IllustrationI AM THE ORIGINAL OWNER OF A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA XE V6 3.3L ENGINE. ALL MAINTENANCE DONE AT MOSSY NISSAN IS SAN DIEGO. I AM NOW HAVING TO REPLACE THE HEAD GASKET AFTER 89000MI. NISSAN DOES NOT OFFER ANY WARRANTY FOR THE FAILURE OF THE ENGINE GASKET. THIS IS PROBLEMATIC AND NEEDS TO BE CORRECTED. *TR
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.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
70–25K
2925–50K
1350–75K
2275–100K
11100–150K
3150K+
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
Engine And Engine Cooling complaints
11 reportsBOTH RIGHT AND LEFT EXHAUST MANIFOLDS CRACKED, CAUSING EXHAUST FUMES TO ENTER THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT. THE CRACKS WERE PRESENT FOR SOME TIME. THESE FAILURES ON THIS VEHICLE ARE VERY COMMON AND IN MY OPINION VERY DANGEROUS. *TR
THE THERMOSTAT AND FAN CLUTCH IN THE COOLING SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE HAS FAILED 3 TIMES IN THE YEARS I HAVE OWNED MY NISSAN. THE ENGINE WILL RISE IN TEMPERATURE AND BECAUSE OF THE FAN CLUTCH AND THERMOSTAT FAILURE, THE ENGINE TEMPERATURE RISES TO UNSAFE LEVELS. *TR
2001 NISSAN XTERRA CURRENTLY HAS 77, 123 MILES. EXPERIENCING POWER WINDOW FAILURE AND CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE. 1. AUG 06 WINDOW FAILED TO COMPLETELY CLOSE, HAD TO ADJUST WITH HAND TO CLOSE. I THOUGHT WINDOW WAS OFF TRACK SO I HAD DEALER SERVICE WINDOW, DEALER APPLIED LUBRICATION. WINDOW IS STILL FAILING TO COMPLETELY CLOSE …
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2001 NISSAN XTERRA CURRENTLY HAS 77, 123 MILES. EXPERIENCING POWER WINDOW FAILURE AND CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE. 1. AUG 06 WINDOW FAILED TO COMPLETELY CLOSE, HAD TO ADJUST WITH HAND TO CLOSE. I THOUGHT WINDOW WAS OFF TRACK SO I HAD DEALER SERVICE WINDOW, DEALER APPLIED LUBRICATION. WINDOW IS STILL FAILING TO COMPLETELY CLOSE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. 2.HEARD NOISE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, DEALER REPLACED POWER STEERING TENSIONER PULLEY NOISE CONTINUED TO EXIST. I HAD A REPUTABLE MECHANIC LOOK AT VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HAD MULTIPLE STRESS FRACTURES AND DENTS. VEHICLE SCHEDULED TO BE SERVICED AGAIN TO REPLACE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY. *JB
BOTH REAR WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED IN THE CONSUMER'S 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. *TS THE BLOWER MOTOR ONLY BLOWS ON HIGH. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR SHORTED OUT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM
SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM NISSAN, HOT AIR FROM THE ENGINE CONSTANTLY POURS THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND INTO THE CABIN AREA, EVEN WHEN THE AIR IS TURNED OFF. *JB
(1) NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION, NO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES LED TO FAILURE. (2) THE RIGHT CYLINDER BANK EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED WHICH ALLOWED EXHAUST GASES TO BE PRESENT UNDER THE HOOD AND DRAWN INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BY THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE. (3) THE RIGHT CYLINDER BANK EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS …
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(1) NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION, NO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES LED TO FAILURE. (2) THE RIGHT CYLINDER BANK EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED WHICH ALLOWED EXHAUST GASES TO BE PRESENT UNDER THE HOOD AND DRAWN INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BY THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE. (3) THE RIGHT CYLINDER BANK EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED. THE OLD PART IS UNAVAILABLE DUE TO THIS REPAIR BEING COVERED BY A VEHICLE SERVICE CONTRACT AND THE OLD PART WAS RETAINED BY THE DEALER PERFORMING THE REPAIR. *JB
PASSENGAR EXHUAST MANIFOLD CRACKED. BEING REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN ON 10-25% OF XTERRA'S AND HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY NISSAN. CAN POSSIBLY LEAD TO EXHAUST ENTERING THE CABIN IF NOT DETECTED. THIS IS A VARIANT OF THE ENGINE THAT WAS USED IN OLDER PATHFINDER MODELS THAT SUF…
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PASSENGAR EXHUAST MANIFOLD CRACKED. BEING REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN ON 10-25% OF XTERRA'S AND HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY NISSAN. CAN POSSIBLY LEAD TO EXHAUST ENTERING THE CABIN IF NOT DETECTED. THIS IS A VARIANT OF THE ENGINE THAT WAS USED IN OLDER PATHFINDER MODELS THAT SUFFERED FROM THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND AT A MINIMUM ADVISE THE PUBLIC ON IT SO THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF POSSIBLE EXHAUST ENTERING THE CABIN.
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAK ON NISSANS VG33E ENGINE, CAUSING DANGERIOUS EXHAUST GAS TO LEAK IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHERE IT COULD BE SUCKED INTO IN CABIN AIR INTAKE AT FRONT OF WINDSHIELD I HAD 3 BROKE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MANIFOLD. *AK
AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO NISSAN FOR NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND PROBLEMS THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED IN THE MIDDLE OF FIXING THEM. THERE HAS BEEN A NOISE THAT THEY CLAIMED FIRST WAS THE KNOCK SENSOR, THEY REPLACED THAT, AND NOW THEY BELIEVE IT IS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HOWEVER IF IT IS JUST THE GASKETS THEY WANT $400.00 TO REP…
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AFTER SEVERAL VISITS TO NISSAN FOR NUMEROUS COMPLAINTS AND PROBLEMS THE 36,000 MILE WARRANTY HAD EXPIRED IN THE MIDDLE OF FIXING THEM. THERE HAS BEEN A NOISE THAT THEY CLAIMED FIRST WAS THE KNOCK SENSOR, THEY REPLACED THAT, AND NOW THEY BELIEVE IT IS THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD HOWEVER IF IT IS JUST THE GASKETS THEY WANT $400.00 TO REPLACE OR IF IT IS CRACKED WHICH THEY CAN'T TELL ME FOR SURE IT'S COVERED UNDER THE 60,000 WARRANTY. THE MOST UPSETTING THING IS THIS PROBLEM EXISTED BEFORE WARRANTY EXPIRATION AND THEY STILL HAVE NOT FIXED IT. *NLM
Official recalls
304V230000 · 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
2DP03005 · 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.