IllustrationUPON SLOWING DOWN FOR A RED TRAFFIC LIGHT BRAKE PEDAL GOT HARD NOT ALLOWING VEHICLE TO STOP AND VEHICLE ALSO STARTING RAPIDLY ACCELERATING WITHOUT PRESSING THE GAS PEDAL.RESULTED IN A CRASH WITH A STOPPED VEHICLE AT THE TRAFFIC LIGHT.NO SERIOUS INJURIES THANKFULLY.
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
What owners actually said
157 reportsTWICE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE ENGINE CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE BY PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL BOTH TIME. HAPPENED FAIRLY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER WHEN IT STALLED. LOST ALL CONTROL.
I HAVE HAD A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE SINCE 2010 AND I HAVE NEVER N=BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE STEERING ISSUE. THIS IS THE 2ND RECALL I HAVE HAD WITH NO ALARM FROM NISSAN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANYTHING AUTOMOTI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANYTHING AUTOMOTIVE (LOCATED AT 1228 E RIVER RD, DIXON, IL 61021; (815) 285-3035) WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BACK SEAT WAS CATCHING FIRE. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-647-7261 AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. CASE NUMBER: 27261028 WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL IN 2004 FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT REPAIRED CORRECTLY OR THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS FAULTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
UNABLE TO CONTROL SPEED AND BATTERY KEEPS DYING EVEN THOUGH BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TEST GOOD. WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEED I CANNOT ACCELERATE GRADUALLY, THE CAR REVS REALLY HARD AND PULLS HARD WHEN TRYING TO INCREASE SPEED. ONCE I DRIVE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND PICKUP SPEED THE BRAKES ARE LOOSE AND HARD TO COME TO A STOP, AND THE …
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UNABLE TO CONTROL SPEED AND BATTERY KEEPS DYING EVEN THOUGH BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR TEST GOOD. WHEN DRIVING AT LOW SPEED I CANNOT ACCELERATE GRADUALLY, THE CAR REVS REALLY HARD AND PULLS HARD WHEN TRYING TO INCREASE SPEED. ONCE I DRIVE FOR ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND PICKUP SPEED THE BRAKES ARE LOOSE AND HARD TO COME TO A STOP, AND THE PEDAL DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN ACCELERATING OR REDUCING SPEED. I RECENTLY WAS GOING HOME ON THE FREEWAY AT ABOUT 45 MPH TRYING TO REDUCE SPEED TO PREPARE TO EXIT, AND MY CAR JUST SHUT OFF, ALL DASH LARD LIGHT CAME ON AND I HAD TO COAST AND THEN GET A PUSH FROM SOMEONE TO GET INTO THE EXIT LANE AND COAST TO THE GAS STATION.
UNABLE TO CONTROL SPEED WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM LOW TO HIGHER. VEHICLE STALLS WHEN GOING ABOVE 40MPH WITHOUT WARNING OFTEN. ALSO, IT IS HARD TO SOMETIMES INCREASE SPEED OR DRIVE AT A CONSTANT MPH SPEED SUCH AS WHEN GOING THROUGH RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS. WHEN TRAVELING -15 MPH AND TRYING TO A CELEBRATE ONTO FREEWAY ETC T…
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UNABLE TO CONTROL SPEED WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE FROM LOW TO HIGHER. VEHICLE STALLS WHEN GOING ABOVE 40MPH WITHOUT WARNING OFTEN. ALSO, IT IS HARD TO SOMETIMES INCREASE SPEED OR DRIVE AT A CONSTANT MPH SPEED SUCH AS WHEN GOING THROUGH RESIDENTIAL NEIGHBORHOODS. WHEN TRAVELING -15 MPH AND TRYING TO A CELEBRATE ONTO FREEWAY ETC THE ENGINE STALLS AND JERKS, AND THE RPMSPINS VERY HARD AND ROUGH WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. THROTTLE IS NOT RESPONSIVE ACCELERATION WHEN GIVEN GASSED PEDAL DOES NOT INCREASE AND DECREASE SPEED ACCORDINGLY, WHICH GIVES A COMPLETE LACK OF CONTROL OVER DRIVING VEHICLE. THERE IS ALSO A PROBLEM WITH SECURING BACK ROW SEATBELTS HENCE, MY INCREASED CONCERN OF OUTCOME SHOULD AN UNFORTUNATE COLLISION OCCURR WITH MY CHILD IN THE CAR.
