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2001 Nissan Xterra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Nissan Xterra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 78.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

85 reports with mileage · 65 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Visibility. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports5 fire reports8 injury reports

Electrical System complaints

17 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 1, 2019
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

CAR FAILED TO START AFTER BEING PARKED OVERNIGHT. WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT REPLACED. THE DEAD UNIT HAD A HOLE THROUGH IT'S PLASTIC WHICH SHOWED A CORRODED ELECTRICAL TAB. IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE CORROSION FROM A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC AS STATED IN CAMPAIGN# 04V230000, BUT MORE LIKE THE ELE…

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CAR FAILED TO START AFTER BEING PARKED OVERNIGHT. WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT REPLACED. THE DEAD UNIT HAD A HOLE THROUGH IT'S PLASTIC WHICH SHOWED A CORRODED ELECTRICAL TAB. IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE CORROSION FROM A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC AS STATED IN CAMPAIGN# 04V230000, BUT MORE LIKE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MELTED THROUGH THE PLASTIC, WHICH THEN ALLOWED CORROSION. NISSAN HOTLINE TOLD ME THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF ALREADY, BUT COULDN'T SAY IF THE UNIT WAS REPAIRED OR REPLACED.

NHTSA ODI #11217267

138,000 miles · May 6, 2015
Electrical SystemFuel/propulsion System

I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO AND PAID 4000 DOLLARS FOR IT. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING AND THE FUEL PUMP WASN'T COMING ON. AFTER SEARCHING FOR THE POWER ISSUE I DISCOVERED THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT WHICH IS THE TOP TO THE GAS TANK ITSELF. MEANING THE SERVICE HOLE OF THE TANK ACCESS IS THE TOP PART OF THE SENDING…

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I JUST PURCHASED THIS CAR ABOUT 3 MONTHS AGO AND PAID 4000 DOLLARS FOR IT. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WORKING AND THE FUEL PUMP WASN'T COMING ON. AFTER SEARCHING FOR THE POWER ISSUE I DISCOVERED THE FUEL TANK SENDING UNIT WHICH IS THE TOP TO THE GAS TANK ITSELF. MEANING THE SERVICE HOLE OF THE TANK ACCESS IS THE TOP PART OF THE SENDING UNIT. THE SENDING UNIT HAS 4 FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS AND 4 ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. TWO FUEL CONECTIONS AND 2 ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS PLUG INTO THE TOP SIDE OF THE SENDING UNIT AND THEY ROUTE THROUGH THE PLASTIC MOLDED SENDING UNIT AND CONNECTIONS ARE MADE IN THE BOTTOM SIDE. BASICALLY FUEL AND ELECTRICITY ROUTE THROUGH THIS UNIT INTO THE TANK. THE POWER WIRE TO THE FUEL PUMP BURNED AND MELTED THE CONECTION INSIDE THE MOLD AND BURNED THE PLASTIC ALL AROUND THE CONNECTION PLUG WHERE THE POWER GOES TO THE GAS TANK. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE 00' AND 02' SENDING UNITS WERE RECALLED BUT NOT MY 01'. THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT TO RIDING DOWN THE ROAD WITH A TICKING TIME BOMB UNDER MY CHILDREN'S SEATS. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN BUT I HAVE GOTTEN NOWHERE WITH THEM SO I AM REACHING OUT TO THE TRANSPORTATION SAFTEY AUTHORITIES. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10715043

67,000 miles · Sep 6, 2011
Electrical SystemVisibility

I OPENED CASE # [XXX] WITH NISSAN REGARDING THE FAILURE OF ALL FOUR WINDOW REGULATORS IN THE NISSAN XTERRA I PURCHASED FROM NISSAN OF BOURNE (MA) IN 2000 ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD. THAT IS WHERE THE VEHICLE IS GARAGED AND USED AND ONLY HAS 67K MILES ON IT. THE WINDOWS HAVE BEEN ACTING UP FOR QUITE SOME TIME (MANY YEARS) NOW AND THE V…

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I OPENED CASE # [XXX] WITH NISSAN REGARDING THE FAILURE OF ALL FOUR WINDOW REGULATORS IN THE NISSAN XTERRA I PURCHASED FROM NISSAN OF BOURNE (MA) IN 2000 ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD. THAT IS WHERE THE VEHICLE IS GARAGED AND USED AND ONLY HAS 67K MILES ON IT. THE WINDOWS HAVE BEEN ACTING UP FOR QUITE SOME TIME (MANY YEARS) NOW AND THE VEHICLE IS PRIMARILY USED ONLY IN THE SUMMER. THERE WAS A WINDOW REGULATOR WARRANTY EXTENSION (PU307) ISSUED ON THIS VEHICLE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS HAS REJECTED THE CLAIM SINCE IT IS BEYOND THE WARRANTY EXTENSION PERIOD EVEN THOUGH I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM SINCE IT ONLY APPLIED TO "WARM WEATHER" STATES. I'D LIKE TO ESCALATE THIS CLAIM TO ENCOURAGE NISSAN TO PICK UP THE COST OF PARTS AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD THE WINDOW GET STUCK IN THE UP OR DOWN POSITION. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ODI #10423990

