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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.

About this comparison →

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

What owners actually said

150 reports
91,120 miles · Feb 22, 2007
Fuel System, Gasoline

FUEL SENDING UNIT THAT WAS REPLACED ON 4/25/2005 DUE TO RECALL OF POSSIBLE CORROSION FAILURE FAILED DUE TO CORROSION. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10183228

Mileage unknown · Oct 2, 2006
Tires

I PURCHASED 4 FIRESTONE DESTINATION LE TIRES IN 2004 FOR MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. AFTER 24000 MILES I NOTED THAT THERE WERE SMALL PIECES OF THE SIDEWALL MISSING ON ALL FOUR TIRES - EVENLY SPACED AROUND THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. ON THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE, THE LARGEST MISSING PIECE WAS APPROXIMATELY .75" ON EACH SIDE. I DID NOT …

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I PURCHASED 4 FIRESTONE DESTINATION LE TIRES IN 2004 FOR MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. AFTER 24000 MILES I NOTED THAT THERE WERE SMALL PIECES OF THE SIDEWALL MISSING ON ALL FOUR TIRES - EVENLY SPACED AROUND THE SIDEWALL OF THE TIRE. ON THE REAR PASSENGER TIRE, THE LARGEST MISSING PIECE WAS APPROXIMATELY .75" ON EACH SIDE. I DID NOT TAKE PICTURES AND I EXPERIENCED NO DRIVING PROBLEMS WITH THE TIRES. I TOOK THE CAR BACK TO THE FIRESTONE STORE AND THEY REPLACED ALL FOUR TIRES AT NO COST. I AM SENDING THIS BECAUSE THIS CLEARLY LOOKS LIKE SOME TYPE OF DEFECT SINCE I WAS SEEING THE SAME PATTERN ON ALL FOUR TIRES (AND HAVE NEVER SEEN ANYTHING LIKE THAT BEFORE). IF OTHER PEOPLE ARE SEEING SOMETHING SIMILAR, I WANTED TO HAVE IT NOTED THAT I ALSO HAD THIS ISSUES. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10169728

Mileage unknown · Sep 22, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON 8/29/06 WHEN A VEHICLE STRUCK ME HEAD-ON. MY AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE FAILED TO DEPLOY, ALTHOUGH I SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES I FEEL THAT MY AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN BUT HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING BACK CONCERNING ON CHECKING THE VEHICLE, ETC. THE SUV IS ALREADY REPAI…

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I WAS DRIVING HOME FROM WORK ON 8/29/06 WHEN A VEHICLE STRUCK ME HEAD-ON. MY AIRBAGS IN MY VEHICLE FAILED TO DEPLOY, ALTHOUGH I SUFFERED MINOR INJURIES I FEEL THAT MY AIRBAGS SHOULD HAVE DEPLOYED. I FILED A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN BUT HAVE NOT HEARD ANYTHING BACK CONCERNING ON CHECKING THE VEHICLE, ETC. THE SUV IS ALREADY REPAIRED IT TOOK APPROXIMATELY 2 1/2 WEEKS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10168983

76,000 miles · Aug 26, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

2001 NISSAN XTERRA CURRENTLY HAS 77, 123 MILES. EXPERIENCING POWER WINDOW FAILURE AND CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE. 1. AUG 06 WINDOW FAILED TO COMPLETELY CLOSE, HAD TO ADJUST WITH HAND TO CLOSE. I THOUGHT WINDOW WAS OFF TRACK SO I HAD DEALER SERVICE WINDOW, DEALER APPLIED LUBRICATION. WINDOW IS STILL FAILING TO COMPLETELY CLOSE …

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2001 NISSAN XTERRA CURRENTLY HAS 77, 123 MILES. EXPERIENCING POWER WINDOW FAILURE AND CRANKSHAFT PULLEY FAILURE. 1. AUG 06 WINDOW FAILED TO COMPLETELY CLOSE, HAD TO ADJUST WITH HAND TO CLOSE. I THOUGHT WINDOW WAS OFF TRACK SO I HAD DEALER SERVICE WINDOW, DEALER APPLIED LUBRICATION. WINDOW IS STILL FAILING TO COMPLETELY CLOSE WITHOUT ASSISTANCE. 2.HEARD NOISE IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALER FOR SERVICE, DEALER REPLACED POWER STEERING TENSIONER PULLEY NOISE CONTINUED TO EXIST. I HAD A REPUTABLE MECHANIC LOOK AT VEHICLE AND NOTICED THAT THE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY HAD MULTIPLE STRESS FRACTURES AND DENTS. VEHICLE SCHEDULED TO BE SERVICED AGAIN TO REPLACE CRANKSHAFT PULLEY. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10166599

