cold, wet winters and didn't have a single problem. No loose parts sucked into the engine, no frozen door locks, no nothing. Maybe I was just lucky, but it was a very satisfying vehicle.
EDIT: Come to think of it, I think the problems associated with the 2.5-litre engine only affected Altimas and souped-up Sentras, which were assembled at American plants. Unless there is later info that I'm not aware of, the Japan-built X-Trail did not ingest loose screws, bits of gasket, or anything else.

[Allen]

106K on my wifes 2006, only problem was a rear bearing went, which was fixed under warranty, other than that its been very good..

[Juke1]

I loved mine and miss it today when it's time to haul something.

[Michael]

Hi so far the x-tail has been problem free. Two days ago the automatic shifter botton started to stick. I can hear that when the brake is applied the release for the shifter is working but when the botton is then pushed it does not release freely. What is going on here? This is not safe and I am feeling that the vehical can not be drove safely.

The shift lock only prevents the transmission from coming out of Park unintentionally... I would think that your car is perfectly safe to be drove...