WHEN DRIVING IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCELERATE TO NORMAL SPEED EVEN WHEN PRESSING PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE PAST 15 MPH THE ENGINE REVS REALLY HARD AND JERKS AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO STALL. I STALLED OUT ON THE FREEWAY WITHOUT WARNING. IT IS HARD TO CONTROL SPEED WHEN TRYIN TO INCREASE OR DECREASE ACCELERATION. THE P…
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WHEN DRIVING IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO ACCELERATE TO NORMAL SPEED EVEN WHEN PRESSING PEDAL TO THE FLOOR, WHEN I TRY TO ACCELERATE PAST 15 MPH THE ENGINE REVS REALLY HARD AND JERKS AS IF IT IS ABOUT TO STALL. I STALLED OUT ON THE FREEWAY WITHOUT WARNING. IT IS HARD TO CONTROL SPEED WHEN TRYIN TO INCREASE OR DECREASE ACCELERATION. THE PEDAL FEELS INCONSISTENT WITH THE THROTTLE AND/ OR RPM AND IS VERY HAZARDOUS. WHEN TRYING TO DRIVE IN LOW SPEEDS IN RESIDENTIAL AREA OR PARK THE PEDAL ARELY MOVES AND IF GIVEN THE SLIGHTEST GAS IT WILL SHUT OFF E FINE OR TAKE OFF AND DOES NOT RESPOND WHEN YOU STOP ACCELERATION, OR BRAKE AS IT SHOULD. I HAVE HAD POWER STEERING COLUMN FIXED AND AIR INTAKE FLOW HOSE REPLACED, I KEEP GETTING ERROR CODES THAT COME AND GO: P0122, P0128, AND P0123. THIS SEEMS TO HAVE SIMILAR RECALLS FOR OTHE MODEL AND YEAR OF NISSAN, AND WHEN I INQUIRE A OUT THE ISSUE TO NISSAN RECALL DEPT. THEY SAY THE PREVIOUS RECALL FOR GAS RESPONSE UNIT HAS BEEN COMPLETED ON THIS VEHICLE HOWEVER, I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW THAT IS POSSIBLE WITH THIS ISSUE I AM HAVING. I JUST BOUGHT THIS TRUCK TO DRIVE MY CHILD TO SCHOOL AND I'M AFRAID THIS WILL CAUSE AN A CIDENT IF NOT REPAIRED SOON HOWEVER, I AM CERTAIN THIS IS A MANUFACTUR DEFECT RELATED TO FUEL LINE OR THROTTLE SINCE THE LOSS OF ACCELERATION IS EXTREMELY NOTICEBLE TO OTHE NISSAN OWNERS AND I HOPE IT IS INVESTIGATED AS CURRENT RECALLS NEED TO BE EXPANDED OR INVESTIGATED FOR THE NISSAN XTERRA AND POSSIBLY ALL NISSAN VEHICLES WITH SIMILAR REPORTED ISSUES.
VEHICLE WAS WRECKED ON A DIRT ROAD. THE VEHICLE ROLLED FOUR TIMES AND WAS TOTALED; THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR SO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING IS NOT A SURPRISE. DRIVER WAS SEVERELY INJURED FROM ACCIDENT, INCURRING SIGNIFICANT MEDICAL COSTS AS WELL AS JOB LOSS.
TIRES ARE DEVELOPING A SERIES OF CRACKS EXTENDING FROM THE TAP INTO THE SIDEWALLS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE HEAD THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH, ANOTHER DRIVER CRASHED INTO THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE. THE FRONT DRIVER'S AIR BAG FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUFFERED INJURIES TO THE HEAD THAT REQUIRED MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
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.