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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.

About this comparison →

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

Visibility complaints

43 reports
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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

44,000 miles · Aug 6, 2010
Visibility

WINDOW REGULATORS ALL HAVE BEEN MALFUNCTIONING ON MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347825

130,000 miles · Aug 5, 2010
Visibility

ON MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA, THE WINDOWS ARE NEARLY INOPERABLE ON FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THEY STARTED OUT SLOWLY AND GETTING STUCK HALF THE WAY UP, IT WOULD USUALLY TAKE ABOUT 4 ATTEMPTS TO GET WINDOW ALL THE WAY UP. THIS IS A SERIOUS NISSAN PROBLEM, AND ACCORDING TO OTHER FORUMS, OTHERS ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. THE WIN…

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ON MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA, THE WINDOWS ARE NEARLY INOPERABLE ON FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THEY STARTED OUT SLOWLY AND GETTING STUCK HALF THE WAY UP, IT WOULD USUALLY TAKE ABOUT 4 ATTEMPTS TO GET WINDOW ALL THE WAY UP. THIS IS A SERIOUS NISSAN PROBLEM, AND ACCORDING TO OTHER FORUMS, OTHERS ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. THE WINDOWS NEED TO HAVE A RECALL ON THEM, IT IS VERY AGGRAVATING TO NOT BE ABLE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS UP OR DOWN, WHAT IF YOUR DOOR GETS HIT BY A CAR, AND DOOR IS INOPERABLE? *TR

NHTSA ODI #10347507

48,000 miles · Jan 6, 2010
Visibility

FIRST THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING. SOUNDS LIKE BREAKING GLASS WHEN IT IS ROLLED DOWN. WILL ONLY ROLL DOWN 1 -2 INCHES AND WILL NOT ROLL BACK UP. THE LEFT REAR WINDOW WILL ROLL DOWN BUT WILL NOT ROLL BACK UP. THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW WILL OCCASIONALLY ROLL DOWN BUT WILL NOT ROLL BACK UP. THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WORKS F…

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FIRST THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING. SOUNDS LIKE BREAKING GLASS WHEN IT IS ROLLED DOWN. WILL ONLY ROLL DOWN 1 -2 INCHES AND WILL NOT ROLL BACK UP. THE LEFT REAR WINDOW WILL ROLL DOWN BUT WILL NOT ROLL BACK UP. THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW WILL OCCASIONALLY ROLL DOWN BUT WILL NOT ROLL BACK UP. THE FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW WORKS FOR NOW. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10298471

80,000 miles · Feb 24, 2009
Visibility

HEARD A SAND ON GLASS SOUND WHEN ROLLING UP MY 3 OF MY WINDOWS AND NOW DRIVER, PASSENGER AND REAR PASSENGER WINDOWS DO NOT WORK. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10259751

84,529 miles · Jun 4, 2008
Visibility

IT'S BEEN 1 1/2 YEAR THAT I HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH REAR WINDOWS ON MY NISSAN XTERRA. THEY CAN GO DOWN, BUT THEY WANT GO UP. I HAVE TWO KIDS OF 5 AND 16 YEARS OLD AND I AM LITTLE CONCERNED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I PUT THE WINDOWS DOWN BY MISTAKE.I THINK THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I DID CONTACT NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NOT THE…

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IT'S BEEN 1 1/2 YEAR THAT I HAVE THE PROBLEM WITH REAR WINDOWS ON MY NISSAN XTERRA. THEY CAN GO DOWN, BUT THEY WANT GO UP. I HAVE TWO KIDS OF 5 AND 16 YEARS OLD AND I AM LITTLE CONCERNED WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF I PUT THE WINDOWS DOWN BY MISTAKE.I THINK THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. I DID CONTACT NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME THAT THIS IS NOT THEY PROBLEM. I DID LOOK ONLINE AND I FOUND THAT I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE IF I OPEN THOSE WINDOWS BY MISTAKE LETS SAY IN THE MIDDLE OF NOWHERE. VERY UNSAFE!!!!! THANK YOU! *TR

NHTSA ODI #10229974

70,000 miles · Oct 18, 2007
Visibility

(1) MY DRIVER WINDOW BEGAN TO GRIND WHEN I USED IT. SHORTLY AFTER IT WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. (2) CURRENTLY, 3 OF 4 OF MY WINDOW REGULATORS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I STARTED TO LOOK ON THE NET TO SEE IF OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND THAT IS HOW I FOUND THIS WEB SITE. NISSAN NEVER SENT ME ANYTHING ON THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THEY…

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(1) MY DRIVER WINDOW BEGAN TO GRIND WHEN I USED IT. SHORTLY AFTER IT WOULD NOT WORK AT ALL. (2) CURRENTLY, 3 OF 4 OF MY WINDOW REGULATORS DO NOT WORK PROPERLY. I STARTED TO LOOK ON THE NET TO SEE IF OTHERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM AND THAT IS HOW I FOUND THIS WEB SITE. NISSAN NEVER SENT ME ANYTHING ON THIS ISSUE EVEN THOUGH THEY HAD A VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN (PU306 & PU307). THEY DON'T CONSIDER IT A DANGER, BUT I THINK THAT IN THE MIDDLE OF A MICHIGAN WINTER WHEN MY WINDOWS WON'T GO UP AND YOU HAVE A BABY IN THE BACK SEAT DANGEROUS. AFTER MULTIPLE PHONE CALLS TO NISSAN THEY WANT ME TO TAKE IT INTO TO THE DEALER AND PAY $100 FOR THEM TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. I DON'T HAVE $100 TO GAMBLE WITH KNOWING THAT IT MAY LEAD TO NOT REIMBURSEMENT. I AM THE ONLY OWNER OF THIS VEHICLE AND NISSAN HAS ALWAYS HAD MY CONTACT INFO, YET THEY NEVER SENT ME ANY NOTICE OF THIS EXPIRED CAMPAIGN. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10206236

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

76,000 miles · Aug 26, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

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

NHTSA ODI #10166599

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2006
Visibility

I HAVE A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA THAT I BOUGHT IN 2002 WHILE THE WINDOWS WERE STILL WORKING. WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF MY PURCHASE THE TWO REAR WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. IT WAS NOT BUT A COUPLE OF WEEKS UNTIL THE PASSENGER WINDOW COMPLETELY BROKE AND SLID DOWN INTO MY DOOR. THE DRIVERS SIDE GOES DOWN VERY SLOWLY MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND…

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I HAVE A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA THAT I BOUGHT IN 2002 WHILE THE WINDOWS WERE STILL WORKING. WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF MY PURCHASE THE TWO REAR WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. IT WAS NOT BUT A COUPLE OF WEEKS UNTIL THE PASSENGER WINDOW COMPLETELY BROKE AND SLID DOWN INTO MY DOOR. THE DRIVERS SIDE GOES DOWN VERY SLOWLY MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND HAS TO BE MANUALLY ROLLED UP. THE WARRANTY IS UP AND IT WILL COST ME $1800 TO GET IT FIXED. I WILL NOT SPEND THAT KIND OF MONEY ON A POORLY MANUFACTURED CAR AFTER THE FACT THAT THEY WILL NOT RECALL IT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165684

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.