NHTSA Owner Complaint Log
This page lists owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2002 Nissan Xterra. Complaints are unverified consumer reports submitted to NHTSA and do not by themselves prove a defect or defect rate.
MY WIFE WAS DRIVING HER NISSAN XTERRA WHEN THE VEHICLE ENGINE SUDDENLY DIED IN TRAFFIC IN A MULTI-LANE STREET WITH HEAVY TRAFFIC. SHE HAD TO GET OUT OF THE CAR AND, WITH THE HELP OF OUR SON, PUSH IT OFF TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD TO CLEAR THE STREET. THE FAILURE WAS FOUND LATER TO BE A BAD FUEL PUMP AND BAD FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A REPAIR SHOP THAT DID THE DIAGNOSIS AND ISOLATED THE FAULT TO THOSE TWO COMPONENTS. THEY REPLACED THE FUEL PUMP AND SENDING UNIT, AS WELL AS THE FUEL FILTER AND STRAINER. DURING THE CONVERSATION WITH THE REPAIR SHOP (NOT A NISSAN DEALERSHIP) THEY MENTIONED THAT THERE WAS A NISSAN RECALL OUT FOR THE SENDING UNIT, AND THAT I OUGHT TO BE REIMBURSED BY NISSAN. WHEN I CONTACTED NISSAN THEY TOLD ME I COULD NOT BE REIMBURSED BECAUSE THE RECALL / REPAIR HAD ALREADY BEEN DONE ON THIS SAME VEHICLE IN 2005. IF THE RECALL WAS DONE CORRECTLY BY THE DEALERSHIP, THIS ITEM SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED WHEN MY WIFE WAS DRIVING IT. *TR
2002 NISSAN XTERRA, OVER THE LAST YEAR, WHEEL LUG NUTS HAVE BROKEN OFF THE WHEELS, THE ACTUAL STUD BROKE OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THIS HAS HAPPEN ON ALL 4 WHEELS, EACH TIME I HAD A MECHANIC REPLACE THE BAD PARTS. NOTE THESE WERE NOT CROSS THREADED,. AND WERE ALSO TIGHTEN WITH A TORQUE WRENCH. THE STUD JUST BROKE OFF. TODAY WAS THE MOST RECENT WHEN I FROM A BROKEN ONE IN THE DRIVEWAY. *TR
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS THE FUEL SENDING HARNESS WHICH SHORTED AND CAUSED THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE TO MELT AND STARTED A SMALL FIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A COMPLAINT AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REVIEW THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 138,000.
2002 NISSAN XTERRA: THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER WINCH MECHANISM IN NE REGIONS RUSTS (FROM WHAT I GATHER IN ON LINE RESEARCH THE PROBLEM IS RAMPANT) AND FREEZES NOT ALLOWING YOU TO LOWER THE TIRE TO REPLACE A FLAT. I HAD A FLAT ON A VERY BUSY ROAD. I COULD NOT LOWER THE SPARE AND BENT THE ROD. CALLED AAA. HAD TO HAVE FLAT TIRE TAKEN OFF AND REPAIRED BEFORE I COULD MOVE AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS TO NOT BE ABLE TO REPAIR FLAT. AFTER I WENT TO TIRE STORE. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO RELEASE WINCH AND INDICATED THEY SEE THE ISSUE VERY OFTEN IN NISSAN SUVS. THEY SAID MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO CUT OFF WINCH MECHANISM AND KEEP SPARE IN BACK OF VEHICLE. AFTER DECLINING, I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALLS THAT I COULD FIND ON LINE AND I STILL HAVE NOT FOUND A REASONABLE FIX. *TR
CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND A THERE IS AN OBVIOUS SMELL OF GASOLINE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THEM AS THEY RUST AROUND THE TOP OF THE TANK. THIS IS A SEPARATE ISSUE FROM THE FUEL SENDING UNIT RECALL THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO THESE VEHICLES. *TR
I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN MY ENGINE DIED. I CRUISED IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO START IT AGAIN, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I COULD SMELL GAS. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED, WE INITIALLY DETERMINED FUEL PUMP FAILURE. ONCE THE REPAIR WAS INITIATED, WE FOUND THAT THE WIRE TO THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS CORRODED AND HAD HEATED UP ENOUGH TO CAUSE A PEA SIZE HOLE IN THE PLUG. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT FAILURE COMPLETED ON MY VEHICLE IN 12/2004, BUT INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE UNIT, THEY ONLY SPRAYED SEALANT ON THE WIRE (BECAUSE NO CORROSION WAS FOUND) TO PREVENT CORROSION IN THE FUTURE. WE REPLACED THE SENDING UNIT, FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER. THE OLD PART IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN. I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO SHAKE ABNORMALLY. THE CONTACT STOPPED THE VEHICLE AND DISCOVERED THAT THE METAL SUPPORT MECHANISM UNDER THE HOOD WAS SUFFERING FROM METAL FATIGUE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE METAL FATIGUE WAS NORMAL AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE METAL FATIGUE PROGRESSIVELY BECAME WORSE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 157,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 167,400. UPDATED 1/13/2012 *LN
