Visibility. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 22 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Electrical System. Review the 17 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

15 crash reports5 fire reports8 injury reports

Steering complaints

6 reports

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106,000 miles · Aug 21, 2012

SteeringSuspensionCrash

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EXITING ONE FREEWAY (315S) TO ENTER ANOTHER (270W). ON A LIGHT WET GROUND, MY XTERRA SPUN OFF THE ROAD DOING A SPIN (APPROX 360 DEGREES) OFF THE ROAD. THERE WAS A LIGHT RAIN 5-10 MINS PRIOR, I WAS DOING NOR MORE THAN 25MPH ON THE EXIT AND WITHOUT A KNOWN REASON, AND DESPITE TIRES WITH TREAD, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. I PURSCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND I ATTEMPT NOT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN THE WINTER BECAUSE OF IT NOT BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE ROAD IN THE SNOW. IN ADDITION, IF I HIT A BUMP, THE REAR WHEELS JERK/SKIPS WHEN IT MAKES CONTACT BACK WITH THE GROUND. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10471804

160,000 miles · Jun 30, 2011

Steering

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND MAKING A TURN HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CUR…

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NHTSA ODI #10410033

27,000 miles · Nov 28, 2003

Steering

STEERING WHEEL IS SEPARATING FROM THE STEERING COLUMN, CAUSING THE STEERING WHEEL TO HAVE TO MUCH PLAY IN IT. VEHICLE IS AT DEALERS SHOP AT THIS TIME FOR ANALYSIS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10048744

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2002

Power TrainService Brakes, HydraulicSteeringInjury

WHILE DRIVING 30-35 MPH RIGHT REAR AXLE AND WHEEL DISCONNECTED FROM VEHICLE. VEHICLE AT DEALERSHIP AT THIS TIME. *AK CONSUMER STATES THAT THE RIGHT REAR AXLE AND TIE ROD FLEW OFF CAUSING THE THE CONSUMER TO BE PULLED TO THE SHOULDER OF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER HAD NO BRAKES AND THE STEERING WHEEL LOCKED UP, THE VEHICLE WAS THR…

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NHTSA ODI #8016318

Mileage unknown · Sep 7, 2001

Service Brakes, HydraulicSteering

WHENEVER BRAKES WERE APPLIED THEY WOULD EITHER SNATCH OR PULL VEHICLE TO RIGHT. THIS CAUSED STEERING WHEEL TO BE SNATCHED OUT DRIVER'S HANDS. VEHICLE HARD TO CONTROL. AT DEALER'S 7 TIMES, BUT NO REPAIRS OR REPLACEMENTS WERE DONE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #895990

Mileage unknown · Aug 14, 2001

Steering

THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE SPINDLE ON EACH FRONT WHEEL HAD RUSTED, THE CONSUMER FEELS THIS IS A DESIGN FLAW ESPECIALLY SINCE THE VEHICLE IS LESS THAN TWO MONTHS OLD. NLM NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS INFORMED CONSUMER THAT THE PROBLEM IS COSMETIC RUST AND DOES NOT PRESENT ANY RISK, THEREFORE NOTHING WILL BE DONE. *SLC

NHTSA ODI #562501

Official recalls

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.

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.

02V300000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:tank Assembly:filler Pipe And Cap

Nov 12, 2002

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK INLET SHUTTER VALVE DOES NOT MEET THE SEALING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS SUCH AS HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AND WHEN WINTER GRADE GASOLINE IS BEING SOLD, FUEL COULD SPILL FROM THE FILLER INLET AS THE TANK IS BEING FILLED. IN THE PRESENCE OF AN IGNITION SOURCE, FUEL LEAKAGE COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL TANK INLET SHUTTER VALVE. OWNER NOTIFICATION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DECEMBER 10, 2002. 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

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.

PE02052 · Fuel Spill During Refueling

Opened Jun 20, 2002 · Closed Dec 3, 2002

Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Vehicle Speed Control:linkages

No summary supplied.