IllustrationSERVICE ENGINE SOON
2002 Nissan Xterra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
More warning signs than most Xterra years
Owner complaints for the 2002 Nissan Xterra are substantially higher than 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
150–25K
1825–50K
1350–75K
1475–100K
20100–150K
17150K+
97 reports with mileage · 60 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.
- Engine And Engine Cooling. Review the 24 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 19 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
21 crash reports7 fire reports13 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
11 reportsAFTER SHIFTING INTO REVERSE, WITH ONE FOOT ON THE CLUTCH, AND ONE FOOT ON THE BRAKE STILL, MY XTERRA BEGINS ACCELERATING IN REVERSE THOUGH MY FEET WERE ON THE CLUTCH AND BRAKE ONLY. MY XTERRA'S BRAKES ONLY STOPPED MY VEHICLE AFTER SHIFTING INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN TURNING OFF THE ENGINE.
THE INNER CEILING FABRIC ALL CAME LOOSE AND I'M NOW HOLDING IT UP WITH STAPLES. I'VE NEVER HAD THIS HAPPEN WITH ANY OTHER VEHICLE.
I WAS APPROACHING THE 'ON' RAMP WHEN XTERRA PULLED TO SIDE THEN FLIPPED OVER 3X.THERE ARE 4 RECALLS;3 MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO ROLLOVER. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE HEADLINER FELL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NISSAN HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,904.
TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A GAS STATION, PURCHASED OIL AND PUT IT INTO THE VEHICLE, AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD TRIPLE AAA TOW THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS DIESEL …
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TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A GAS STATION, PURCHASED OIL AND PUT IT INTO THE VEHICLE, AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD TRIPLE AAA TOW THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS DIESEL FUEL MIXED WITH GAS. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL SYSTEM TO BE FLUSHED, AND THE OIL CHANGED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, AND THE FUEL FILTER REPLACED. THE DEALER HAD THE CONTACTS VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS AND PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE, FLUSHED THE FUEL TANK, AND FUEL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ,WENT DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET AND PURCHASED HIGH OCTANE GAS. THE VEHICLE RAN LONG ENOUGH FOR HIM TO GO ACROSS THE STREET, GOT THE GAS AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS IT DID BEFORE THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER , WHERE ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC HAD TO BE DONE, AND THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FIRST DIAGNOSTIC SHOULD HAVE REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A PROBLEM, AND THAT NOTHING ON THE DASHBOARD EVER INDICATED THAT THE OIL WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST, AND THE PROBLEMS BEGAN AT THE END OF JANUARY. THE CONTACT FELT THAT IF THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE OIL IT WAS PURCHASED THAT WAY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 50,000.*AK THE DEALER STATES TAG LIGHT NOT WORKING AND CD PLAYER NOT WORKING. THE CONSUMER PROVIDED INFORMATION FROM CARFAX AND A REPAIR INVOICE. UPDATED 06/08/07 *TR
THIS IS A VERY SOLID, AND STABLE VEHICLE IN THE SNOW AND ICE, (WITH STUDDED SNOW TIRES, ALL SEASON RADIALS ONLY WORK IN FLORIDA) IT HANDLES WELL, AND PERFORMS NICELY FOR A SMALL SUV. THE ONLY COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE WITH THIS VEHICLE, IS THAT THE RIDE IS A BIT ROUGH. AND IT IS A BIT UNCOMFORTABLE FOR TALLER PEOPLE ON LONG RIDES.…
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THIS IS A VERY SOLID, AND STABLE VEHICLE IN THE SNOW AND ICE, (WITH STUDDED SNOW TIRES, ALL SEASON RADIALS ONLY WORK IN FLORIDA) IT HANDLES WELL, AND PERFORMS NICELY FOR A SMALL SUV. THE ONLY COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE WITH THIS VEHICLE, IS THAT THE RIDE IS A BIT ROUGH. AND IT IS A BIT UNCOMFORTABLE FOR TALLER PEOPLE ON LONG RIDES. TO THOSE THAT ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. CURE #1, GET THE CAR ALIGNED. #2, CHECK THE ROAD YOU ARE DRIVING ON, THE TRACK WIDTH ON THE XTERRA IS NARROW, IT MAY BE CATCHING A GROOVE IN THE ROAD. #3 CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURES, TO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKING....... HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED, ROTORS, PADS, OR CALIPERS COULD BE STICKING. *NLM
THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON ACCELERATION UP TO 60 MPH UPON PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER LOSING POWER, THE CAR "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH WITH HESITATION AND COULD MAINTAIN A SPEED OF ONLY 30 MPH. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR MALFUNCT…
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THE CAR SUDDENLY LOST POWER ON ACCELERATION UP TO 60 MPH UPON PASSING ANOTHER VEHICLE. AFTER LOSING POWER, THE CAR "SERVICE ENGINE SOON" LIGHT CAME ON AND STAYED ON. THE ENGINE RAN ROUGH WITH HESITATION AND COULD MAINTAIN A SPEED OF ONLY 30 MPH. CAR WAS TOWED TO DEALER, WHO DIAGNOSED THE PROBLEM AS A MASS AIRFLOW SENSOR MALFUNCTION. DEALER RE-SET E.C.U. AND SO FAR, PROBLEM HAS NOT REPEATED. POWER WINDOW PROBLEM OCCURS ON DRIVER SIDE, FRONT WINDOW. THE WINDOW GOES DOWN AT NORMAL SPEED BUT COMES UP VERY SLOWLY WITH INTERMITTENT STOPS. FIRST TIME PROBLEM REPORTED TO DEALER, DEALER LUBED WINDOW TRACK. PROBLEM PERSISTED, SO WENT TO ANOTHER DEALER, WHO ORDERED A NEW RUBBER WINDOW CASING.
