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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

What owners actually said

150 reports
15,000 miles · Dec 26, 2002
Electrical System

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE ON RAINING DAYS THE HORN WONT WORK. DEALER HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND REPLACED THE MODULE SENSOR. TS THE PROBLEM HAS DEVELOPED AGAIN. *JG

NHTSA ODI #10001533

150 miles · Dec 17, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THE PEDAL WILL SINK APPROXIMATELY 1 - 2 INCHES. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THEY REPLACE THE BAKE BOOSTER. THE SYMPTOMS CONTINUED. WHEN I RETURN TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING …

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WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THE PEDAL WILL SINK APPROXIMATELY 1 - 2 INCHES. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THE FIRST TIME I WAS TOLD THAT THEY REPLACE THE BAKE BOOSTER. THE SYMPTOMS CONTINUED. WHEN I RETURN TO THE DEALER I WAS TOLD THAT THERE WAS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THE PROBLEM CONTINUES EVERY TIME THAT I HAVE TO APPLY THE BRAKES FOR MORE THAT A FEW SECONDS. TS

NHTSA ODI #10000163

Mileage unknown · Dec 7, 2002
Unknown Or Other

NO SUMMARY. DT

NHTSA ODI #770581

Mileage unknown · Oct 14, 2002
TiresCrash

WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 75 IN FLORIDA, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CAR VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER BUMPER SLAMMED INTO THE GUARD RAIL IN THE MEDIAN. THE CAR SPUN AROUND SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE REAR PASSENGER SECTION SLAMMED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE CAR THEN STOPPED. THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE…

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WHILE TRAVELING ON INTERSTATE 75 IN FLORIDA, THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE CAR VEERED TO THE LEFT AND THE FRONT PASSENGER BUMPER SLAMMED INTO THE GUARD RAIL IN THE MEDIAN. THE CAR SPUN AROUND SEVERAL TIMES UNTIL THE REAR PASSENGER SECTION SLAMMED INTO THE GUARD RAIL. THE CAR THEN STOPPED. THE PASSENGER REAR TIRE WAS COMPLETELY DEMOLISHED AND ONLY A SHELL WAS LEFT.THE CAR HAD BEEN INTO THE DEALER FOR ITS 15,000 MILE CHECK IN JULY AND THE TIRES WERE ROTATED. THE CAR WAS AT THE DEALER FOR AN OIL CHANGE ABOUT ONE WEEK BEFORE THE INDICENT. THE CAR HAD BEEN MAINTAINED TO THE MANUFACTURER'S SPECIFICATIONS AND ONLY HAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000 MILES ON IT. MR

NHTSA ODI #768432

Mileage unknown · Oct 1, 2002
Exterior LightingUnknown Or Other

THE PARKING LIGHTS AND SIDE MOUNT LIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON WHEN I TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE CAR AT NIGHT. YOU CANNOT SEE THE CAR AT NIGHT UNLESS I STEP ON THE BRAKE AND THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS LIGHT UP. ON THE INSIDE THERE IS NO LIGHT FOR ANY OF THE DASHBOARD GAUGES. YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT YOUR CAR IS IN THE PROPER GE…

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THE PARKING LIGHTS AND SIDE MOUNT LIGHTS DO NOT TURN ON WHEN I TURN ON THE HEADLIGHTS ON THE CAR AT NIGHT. YOU CANNOT SEE THE CAR AT NIGHT UNLESS I STEP ON THE BRAKE AND THEN THE BRAKE LIGHTS LIGHT UP. ON THE INSIDE THERE IS NO LIGHT FOR ANY OF THE DASHBOARD GAUGES. YOU HAVE TO KNOW WHETHER OR NOT YOUR CAR IS IN THE PROPER GEAR. YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW FAST YOU ARE TRAVELING OR HOW MANY RPMS YOU ARE REVING. YOU CANNOT READ THE GAS GAUGE TO KNOW IF YOU NEED TO FILL UP SOON. IT IS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE AT NIGHT TIME. MR

NHTSA ODI #767941

Mileage unknown · Sep 12, 2002
Visibility

WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, ELECTRICAL WINDOW SWITCH WILL NOT WORK. CONSUMER IS UNABLE TO ROLL DOWN WINDOW. DEALER NOTIFIED. *AKON ONE OCCASION THE WINDOW WOULD NOT GO DOWN, THE OTHER FOUR, THE WINDOWS WOULD NOT GO BACK UP. JLG