MY BRAKES WERE LOSING POWER WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELING 'MUSHY' AND BRAKE LIGHT ON. THE DEALER, MAITA NISSAN, ADVISED ME THAT THE SPARE TIRE, HAD RUBBED A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINING GOING TO THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS. NISSAN DID NOT FEEL THAT THEY WERE RESPONSIBLE, BECAUSE THE SPARE TIRE WAS OVERSIZED, COMPARED TO THE RECOMMENDED TIRE SIZE (SEARS HAD INSTALLED A WRANGLER P26570S17 TO SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT ON 9/21/2004). PER NISSAN, THE RECOMMENDED TIRE WAS P266565,17. FORTUNATELY, THE LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID AND LOSS OF BRAKING FLUID DID NOT LEAD TO A CRASH OR INJURY. AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, AS THE OWNER, I DID NOT AUTHORIZE SEARS TO INSTALL THE WRONG SIZE TIRE TO MY VEHICLE AND AM CERTAIN THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA THAT THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS ERROR COULD LEAD TO RUBBING A HOLE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM 4 YEARS LATER. I REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER NOTIFY NISSAN OF THE INCIDENT, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE THAT OTHER NISSAN XTERRA SE OWNERS WILL BENEFIT FROM MY EXPERIENCE (THE SE SERIES CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITH A 17 INCH CUSTOM TIRE AND RIM WHICH IS A SET-UP FOR THIS TYPE OF ERROR AND SENTINEL EVENT). *TR
THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE IS CRACKED ALLOWING EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER AREA. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AMONG NISSAN XTERRA OWNERS. *TR
BOTH OF THE VEHICLES EXHAUST MANIFOLDS HAVE DEVELOPED CRACKS AND HAD TO BE REPLACES BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE DRIVERS CABIN. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH 00-02 NISSAN XTERRAS . NISSAN CHANGED THE MANIFOLD DESIGN IN 03 WHICH ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING TO RECALL OR COMPENSATE CONSUMERS FOR THE ISSUE IN PRIOR MODELS. *TR
HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND ANTIFREEZE LEAK. *TR
ALL OF THE WINDOW REGULATORS ON MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA DO NOT WORK,CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO NEVER BE USED FOR FEAR OF THEM BEING STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR THE DRIVERS SIDE ONCE ALREADY TO THE TUNE OF $200. THIS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM BY NISSAN,AND THE BEST THEY WOULD DO IS TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 60K MILES OR 5 YEARS FROM PURCHASE. MOST PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO WERE ALREADY PAST THIS POINT,SO THERE IS NOTHING THAT NISSAN WILL DO FOR THEM...ME INCLUDED. I COULD REPLACE THE OTHER 3 WINDOWS BUT AT $200 EA AND WITH IT BEING A KNOWN ISSUE WHY SHOULD I BE STUCK WITH THIS. *TR
THE MAIN LEAF SPRING IN THE REAR SUSPENSION SHEARED OFF NEXT TO THE AXLE WHILE DRIVING. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR AND THE TOTAL LOAD IN THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS APPROXIMATELY 100LBS. THE SPRING CAUGHT ON THE BRAKE LINE AS IT BROKE. MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE YET. *TR
I HAD A CRASH FALLING A SLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL HITTING A TREE AND A WALL THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON MY 2002 NISSAN EXTERRA. *TR
TL*- WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 NISSAN XTERRA WITH A FAILURE MILEAGE OF 26,000 MILES. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY TURNED ON. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY, AND MADE NOISES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE SUPER CHARGER WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.*AK A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THE SUPERCHARGER. UPDATED 05/02/07*JB
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
I HAVE A NISSAN XTERRA AND THE WIRING TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS FAULTY. MY BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS XTERRA'S ALL OVER LAS VEGAS OF THE SAME YEAR THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WENT TO NISSAN ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME TOO MUCH TO LOOK AT IT. *TR
