NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
157 reports70,267 miles · Sep 9, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DT: THE CONTACT STATED HAD A COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM RADIATOR TO HER ENGINE. SHE WENT ON THE WEBSITE AND FOUND A COUPLE OF SERVICE BULLETINS, NHTSA ITEM 631329, AND 633628 THAT RELATED TO THE COOLANT LEAK PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. CURRENTLY, WAS HAVING ANOTHER COOLANT PROBLEM, AND SHE WAS TAKING VEHICLE TO THE D…
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DT: THE CONTACT STATED HAD A COOLANT LEAK COMING FROM RADIATOR TO HER ENGINE. SHE WENT ON THE WEBSITE AND FOUND A COUPLE OF SERVICE BULLETINS, NHTSA ITEM 631329, AND 633628 THAT RELATED TO THE COOLANT LEAK PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED. CURRENTLY, WAS HAVING ANOTHER COOLANT PROBLEM, AND SHE WAS TAKING VEHICLE TO THE DEALER ON WEDNESDAY. SHE WAS LOSING COOLANT, BUT SHE SAW NO SIGN OF A LEAK. SHE ASSUMED THAT IT WAS A LEAK WITHIN THE ENGINE. THE PROBLEM STARTED AROUND 1-05, AND SHE TOOK IT TO DEALER ON 1-11-05 TO HAVE THE ORIGINAL COOLANT PROBLEM FIXED ,AND HAD TO PAY $946.36 FOR THE REPAIRS. *AK *NM
NHTSA ODI #10133538
42,000 miles · Jul 25, 2005
Service Brakes, Air
FRONT CALIPERS SEIZED SIMULTANEOUSLY ON MY 2002 X-TERRA 4X4. REPAIRS DONE AT PEP BOYS IN MARCH 2005. TEAM NISSAN STATED THERE WERE NO TSB'S OR RECALLS ON THE FRONT BRAKES, ALTHOUGH OTHER OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF SIMILAR INSTANCES. EVEN PEP BOYS SERVICE MANAGER STATED THEY HAVE REPAIRED SEVERAL X-TERRAS WITH THE SAME BRAKE CO…
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FRONT CALIPERS SEIZED SIMULTANEOUSLY ON MY 2002 X-TERRA 4X4. REPAIRS DONE AT PEP BOYS IN MARCH 2005. TEAM NISSAN STATED THERE WERE NO TSB'S OR RECALLS ON THE FRONT BRAKES, ALTHOUGH OTHER OWNERS HAVE COMPLAINED OF SIMILAR INSTANCES. EVEN PEP BOYS SERVICE MANAGER STATED THEY HAVE REPAIRED SEVERAL X-TERRAS WITH THE SAME BRAKE CONDITION.
NHTSA ODI #10129958
Mileage unknown · Jul 18, 2005
Tires
HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP (EAST TN NISSAN, KNOXVILLE) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION ALL OVER VEHICLE. HEAR INTERMITTENT WHISTLING NOISE--CANNOT TELL IF COMING FROM FRONT OR REAR. I SUGGESTED TO THEM IT MIGHT BE A WHEEL BEARING. DEALERSHIP INSISTS NOT. THEY HAD ME TAKE VEHICLE TO LOCAL TIRE DEALER (…
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HAVE COMPLAINED TO DEALERSHIP (EAST TN NISSAN, KNOXVILLE) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS THAT THERE IS SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION ALL OVER VEHICLE. HEAR INTERMITTENT WHISTLING NOISE--CANNOT TELL IF COMING FROM FRONT OR REAR. I SUGGESTED TO THEM IT MIGHT BE A WHEEL BEARING. DEALERSHIP INSISTS NOT. THEY HAD ME TAKE VEHICLE TO LOCAL TIRE DEALER (TIRES PLUS, 4901 CLINTON HWY., KNOXVILLE, TN 37912) AFTER TELLING ME THE TIRES WERE OUT-OF-ROUND (SERVICE REP. SAID "VIBRATION DUE TO HIGH ROAD FORCE."). HOWEVER, LOCAL TIRE DEALER CLAIMED EAST TN NISSAN DOESN'T KNOW HOW TO BALANCE A TIRE AND SAID TIRES WERE NOT OUT OF ROUND. THEY BALANCED TIRES AND SENT ME ON MY WAY--DID SAY THEY WOULD "SELL ME A DIFFERENT TIRE AT A PRORATED PRICE." THIS IS "BUNK" AFTER PAYING NEARLY $30,000 FOR THIS VEHICLE! VIBRATION CONTINUES AND IS WORSENING!!! DEALERSHIP OFFERS NOTHING TOWARD HELPING ME GET REPLACEMENT TIRES ON THIS VEHICLE! I AM AFRAID THEY EITHER DID NOT REALLY DO THE RECALL ON THE REAR HOUSING AND ARE JERKING ME AROUND OR ELSE THAT TIRES (OR POSSIBLY WHEELS!) ARE OUT-OF-ROUND, AND THEY REFUSE TO ACCEPT RESPONSIBILITY!