80,000 miles · Jan 21, 2011
Electrical SystemFire

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. HE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A WATER HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. HE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A WATER HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

NHTSA ODI #10378190

67,188 miles · Sep 5, 2010
Electrical System

INSTRUMENT GAUGE FAILURE. SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, ODOMETER, HEAT, AND FUEL GAUGES ALL GO TO ZERO. THIS OCCURS USUALLY ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR IS RUNNING AND/OR THE TEMPERATURE IS VERY WARM OUTSIDE. SUV CONTINUES TO RUN 'NORMALLY' WHEN THIS OCCURS, BUT THIS CAN BE A SAFETY HAZARD IN NOT KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE SPEED OR FUEL …

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INSTRUMENT GAUGE FAILURE. SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, ODOMETER, HEAT, AND FUEL GAUGES ALL GO TO ZERO. THIS OCCURS USUALLY ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR IS RUNNING AND/OR THE TEMPERATURE IS VERY WARM OUTSIDE. SUV CONTINUES TO RUN 'NORMALLY' WHEN THIS OCCURS, BUT THIS CAN BE A SAFETY HAZARD IN NOT KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE SPEED OR FUEL LEVEL WHEN DRIVING. TYPICALLY, THE GAUGES RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN RUNNING AND PARKED IN A 'COOL' SPACE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THE WEB ABOUT THIS, BUT THERE APPEARS TO BE NO SOLUTION AVAILABLE OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10353919

60,000 miles · Jul 29, 2009
Electrical SystemFire

I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MINUTES ON THE TURNPIKE AND PULLED OFF FOR GAS, THE SECOND I TURNED OFF THE CAR SMOKE STARTED TO POUR INSIDE FROM THE FRONT AREA AND ALSO POURING FROM THE UNDER HOOD AREA. THIS TURNED INTO AN ACTUAL FIRE NEXT TO A GAS PUMP. FIRE DEPT. WAS CALLED TO PUT IT OUT . ENGINE TOTALLY BURNED UP AND HOOD ETC... *T…

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I WAS DRIVING ABOUT 25 MINUTES ON THE TURNPIKE AND PULLED OFF FOR GAS, THE SECOND I TURNED OFF THE CAR SMOKE STARTED TO POUR INSIDE FROM THE FRONT AREA AND ALSO POURING FROM THE UNDER HOOD AREA. THIS TURNED INTO AN ACTUAL FIRE NEXT TO A GAS PUMP. FIRE DEPT. WAS CALLED TO PUT IT OUT . ENGINE TOTALLY BURNED UP AND HOOD ETC... *TR

NHTSA ODI #10278740

Mileage unknown · Jul 6, 2007
Electrical SystemFire

2001 NISSAN XTERRA ELECTRICAL SYSTEM HAD A MAJOR ELECTRICAL FIRE DUE TO A MANUFACTURING DEFECT**CW** *JB

NHTSA ODI #10195904

98,000 miles · Jun 8, 2007
Electrical SystemVisibilityFire

MAJOR ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH DESTROYED THE ENGINE ROOM HARNESS , SHORTED THE POWER TRANSIISTOR IN THE DISTRIBUTOR, DESSTROYED THE HOOD RELEASE CABLE AND BURNED THE WINDSHIELD WASHER TUBING, AND ALSO MULTIPLE FUSES AND RELAYS.THIS CONDITION OCCURED DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER CRUSHING THE WIRING FOR THE LEFT FRONT COMBINATION LIGHT UN…

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MAJOR ELECTRICAL FIRE WHICH DESTROYED THE ENGINE ROOM HARNESS , SHORTED THE POWER TRANSIISTOR IN THE DISTRIBUTOR, DESSTROYED THE HOOD RELEASE CABLE AND BURNED THE WINDSHIELD WASHER TUBING, AND ALSO MULTIPLE FUSES AND RELAYS.THIS CONDITION OCCURED DUE TO THE MANUFACTURER CRUSHING THE WIRING FOR THE LEFT FRONT COMBINATION LIGHT UNDER THE AIR FILTER HOUSING AGAINST THE METAL BODY DURING INSTALLATION AT THE FACTORY.ALL PARTS RETAINED AND VEHICLE AVAILABLE FOR INSOECTION VEHIICLE CURRENTLY NOT RUNNING.

