Page 2 of 4 · complaints 51–100 of 157

2002 Nissan Xterra complaints

Owner reports filed with NHTSA about this vehicle, newest first and reproduced as filed. They are unverified accounts: one proves nothing, and a pattern across many is the thing worth reading. Back to the full 2002 record →

Equipment
Filed Feb 28, 201126,050 milesNJ

DEAR SIR/MADAM: MY VEHICLE HAS HAD THE FOLLOWING PROBLEM/FAILURE OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR SYSTEM, YET THE DEALER STATES IT MY RESPONSIBLE TO PAY TO FIX THE ITEM REGARDLESS OF A FORMALLY ISSUED SERVICE BULLETIN. IS THAT TRUE?? COPY OF SERVICE BULLETIN: MAKE : NISSANMODEL : XTERRAYEAR : 2001 MANUFACTURER : NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER : 04133DATE OF BULLETIN : FEB 25, 2005 NHTSA ITEM NUMBER : 10012843 COMPONENT : VISIBILITY:REARVIEW MIRRORS/DEVICES [XXX] PARTS OF THIS DOCUMENT HAVE BEEN REDACTED TO PROTECT PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Feb 23, 201181,000 milesMD

ALL OF THE WINDOW REGULATORS ON MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA DO NOT WORK,CAUSING THE WINDOWS TO NEVER BE USED FOR FEAR OF THEM BEING STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION. I HAVE HAD TO REPAIR THE DRIVERS SIDE ONCE ALREADY TO THE TUNE OF $200. THIS APPARENTLY A KNOWN PROBLEM BY NISSAN,AND THE BEST THEY WOULD DO IS TO EXTEND THE WARRANTY TO 60K MILES OR 5 YEARS FROM PURCHASE. MOST PEOPLE I'VE TALKED TO WERE ALREADY PAST THIS POINT,SO THERE IS NOTHING THAT NISSAN WILL DO FOR THEM...ME INCLUDED. I COULD REPLACE THE OTHER 3 WINDOWS BUT AT $200 EA AND WITH IT BEING A KNOWN ISSUE WHY SHOULD I BE STUCK WITH THIS. *TR

Steering
Filed Jan 18, 2011102,000 milesNC

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER (10V554000-STEERING:COLUMN). AFTER TAKING THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER THEY ADVISED HER THAT THEY DO NOT MANUFACTURER THAT PART ANYMORE; THEREFORE, THEY WERE UNABLE TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED FOR THE STEERING COLUMN. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 102,000. UPDATED 03/07/11*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED THE REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE. UPDATED 05/06/11

Fuel System, GasolineFire
Filed Dec 3, 2010138,000 milesNY

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE CAUSE OF THE FAILURE WAS THE FUEL SENDING HARNESS WHICH SHORTED AND CAUSED THE PLASTIC FUEL LINE TO MELT AND STARTED A SMALL FIRE. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER WHO TOOK A COMPLAINT AND STATED THAT THEY WOULD REVIEW THE PROBLEM. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 138,000.

Wheels
Filed Nov 17, 2010100,476 milesPA

2002 NISSAN XTERRA, OVER THE LAST YEAR, WHEEL LUG NUTS HAVE BROKEN OFF THE WHEELS, THE ACTUAL STUD BROKE OFF FOR NO APPARENT REASON, THIS HAS HAPPEN ON ALL 4 WHEELS, EACH TIME I HAD A MECHANIC REPLACE THE BAD PARTS. NOTE THESE WERE NOT CROSS THREADED,. AND WERE ALSO TIGHTEN WITH A TORQUE WRENCH. THE STUD JUST BROKE OFF. TODAY WAS THE MOST RECENT WHEN I FROM A BROKEN ONE IN THE DRIVEWAY. *TR

Fuel System, Other
Filed Sep 30, 201071,000 milesGA

MY CAR WAS RECALLED FOR A PROBLEM CONNECTED TO THE FUEL SENDING UNIT IN 2006. IT HAS NOW BEEN BACK IN FOR REPAIR FOR THE FUEL SENDING UNIT OVER 14 TIMES IN THE PAST 4 YEARS. THE PAST SEVERAL REPAIRS HAVE BEEN MADE VIA THE GUIDANCE OF ENGINEERS AT FROM THE MAIN FACTORY AND YET MY CAR IS STILL HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM AND THE DEALERSHIP NOR THE MAIN COMPANY ARE WILLING TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY. *TR

