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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
81,000 miles · Oct 19, 2005
Structure

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROOF WAS RUSTING IN AND AROUND THE ROOF RACK ON THE REAR QUARTER OF THE VEHICLE. HE TRIED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THE DEALER HAS SEEN THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2005 .THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROOF WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AND THE COST WAS AROUND $2,000. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THEY WERE WIL…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ROOF WAS RUSTING IN AND AROUND THE ROOF RACK ON THE REAR QUARTER OF THE VEHICLE. HE TRIED TO HAVE THE PROBLEM RESOLVED. THE DEALER HAS SEEN THE VEHICLE IN AUGUST 2005 .THE DEALER STATED THAT THE ROOF WILL HAVE TO BE REPLACED, AND THE COST WAS AROUND $2,000. THE MANUFACTURER SAID THAT THEY WERE WILLING TO PAY $685.00 FOR THE REPAIRS. THE VEHICLE IS UNDER A 100,000 MILE WARRANTY FOR RUST. THE VEHICLE IS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10140247

83,450 miles · Aug 9, 2005
Electrical System

THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THE IGNITION WIRING IN MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA FRIED. THE ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. I WAS THEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT THE XTERRA DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE AND IT FRIED BECAUSE OF AN AFTER MARKET ALARM,IT DOESN'T HAVE AN AFTER MARKET…

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THERE WAS NO WARNING BEFORE THE IGNITION WIRING IN MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA FRIED. THE ENGINE CUT OUT WHILE DRIVING TO ENTER THE FREEWAY. I WAS THEN TOLD BY THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE THAT I WAS LUCKY THAT THE XTERRA DIDN'T CATCH ON FIRE AND IT FRIED BECAUSE OF AN AFTER MARKET ALARM,IT DOESN'T HAVE AN AFTER MARKET ALARM ITS THE SAME AS WHEN I BOUGHT IT,NINE MONTHS PRIOR. THEY ARE GOING TO FIX IT BUT I HAVE TO PAY FOR NEW IGNITION WIRE. I'M STILL WONDERING WHY THE FUSES DIDN'T BREAK LIKE THEY WERE SUPPOSE TO, PREVENTING THIS WHOLE SITUATION FROM HAPPENING. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10132174

85,000 miles · Aug 9, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

(1) NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION, NO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES LED TO FAILURE. (2) THE RIGHT CYLINDER BANK EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED WHICH ALLOWED EXHAUST GASES TO BE PRESENT UNDER THE HOOD AND DRAWN INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BY THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE. (3) THE RIGHT CYLINDER BANK EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS …

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(1) NORMAL VEHICLE OPERATION, NO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES LED TO FAILURE. (2) THE RIGHT CYLINDER BANK EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED WHICH ALLOWED EXHAUST GASES TO BE PRESENT UNDER THE HOOD AND DRAWN INTO THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT BY THE HEAT AND AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM OF THE VEHICLE. (3) THE RIGHT CYLINDER BANK EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED. THE OLD PART IS UNAVAILABLE DUE TO THIS REPAIR BEING COVERED BY A VEHICLE SERVICE CONTRACT AND THE OLD PART WAS RETAINED BY THE DEALER PERFORMING THE REPAIR. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10132101

Mileage unknown · Jun 27, 2005
Structure

ON JUNE 16, 2005, MY PASSENGER TORSION BAR WHICH IS NECESSARY FOR VEHICLE SUSPENSION, SNAPPED IN HALF. MY VEHICLE IS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA SE VIN# [XXX]. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO GET CHECKED ON SAME DATE, AND WAS ADVISED THAT PART OF THE TORSION BAR WAS HANGING DOWN AND THE SITUATION COULD BE FATAL IF SAID BAR IMPALED INTO THE CONCRE…