NHTSA ODI #8018489

Mileage unknown · Aug 20, 2002
Structure

RIGHT REAR FLOOR PAN BEGAN CREAKING IN MAY 2002. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, THE RIGHT REAR FLOORPAN WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK AT LEAST AN INCH IN LENGTH. THE SHEET METAL IS CRACKED COMPLETELY THROUGH SUCH THAT YOU CAN SEE LIGHT THROUGH IT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN WEST IN ELLICOTT CITY MARYLAND AT ABOUT 38000 MILES. THEY TO…

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RIGHT REAR FLOOR PAN BEGAN CREAKING IN MAY 2002. UPON CLOSER INSPECTION, THE RIGHT REAR FLOORPAN WAS FOUND TO HAVE A CRACK AT LEAST AN INCH IN LENGTH. THE SHEET METAL IS CRACKED COMPLETELY THROUGH SUCH THAT YOU CAN SEE LIGHT THROUGH IT. I TOOK THE VEHICLE TO NISSAN WEST IN ELLICOTT CITY MARYLAND AT ABOUT 38000 MILES. THEY TOLD ME I WAS OUT OF LUCK SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS THEN OUT OF THE 3/36 WARRANTY. SINCE THEN THE PURCHASING DEALER HAS DOCUMENTED THE CRACK AND NISSAN HAS BEEN NOTIFIED. I AM AWAITING A RESPONSE FROM NISSAN. THIS PROBLEM SOUNDS LIKE IT COULD BE THE SAME OR RELATED TO NHTSA ITEM NUMBER 621967.*AK

NHTSA ODI #765909

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2002
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES, A SMALL WOMAN'S FOOT CAN APPLY EQUAL PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD INSTEAD OF STOPPING. BOTH PEDALS ARE POSITIONED PARALELLY, ONLY 2'1/4" APPART. IN MY CASE, I HAD THE ACCELERATOR SLIGHTLY CAUGHT UNDER THE OUTTER CORNER OF MY FOOT TWICE WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKES WITH NO MAJ…

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WHEN PRESSING THE BRAKES, A SMALL WOMAN'S FOOT CAN APPLY EQUAL PRESSURE TO THE ACCELERATOR CAUSING THE CAR TO MOVE FORWARD INSTEAD OF STOPPING. BOTH PEDALS ARE POSITIONED PARALELLY, ONLY 2'1/4" APPART. IN MY CASE, I HAD THE ACCELERATOR SLIGHTLY CAUGHT UNDER THE OUTTER CORNER OF MY FOOT TWICE WHILE PRESSING THE BRAKES WITH NO MAJOR CONSEQUENCES, FOR THE GAS PEDAL SNAPPED OUT FROM UNDER THE FOOT BEFORE CAUSING AN ACCIDENT. THAT WAS BEFORE THE ONE DAY WHEN IT DID NOT SNAP OUT, AND THE CAR WAS PROPELLED OVER THE SHED AT THE END OF THE CARPORT WHERE I WAS PARKING. THE RUBBER SOLE OF THE SIZE 8 TENNIS SHOES I WAS WEARING DIDN'T YELD THE PEDAL TO SNAP FREE BEFORE THE IMPACT. LUCKILY, NO ONE WAS HURT. MY CONCERN IS SOMETHING LIKE THAT HAPPENING WHEN THE DRIVER IS STOPPING FOR A PEDESTRIAN, AND THE ENDANGERMENT TO ONE'S LIFE THAT A DESIGN FLAW LIKE THAT CAN CAUSE. THE NISSAN CORP. CUSTOMER REPRESENTANT WHO TOOK MY REPORT INFORMED ME THAT THIS IS THE WAY THE CAR IS DESIGNED AND THE PEDALS CAN NOT BE READJUSTED TO AVOID DOUBLE-EXPOSURE.*AK

NHTSA ODI #765763

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2002
Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteeringInjury

WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH RIGHT REAR AXLE AND WHEEL DISCONNECTED FROM VEHICLE. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RIGHT REAR AXLE AND TIE ROD FLEW OFF CAUSING THE THE CONSUMER TO BE PULLED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER HAD NO BRAKES AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THE VEHICLE WAS THR…

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WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH RIGHT REAR AXLE AND WHEEL DISCONNECTED FROM VEHICLE. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RIGHT REAR AXLE AND TIE ROD FLEW OFF CAUSING THE THE CONSUMER TO BE PULLED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER HAD NO BRAKES AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THE VEHICLE WAS THROWN IN PARK IN ORDER TO STOP. THERE WAS ONE INJURY. *SCC

NHTSA ODI #8016318

Mileage unknown · Jul 30, 2002
Fuel System, Gasoline

WHEN PUMPING GAS IT WILL NOT CUT OFF, INDICATING THAT TANK IS FULL. HOWER, CAUSING GAS TO OVERFLOW.DEALER CONTACTED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8015126

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.