Structure
Filed Jun 19, 2010120,000 milesNH

2002 NISSAN XTERRA: THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER WINCH MECHANISM IN NE REGIONS RUSTS (FROM WHAT I GATHER IN ON LINE RESEARCH THE PROBLEM IS RAMPANT) AND FREEZES NOT ALLOWING YOU TO LOWER THE TIRE TO REPLACE A FLAT. I HAD A FLAT ON A VERY BUSY ROAD. I COULD NOT LOWER THE SPARE AND BENT THE ROD. CALLED AAA. HAD TO HAVE FLAT TIRE TAKEN OFF AND REPAIRED BEFORE I COULD MOVE AGAIN. VERY DANGEROUS TO NOT BE ABLE TO REPAIR FLAT. AFTER I WENT TO TIRE STORE. THEY WERE NOT ABLE TO RELEASE WINCH AND INDICATED THEY SEE THE ISSUE VERY OFTEN IN NISSAN SUVS. THEY SAID MY ONLY OPTION WAS TO CUT OFF WINCH MECHANISM AND KEEP SPARE IN BACK OF VEHICLE. AFTER DECLINING, I DID RESEARCH AND FOUND THAT THIS PROBLEM IS VERY COMMON. THERE HAS BEEN NO RECALLS THAT I COULD FIND ON LINE AND I STILL HAVE NOT FOUND A REASONABLE FIX. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Apr 6, 2010109,000 milesNH

CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON AND A THERE IS AN OBVIOUS SMELL OF GASOLINE ON THE DRIVERS SIDE IN THE BACK OF THE VEHICLE. DEALER TELLS ME THAT THE FUEL TANK NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AND THIS IS A COMMON ISSUE WITH THEM AS THEY RUST AROUND THE TOP OF THE TANK. THIS IS A SEPARATE ISSUE FROM THE FUEL SENDING UNIT RECALL THAT HAS BEEN DONE TO THESE VEHICLES. *TR

Vehicle Speed ControlCrash2 injured
Filed Mar 15, 201050,000 milesCO

I WAS TRAVELING ON I-76 IN COLORADO AND USING MY CRUISE CONTROL. I HAD NOTICED ONE TIME ON THE HIGHWAY THAT WHEN I PUT ON THE BRAKE THE CRUISE CONTROL DID NOT DISENGAGE UNTIL MULTIPLE ATTEMPTS. I WAS ABOUT TO EXIT THE HIGHWAY AT JULESBURG COLORADO HEADING WEST, DISENGAGED THE CRUISE CONTROL BY STEPPING ON THE BRAKE AND WHEN I GOT ON THE EXIT RAMP IT RE-ENGAGED. I PUT IN THE CLUTCH, STEPPED ON THE BRAKE WITH NO RESPONSE. THE EXIT RAMP IS SHORT AND A SINGLE LANE. AT THE BOTTOM OF THE RAMP WAS A SEMI-TRUCK AND I HAD TO STEER THE CAR INTO THE AREA NEXT TO THE RAMP AND I HIT A CULVERT AND THE CAR FLIPPED THREE TIMES. MY DAUGHTER AND I WERE TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL AND RELEASED THAT EVENING. I REPORTED THIS TO NISSAN, THEY INSPECTED THE CAR AT THE JUNK YARD AND SAID NOTHING WAS WRONG. I NEVER BELIEVED THAT NOTHING WAS WRONG BUT NOW BELIEVE IT WAS AN ELECTRONIC FAILURE. I HAVE PICTURES OF THE CAR FROM THE ACCIDENT. THE CAR WAS A TOTAL LOSS. *TR

