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
What owners actually said
157 reports
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2003
Service Brakes, AirCrash
WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, MY REAR AXLE BROKE CAUSING THE WHEEL TO FLY OFF, LOSS OF CONTROL, AND OBVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A ABS RECALL FOR THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM, BUT I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE RECALL. AFTER 4 WEEKS, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE NISSAN WILL COVER THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THAT IS AL…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING 55MPH, MY REAR AXLE BROKE CAUSING THE WHEEL TO FLY OFF, LOSS OF CONTROL, AND OBVIOUS DAMAGE TO THE CAR. I LATER FOUND OUT THAT THERE WAS A ABS RECALL FOR THIS IDENTICAL PROBLEM, BUT I WAS NEVER INFORMED OF THE RECALL. AFTER 4 WEEKS, I HAVE BEEN TOLD THE NISSAN WILL COVER THE REPAIR OF THE VEHICLE, BUT THAT IS ALL. I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS ANYTHING ELSE I CAN OR SHOULD PURSUE FOR NEGLIGENCE ON BEHALF OF THE CORPORATION AND THE DEALER. I WAS EXTREMELY FORTUNATE THAT MYSELF AND MY 2 YEAR OLD WERE NOT SERIOUSLY INJURED OR KILLED IN THIS ACCIDENT, AND FEEL SOMEONE SHOULD BE HELD ACOUNTABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10007765
Mileage unknown · Feb 4, 2003
Fuel System, Other
SIGNIFICANT DEFICIENT HIGHWAY FUEL ECONOMY. VEHICLE ACHIEVES ROUGHLY 60% OF REPORTED HIGHWAY MILEAGE ON AVERAGE. HIGHWAY MILEAGE IS WORSE THAN CITY AVERAGE. SEVERAL DEALERS ARE AWARE OF PROBLEM AND CANNOT FIX. MANUFACTURE IS AWARE OF PROBLEM AND DENIES EXISTENCE.
NHTSA ODI #10005287
Mileage unknown · Jan 29, 2003
Service Brakes, Air
THE BRAKE PEDAL WENT ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOOR. PLEASE FILL IN ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. DEALER IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. PH
NHTSA ODI #10005933
9,000 miles · Jan 18, 2003
Service Brakes, Air
NISSAN DEALER NEAR MALL OF GEORGIA. THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT NOT BE ABLE TO ORDER REPAIR KIT FOR NISSAN XTERRA 2002 TO FIX THE PROBLEM OF ABS WARNING LIGHT STAY ON.
NHTSA ODI #10002913
Mileage unknown · Dec 19, 2002
EquipmentExterior Lighting
VEHICLES WITH EXTREMELY BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS CAUSE A DANGER TO OTHER DRIVERS. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT DRIVERS WITH THEIR HIGH BEAMS ON, I'M REFERRING TO REGULAR HEADLIGHTS THAT ARE UNUSUALLY BRIGHT. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE 405 FREEWAY LAST NIGHT BECAUSE A DRIVER BEHIND ME WITH BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS BLINDED ME AND I VEERED I…
Read full complaint
VEHICLES WITH EXTREMELY BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS CAUSE A DANGER TO OTHER DRIVERS. I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT DRIVERS WITH THEIR HIGH BEAMS ON, I'M REFERRING TO REGULAR HEADLIGHTS THAT ARE UNUSUALLY BRIGHT. I WAS ALMOST IN AN ACCIDENT ON THE 405 FREEWAY LAST NIGHT BECAUSE A DRIVER BEHIND ME WITH BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS BLINDED ME AND I VEERED INTO THE NEXT LANE BECAUSE WE WERE ON A CURVE AND I COULDN'T SEE WELL ENOUGH TO STAY IN MY LANE. I HAVE HEARD MANY OF MY FRIENDS COMPALIN ABOUT CARS WITH BRIGHT HEADLIGHTS ALMOST CAUSING ACCIDENTS FOR THEM BECAUSE THE LIGHT CAN BE BLINDING, SIMILAR TO A FLASH BULB ON A CAMERA GOING OFF IN YOUR FACE IN A DARK ROOM. THESE BRIGHT LIGHTS SHOULD NOT BE LEGAL FOR REGULAR DRIVING USE, THEY SHOULD BE USED ONLY IN THE SAME CONDITIONS THAT HIGH BEAMS ARE USED.