MY CAR WAS RECALLED FOR A PROBLEM CONNECTED TO THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IN 2006. IT HAS NOW BEEN BACK IN FOR REPAIR FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT OVER 14 TIMES IN THE PAST 4 YEARS. THE PAST SEVERAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE VIA THE GUIDANCE OF ENGINEERS AT FROM THE MAIN FACTORY AND YET MY CAR IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE MAIN COMPANY ARE WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR
I WAS TRAVELING ON I-76 IN COLORADO AND USING MY CRUISE CONTROL. I HAD NOTICED ONE TIME ON THE HIGHWAY THAT WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKE THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE UNTIL MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. I WAS ABOUT TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AT JULESBURG COLORADO HEADING WEST, DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE AND WHEN I GOT ON THE EXIT RAMP IT RE-ENGAGED. I PUT IN THE CLUTCH, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE WITH NO RESPONSE. THE EXIT RAMP IS SHORT AND A SINGLE LANE. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RAMP WAS A SEMI-TRUCK AND I HAD TO STEER THE CAR INTO THE AREA NEXT TO THE RAMP AND I HIT A CULVERT AND THE CAR FLIPPED THREE TIMES. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND RELEASED THAT EVENING. I REPORTED THIS TO NISSAN, THEY INSPECTED THE CAR AT THE JUNK YARD AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. I NEVER BELIEVED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG BUT NOW BELIEVE IT WAS AN ELECTRONIC FAILURE. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR FROM THE ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR
HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON HAD XTERRA FOR ONLY 26 DAYS FIND OUT IT IS EMISSIONS PROBLEM NO HELP FROM DEALER. *NM
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.
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE WEARING SEATBELTS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.
THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING ON MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. I FOUND THAT THE CAR HAD A RECALL. NISSAN AND IT'S DEALERS REFUSE TO MAKE THE REPAIR, CLAIMING THAT THEY HAD ALREADY DONE SO FOR A PREVIOUS OWNER IN 2003. *NM
VEHICLE: 2002 NISSAN XTERRA SE TAIL LIGHTS, FRONT SIDE MARKER LIGHTS, DASH PANEL ILLUMINATION FAILED DUE TO WIRE CHAFING BEHIND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT MARKER LIGHT. THE BACK OF THE BULB SOCKET FOR THE FRONT SIDE MARKER LIGHT PINCHES IT'S CONNECTION WIRE AGAINST THE HEAD OF A 10MM SCREW LOCATED IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE BULB SOCKET. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BULB SOCKET AND THE CHASSIS SCREW. THE SIDE MARKER LIGHT IS MOUNTED IN THE TOP EDGE OF THE FRONT BUMPER WHERE IT WRAPS AROUND THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BUMPER MOVES UP AND DOWN WHEN THE ROAD SURFACE IS NOT SMOOTH, WHICH CAUSES THE WIRE TO BE RUBBED AGAINST THE HEAD OF THE CHASSIS SCREW, WHICH WEARS THE INSULATION FROM THE WIRE AND RESULTS IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT BETWEEN THE DAMAGED WIRE AND THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SHARE THE FUSE WHICH ALSO PROTECTS THE TAIL LIGHTS, SO WHEN THE SHORT OCCURS THE TAIL LIGHTS BECOME INOPERATIVE. UNTIL WE FINALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM, MY DAUGHTER HAD TO DRIVE HOME AT NIGHT WITHOUT TAIL LIGHTS ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED, SHE WAS STOPPED BY A POLICE OFFICER BECAUSE HER TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I INSPECTED THE SIDE MARKER LIGHT ON THE OPPOSITE (PASSENGER) SIDE OF THIS VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT WAS MUCH MORE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BULB SOCKET AND THE CHASSIS. *JB
THE VEHICLE LEFT A COUPLE LARGE PUDDLES WHILE PARKED. DEALER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A COMPLETELY FAILED REAR SHOCK, DUE TO CORROSION, AND RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OR RISK DIMINISHED HANDLING. AT 37,500 MI, THE 2002 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY SO BOTH REAR SHOCKS WERE REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *JB
2002 XTERRA DIED WHILE DRIVING. FUEL SENDER CORRODED AT THE PUMP AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TS THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ISSUE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED NISSAN DEALER IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE FREE. THE CONSUMER PROCEED TO HAVE THE WORK DONE BY HER LOCAL MECHANIC INSTEAD. *JB
