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2001 Nissan Xterra

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2001 Nissan Xterra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 78.

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When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

85 reports with mileage · 65 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.

  • 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

Suspension complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Jun 11, 2022
Fuel/propulsion SystemService BrakesSuspension

The vehicle disabled and the steering wheel locked on the highway once the speed hit 70mph. The wheel bearings are always rattling and if I go through a pothole the steering and tire feel really loose. The brake system doesn't feel right and has made a loud metal grind sound. The exhaust and or gasoline smell is way potent and n…

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The vehicle disabled and the steering wheel locked on the highway once the speed hit 70mph. The wheel bearings are always rattling and if I go through a pothole the steering and tire feel really loose. The brake system doesn't feel right and has made a loud metal grind sound. The exhaust and or gasoline smell is way potent and not normal either it is strong smelling all the time. Potential recalls with fuel system, gasoline delivery, fuel pump and suspension, REAR , gasoline storage , tank assembly, filler pipe and cap. All are potential recalls also the exterior lighting

NHTSA ODI #11468769

108,000 miles · Jul 24, 2015
Fuel/propulsion SystemSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 02V299000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR, THE DEALER ST…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBERS: 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) AND 02V299000 (SUSPENSION). THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS AVAILABLE; HOWEVER, WHEN THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR THE RECALL REPAIR, THE DEALER STATED THAT THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ODI #10743271

83,000 miles · Jun 15, 2013
Suspension

MY XTERRA WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY ON THURSDAY JUNE 13TH AND AT 2 AM MY ROOMMATES COME KNOCKING ON MY DOOR SAYING MY FRONT END OF MY CAR FELL. I GOT UP AND LOOKED AND SURE ENOUGH IT HAD DROPPED. HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY SAID BOTH TORSION BARS WERE BROKE. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE…

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MY XTERRA WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY ON THURSDAY JUNE 13TH AND AT 2 AM MY ROOMMATES COME KNOCKING ON MY DOOR SAYING MY FRONT END OF MY CAR FELL. I GOT UP AND LOOKED AND SURE ENOUGH IT HAD DROPPED. HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY SAID BOTH TORSION BARS WERE BROKE. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH IT. NO CAN BELIEVE THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, MY XTERRA HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 7 HOURS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE BOTH BROKE AT THE SAME TIME AND WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10519946

106,000 miles · Aug 21, 2012
SteeringSuspensionCrash

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. …

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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

Mileage unknown · Jun 3, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicSuspension

NHTSA#02-V-299-000: 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. CONSUMER HAS THE SAME PROBLEM. DEALER HAS INSPECTED FOUR TIMES AND COULD NOT DUPLICATE OR CORRECT THE PROBLEM.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10022142

42,833 miles · May 11, 2003
Suspension

XTERRA WAS MAKING A POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNING. AFTER TAKING DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL OFF,I DISCOVERED BROKEN SWAY BAR BRACKET (LEFT HAND SIDE). TOP BOLT MISSING THREADS NOT DAMAGED WHICH RESULTED IN BROKEN FRAME OF VEHICLE. NO OTHER DAMAGE TO UNDERSIDE OF XTERRA. SUSPECT TOP BOLT NEVER INSTALLED CORRECTLY. NISSAN REFUSED TO WARR…

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XTERRA WAS MAKING A POPPING SOUND WHEN TURNING. AFTER TAKING DRIVERS SIDE WHEEL OFF,I DISCOVERED BROKEN SWAY BAR BRACKET (LEFT HAND SIDE). TOP BOLT MISSING THREADS NOT DAMAGED WHICH RESULTED IN BROKEN FRAME OF VEHICLE. NO OTHER DAMAGE TO UNDERSIDE OF XTERRA. SUSPECT TOP BOLT NEVER INSTALLED CORRECTLY. NISSAN REFUSED TO WARRANTY THE FRAME DESPITE MY HAVING AN EXTENDED WARRANTY. HAD XTERRA REPAIRED BY REPUTABLE BODY SHOP. EXPERT BODY SHOP OPINION CONCURS WITH BOLT BACKING OUT AND CAUSING DAMAGE. BODY SHOP RECOMMEND REPAIR BEFORE USING XTERRA, FURTHER DAMAGE COULD BE CAUSED INCLUDING WRECK. PAID FOR REPAIR MYSELF. PHOTOS TAKEN BY THE BODY SHOP AND ME. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10018515

Official recalls

3

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

2

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.