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ON JUNE 16, 2005, MY PASSENGER TORSION BAR WHICH IS NECESSARY FOR VEHICLE SUSPENSION, SNAPPED IN HALF. MY VEHICLE IS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA SE VIN# [XXX]. I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO GET CHECKED ON SAME DATE, AND WAS ADVISED THAT PART OF THE TORSION BAR WAS HANGING DOWN AND THE SITUATION COULD BE FATAL IF SAID BAR IMPALED INTO THE CONCRETE WHILE DRIVING OR MUCH WORSE, IMPALE ITSELF IN THE BACK SEAT WHERE MY SEVERN YEAR OLD DAUGHTER SITS. BURDICK NISSAN WAS CONTACTED SAME DATE, AND I WAS ADVISED THAT THIS PART WILL BE AVAILABLE ON JUNE 20, 2005. ON JUNE 20, 2005, I WAS ADVISED THAT THIS PART IS ON NATIONAL BACK ORDER WITH NO ESTIMATED TIME WHEN IT WILL BECOME AVAILABLE. I CALLED THE NATIONAL NISSAN HOTLINE 1-800-NISSAN 1, AND FILED A COMPLAINT [XXX] I WAS ASSURED THAT A SPECIALIST WOULD CALL ME WITHIN 24-48HOURS. I HAVE YET TO HEAR FROM A NISSAN SPECIALIST EVEN THOUGH I HAVE CALLED THREE TIMES SINCE THEN, THE DATES BEING: JUNE24, 25, AND 27. EACH TIME, I WAS ASSURED THAT I WOULD BE CONTACTED, TO NO AVAIL. I EVEN REQUESTED TO SPEAK TO ON SUPERVISOR DURING THE LAST TWO CALLS, BUT WAS TOLD NONE WAS AVAILABLE. I WAS GIVEN NO FEEDBACK AS TO WHEN I COULD OBTAIN THIS PART AND NISSAN DENIED THAT THIS WAS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM EVEN THOUGH THIS PART IS ON NATIONWIDE BACKORDER. MY LOCAL NISSAN DEALER'S PARTS DEPARTMENT SAID THEY COULD ONLY PUT ME ON A LIST BUT HAD NO FURTHER RECOURSE OR INFORMATION FOR ME. THAT DEALER IS BURDICK NISSAN IN CICERO NY PHONE 3315-458-8915. IN THE MEANTIME, MY ONLY VEHICLE IS DEEMED TO BE UNSAFE AND UNFIT TO DRIVE. *JS INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ODI #10126715

65,000 miles · May 26, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling

PASSENGAR EXHUAST MANIFOLD CRACKED. BEING REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN ON 10-25% OF XTERRA'S AND HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY NISSAN. CAN POSSIBLY LEAD TO EXHAUST ENTERING THE CABIN IF NOT DETECTED. THIS IS A VARIANT OF THE ENGINE THAT WAS USED IN OLDER PATHFINDER MODELS THAT SUF…

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PASSENGAR EXHUAST MANIFOLD CRACKED. BEING REPLACED UNDER EXTENDED WARRANTY BUT AS FAR AS I CAN TELL THIS SEEMS TO HAPPEN ON 10-25% OF XTERRA'S AND HAS NOT BEEN ADDRESSED BY NISSAN. CAN POSSIBLY LEAD TO EXHAUST ENTERING THE CABIN IF NOT DETECTED. THIS IS A VARIANT OF THE ENGINE THAT WAS USED IN OLDER PATHFINDER MODELS THAT SUFFERED FROM THIS PROBLEM. NISSAN IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM AND AT A MINIMUM ADVISE THE PUBLIC ON IT SO THAT THEY ARE AWARE OF POSSIBLE EXHAUST ENTERING THE CABIN.

NHTSA ODI #10122192

98,806 miles · May 18, 2005
Unknown Or Other

AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAD TO BE SERVICED TWICE IN 60 DAYS. THE FIRST ISSUE BECAME THE UPPER HOSE ON THE A/C SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. LESS THAN 2 MONTHS LATER, THE LOWER HOSE BLEW AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO. VEHICLE IS A 2001 V6 2WD WITH 98K MILES. BOTH HOSES WERE REPLACED AND FREON WAS CHARGED (BY A LICENSED SHOP) TO THE TU…

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AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEM HAD TO BE SERVICED TWICE IN 60 DAYS. THE FIRST ISSUE BECAME THE UPPER HOSE ON THE A/C SYSTEM HAD TO BE REPLACED. LESS THAN 2 MONTHS LATER, THE LOWER HOSE BLEW AND HAD TO BE REPLACED ALSO. VEHICLE IS A 2001 V6 2WD WITH 98K MILES. BOTH HOSES WERE REPLACED AND FREON WAS CHARGED (BY A LICENSED SHOP) TO THE TUNE OF $800.

