IllustrationAFTER THE CAR WARMS UP IT WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING AND WHEN COMING TO A STOP TO IDLE.SOMETIMES IT WILL NOT START IMMEDIATELY AFTER STALLING. THIS IS A SAFETY HAZARD AND COULD CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. WE HAVE ALSO HAD MULTIPLE PROBLEMS WITH THE ALIGNMENT DUE TO THE WHEEL BEARINGS. *TR
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.
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
70–25K
2925–50K
1350–75K
2275–100K
11100–150K
3150K+
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
Wheels complaints
11 reportsWHILE DRIVING ON THE MASS TURNPIKE, THE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME. FIRST TIME, IN 2013, IN SCHOOL PARKING LOT, DIFFERENT SIDE BUT ALSO A FRONT WHEEL. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN AUGUST 2012 FOR MY 19 YEAR OLD SON. THE CAR IS HARDLY DRIVEN AS HE IS AWAY IN COLLEGE. THIS CAR H…
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WHILE DRIVING ON THE MASS TURNPIKE, THE FRONT WHEEL CAME OFF THE CAR. THIS IS THE SECOND TIME. FIRST TIME, IN 2013, IN SCHOOL PARKING LOT, DIFFERENT SIDE BUT ALSO A FRONT WHEEL. WE BOUGHT THE CAR USED FROM A NISSAN DEALERSHIP IN AUGUST 2012 FOR MY 19 YEAR OLD SON. THE CAR IS HARDLY DRIVEN AS HE IS AWAY IN COLLEGE. THIS CAR HAS BEEN SERVICED SEVERAL TIMES FOR VARIOUS OTHER THINGS AND TWO DIFFERENT FRONT WHEELS JUST COMING OFF CAN NOT BE A MATTER OF LOOSE LUG NUTS AND INCOMPETENCE ON THE PART OF THE REPAIR SHOP. I FEEL THAT SOMETHING MUST BE FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG OR FAULTY. I SEE THAT THERE WERE RECALLS YEARS AGO HAVING TO DO WITH BALL JOINTS IN THIS MODEL, I CAN NOT TELL FROM CARFAX REPORTS WHETHER THIS VIN WAS EVER SERVICED FOR THAT, AND THAT NISSAN NEVER SHOULD HAVE RESOLD THIS CAR WITHOUT CHECKING TO SEE - DESPITE THE FACT THAT THIS IS AN OLDER CAR. A WHEEL COMING OFF IS DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MY SON COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED (LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT). I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHETHER THIS CAR WAS EVER CHECKED FOR THE RECALL ON BALL JOINTS IN 2003 OR EVER. DOESN'T THE DEALERSHIP HAVE ANY OBLIGATION TO CHECK SAFETY RECALLS BEFORE RESELLING CARS THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE? I FEEL THAT WE WERE SOLD A USED CAR THAT WAS FUNDAMENTALLY NOT SAFE. TWO DIFFERENT WHEELS FALL OFF WITHIN 2 YEARS OF PURCHASE - SOMETHING DOESN'T SEEM LEGITIMATE HERE. *TR
BOTH OF MY FRONT RIMS CRACKED ON MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. TWO OF THE FOUR PASSENGER SIDE SPOKES AND ONE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SPOKES IS STARTING TO CRACK. THERE WASN'T ANY IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. I ONLY NOTICED BECAUSE MY BRAKES BEGAN SQUEAKING AFTER A TRIP WITH MY 10YR OLD SON. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE FRONT RIMS TO CHE…
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BOTH OF MY FRONT RIMS CRACKED ON MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. TWO OF THE FOUR PASSENGER SIDE SPOKES AND ONE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SPOKES IS STARTING TO CRACK. THERE WASN'T ANY IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. I ONLY NOTICED BECAUSE MY BRAKES BEGAN SQUEAKING AFTER A TRIP WITH MY 10YR OLD SON. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE FRONT RIMS TO CHECK THE BRAKES, I NOTICED THE CRACKS. THEY ARE ALUMINUM 4 SPOKE 15"X7"RIMS. I FOUND A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V307000. *TR
IN 2003 THERE WAS A RECALL ON 2000 XTERRA'S - NHTSA ID 03V307000. THIS RECALL HAD TO DO WITH WHEELS CRACKING. I HAVE A 2001 XTERRA OUTSIDE THE VIN RANGE OF THE RECALL AND HAVE HAD 2 WHEELS CRACK IN THE LAST 16 MONTHS. NO ONE AT NISSAN OR THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP WILL DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT EXCEPT TO SELL ME NEW WHEELS. *JB
DT*: THE CONTACT STATED DURING AN OIL CHANGE THE MECHANIC NOTICED THE DRIVER SIDE REAR WHEEL WAS FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING NORMAL PRIOR TO THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE A SPARE TIRE WAS PUT ONTO THE VEHICLE. *AK UPDATED 05/16/06. *JB
FOUND CRACKS IN TWO OF MY 2001 XTERRA ORIGINAL ALLOY WHEELS. CRACKS WERE VISIBLE ON ONE WHEEL FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE. THIS WHEEL WAS IMMEDIATELY REMOVED DUE TO A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN NUMBER. RECALL WAS PRIMARILY FOR 2000 MODELS. COMPLAINT ISSUED TO NISSA…
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FOUND CRACKS IN TWO OF MY 2001 XTERRA ORIGINAL ALLOY WHEELS. CRACKS WERE VISIBLE ON ONE WHEEL FROM INSIDE TO OUTSIDE. THIS WHEEL WAS IMMEDIATELY REMOVED DUE TO A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I WAS TOLD BY NISSAN THAT THERE WAS A RECALL, BUT DID NOT INCLUDE MY VIN NUMBER. RECALL WAS PRIMARILY FOR 2000 MODELS. COMPLAINT ISSUED TO NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS FOR POSSIBLE REIMBURSEMENT OF REPLACEMENT WHEELS. *NM
DRIVER NOTICED THAT ALL FOUR WHEELS HAD CRACKS INSIDE AND OUTSIDE. THIS CAUSED LEAKS FROM THE TIRES AND UNBALANCE OF THE VEHICLE WHILE DRIVING. DRIVER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALER, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT THE WHEELS AND TIRES WERE OPERATING AS DESIGNED, BUT A FLAW WAS NOTICED WHILE INSPECTING. *AK
WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE FRONT LEFT WHEEL SEPARATED FROM THE VEHICLE WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE ROLLED INTO A DITCH BUT THE VEHICLES OCCUPANTS WERE NOT DAMAGED. THE MANUFACTURER IS LOOKING INTO THE PROBLEM AND IS DRAGGING THEIR FEET. *NM
3 CRACKS FOUND IN THE SPOKES OF MY ALLOY WHEELS ON MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. NISSAN REFUSED TO REPLACE THE WHEEL. THE CURRENT RECALL FOR CRACKED WHEEL SPOKES WAS NOT FOR THE 2001 MODEL.*AK
WHILE DRIVING CENTER WHEEL CAP FELL COMPLETELY OFF DUE TO A MISSING SPRING CLIP. PLEASE GIVE ANY FURTHER DETAILS. *AK
Official recalls
304V230000 · 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
2DP03005 · 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.