ELECTRIC WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING, WINDOW STAYS IN THE OPEN POSITION, RIGHT FRONT WAS REPAIRED, RIGHT REAR ALSO BROKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER, NOT YET REPAIRED, WINDOWS ARE RARELY USED SO THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR OR MILEAGE FACTOR, DEALER SAID MANUFACTURER WOULD COVER UP TO 60K SO NISSAN KNOWS THE PART IS DEFECTIVE (THEY SELL AN "ALL-WINDOW" REPAIR KIT BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY WILL ALL FAIL), A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD BE REPAIRED EQUALLY FOR ALL OWNERS. *NM
DT: 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONSUMER STATES ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2005 VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT, AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO CORRECT IT, NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. IT WAS RAINING AND THE ROAD WAS WET. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT THE MEDIAN WALL ON THE TURNPIKE. THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP, AND THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER TOTALED THE VEHICLE. THERE HAS BEEN NO INDICATION AS TO WHY THIS OCCURRED, NO ONE HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR ABRASIONS ON LEGS AND ARMS, WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN TOE ,AND BACK AND BREASTS WERE BOTHERING HER. *AK
DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS WAS A REAR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON BEFORE THE CRASH TO INDICATE AIR BAG FAILURE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE ALSO HIT A FIRE HYDRANT. UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB
ENGINE WOULD STALL WHILE AT LOW SPEED. ALSO AUTO WOULD NOT START AND THER WAS A SEMLL OF PLASTIC BURNING
POWER WINDOW REGULATOR AND MOTOR FAILURE. TOOK MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA IN FOR ITS 45,000 MILE STANDARD SERVICE. 2 WEEKS EARLIER I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR POWER WINDOW MOTOR STOPPED WORKING. SO I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE. TECHNICIAN CALLED ME LATER IN DAY TO SAY THAT THE MOTOR DIED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, WARRANTY EXPIRED. THIS SURPRISED ME BECAUSE BEING THE ONLY DRIVER OF THE CAR, WITHOUT KIDS, I ONLY PUT THE REAR WINDOWS DOWN A HANDFUL OF TIMES SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMED VERY PREMATURE FOR THIS PART TO FAIL. I TOLD THE TECHNICIAN THIS, AND HE SAID THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE CAR'S WINDOW REGULATOR, BUT NOT THE MOTOR...SO HE WOULD BE WILLING TO COVER LABOR IF I PURCHASED THE PART FOR $260.00. I AGREED THAT HE SHOULD ORDER THE PART. LATER THAT NIGHT, I WENT ON THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE, AND FOUND THAT THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS WITH 2001 AND 2002 XTERRAS HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THEIR POWER WINDOW MOTORS FAILING AT 12-45,000 MILES. I SUSPECTED THAT THE REGULATOR DEFECT WAS CAUSING THE MOTORS TO WORK HARDER THAN THEY SHOULD AND BURN OUT PREMATURELY. I ASKED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE THE REGULATOR/MOTOR UNIT SINCE THE KNOWN REGULATOR DEFECT CAUSED THE MOTOR FAILURE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE MOTOR HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE REGULATOR, AND REFUSED TO HONOR THIS REQUEST. I AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WERE BEING UNFAIRLY TREATED. WHAT WAS WORSE WAS THAT I FOUND ON LINE THAT THE REGULATOR/MOTOR PART WAS SOLD AS 1 UNIT AND FOR $66.00 WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY WHEREAS THE REPLACEMENT UNTIL NISSAN WAS SELLING ME COST $260.00 WITH ONLY A 12 MONTH LIMITED WARRANTY. *AK
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY 65 MPH, ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING SUDDENLY, OIL LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE STOPPED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED AN ENGINE I ASKED WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM, THEY SAID SLUDGE GOT IN THE ENGINE CAUSED IT TO SEIZE UP, THEY DID NOT DETERMINE HOW THE SLUDGE GOT IN THE ENGINE. *AK
FRONT CALIPERS SEIZED SIMULTANEOUSLY ON MY 2002 X-TERRA 4X4. REPAIRS DONE AT PEP BOYS IN MARCH 2005. TEAM NISSAN STATED THERE WERE NO TSB'S OR RECALLS ON THE FRONT BRAKES, ALTHOUGH OTHER OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF SIMILAR INSTANCES. EVEN PEP BOYS SERVICE MANAGER STATED THEY HAVE REPAIRED SEVERAL X-TERRAS WITH THE SAME BRAKE CONDITION.
THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS ALL WENT OFF AT NIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD, REPLACED A FUSE AND CONTINUED ON. ONE WEEKS LATER, THE FUSE BLEW AGAIN. THE DEALER FOUND THE RIGHT FRONT WIRING HARNESS MARKER WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME AND IT HAD SHORTED OUT. *NM *BF *NM
DT: THE CONTACT IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HER AIR CONDITION. HER BROTHER HAS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA AND THEY DONE A RECALL ON HIS AIR CONDITION AND SHE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER AIR CONDITION IT WILL NOT WORK THE DEALER TOLD HER SOMETHING ABOUT A FUSE HOLE. *NM
THE ABS BRAKES DO NOT WORK DUE TO THE BRACKETS MISSING. ALSO, SENSOR DOES NOT WORK. HOWEVER, WITHOUT THE BRACKET VEHICLE CAN NOT BE FIXED.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PART WAS RECALL AND IT TOOK THE DELEARSHIP TWO TO THREE MONTHS TO GET THE PART. *SB *NM
WATER COMES IN THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO INSPECTED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE COWL WAS NOT PROPERLY WELDED. *TT
WHILE DRIVING,THE VEHICLE STALLED THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE RESTART FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER AND DROVE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB
DT: THE CONTACT STATED HAD A COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM RADIATOR TO HER ENGINE. SHE WENT ON THE WEBSITE AND FOUND A COUPLE OF SERVICE BULLETINS, NHTSA ITEM 631329, AND 633628 THAT RELATED TO THE COOLANT LEAK PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. CURRENTLY, WAS HAVING ANOTHER COOLANT PROBLEM, AND SHE WAS TAKING VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON WEDNESDAY. SHE WAS LOSING COOLANT, BUT SHE SAW NO SIGN OF A LEAK. SHE ASSUMED THAT IT WAS A LEAK WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 1-05, AND SHE TOOK IT TO DEALER ON 1-11-05 TO HAVE THE ORIGINAL COOLANT PROBLEM FIXED ,AND HAD TO PAY $946.36 FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK *NM
HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP (EAST TN NISSAN, KNOXVILLE) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION ALL OVER VEHICLE. HEAR INTERMITTENT WHISTLING NOISE--CANNOT TELL IF COMING FROM FRONT OR REAR. I SUGGESTED TO THEM IT MIGHT BE A WHEEL BEARING. DEALERSHIP INSISTS NOT. THEY HAD ME TAKE VEHICLE TO LOCAL TIRE DEALER (TIRES PLUS, 4901 CLINTON HWY., KNOXVILLE, TN 37912) AFTER TELLING ME THE TIRES WERE OUT-OF-ROUND (SERVICE REP. SAID "VIBRATION DUE TO HIGH ROAD FORCE."). HOWEVER, LOCAL TIRE DEALER CLAIMED EAST TN NISSAN DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO BALANCE A TIRE AND SAID TIRES WERE NOT OUT OF ROUND. THEY BALANCED TIRES AND SENT ME ON MY WAY--DID SAY THEY WOULD "SELL ME A DIFFERENT TIRE AT A PRORATED PRICE." THIS IS "BUNK" AFTER PAYING NEARLY $30,000 FOR THIS VEHICLE! VIBRATION CONTINUES AND IS WORSENING!!! DEALERSHIP OFFERS NOTHING TOWARD HELPING ME GET REPLACEMENT TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE! I AM AFRAID THEY EITHER DID NOT REALLY DO THE RECALL ON THE REAR HOUSING AND ARE JERKING ME AROUND OR ELSE THAT TIRES (OR POSSIBLY WHEELS!) ARE OUT-OF-ROUND, AND THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY!