Fuel System, Gasoline
Filed Jun 23, 200989,000 milesUT

I WAS DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY AT 65 MPH WHEN MY ENGINE DIED. I CRUISED IT TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD AND ATTEMPTED TO START IT AGAIN, BUT IT WOULD NOT TURN OVER. I COULD SMELL GAS. AFTER HAVING IT TOWED, WE INITIALLY DETERMINED FUEL PUMP FAILURE. ONCE THE REPAIR WAS INITIATED, WE FOUND THAT THE WIRE TO THE FUEL SENDING UNIT WAS CORRODED AND HAD HEATED UP ENOUGH TO CAUSE A PEA SIZE HOLE IN THE PLUG. AFTER SOME RESEARCH I FOUND THAT THERE WAS A RECALL FOR THIS EXACT FAILURE COMPLETED ON MY VEHICLE IN 12/2004, BUT INSTEAD OF REPLACING THE UNIT, THEY ONLY SPRAYED SEALANT ON THE WIRE (BECAUSE NO CORROSION WAS FOUND) TO PREVENT CORROSION IN THE FUTURE. WE REPLACED THE SENDING UNIT, FUEL PUMP AND FUEL FILTER. THE OLD PART IS STILL AVAILABLE FOR INSPECTION. I AM FILING A COMPLAINT WITH NISSAN. I AM NOT THE ORIGINAL OWNER. *TR

Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Filed Jan 8, 200955,000 milesCA

MY BRAKES WERE LOSING POWER WITH THE BRAKE PEDAL FEELING 'MUSHY' AND BRAKE LIGHT ON. THE DEALER, MAITA NISSAN, ADVISED ME THAT THE SPARE TIRE, HAD RUBBED A HOLE IN THE BRAKE LINING GOING TO THE REAR BRAKE DRUMS. NISSAN DID NOT FEEL THAT THEY WERE RESPONSIBLE, BECAUSE THE SPARE TIRE WAS OVERSIZED, COMPARED TO THE RECOMMENDED TIRE SIZE (SEARS HAD INSTALLED A WRANGLER P26570S17 TO SPARE TIRE COMPARTMENT ON 9/21/2004). PER NISSAN, THE RECOMMENDED TIRE WAS P266565,17. FORTUNATELY, THE LOSS OF HYDRAULIC FLUID AND LOSS OF BRAKING FLUID DID NOT LEAD TO A CRASH OR INJURY. AS YOU MIGHT IMAGINE, AS THE OWNER, I DID NOT AUTHORIZE SEARS TO INSTALL THE WRONG SIZE TIRE TO MY VEHICLE AND AM CERTAIN THAT THEY HAVE NO IDEA THAT THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS ERROR COULD LEAD TO RUBBING A HOLE IN THE BRAKING SYSTEM 4 YEARS LATER. I REQUESTED THAT THE DEALER NOTIFY NISSAN OF THE INCIDENT, AND WAS TOLD THAT THIS WAS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE AND HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE THAT OTHER NISSAN XTERRA SE OWNERS WILL BENEFIT FROM MY EXPERIENCE (THE SE SERIES CAME FROM THE FACTORY WITH A 17 INCH CUSTOM TIRE AND RIM WHICH IS A SET-UP FOR THIS TYPE OF ERROR AND SENTINEL EVENT). *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Oct 15, 200885,000 milesNY

HEAD GASKET FAILURE AND ANTIFREEZE LEAK. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jul 9, 200889,000 milesTX

BOTH OF THE VEHICLES EXHAUST MANIFOLDS HAVE DEVELOPED CRACKS AND HAD TO BE REPLACES BECAUSE OF POTENTIAL EXHAUST FUMES ENTERING THE DRIVERS CABIN. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN AND COMMON OCCURRENCE WITH 00-02 NISSAN XTERRAS . NISSAN CHANGED THE MANIFOLD DESIGN IN 03 WHICH ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THEY RECOGNIZED THE ISSUE BUT HAVE DONE NOTHING TO RECALL OR COMPENSATE CONSUMERS FOR THE ISSUE IN PRIOR MODELS. *TR

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System
Filed Jul 7, 2008NY

THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD ON THE PASSENGER SIDE OF VEHICLE IS CRACKED ALLOWING EXHAUST FUMES INTO THE PASSENGER AREA. THIS IS A WELL KNOWN PROBLEM AMONG NISSAN XTERRA OWNERS. *TR

Service Brakes, Electric
Filed Jun 4, 2008NV

I HAVE A NISSAN XTERRA AND THE WIRING TO THE BRAKE SYSTEM IS FAULTY. MY BRAKE LIGHTS WENT OUT AND I HAVE SEEN NUMEROUS XTERRA'S ALL OVER LAS VEGAS OF THE SAME YEAR THAT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. I WENT TO NISSAN ABOUT A YEAR AGO AND THEY WANTED TO CHARGE ME TOO MUCH TO LOOK AT IT. *TR