NHTSA ODI #10121277

Mileage unknown · Mar 2, 2005
TiresWheels

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

NHTSA ODI #10113307

Mileage unknown · Feb 27, 2005
Visibility

I PURCHASED MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA IN MAY 2004. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I NOTICED HOW THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S WINDOW GLASS SHAKES BADLY, AS IF THEY WERE GOING TO FALL RIGHT OUT THE WINDOW OR BREAK. I CONTACTED THE DEALER THE 2 DAYS LATER AND WAS TOLD, THEY WOULD CHECK INTO IT AND GET BACK TO ME. FOR THE FOLLOWING 3 WEEKS WE HA…

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I PURCHASED MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA IN MAY 2004. AS I WAS DRIVING HOME I NOTICED HOW THE DRIVER'S AND PASSENGER'S WINDOW GLASS SHAKES BADLY, AS IF THEY WERE GOING TO FALL RIGHT OUT THE WINDOW OR BREAK. I CONTACTED THE DEALER THE 2 DAYS LATER AND WAS TOLD, THEY WOULD CHECK INTO IT AND GET BACK TO ME. FOR THE FOLLOWING 3 WEEKS WE HAD ARGUMENTS OVER THE FINANCING OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH WE FINALLY RESOLVED, BUT THEY REFUSED TO EXPLAIN OR OFFER INFORMATION ABOUT THE WINDOW GLASS. I HAVE SEEN A MECHANIC ABOUT THE SITUATION, AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE REGULATORS FOR ALL FOUR WINDOWS NEED TO BE REPLACED AS THEY ARE DEFECTIVE. I NOTIFIED THE DEALER AND THEY REFUSED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM, STATING I HAVE TO PAY FOR IT MYSELF! I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF THERE IS A RECALL OR SOMETHING THAT NISSAN IS DOING TO REPAIR THIS AT MINIMAL COSTS TO OWNERS! THANKS!*JB

NHTSA ODI #10112251

125,178 miles · Feb 20, 2005
Visibility

I HAVE A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA AND THE POWER WINDOWS DON'T OPERATE PROPERLY. THEY ROLL DOWN, BUT NEED ASSISTANCE MANUALLY TO GO UP. THIS IS OCCURRING ON ALL WINDOWS. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING AND IT IS APPARENT THAT ALL XTERRA OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED A NISSAN FOR OVER 5 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS AND OUT OF BRAND…

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I HAVE A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA AND THE POWER WINDOWS DON'T OPERATE PROPERLY. THEY ROLL DOWN, BUT NEED ASSISTANCE MANUALLY TO GO UP. THIS IS OCCURRING ON ALL WINDOWS. I HAVE BEEN RESEARCHING AND IT IS APPARENT THAT ALL XTERRA OWNERS ARE HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I HAVE OWNED A NISSAN FOR OVER 5 YEARS WITH NO PROBLEMS AND OUT OF BRAND LOYALTY I BUY ANOTHER ONE AND IT HAS A PROBLEM THAT WILL HAPPEN OVER AND OVER. CAN SOMEONE PLEASE HELP OR ISSUE A RECALL. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10111843

Mileage unknown · Nov 15, 2004
Fuel System, Gasoline

04 V 230 000/FUEL SENDING UNIT: THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO SEND THE DEALER THE RECALL PART BECAUSE THE CONSUMER MOVED TO FLORIDA. *JB NISSAN DENIED THE CONSUMER THE REPLACEMENT OF THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. *SC

NHTSA ODI #10097154

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.