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
What owners actually said
150 reports
Mileage unknown · Jan 2, 2004
Visibility
THE MECHANISM TO RAISE AND LOWER THE POWER WINDOWS IN XTERRAS IS DEFECTIVE. THE REPAIR IS $300-400 PER WINDOW, AND INCLUDES REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART WITH A DEFECTIVE PART. I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD "STOP DRIVING OFF-ROAD," THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT I "BROKE" THE MECHANISM BECAUSE I GOT DUST INSIDE THE DOOR...I'M AN ARCH…
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THE MECHANISM TO RAISE AND LOWER THE POWER WINDOWS IN XTERRAS IS DEFECTIVE. THE REPAIR IS $300-400 PER WINDOW, AND INCLUDES REPLACEMENT OF THE DEFECTIVE PART WITH A DEFECTIVE PART. I WAS TOLD THAT I SHOULD "STOP DRIVING OFF-ROAD," THE DEALER CLAIMED THAT I "BROKE" THE MECHANISM BECAUSE I GOT DUST INSIDE THE DOOR...I'M AN ARCHAEOLOGIST...I BOUGHT THE CAR BECAUSE I HAVE TO DRIVE OFF-ROAD! TWO MORE WINDOWS ARE BROKEN NOW, AND WHEN I CHECKED OWNER GROUPS ON THE INTERNET, I FOUND THAT THEY HAVE DEVISED SOME SOLUTIONS TO THIS PROBLEM---ALL SOLUTIONS REQUIRE THE CAR OWNER TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO REPAIR THE WINDOWS THEMSELVES. ONE GUY HAS FIXED HIS WINDOWS SEVEN TIMES! I'M EMBARRASSED TO SUBMIT THIS AFTER READING THE HORRID PROBLEMS SOME OTHER PEOPLE HAVE HAD WITH THEIR XTERRAS, BUT THIS IS AN EXPENSIVE PROBLEM...SOME OF THOSE PEOPLE WILL CERTAINLY HAVE THIS ONE ON TOP OF ALL THEY ALREADY HAVE!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10051544
Mileage unknown · Dec 13, 2003
Visibility
I AM HAVING TROUBLE WITH MY WINDOWS ALL 4 OF THEM DON'T WORK, IT ISN'T THE MOTOR, IT IS THE CABLE INSIDE...IT CRINKLES UP. 2 OF MY WINDOWS ARE STUCK DOWN. I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON HAVING THIS PROBLEM. I KNOW OF TWO OTHERS HAVING THE EXACT PROBLEM. ALL THREE OF US HAVE 2001 NISSAN XTERRA'S. THANKS, MATT WILLAND. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10049699
Mileage unknown · Dec 11, 2003
Engine And Engine Cooling
EXHAUST MANIFOLD BOLTS BREAK ON NISSANS VG33E ENGINE, CAUSING DANGERIOUS EXHAUST GAS TO LEAK IN ENGINE COMPARTMENT WHERE IT COULD BE SUCKED INTO IN CABIN AIR INTAKE AT FRONT OF WINDSHIELD I HAD 3 BROKE ON THE PASSENGER SIDE MANIFOLD. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10049607
27,437 miles · Dec 5, 2003
Visibility
I BOUGHT MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA NEW IN FEB. 2001. I'VE HAD 3 WINDOW REGULATORS REPLACED UNDER WARRANTY ON MY DRIVER, PASSENGER AND REAR PASSENGER WINDOW. NOW LESS THAN 10K MILES LATER AND OUT OF WARRANTY, BOTH THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER WINDOW REGULATORS HAVE QUIT WORKING. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10049237
33,995 miles · Nov 30, 2003
Electrical System
FUSE #11 WHICH PROTECTS THE ALTERNATOR/CHARGING CIRCUT AND 4WD/ATP WARNING LIGHT CIRCUTS KEPT BLOWING. WHEN THIS FUSE BLOWS THE ALTERNATOR STOPS WORKING AND THE VEHICLE THEN RUNS OFF THE BATTERY. AND WHEN THE BATTERY DIES 30 MINUTES LATER SO DOES YOUR XTERRA!*AK
NHTSA ODI #10048860
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 · Nov 28, 2003
Visibility
2 WINDOW REGULATORS ARE OUT AGAIN. SINCE BUYING THIS CAR WE HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED 8 TIMES. CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. FRIEND THAT BOUGHT SAME TYPE OF XTERRA AT THE SAME TIME HAS ALSO REPLACED THEM 5 TIMES. THIS ITEM IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND/OR REDESIGNED. NOW I EITHER CAN'T USE THE WIN…
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2 WINDOW REGULATORS ARE OUT AGAIN. SINCE BUYING THIS CAR WE HAVE HAD THEM REPLACED 8 TIMES. CAR IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. FRIEND THAT BOUGHT SAME TYPE OF XTERRA AT THE SAME TIME HAS ALSO REPLACED THEM 5 TIMES. THIS ITEM IS OBVIOUSLY DEFECTIVE AND SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND/OR REDESIGNED. NOW I EITHER CAN'T USE THE WINDOWS OR HAVE TO PAY HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS PER YEAR TO KEEP GETTING THEM REPLACED. I WILL NEVER BUY ANOTHER NISSAN AS LONG AS I LIVE BECAUSE OF THIS. NEVER. JUST LOOK THROUGH THE LISTING HERE AND SEE HOW MANY PEOPLE HAVE THIS EXACT SAME PROBLEM. HOW NISSAN CAN ACT LIKE IT IS NORMAL IS AN ATROCITY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10047744
5,000 miles · Nov 22, 2003
Exterior Lighting
PASSENGER HEADLIGHT WILL NOT FUNCTION WHILE IN LOW BEAM. THE BULB HAS BEEN CHECKED AND IS STILL GOOD. THE LOW BEAM LIGHT WILL TURN ON WHEN THE COMPONENT IS PULLED OUT OF THE HEAD LAMP, BUT WILL NOT TURN ON WHEN INSTALLED PROPERLY. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047385
5,000 miles · Nov 22, 2003
Visibility
THE PASSENGER WINDSHIELD WASHER DOESN'T WORK. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER AND IT WORKED FOR ONLY A SHORT PERIOD. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED. IT IS VERY HARD TO DRIVE USING ONLY THE DRIVERS SIDE OF THE WINDSHIELD. *LA
NHTSA ODI #10047384
5,000 miles · Nov 22, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
NISSAN, XTERRA, 2001. WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THE PEDAL WILL SINK APPROXIMATELY 1 - 2 INCHES. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER TOLD THAT THEY…
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NISSAN, XTERRA, 2001. WITHIN 6 MONTHS OF PURCHASING THE VEHICLE I BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL. WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME THE PEDAL WILL SINK APPROXIMATELY 1 - 2 INCHES. I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE SEVERAL TIMES TO THE DEALER SINCE I PURCHASED IT. THE FIRST TIME THE DEALER TOLD THAT THEY REPLACE THE BOOSTER. THE PROBLEM STILL CONTINUES, AND I HAVE TAKEN IT BACK TO THE DEALER AND THEY TELL ME THAT THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THE BRAKES. THE PROBLEM HAD NOT BEEN RESOLVED TO THIS DATE WHICH HAS BEEN THREE YEARS. *LA
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.
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.
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.
2001 Nissan Xterra Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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