Suspension › Rear › Springs › Leaf Spring Assembly › Leaf
Filed Apr 22, 2008117,950 milesNY

THE MAIN LEAF SPRING IN THE REAR SUSPENSION SHEARED OFF NEXT TO THE AXLE WHILE DRIVING. I WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR AND THE TOTAL LOAD IN THE REAR OF THE CAR WAS APPROXIMATELY 100LBS. THE SPRING CAUGHT ON THE BRAKE LINE AS IT BROKE. MY ABS LIGHT CAME ON. THE REPAIRS HAVE NOT BEEN MADE YET. *TR

Air Bags › FrontalCrash
Filed Nov 20, 200762,315 milesPA

I HAD A CRASH FALLING A SLEEP BEHIND THE WHEEL HITTING A TREE AND A WALL THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY ON MY 2002 NISSAN EXTERRA. *TR

Unknown or Other
Filed Jul 17, 2007FL

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE HEADLINER FELL WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT STATED THAT NISSAN HAS DONE NOTHING ABOUT THE FAILURE. THE PURCHASE DATE AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 78,904.

Vehicle Speed Control
Filed Apr 11, 200726,563 milesCA

TL*- WHILE DRIVING THE 2002 NISSAN XTERRA WITH A FAILURE MILEAGE OF 26,000 MILES. THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE ENGINE LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY TURNED ON. ALSO, THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT ACCELERATE PROPERLY, AND MADE NOISES. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE SUPER CHARGER WAS FAILING. THE VEHICLE STILL HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 30,000.*AK A RECALL WAS ISSUED REGARDING THE SUPERCHARGER. UPDATED 05/02/07*JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Mar 23, 200750,000 milesVA

TL* - THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT 35 MPH THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO VIBRATE. THE CONTACT PULLED INTO A GAS STATION, PURCHASED OIL AND PUT IT INTO THE VEHICLE, AND THEN THE VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE CONTACT HAD TRIPLE AAA TOW THE VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP. THE PROBLEM WAS DIAGNOSED AS DIESEL FUEL MIXED WITH GAS. THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE VEHICLE NEEDED THE FUEL TANK AND THE FUEL SYSTEM TO BE FLUSHED, AND THE OIL CHANGED, SPARK PLUGS REPLACED, AND THE FUEL FILTER REPLACED. THE DEALER HAD THE CONTACTS VEHICLE FOR APPROXIMATELY THREE WEEKS AND PERFORMED AN OIL CHANGE, FLUSHED THE FUEL TANK, AND FUEL SYSTEM. THE CONTACT PICKED UP THE VEHICLE ,WENT DIRECTLY ACROSS THE STREET AND PURCHASED HIGH OCTANE GAS. THE VEHICLE RAN LONG ENOUGH FOR HIM TO GO ACROSS THE STREET, GOT THE GAS AND THEN THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE CONTACT DID NOT BELIEVE THAT THE VEHICLE WAS WORKING AS IT DID BEFORE THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER , WHERE ANOTHER DIAGNOSTIC HAD TO BE DONE, AND THE DEALER TOLD THE CONTACT THAT THE ENGINE NEEDED TO BE REBUILT. THE CONTACT BELIEVED THAT THE FIRST DIAGNOSTIC SHOULD HAVE REVEALED THAT THE ENGINE HAD A PROBLEM, AND THAT NOTHING ON THE DASHBOARD EVER INDICATED THAT THE OIL WAS LOW. THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED IN AUGUST, AND THE PROBLEMS BEGAN AT THE END OF JANUARY. THE CONTACT FELT THAT IF THE VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE OIL IT WAS PURCHASED THAT WAY. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WERE 50,000.*AK THE DEALER STATE

Engine and Engine Cooling › Exhaust System › Emission Control
Filed Oct 31, 200629,000 milesNY

HAD THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COME ON HAD XTERRA FOR ONLY 26 DAYS FIND OUT IT IS EMISSIONS PROBLEM NO HELP FROM DEALER. *NM

Air Bags › Frontal › Sensor/Control Module
Filed Jun 21, 2006CA

THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT BEGAN BLINKING ON MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. I FOUND THAT THE CAR HAD A RECALL. NISSAN AND IT'S DEALERS REFUSE TO MAKE THE REPAIR, CLAIMING THAT THEY HAD ALREADY DONE SO FOR A PREVIOUS OWNER IN 2003. *NM

Air Bags › Frontal
Filed Jun 7, 200654,000 milesFL

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH BOTH FRONTAL AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS PULLED TO THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY. THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER WERE WEARING SEATBELTS. THE DEALERSHIP WAS UNABLE TO DETERMINE WHY THE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT THE DEALERSHIP AWAITING FURTHER INSPECTION. THE MANUFACTURER HAS BEEN ALERTED.