TURNED ON VEHICLE IN THE MORNING TO GO TO WORK. ENGINE CHECK SOON LIGHT CAME ON AND WOULDN'T GO OFF. DROPPED VEHICLE OFF AT DEALERSHIP. SAY IT IS THE PURGE VOLUME CONTROL VALVE BUT THEY CANNOT GET THE COMPUTER TO RESET WITH THEIR COMPUTER IN THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT. STATED THEY MAY NEED TO KEEP THE VEHICLE MORE THAN ONE DAY.
ENGINE LIGHT HAS BEEN COMING ON SINCE THE LAST OF JANUARY 2002. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP 4 TIMES, AND WAS TOLD THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT WAS WRONG WITH TRUCK. ENGINE SHUT OFF WHILE GOING ABOUT 60 MPH. *AK
Official recalls
510V554000 · Steering:column
Nov 11, 2010
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 FRONTIER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001 THROUGH OCTOBER 20, 2004, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2004, XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001, THROUGH JANUARY 6, 2005. OVER TIME CORROSION MAY FORM IN THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN JOINT AND LIMIT MOVEMENT OF THE JOINT. THE LIMITED MOVEMENT OF THIS JOINT MAY CREATE EXCESSIVE LOAD ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE SHAFT DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS THAT REQUIRE LARGE STEERING INPUTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND JOINT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHAFT OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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.
03V061000 · Air Bags:frontal:driver Side:inflator Module
Feb 27, 2003
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY COME LOOSE. IF THE CONNECTOR COMES LOOSE, THE SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CLOCK SPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 21, 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.
02V298000 · Vehicle Speed Control
Nov 12, 2002
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGER, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS FULL THROTTLE IN LOW GEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT FULLY WARMED UP AND AT COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, THE AMOUNT OF INTAKE AIR FLOW THROUGH THE AIR FLOW METER MAY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PRESET DIAGNOSIS LIMIT VALUE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM TO GO INTO THE FAILSAFE MODE. UNDER THIS CONDITION, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND ENGINE SPEED WILL NOT EXCEED 2400 RPM REGARDLESS OF THE THROTTLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 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.
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.
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
3DP03005 · 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.
EA02020 · Driver's Air Bag System Failure
Opened Aug 29, 2002 · Closed Mar 3, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
IN ITS LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 21, 2003 TO NHTSA, NISSAN STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF APPROXIMATELY 27,385 MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 6/12/01 (START OF PRODUCTION) TO 11/1/01 AS WELL AS APPROXIMATELY 37,177 MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 6/13/01 (START OF PRODUCTION) TO 10/25/01.VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER THESE DATES ARE NOT AFFECTED.NISSAN STATED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR MAY NOT BE FULLY SECURED TO THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE SQUIB PIN CONNECTOR DUE TO THE RETAINING GROOVE IN THE MODULE NOT HAVING SUFFICIENT DEPTH TO HOLD THE CONNECTOR IN THE ASSEMBLED POSITION.A RETAINING CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE CLOCKSPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.SEE RECALL 03V-061 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
PE02038 · Driver's Air Bag System Malfunction
Opened Mar 26, 2002 · Closed Aug 29, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
No summary supplied.