IllustrationTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 50 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE WIRES UNDERNEATH THE STEERING COLUMN WERE BURNT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE ISSUE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 204,391.
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 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.
TURN THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO RIGHT OR LEFT. HEAR A DREADFUL GRINDING SOUND AS IF THE AXLE IS GOING TO SNAP IN HALF.
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 PURCHASED A USED XTERRA ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A SHOPPING MALL AT A LOW SPEED WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT INTO A HIGH WHINING REV AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND TOOK OFF OUT OF CONTROL. BEFORE COMING TO A STOP IT RAN INTO FOUR OTHER PARKED CARS. I WAS AS IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. THIS…
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I PURCHASED A USED XTERRA ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A SHOPPING MALL AT A LOW SPEED WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT INTO A HIGH WHINING REV AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND TOOK OFF OUT OF CONTROL. BEFORE COMING TO A STOP IT RAN INTO FOUR OTHER PARKED CARS. I WAS AS IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME IN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING ONLY AMERICAN MADE CARS. THE NISSAN IS THE ONLY FOREIGN CAR I HAVE OWNED AND WILL LIKELY BE THE LAST AFTER THIS EPISODE. *TR
I WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPOT AT MY NORMAL SLOW SPEED WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE WENT INTO AN EXTREMELY HIGH REV AND THE XTERRA MADE A SUDDEN LUNGE FORWARD. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS IT SLAMMED INTO A NUMBER OF OTHER PARKED CARS. IT WAS AS IF IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. I CAN ONLY GUESS IT WAS A STUCK GAS PEDAL, STUCK THROTTLE OR STUCK…
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I WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPOT AT MY NORMAL SLOW SPEED WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE WENT INTO AN EXTREMELY HIGH REV AND THE XTERRA MADE A SUDDEN LUNGE FORWARD. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS IT SLAMMED INTO A NUMBER OF OTHER PARKED CARS. IT WAS AS IF IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. I CAN ONLY GUESS IT WAS A STUCK GAS PEDAL, STUCK THROTTLE OR STUCK ACCELERATOR. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT AMERICAN CARS, THE LAST SEVERAL WERE CARAVANS WITH NO ISSUES OF THIS TYPE. THIS NISSAN IS THE FIRST FOREIGN CAR THAT I HAVE PURCHASED. *TR
THE VEHICLE STARTED TO SPUTTER AND THE ABS AND AIRBAG LIGHTS STARTED TO COME ON. WHEN THE GEARS SHIFTED UP, IT STARTED TO RESIST ACCELERATION AND LOSING TRANSMISSION POWER. STARTED TO SHIFT DOWN AND COAST. PULLED OVER TO THE SIDE AND THE VEHICLE SHUT OFF. WOULD NOT START BACK UP. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER TWICE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE VEHICLE BECAME UNSTABLE AND THE DRIVER LOST CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. AS A RESULT, THE DRIVER CRASHED INTO A GUARD RAIL CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ROLL OVER TWICE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED FATAL INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 80,000. UPDATED 02/05/15*LJ UPDATED 9/20/2017*CN
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.
ON 5/2/2012 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30PM IN THE AFTERNOON VEHICLE TRAVELING ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY IN MODERATE TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH. WHILE BRAKING FOR TRAFFIC AT A STOP LIGHT OPERATOR FELT A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND LOSS OF STOPPING ABILITY REQUIRING THEM TO SWERVE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM…
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ON 5/2/2012 AT APPROXIMATELY 2:30PM IN THE AFTERNOON VEHICLE TRAVELING ON A DIVIDED HIGHWAY IN MODERATE TRAFFIC AT APPROXIMATELY 30MPH. WHILE BRAKING FOR TRAFFIC AT A STOP LIGHT OPERATOR FELT A SUDDEN DROP IN THE BRAKE PEDAL AND LOSS OF STOPPING ABILITY REQUIRING THEM TO SWERVE ONTO THE SHOULDER TO AVOID THE CAR IN FRONT OF THEM. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVABLE BUT REQUIRED MORE STOPPING DISTANCE TO BRAKE. LIGHT SMOKE NOTED WHILE STOPPED BUT NONE AT SPEED. UPON STOPPING TO INVESTIGATE THE LIGHT SMOKE, WHICH WAS COMING FROM THE FRONT RIGHT WHEEL AREA THE HOOD WAS OPENED TO INVESTIGATE AND A SMALL FLAME WAS NOTED ON THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WHICH WAS EXTINGUISHED WITH AN ABC EXTINGUISHER. BRAKE FLUID NOTED TO BE LOW IN THE MASTER CYLINDER. VEHICLE TOWED TO SHOP FOR INVESTIGATION AND REPAIR. BRAKE LINE FOUND TO HAVE BEEN RUBBING AGAINST EXHAUST MANIFOLD SHIELDING WHICH RUBBED AWAY THE RUBBER PROTECTIVE LINER OVER TIME ALLOWING WATER/RAIN TO SLOWLY RUST THE BRAKE LINE WHICH BURST AND SQUIRTED BRAKE FLUID ONTO THE MANIFOLD WHERE IT IGNITED. ONLINE RESEARCH SHOWS THIS TO BE A KNOWN PROBLEM EXPERIENCED/REPORTED BY OTHER OWNERS OF SAME MAKE/MODEL. HIGH POTENTIAL FOR BODILY HARM VIA ACCIDENT (INABILITY TO STOP) AND LOSS OF PROPERTY (FIRE). *TR
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.