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Mar 5, 200648,130 milesTN

VEHICLE: 2002 NISSAN XTERRA SE TAIL LIGHTS, FRONT SIDE MARKER LIGHTS, DASH PANEL ILLUMINATION FAILED DUE TO WIRE CHAFING BEHIND DRIVER'S SIDE FRONT MARKER LIGHT. THE BACK OF THE BULB SOCKET FOR THE FRONT SIDE MARKER LIGHT PINCHES IT'S CONNECTION WIRE AGAINST THE HEAD OF A 10MM SCREW LOCATED IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE BULB SOCKET. THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BULB SOCKET AND THE CHASSIS SCREW. THE SIDE MARKER LIGHT IS MOUNTED IN THE TOP EDGE OF THE FRONT BUMPER WHERE IT WRAPS AROUND THE SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE BUMPER MOVES UP AND DOWN WHEN THE ROAD SURFACE IS NOT SMOOTH, WHICH CAUSES THE WIRE TO BE RUBBED AGAINST THE HEAD OF THE CHASSIS SCREW, WHICH WEARS THE INSULATION FROM THE WIRE AND RESULTS IN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT BETWEEN THE DAMAGED WIRE AND THE FRAME OF THE VEHICLE. THE FRONT SIDE MARKER LIGHTS SHARE THE FUSE WHICH ALSO PROTECTS THE TAIL LIGHTS, SO WHEN THE SHORT OCCURS THE TAIL LIGHTS BECOME INOPERATIVE. UNTIL WE FINALLY FOUND THE PROBLEM, MY DAUGHTER HAD TO DRIVE HOME AT NIGHT WITHOUT TAIL LIGHTS ON THREE OCCASIONS. THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED, SHE WAS STOPPED BY A POLICE OFFICER BECAUSE HER TAIL LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. I INSPECTED THE SIDE MARKER LIGHT ON THE OPPOSITE (PASSENGER) SIDE OF THIS VEHICLE AND FOUND THAT WAS MUCH MORE CLEARANCE BETWEEN THE BULB SOCKET AND THE CHASSIS. *JB

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Feb 9, 2006OH

2002 XTERRA DIED WHILE DRIVING. FUEL SENDER CORRODED AT THE PUMP AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. *TS THE MECHANIC INFORMED THE CONSUMER THERE WAS A RECALL REGARDING THE ISSUE, HOWEVER THE VEHICLE WOULD NEED TO BE TAKEN TO A CERTIFIED NISSAN DEALER IN ORDER FOR IT TO BE FREE. THE CONSUMER PROCEED TO HAVE THE WORK DONE BY HER LOCAL MECHANIC INSTEAD. *JB

Suspension › Rear › Shock Absorber
Filed Jan 16, 200637,500 milesNY

THE VEHICLE LEFT A COUPLE LARGE PUDDLES WHILE PARKED. DEALER IDENTIFIED THE PROBLEM AS A COMPLETELY FAILED REAR SHOCK, DUE TO CORROSION, AND RECOMMENDED IMMEDIATE REPLACEMENT OR RISK DIMINISHED HANDLING. AT 37,500 MI, THE 2002 MODEL YEAR VEHICLE WAS NO LONGER UNDER FACTORY WARRANTY SO BOTH REAR SHOCKS WERE REPLACED AT OWNER'S EXPENSE. *JB

Engine and Engine Cooling › Engine
Filed Nov 1, 200540,000 milesCT

PREMATURE FAILURE OF HEAD GASKET ON 2002 NISSAN XTERRA 4WD. CAR IS LEAKING ANTIFREEZE COOLANT AND ONLY 3 YRS OLD. NISSAN DEALER WANTS SOMEWHERE AROUND $3000 TO REPAIR. NISSAN USA MANUFACTURER OF VEHICLE HAS TOLD ME THAT THEY CANNOT ASSIST ME. CAR NOW HAS ONLY 70,000 MILES BUT THE PROBLEM EXISTED WAY BEFORE. DEALER TOLD ME THAT THEY SMELLED ANTI-FREEZE LEAK WHEN I BROUGHT THE CAR IN FOR A 30,000 MILE MAINTENANCE BUT THEY NEVER PUT IT IN WRITING AND NEVER MENTIONED IT AGAIN. *JB