NHTSA ODI #10000282
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2002
Service Brakes, Air
VEHICLE PULLS RIGHT. YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL AT ALL TIMES. TIRES ARE FEATHERING. I WAS DRIVING ON A THREE LAND HIGHWAY. I HAD TO HIT MY BRAKES AND ALMOST TOOK OUT THE CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF ME. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON YOUR…
Read full complaint
VEHICLE PULLS RIGHT. YOU NEED TO KEEP YOUR HANDS ON THE WHEEL AT ALL TIMES. TIRES ARE FEATHERING. I WAS DRIVING ON A THREE LAND HIGHWAY. I HAD TO HIT MY BRAKES AND ALMOST TOOK OUT THE CAR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF ME. THIS VEHICLE IS DANGEROUS. I ALSO NOTICED THAT THERE WERE NUMEROUS OTHER COMPLAINTS OF THE SAME PROBLEM ON YOUR WEBSITE. DT
NHTSA ODI #768781
Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2002
Suspension
WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT, IF THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED AGGRESIVELY THE VEHICLE RUNS OF THE ROAD, AS A RESULT THE DEALER NOTICED THAT THE TIRES WERE BEGINNING TO FEATHER ON THE RIGHT SIDE. NLM
NHTSA ODI #567987
Mileage unknown · Oct 11, 2002
Steering
CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR
NHTSA ODI #8020714
Mileage unknown · Sep 5, 2002
Engine And Engine Cooling
THE OWNERS OF THIS TRUCK LIVE 6500 FEET ABOVE ELEVATION. THE TRUCK WILL LOSE POWER OR WILL NOT MAINTAIN MODERATE SPEED. THE TRUCK WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE TRUCK WAS TOO HEAVY FOR THAT SIZE ENGINE TO DEAL WITH THAT KIND OF ALTITUDE. TWO OTHER DEALERS IN THE AREA ALSO CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION…
Read full complaint
THE OWNERS OF THIS TRUCK LIVE 6500 FEET ABOVE ELEVATION. THE TRUCK WILL LOSE POWER OR WILL NOT MAINTAIN MODERATE SPEED. THE TRUCK WAS RETURNED TO THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY TOLD HIM THAT THE TRUCK WAS TOO HEAVY FOR THAT SIZE ENGINE TO DEAL WITH THAT KIND OF ALTITUDE. TWO OTHER DEALERS IN THE AREA ALSO CAME TO THE SAME CONCLUSION. PLEASE DESCRIBE DETAILS.*JB
NHTSA ODI #8017998
Mileage unknown · Sep 4, 2002
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE SUV DEVIATES TO THE RIGHT AT ANY SPEED WITH IN A FEW SECONDS. IT IS EXTREMELY NOTIACEABLE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH. CONSTANT PRESSURE MUST BE HELD ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. THE SUV ALSO DEVIATED TO THE LEFT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED HARD, SUCH AS FOR SUDDEN HALTING. THE SUV WOULD END ON THE SHOULDER IF THE BRAKES WE…
Read full complaint
THE SUV DEVIATES TO THE RIGHT AT ANY SPEED WITH IN A FEW SECONDS. IT IS EXTREMELY NOTIACEABLE AT SPEEDS ABOVE 40 MPH. CONSTANT PRESSURE MUST BE HELD ON THE STEERING WHEEL TO THE LEFT. THE SUV ALSO DEVIATED TO THE LEFT WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED HARD, SUCH AS FOR SUDDEN HALTING. THE SUV WOULD END ON THE SHOULDER IF THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED HARD. THE SUV HAS BEEN AT THE NISSAN REPAIR SHOP FOUR TIMES. THERE WAS SOME ADJUSTMENTS THE LAST TWO TIMES. NOW THE SUV STILL DEVIATES TO THE RIGHT (LIKE TRING TO RUN OFF THE ROAD) AT CRUISING SPEEDS. THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE WITH THE BEHAVIOR WITH SUDDEN BRAKING. THE SUV NOW ENDS ON THE LEFT LANE OR INCOMMING LANE WHEN THE BRAKES ARE APPLIED SUDDENLY. THE ABOVE PROBLEMS WERE NOT NOTED DURING THE FIRST TWO WEEKS OF DRIVING, BUT SINCE THEM IT SEEMS TO BE GETTING WORSE. THE DEALER HAS NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I DO WORRY ABOUT THE BEHAVIOR OF THE TRUCK ON THE ROAD UNDER RAIN, SNOW, OR ICE CONDITIONS. I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO PREDICT WHAT THE TRUCK WILL DO UNDER AN EMERGENCY. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN LOOKING AT THIS PROBLEM?. *AK
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
3
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.
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.
2002 Nissan Xterra Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
Illustration