VEHICLE STALLS AT 100MPH ALSO ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF RANDOMLY BRAKES AREN'T BAD BUT IT'S LIKE THEY'RE GOING OUT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOBBLES WHEN STOPPING HARD OR ON WET ROADS ALSO WHEN ACCELERATATING AND DRIVING THE RPM GAUGE WILL JIMP UP FOR A SECOND AND MAKE THE ENGINE SOUND LOUDER WHILE IT DOES IT AND ALSO STEERING WH…
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VEHICLE STALLS AT 100MPH ALSO ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF RANDOMLY BRAKES AREN'T BAD BUT IT'S LIKE THEY'RE GOING OUT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOBBLES WHEN STOPPING HARD OR ON WET ROADS ALSO WHEN ACCELERATATING AND DRIVING THE RPM GAUGE WILL JIMP UP FOR A SECOND AND MAKE THE ENGINE SOUND LOUDER WHILE IT DOES IT AND ALSO STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE SOMEWHAT WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS AND BUMPS CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS UP BUT DOESN'T WORK HAPPENS EVERY DAY
NHTSA ODI #11349259
144,500 miles · Feb 18, 2018
Engine
TWICE WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE, THE ENGINE CUT OFF WITHOUT WARNING. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE BY PUTTING IT IN NEUTRAL BOTH TIME. HAPPENED FAIRLY CLOSE TO EACH OTHER WHEN IT STALLED. LOST ALL CONTROL.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANYTHING AUTOMOTI…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE VEHICLE FAILED TO ACCELERATE WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED AND THE ENGINE STALLED. THE FAILURE OCCURRED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND TURNED OFF THE ENGINE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO ANYTHING AUTOMOTIVE (LOCATED AT 1228 E RIVER RD, DIXON, IL 61021; (815) 285-3035) WHERE THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE BACK SEAT WAS CATCHING FIRE. THE MECHANIC DIAGNOSED THE VEHICLE AND STATED THAT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AT 800-647-7261 AND STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOO OLD AND NOTHING COULD BE DONE. CASE NUMBER: 27261028 WAS PROVIDED. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER OF THE VEHICLE HAD A RECALL IN 2004 FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE REPAIR WAS NOT REPAIRED CORRECTLY OR THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS FAULTY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 170,000.
NHTSA ODI #11002467
96,000 miles · Apr 30, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I PURCHASED A USED XTERRA ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A SHOPPING MALL AT A LOW SPEED WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT INTO A HIGH WHINING REV AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND TOOK OFF OUT OF CONTROL. BEFORE COMING TO A STOP IT RAN INTO FOUR OTHER PARKED CARS. I WAS AS IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. THIS…
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I PURCHASED A USED XTERRA ABOUT 6 MONTHS AGO. I WAS PULLING INTO A PARKING SPOT IN A SHOPPING MALL AT A LOW SPEED WHEN THE ENGINE SUDDENLY WENT INTO A HIGH WHINING REV AND THE VEHICLE LURCHED FORWARD AND TOOK OFF OUT OF CONTROL. BEFORE COMING TO A STOP IT RAN INTO FOUR OTHER PARKED CARS. I WAS AS IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. THIS HAS NEVER HAPPENED TO ME IN ALL MY YEARS OF DRIVING ONLY AMERICAN MADE CARS. THE NISSAN IS THE ONLY FOREIGN CAR I HAVE OWNED AND WILL LIKELY BE THE LAST AFTER THIS EPISODE. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10713773
101,000 miles · Apr 22, 2015
EngineVehicle Speed ControlCrash
I WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPOT AT MY NORMAL SLOW SPEED WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE WENT INTO AN EXTREMELY HIGH REV AND THE XTERRA MADE A SUDDEN LUNGE FORWARD. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS IT SLAMMED INTO A NUMBER OF OTHER PARKED CARS. IT WAS AS IF IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. I CAN ONLY GUESS IT WAS A STUCK GAS PEDAL, STUCK THROTTLE OR STUCK…
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I WAS ENTERING A PARKING SPOT AT MY NORMAL SLOW SPEED WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE WENT INTO AN EXTREMELY HIGH REV AND THE XTERRA MADE A SUDDEN LUNGE FORWARD. IN A MATTER OF SECONDS IT SLAMMED INTO A NUMBER OF OTHER PARKED CARS. IT WAS AS IF IT HAD A MIND OF ITS OWN. I CAN ONLY GUESS IT WAS A STUCK GAS PEDAL, STUCK THROTTLE OR STUCK ACCELERATOR. OVER THE YEARS I HAVE HAD NOTHING BUT AMERICAN CARS, THE LAST SEVERAL WERE CARAVANS WITH NO ISSUES OF THIS TYPE. THIS NISSAN IS THE FIRST FOREIGN CAR THAT I HAVE PURCHASED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10712178
174,000 miles · Jan 7, 2015
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING AFTER DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON A DAILY BASIS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 174,000.