NHTSA ODI #10192749

83,450 miles · Aug 9, 2005
Electrical System

THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THE IGNITION WIRING IN MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA FRIED. THE ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. I WAS THEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT THE XTERRA DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE AND IT FRIED BECAUSE OF AN AFTER MARKET ALARM,IT DOESN'T HAVE AN AFTER MARKET…

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THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THE IGNITION WIRING IN MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA FRIED. THE ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. I WAS THEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT THE XTERRA DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE AND IT FRIED BECAUSE OF AN AFTER MARKET ALARM,IT DOESN'T HAVE AN AFTER MARKET ALARM ITS THE SAME AS WHEN I BOUGHT IT,NINE MONTHS PRIOR. THEY ARE GOING TO FIX IT BUT I HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW IGNITION WIRE. I'M STILL WONDERING WHY THE FUSES DIDN'T BREAK LIKE THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO, PREVENTING THIS WHOLE SITUATION FROM HAPPENING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10132174

33,995 miles · Nov 30, 2003
Electrical System

FUSE #11 WHICH PROTECTS THE ALTERNATOR/CHARGING CIRCUT AND 4WD/ATP WARNING LIGHT CIRCUTS KEPT BLOWING. WHEN THIS FUSE BLOWS THE ALTERNATOR STOPS WORKING AND THE VEHICLE THEN RUNS OFF THE BATTERY. AND WHEN THE BATTERY DIES 30 MINUTES LATER SO DOES YOUR XTERRA!*AK

NHTSA ODI #10048860

Official recalls

3

04V230000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

May 24, 2004

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR OR SIX CYLINDER ENGINES, THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT CAN DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC MOLDING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TERMINAL STRIP TO CORRODE UNDER SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION. THIS WILL RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: IN THE FOLLOWING STATES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT. THESE STATES ARE CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THE OTHER STATES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE SENDING UNIT FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE UNIT. IF THERE IS NOT CORROSION, THE DEALER WILL APPLY SEALANT TO THE TERMINAL HOUSING TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION IN THE FUTURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

02V299000 · Suspension:rear

Nov 12, 2002

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER MAY ENTER THE REAR AXLE HOUSING DUE TO INADEQUATE SEALING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE WHEEL BEARING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE FOR WATER INTRUSION AND ANY AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. THE ABS SENSOR WILL BE RESEALED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

02V300000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Nov 12, 2002

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK INLET SHUTTER VALVE DOES NOT MEET THE SEALING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS SUCH AS HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AND WHEN WINTER GRADE GASOLINE IS BEING SOLD, FUEL COULD SPILL FROM THE FILLER INLET AS THE TANK IS BEING FILLED. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK INLET SHUTTER VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DECEMBER 10, 2002. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

2

DP03005 · Brake Rotor Warpage

Opened Jul 11, 2003 · Closed Jul 29, 2003

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic:foundation Components:disc:rotor

MR. KENT JONES OF KERNERSVILLE, NC, SUBMITTED A PETITION TO NHTSA BY E-MAIL DATED JULY 1, 2003, REQUESTING NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THE BRAKE ROTORS ON MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER ALLEGED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS IN THESE VEHICLES WERE DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE ROTORS OVERHEAT AND WARP FROM NORMAL USAGE.A REVIEW OF ODI'S DATABASE FOR COMPLAINTS REGARDING MY 2001 THROUGH MY 2003 NISSAN XTERRA VEHICLES IDENTIFIED ONLY TWO REPORTS RELATED TO BRAKE ROTOR WARPING; ONE FOR A MY 2001 AND ONE FOR A MY 2002.THE COMPLAINT FOR THE MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA WAS REPORTED BY THE PETITIONER.BRAKE ROTOR WARPING CAN RESULT IN BRAKE PULSATION AND SHAKING WHEN THE BRAKE IS APPLIED.BRAKE PULSATION, TIRE OR SUSPENSION VIBRATION, AND SIMILAR CONDITIONS ARE AN OBVIOUS ANNOYANCE TO THE DRIVER, BUT GENERALLY DO NOT CAUSE A DRIVER TO LOSE CONTROL OF A VEHICLE.FURTHERMORE, EVEN IF LEFT UNCORRECTED, ANY POTENTIAL INCREASE IN STOPPING DISTANCE WILL BE NEGLIGIBLE. THEREFORE, THIS CONDITION DOES NOT NORMALLY CONSTITUTE A SAFETY DEFECT, EVEN IF IT OCCURS WITH FAR MORE OFTEN FREQUENCY. IN VIEW OF THE FOREGOING, IT IS UNLIKELY THAT NHTSA WOULD ISSUE AN ORDER FOR THE NOTIFICATION AND REMEDY OF AN ALLEGED SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT AS DEFINED BY THE PETITIONER IN THE MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA VEHICLES AT THE CONCLUSION OF AN INVESTIGATION.THEREFORE, IN VIEW OF THE NEED TO ALLOCATE AND PRIORITIZE NHTSA'S LIMITED RESOURCES TO BEST ACCOMPLISH THE AGENCY'S SAFETY MISSION, THE PETITION IS DENIED.

PE02052 · Fuel Spill During Refueling

Opened Jun 20, 2002 · Closed Dec 3, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

No summary supplied.