IllustrationSINCE 2006, SENSOR LIGHT WAS COMING ON AND OFF. IN 2008 FAILED EMISSION INSPECTION DUE TO SENSOR LIGHT. HAD REPAIRED BY A STATE CERTIFIED REPAIR FACILITY, AS REQUIRED BY STATE OF MASS, FOR SENSOR AND CAT CONVERTER IN MAY 2008. IN AUG 2008 SENSOR LIGHT CAME BACK ON. HAD RESET - WAS SAME ISSUE THAT WAS REPAIRED IN MAY 2008. *TR
2003 Nissan Xterra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Nissan Xterra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 78.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
150–25K
325–50K
850–75K
875–100K
13100–150K
6150K+
53 reports with mileage · 19 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.
- Steering. Review the 12 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports2 fire reports10 injury reports
What owners actually said
72 reportsTL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCESS HATCH ABOVE THE GAS TANK SEAL IS CORRODED SO BADLY, THAT IT WILL NOT FILL PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS EMISSION VAPORS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND ON JUNE 17, 2007, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GAS TANK NEEDS TO BE…
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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE ACCESS HATCH ABOVE THE GAS TANK SEAL IS CORRODED SO BADLY, THAT IT WILL NOT FILL PROPERLY. THE VEHICLE HAS EMISSION VAPORS IN THE PASSENGER COMPARTMENT AND ON JUNE 17, 2007, THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE GAS TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE REPAIR WILL COST $1,000. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS IS A SAFETY DEFECT. THE PURCHASE DATE WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 129,500 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 129,425.
THREE OF THE POWER WINDOWS ON THE 2003 NISSAN XTERRA HAVE CEASED FROM FUNCTIONING. THE ONLY WINDOW FUNCTIONING WAS THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WINDOW. *AK
TL*- THE CONTACT STATEDON THE 2003 NISSAN XTERRA THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 40 MPH IN FOG, AT NIGHT, WHEN ITBSTRUCK A DEAR. THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THERE WAS NO ONE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE POLICE FILE…
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TL*- THE CONTACT STATEDON THE 2003 NISSAN XTERRA THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THE CAR WAS BEING DRIVEN AT 40 MPH IN FOG, AT NIGHT, WHEN ITBSTRUCK A DEAR. THE AIR BAG ON THE DRIVER SIDE DID NOT DEPLOY, BUT THE PASSENGER SIDE AIR BAG DEPLOYED, BUT THERE WAS NO ONE ON THE PASSENGER'S SIDE. THE POLICE FILED A REPORT. *AK
PARKING BRAKE FAILURE AND UNDETERMINED ENGINE NOISE - ON 2 OCCASIONS, THE PARKING BRAKE HOLD BECAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARD. IT WAS REPAIRED TWICE IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS, BOTH TIMES SAYING THE SOME TYPE OF WASHER THAT HOLDS A CABLE HAD BECOME LOOSE. THE PARKING BRAKE TENSION WOULD BECOME VERY LOOSE BEFORE T…
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PARKING BRAKE FAILURE AND UNDETERMINED ENGINE NOISE - ON 2 OCCASIONS, THE PARKING BRAKE HOLD BECAME LOOSE AND CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ROLL BACKWARD. IT WAS REPAIRED TWICE IN LESS THAN 6 MONTHS, BOTH TIMES SAYING THE SOME TYPE OF WASHER THAT HOLDS A CABLE HAD BECOME LOOSE. THE PARKING BRAKE TENSION WOULD BECOME VERY LOOSE BEFORE THE FAILURES. THERE IS AN ADDITIONAL ENGINE NOISE ISSUE THAT HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED AFTER 4 VISITS TO THE DEALER WHILE UNDER WARRANTY. THE NOISE SOUNDS LIKE A LOOSE BELT SQUEALING OR A CONSTANT SQUEAKY NOISE, ESPECIALLY WHEN THE ENGINE IS COLD OR THE OUTSIDE TEMPS ARE LOWER THAN ABOUT 60 DEGREES. DEALER CLAIMS THEY HEAR THE NOISE BUT ARE UNABLE TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM OR REPAIR IT. IT STILL SQUEAKS AND IS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY. *NM
2003 XTERRA BRAKES FAILED TO STOP CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN A RED LIGHT. *TS THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED ON MAY, 21, 2004. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKES WERE WORN, THE RIGHT INNER PAD CAME OUT OF HOLDER FROM METAL CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR CAUSING CALIPER PISTON TO JAM INTO INSIDE OF RIGHT FRONT ROTOR. THE DEALE…
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2003 XTERRA BRAKES FAILED TO STOP CAUSING CONSUMER TO RUN A RED LIGHT. *TS THE FIRST FAILURE OCCURRED ON MAY, 21, 2004. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE BRAKES WERE WORN, THE RIGHT INNER PAD CAME OUT OF HOLDER FROM METAL CONTACT WITH THE ROTOR CAUSING CALIPER PISTON TO JAM INTO INSIDE OF RIGHT FRONT ROTOR. THE DEALER REPLACED THE FRONT BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS AND RIGHT FRONT CALIPERS. THE SECOND FAILURE OCCURRED ON APRIL 15, 2005. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE THE DID A COMPLETE BRAKE FLUID EXCHANGE TO REMOVE CONTAMINANT FROM BRAKE LINES. *NM THE CONSUMER HAS SINCE MOVED WITH NO FORWARDING ADDRESS. UPDATED 07/03/06. *JB
DT: CONTACT STATED 2003 NISSAN XTERRA CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 5-27-05. CONTACT WAS DRIVING AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, WITHIN ONE MINUTE THE HOOD WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. SHE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN SHE FIRST SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS AN ELECTRICA…
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DT: CONTACT STATED 2003 NISSAN XTERRA CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 5-27-05. CONTACT WAS DRIVING AND SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING, WITHIN ONE MINUTE THE HOOD WAS ENGULFED IN FLAMES. SHE WAS STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT WHEN SHE FIRST SMELLED SOMETHING BURNING. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT CAME AND EXTINGUISHED THE FIRE. THEY THOUGHT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE MANUFACTURER SENT SOMEONE TO LOOK AT THE CAR AND THE CORPORATE CONSUMER AFFAIRS CALLED AND SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED IT, BUT THE WARRANTY EXPIRED. DEALER SAID THEY DID NOT KNOW WHAT CAUSED THE FIRE. IT DESTROYED THE VEHICLE COMPLETELY. *AK *NM
FRONT RIGHT BRAKE FROZE IN THE "ON" POSITION WHILE DRIVING IMPEDING ACCELERATION AND BRAKING CAPACITY. BRAKE ALSO CAUSED SMOKE. THIS OCCURRED ON TWO OCCASIONS. AFTER FIRST OCCURRENCE THE BRAKE PADS WERE REPLACED AND BRAKING CYLINDER SEEMED TO BE WORKING. AFTER SECOND OCCURRENCE THE BRAKE CYLINDER WAS REPLACED. *JB
2003 NISSAN XTERRA DEVELOPED PROBLEMS WITH THE BRAKES, HEADLIGHTS AND TAIL LIGHTS.*MR WHEN THE CONSUMER ATTEMPTED TO APPLY THE BRAKES, THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. *JB
THE WHOLE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE IS COMING APART IT HAS STRESS CRACKS AND WHERE THE SPOT WELDS ARE THEY ALSO ARE COMING APART. *NM
Official recalls
310V554000 · Steering:column
Nov 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.
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.
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
1DP03005 · 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.