I OWNED A NISSAN XTERRA(02)4WD-I DROVE IT TO THE LASSEN NAT'L VOLCANIC PARK IN RED BLUFF,CA,I WAS ABOUT 300 FT FROM HIGHWAY 36 GOING TO THE PARK. IT WAS KIND OF CHILLY AND THE ROAD HAVE SOME SNOW ON IT. I WAS GOING SLOW ABOUT 13 TO 15 MILES, BECAUSE I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE ROAD, I WAS THINKING I'LL PUT ON FOUR WHEEL DRIVE,BUT I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND TRANSFER IT TO 4WD-WHEN I STARTED SLIDING TOWARDS THE MOUNTAINSIDE,SO STEPPED ON THE BRAKES(ABS) BUT I KEPT ON SLIDING, I DID NOT STEER IT TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION,I JUST WENT WHERE THE WAS GOING WHICH IS TO THE RIGHT,THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. IT HIT THE THE MOUNTAIN SIDE TREES AND SNOW THEN IT ROLLED OVER. MY SON AND ME WERE SHAKEN AND I SMELLED THE GAS SO I TURN THE ENGINE, IT STILL RUNNING. WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT WE SURVIVED THE CRASH- WE WERE WEARING OUR SEAT BELTS, WE GOT SOME BRUISE AN D BUMPS IN OUR HEAD,BUT A WEEK LATER I STILL FEEL ACHES AND PAINS-MY COMPLAINTS ARE THAT WHY DID OUR ABS DID NOT WORK AND THE AIRBAS DID NOT DEPLOY? LUCKY ENOUGH THAT WE WERE NOT ON THE SIDE OF THE OF THE DEEP CANYON WHEN IT HAPPENED. I ALWAYS MAINTAINED THAT CAR. *JB
PREMATURE FAILURE OF HEAD GASKET ON 2002 NISSAN XTERRA 4WD. CAR IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE COOLANT AND ONLY 3 YRS OLD. NISSAN DEALER WANTS SOMEWHERE AROUND $3000 TO REPAIR. NISSAN USA MANUFACTURER OF VEHICLE HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY CANNOT ASSIST ME. CAR NOW HAS ONLY 70,000 MILES BUT THE PROBLEM EXISTED WAY BEFORE. DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY SMELLED ANTI-FREEZE LEAK WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR A 30,000 MILE MAINTENANCE BUT THEY NEVER PUT IT IN WRITING AND NEVER MENTIONED IT AGAIN. *JB
FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW BEGAN TO SLOW DURING RAISING, THEN IT STALLED DOWN AND THE TWO REAR WINDOWS FROZE DOWN ALSO, NO ACTION TAKEN AT THIS TIME. *AK
THE WINDOWS ON THE FRONT AND BACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE GO DOWN AND WILL NOT GO UP. VEHICLE WAS GIVEN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM 30,000 MILES TO 60,000 MILES AFTER VEHICLE HAD ALREADY 60,000 MILES ON IT. THEREFORE, THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS POINTLESS. CURRENTLY, CONSUMER HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO REPAIR THE WINDOWS. *AK
RIGHT REAR SHOCK BROKE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT IT WAS CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AT 80,000 MILES.*AK
PROBLEMS WITH CONTROL UNIT ON 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. *MR THE SRS LIGHT WOULD COME ON, THE FIRST DEALER REPLACED THE CONTROL PANEL BUT THE SECOND SERVICE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE PART WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAULTY CONNECTOR. *SC *JB
WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT DEALERSHIP DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK
I WAS DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE OF MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA WITH APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES JUST SHUT DOWN AND CAUSED DIFFICULTY WITH STEERING AND BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE. *AK I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. IT APPEAR THE DEALER KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM JUST BY SPEAKING TO ME ON THE TELEPHONE. AFTER A DIAGNOSIS, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND THAT IT WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE ISSUE THAT I HAVE IS THAT WITH THE EXTREME DANGER ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE AND AFTER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET OF OTHER XTERRA OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS NOT DOING A PROACTIVE ROLE AND RECALLING THIS PART IF IT IS PRONE TO SUCH FAILURE.
WHEN DRIVING AT A DETERMINED SPEED CONSUMER NOTICED A LOSS OF FUEL ON THE FUEL GAUGE. CONSUMER HAD CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FUEL TANK FAILED. *AK
THE VEHICLE CONTINUED TO EXPERIENCE PROBLEM WITH THE AXLE AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL #02V299000. THE DEALER STATED THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THEY COULD DO AND THAT THEY REPLACED THE COMPONENT INDICATED IN THE RECALL.
Data synced from NHTSA on May 4, 2026