NHTSA ODI #10670804
145,000 miles · Jul 25, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineCrash
THE DISTRIBUTOR HAS BALL BEARINGS UNDER THE SOLENOID AND PHOTO FOR CAM SENSOR THAT COMES APART AND GOES EVERY WHERE INTERNALLY. IT CAUSED ME TO GO OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRUCKER WHEN IT COMPLETELY STOPPED MY CAR WITH OUT WARNING OF ANY KIND ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO SENSOR INDICATOR UNTIL I TURNED THE CAR O…
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THE DISTRIBUTOR HAS BALL BEARINGS UNDER THE SOLENOID AND PHOTO FOR CAM SENSOR THAT COMES APART AND GOES EVERY WHERE INTERNALLY. IT CAUSED ME TO GO OFF THE HIGHWAY AND ALMOST GOT HIT BY A TRUCKER WHEN IT COMPLETELY STOPPED MY CAR WITH OUT WARNING OF ANY KIND ON THE HIGHWAY. THERE WAS NO SENSOR INDICATOR UNTIL I TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT ONLY REGISTERED THE CRANKSHAFT SENSOR AFTER THE CAR WAS TURNED OF AN ON TO FIGURE OUT WHAT WAS WRONG. IT ALMOST CAUSED MY WHOLE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM TO BURN OUT AS WELL. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS AND PULL THE MATERIAL CERTIFICATIONS AND BUILDS OF MATERIAL FOR THE INTERNAL ITEMS OF THIS, ESPECIALLY THE BALL BEARING THAT CAME APART. THIS IS THE MOST COMMON MALFUNCTIONING ITEM ON THIS MODEL AND YEAR. I'M AN INDUSTRIAL AND BUILD INSPECTOR AT CENTURY FASTENERS CORP. PLEASE REVIEW THIS AS IT COULD BE FATAL TO SOME ONE WHO DOSE NOT KNOW HOW TO CONTROL A SITUATION LIKE THIS. PLEASE AND THANK YOU,[XXX] 2002 NISSAN XTERRA AND ALL RELATED MODEL ENGINES. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
NHTSA ODI #10616274
80,000 miles · Feb 19, 2014
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACT…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED FROM THE SCENE AND TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS ADVISED THAT THE HEAD GASKET AND THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE PROBLEM. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE WAS 80,000.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 FRONTIER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001 THROUGH OCTOBER 20, 2004, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2004, XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001, THROUGH JANUARY 6, 2005. OVER TIME CORROSION MAY FORM IN THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN JOINT AND LIMIT MOVEMENT OF THE JOINT. THE LIMITED MOVEMENT OF THIS JOINT MAY CREATE EXCESSIVE LOAD ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE SHAFT DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS THAT REQUIRE LARGE STEERING INPUTS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND JOINT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHAFT OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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 VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY COME LOOSE. IF THE CONNECTOR COMES LOOSE, THE SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSTALL A RETAINING CLIP ON THE CLOCK SPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 21, 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 EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGER, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS FULL THROTTLE IN LOW GEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT FULLY WARMED UP AND AT COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, THE AMOUNT OF INTAKE AIR FLOW THROUGH THE AIR FLOW METER MAY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PRESET DIAGNOSIS LIMIT VALUE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM TO GO INTO THE FAILSAFE MODE. UNDER THIS CONDITION, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND ENGINE SPEED WILL NOT EXCEED 2400 RPM REGARDLESS OF THE THROTTLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 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, 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.
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
3
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.
EA02020 · Driver's Air Bag System Failure
Opened Aug 29, 2002 · Closed Mar 3, 2003
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
IN ITS LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 21, 2003 TO NHTSA, NISSAN STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF APPROXIMATELY 27,385 MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 6/12/01 (START OF PRODUCTION) TO 11/1/01 AS WELL AS APPROXIMATELY 37,177 MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 6/13/01 (START OF PRODUCTION) TO 10/25/01.VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER THESE DATES ARE NOT AFFECTED.NISSAN STATED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR MAY NOT BE FULLY SECURED TO THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE SQUIB PIN CONNECTOR DUE TO THE RETAINING GROOVE IN THE MODULE NOT HAVING SUFFICIENT DEPTH TO HOLD THE CONNECTOR IN THE ASSEMBLED POSITION.A RETAINING CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE CLOCKSPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.SEE RECALL 03V-061 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
PE02038 · Driver's Air Bag System Malfunction
Opened Mar 26, 2002 · Closed Aug 29, 2002
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Air Bags:frontal
No summary supplied.
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