2003 Nissan Xterra problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Steering (10) · Service Brakes, Hydraulic (7) · Fuel System, Gasoline (5)
🧭 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
53 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Steering:column 2010-11-11 · campaign 10V554000 · 500,552 vehicles
Defect: 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
Risk: THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (48)
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.
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
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.
Showing the 6 most recent of 48 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2022-09-26 · Air Bags · 💥 crash“my son missed a sharp turn going approx 40 mph. went up an embankment, off a 4 ft retaining wall and struck a guard rail with the front passenger side of the xterra. airbags failed to deploy.…”
2021-08-07 · Steering“fuel pump power steering abs o2 sensors yes it's available for inspection upon requests car shut off while driving at 70 miles an hour on a highway due to fuel pump because my vin number is not with all the other 2003 nissan xterra's that have recalls on all of the same problems i have just for some reason my car has zero recalls which is ridiculou…”
2020-10-10 · Engine · 200,000 mi“engine overheating all cooling parts have been replaced still overheating with no known issue found very common in the 2000 to 2004 models and yet no recalls to fix the issue and keeps blowing radiator hoses…”
2019-01-24 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 180,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan xterra. after the vehicle was filled with fuel, it would not restart. the vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated there was a crack in the fuel sending unit. the vehicle was repaired. the dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. the failure mileage was 180,000.…”
2018-01-31 · Engine“tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan xterra. the contact stated that there was a premature failure of coolant leaking into the radiator, which impacted the transmission. the vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. the independent mechanic replaced the radiator and flushed the transmission. the manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a…”
2017-11-13 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 190,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan xterra. while driving 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. in addition, the power steering and brakes failed. the contact stated that the vehicle was serviced at casa nissan (5855 montana ave, el paso, tx) per nhtsa campaign number: 04v230000 (fuel system) three times previously. the dealer inspected the v…”
2016-10-14 · Air Bags · 160,000 mi · 💥 crash“tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan xterra. while driving 55 mph, the contact crashed into the rear of another vehicle. the air bags failed to deploy. the contact sustained neck and back injuries, but did not require medical attention. a police report was filed. the vehicle was towed to a towing lot. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the ma…”
2016-06-12 · Engine · 131,000 mi“june 12 2016 at the tri-par in slinger, wi i was filling up the gas tank, when gas began spilling out of the vehicle's wheel well. i immediately stopped it after i noticed it. the station along with the slinger fire department estimated a gallon was spilt. it appears the vehicle's gas tank neck has rusted out. they deemed the vehicle not saf…”
2016-03-07 · Steering · 142,000 mi · 💥 crash“i was driving to work one day and while i was turning corners i felt it was getting harder to steer. i stop at the red light and when drove off again i was going maybe 5-10 mph, i turned left and i was going to straighten the car up the car started to swurve and bear to the left. i tried to regain control but the car would not respond i ended up cr…”
2016-01-14 · Structure:body · 98,000 mi“nissan xterra frame rusted beyond any safety justification. oil leaks from engine up two 2 quart a day lead to engine seized up without warning.…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.