NHTSA ODI #10129233
73,500 miles · Jun 30, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
ENGINE WOULD STALL WHILE AT LOW SPEED. ALSO AUTO WOULD NOT START AND THER WAS A SEMLL OF PLASTIC BURNING
NHTSA ODI #10127121
Mileage unknown · May 26, 2005
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
THE ABS BRAKES DO NOT WORK DUE TO THE BRACKETS MISSING. ALSO, SENSOR DOES NOT WORK. HOWEVER, WITHOUT THE BRACKET VEHICLE CAN NOT BE FIXED.*AK THE CONSUMER STATED THAT THE PART WAS RECALL AND IT TOOK THE DELEARSHIP TWO TO THREE MONTHS TO GET THE PART. *SB *NM
NHTSA ODI #10118962
Mileage unknown · May 12, 2005
Equipment
DT: THE CONTACT IS HAVING PROBLEMS WITH HER AIR CONDITION. HER BROTHER HAS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA AND THEY DONE A RECALL ON HIS AIR CONDITION AND SHE IS HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH HER AIR CONDITION IT WILL NOT WORK THE DEALER TOLD HER SOMETHING ABOUT A FUSE HOLE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10120813
46,900 miles · Apr 30, 2005
Visibility
POWER WINDOW REGULATOR AND MOTOR FAILURE. TOOK MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA IN FOR ITS 45,000 MILE STANDARD SERVICE. 2 WEEKS EARLIER I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR POWER WINDOW MOTOR STOPPED WORKING. SO I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE. TECHNICIAN CALLED ME LATER IN DAY TO SAY THAT THE MOTOR DIED, AND NEEDED T…
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POWER WINDOW REGULATOR AND MOTOR FAILURE. TOOK MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA IN FOR ITS 45,000 MILE STANDARD SERVICE. 2 WEEKS EARLIER I NOTICED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR POWER WINDOW MOTOR STOPPED WORKING. SO I ASKED THE TECHNICIAN TO LOOK AT THE ISSUE. TECHNICIAN CALLED ME LATER IN DAY TO SAY THAT THE MOTOR DIED, AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. ALSO, WARRANTY EXPIRED. THIS SURPRISED ME BECAUSE BEING THE ONLY DRIVER OF THE CAR, WITHOUT KIDS, I ONLY PUT THE REAR WINDOWS DOWN A HANDFUL OF TIMES SINCE OWNING THE VEHICLE. IT SEEMED VERY PREMATURE FOR THIS PART TO FAIL. I TOLD THE TECHNICIAN THIS, AND HE SAID THAT THERE WAS A SERVICE BULLETIN ON THE CAR'S WINDOW REGULATOR, BUT NOT THE MOTOR...SO HE WOULD BE WILLING TO COVER LABOR IF I PURCHASED THE PART FOR $260.00. I AGREED THAT HE SHOULD ORDER THE PART. LATER THAT NIGHT, I WENT ON THE INTERNET TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE, AND FOUND THAT THOUSANDS OF CONSUMERS WITH 2001 AND 2002 XTERRAS HAD SIMILAR ISSUES WITH THEIR POWER WINDOW MOTORS FAILING AT 12-45,000 MILES. I SUSPECTED THAT THE REGULATOR DEFECT WAS CAUSING THE MOTORS TO WORK HARDER THAN THEY SHOULD AND BURN OUT PREMATURELY. I ASKED THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP TO REPLACE FREE OF CHARGE THE REGULATOR/MOTOR UNIT SINCE THE KNOWN REGULATOR DEFECT CAUSED THE MOTOR FAILURE. THEY TOLD ME THAT THE MOTOR HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH THE REGULATOR, AND REFUSED TO HONOR THIS REQUEST. I AND THOUSANDS OF OTHER PEOPLE WERE BEING UNFAIRLY TREATED. WHAT WAS WORSE WAS THAT I FOUND ON LINE THAT THE REGULATOR/MOTOR PART WAS SOLD AS 1 UNIT AND FOR $66.00 WITH A LIFETIME WARRANTY WHEREAS THE REPLACEMENT UNTIL NISSAN WAS SELLING ME COST $260.00 WITH ONLY A 12 MONTH LIMITED WARRANTY. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10118746
54,428 miles · Apr 7, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY 65 MPH, ENGINE BEGAN KNOCKING SUDDENLY, OIL LIGHT CAME ON, ENGINE STOPPED. HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO DEALER, THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED AN ENGINE I ASKED WHAT CAUSED THE PROBLEM, THEY SAID SLUDGE GOT IN THE ENGINE CAUSED IT TO SEIZE UP, THEY DID NOT DETERMINE HOW THE SLUDGE GOT IN THE ENGINE. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10116581
26,050 miles · Mar 28, 2005
Electrical System
THE DASHBOARD LIGHTS, HEADLIGHTS ALL WENT OFF AT NIGHT WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS BEING DRIVEN. THE CONSUMER PULLED OFF THE ROAD, REPLACED A FUSE AND CONTINUED ON. ONE WEEKS LATER, THE FUSE BLEW AGAIN. THE DEALER FOUND THE RIGHT FRONT WIRING HARNESS MARKER WAS RUBBING AGAINST THE FRAME AND IT HAD SHORTED OUT. *NM *BF *NM
NHTSA ODI #10113008
30,000 miles · Mar 2, 2005
Structure
WATER COMES IN THROUGH THE DASHBOARD. WHEN THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO INSPECTED, IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE COWL WAS NOT PROPERLY WELDED. *TT
NHTSA ODI #10108764
Official recalls
5Nov 11, 2010
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.
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.
Feb 27, 2003
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.
Nov 12, 2002
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.
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.
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
3DP03005 · 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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