2001 Nissan Xterra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Visibility:power Window Devices And Controls (34) · Wheels (10) · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump (9)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Nissan Xterra model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
85 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (0)
No recalls on record for this model year (campaigns announced since 2010).
Service bulletins (75)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-107G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB17-019H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
window glass warranty information this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB13-028I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
removing foreign material from the window glass this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB09-081K · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
windshield cracking this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Steering 2023-09-21 · NTB08-097L · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
diagnosis of vehicle pull (drift) and/or steering wheel off-center this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Electrical System 2023-06-16 · NTB23-053 · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
silicone-based lubricant or grease can damage electrical components service information do not apply silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical components. to avoid the risk of death or severe personal injury, do not directly spray silicone-based lubricant or
Showing the 6 most recent of 75 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-06-11 · Suspension“the vehicle disabled and the steering wheel locked on the highway once the speed hit 70mph. the wheel bearings are always rattling and if i go through a pothole the steering and tire feel really loose. the brake system doesn't feel right and has made a loud metal grind sound. the exhaust and or gasoline smell is way potent and not normal either it …”
2021-03-30 · Power Train · 217,000 mi“the xterra started missing and hesitating (engine) eventually dying and not restarting. the missing and hesitation occurred while underway on a busy 4 lane divided highway, but thankfully made it home before dying and not restarting. missing and hesitation occurred while traveling straight on and while stopped at red lights.…”
2019-06-01 · Fuel/Propulsion System“car failed to start after being parked overnight. would crank but not start. had it diagnosed and the fuel sending unit replaced. the dead unit had a hole through it's plastic which showed a corroded electrical tab. it doesn't look like corrosion from a crack in the plastic as stated in campaign# 04v230000, but more like the electrical connection m…”
2018-11-01 · Power Train · 100,000 mi“while driving, engine goes to idle mode and can't accelerate. i have to shift to neutral and back to drive to again drive normally, then problem happens again and have to do the same continuously every few miles while driving.…”
2017-02-11 · Air Bags · 121,000 mi · 💥 crash“major intrusion on front end after a motor vehicle accident without air bag deployment. this occurred on the highway after sliding on ice and being hit head on by a ford f150.…”
2016-08-18 · Fuel/Propulsion System“the terminal strip are corrode and can't be replaced because the pump got damage by the corrosion of the terminal, now nissan do not want to replace the pump. is not my fault that they using parts that causing those type of problem. i can't affort to pay for the pump plus labor.…”
2015-07-24 · Suspension · 108,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan xterra. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign numbers: 04v230000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 02v299000 (suspension). the manufacturer stated that the part to do the repair was available; however, when the contact took the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair, the dealer stated that the part t…”
2015-05-06 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 138,000 mi“i just purchased this car about 3 months ago and paid 4000 dollars for it. the vehicle stopped working and the fuel pump wasn't coming on. after searching for the power issue i discovered the fuel tank sending unit which is the top to the gas tank itself. meaning the service hole of the tank access is the top part of the sending unit. the sending u…”
2014-10-12 · Wheels“after the car warms up it will stall while driving and when coming to a stop to idle.sometimes it will not start immediately after stalling. this is a safety hazard and could cause an accident. we have also had multiple problems with the alignment due to the wheel bearings. *tr…”
2014-10-04 · Wheels · 89,000 mi · 💥 crash“while driving on the mass turnpike, the front wheel came off the car. this is the second time. first time, in 2013, in school parking lot, different side but also a front wheel. we bought the car used from a nissan dealership in august 2012 for my 19 year old son. the car is hardly driven as he is away in college. this car has been serviced sev…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.