Mileage unknown · Aug 16, 2006
Visibility

I HAVE A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA THAT I BOUGHT IN 2002 WHILE THE WINDOWS WERE STILL WORKING. WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF MY PURCHASE THE TWO REAR WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. IT WAS NOT BUT A COUPLE OF WEEKS UNTIL THE PASSENGER WINDOW COMPLETELY BROKE AND SLID DOWN INTO MY DOOR. THE DRIVERS SIDE GOES DOWN VERY SLOWLY MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND…

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I HAVE A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA THAT I BOUGHT IN 2002 WHILE THE WINDOWS WERE STILL WORKING. WITHIN TWO MONTHS OF MY PURCHASE THE TWO REAR WINDOWS STOPPED WORKING. IT WAS NOT BUT A COUPLE OF WEEKS UNTIL THE PASSENGER WINDOW COMPLETELY BROKE AND SLID DOWN INTO MY DOOR. THE DRIVERS SIDE GOES DOWN VERY SLOWLY MAKING A GRINDING NOISE AND HAS TO BE MANUALLY ROLLED UP. THE WARRANTY IS UP AND IT WILL COST ME $1800 TO GET IT FIXED. I WILL NOT SPEND THAT KIND OF MONEY ON A POORLY MANUFACTURED CAR AFTER THE FACT THAT THEY WILL NOT RECALL IT. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AGAIN. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10165684

39,695 miles · Jul 3, 2006
Engine And Engine CoolingVisibility

BOTH REAR WINDOW REGULATORS FAILED IN THE CONSUMER'S 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. *TS THE BLOWER MOTOR ONLY BLOWS ON HIGH. THE DEALER FOUND THAT THE BLOWER MOTOR RESISTOR SHORTED OUT. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED WHILE DRIVING. THE DEALER DIAGNOSED THAT THE THERMOSTAT HAD TO BE REPLACED. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10161609

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2006
Visibility

APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO AFTER JUST STARTING MY XTERRA, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS ON. I BEGAN TO PRESS THE SWITCH TO TURN THE WIPER OFF, THINKING I HAD LEFT IF ON, BUT REALIZED THAT IT WAS ALREADY IN THE OFF POSITION. THE WIPER THEN BEGAN TO MOVE AGAIN, AND WASHER FLUID STARTED TO SPRAY ON THE WINDOW. AF…

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APPROXIMATELY ONE MONTH AGO AFTER JUST STARTING MY XTERRA, I NOTICED THAT THE REAR WINDSHIELD WIPER WAS ON. I BEGAN TO PRESS THE SWITCH TO TURN THE WIPER OFF, THINKING I HAD LEFT IF ON, BUT REALIZED THAT IT WAS ALREADY IN THE OFF POSITION. THE WIPER THEN BEGAN TO MOVE AGAIN, AND WASHER FLUID STARTED TO SPRAY ON THE WINDOW. AFTER SEVERAL ATTEMPTS TO TURN THE SWITCH OFF AND ON, I FINALLY RESOLVED TO REMOVE THE FUSE FOR THE REAR WIPER. (THIS ALSO HAPPENED PRIOR TO A HEAVY RAINFALL LATER IN THE DAY, PREVENTING ME FROM USING THE REAR WIPER.) AFTER RETURNING HOME, I REINSERTED THE FUSE, THINKING IT WOULD SIMPLY RESET THE WIPER. HOWEVER, A SHORT WHILE AFTER TURNING THE ENGINE ON THE NEXT TIME IN THE CAR, BOTH THE WIPER AND WASHER FLUID ACTIVATED WITH THE SWITCH IN THE "OFF" POSITION. I HAVE FOUND SEVERAL REFERENCES TO SIMILAR PROBLEMS IN ONLINE XTERRA OWNER FORUMS, BUT HAVE NOT FOUND ANY RECALL NOTICES FROM NISSAN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10159818

45,500 miles · Apr 17, 2006
TiresWheels

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

NHTSA ODI #10155536

200 miles · Nov 7, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW FROM NISSAN, HOT AIR FROM THE ENGINE CONSTANTLY POURS THROUGH THE VENTILATION SYSTEM AND INTO THE CABIN AREA, EVEN WHEN THE AIR IS TURNED OFF. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10141937

Mileage unknown · Oct 27, 2005
Wheels

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

NHTSA ODI #10140933

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.