Air Bags › FrontalCrash1 injured
Filed Oct 27, 200538,000 milesNY

DT: THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER'S SIDE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. THIS WAS A REAR IMPACT. THERE WERE NO INDICATOR LIGHTS ON BEFORE THE CRASH TO INDICATE AIR BAG FAILURE. *AK THE CONSUMER STATED SHE ALSO HIT A FIRE HYDRANT. UPDATED 01/11/06. *JB

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Oct 21, 200560,600 milesIN

ELECTRIC WINDOW REGULATOR FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING, WINDOW STAYS IN THE OPEN POSITION, RIGHT FRONT WAS REPAIRED, RIGHT REAR ALSO BROKE IMMEDIATELY AFTER, NOT YET REPAIRED, WINDOWS ARE RARELY USED SO THIS IS NOT A WEAR AND TEAR OR MILEAGE FACTOR, DEALER SAID MANUFACTURER WOULD COVER UP TO 60K SO NISSAN KNOWS THE PART IS DEFECTIVE (THEY SELL AN "ALL-WINDOW" REPAIR KIT BECAUSE THEY KNOW THEY WILL ALL FAIL), A KNOWN DEFECTIVE PART SHOULD BE REPAIRED EQUALLY FOR ALL OWNERS. *NM

Engine and Engine Cooling › Cooling System
Filed Sep 9, 200570,267 milesMD

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

SteeringCrash2 injured
Filed Sep 9, 2005FL

DT: 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONSUMER STATES ON SEPTEMBER 5, 2005 VEHICLE VEERED TO THE LEFT, AND WHEN SHE TRIED TO CORRECT IT, NOTHING WOULD HAPPEN. IT WAS RAINING AND THE ROAD WAS WET. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO HIT THE MEDIAN WALL ON THE TURNPIKE. THE VEHICLE TURNED OVER AND LANDED UPSIDE DOWN. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A BODY SHOP, AND THE INSURANCE ADJUSTER TOTALED THE VEHICLE. THERE HAS BEEN NO INDICATION AS TO WHY THIS OCCURRED, NO ONE HAS INSPECTED THE VEHICLE. A POLICE REPORT WAS TAKEN. THE DRIVER SUSTAINED MINOR ABRASIONS ON LEGS AND ARMS, WAS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL IN AN AMBULANCE. THE PASSENGER SUSTAINED A BROKEN TOE ,AND BACK AND BREASTS WERE BOTHERING HER. *AK

Service Brakes, Air › Disc › Caliper
Filed Jul 25, 200542,000 milesGA

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.

Tires
Filed Jul 18, 2005TN

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!

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump
Filed Jun 30, 200573,500 milesNJ

ENGINE WOULD STALL WHILE AT LOW SPEED. ALSO AUTO WOULD NOT START AND THER WAS A SEMLL OF PLASTIC BURNING

Service Brakes, Hydraulic › Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip
Filed May 26, 2005NM

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

Equipment › Appliance › Air Conditioner
Filed May 12, 2005FL

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

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Apr 30, 200546,900 milesVA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Apr 7, 200554,428 milesNC

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

Electrical System › Wiring
Filed Mar 28, 200526,050 milesPA

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

Structure
Filed Mar 2, 200530,000 milesCA

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

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed Jan 18, 2005CA

WHILE DRIVING,THE VEHICLE STALLED THE DRIVER TRIED TO RESTART THE VEHICLE BUT WAS UNABLE TO RESTART IT. THE CONSUMER WAS ABLE RESTART FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER AND DROVE TO THE DEALER. THE MECHANIC WAS NOT ABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. PLEASE PROVIDE ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. *JB

Air BagsCrash2 injured
Filed Dec 8, 2004CA

I OWNED A NISSAN XTERRA(02)4WD-I DROVE IT TO THE LASSEN NAT'L VOLCANIC PARK IN RED BLUFF,CA,I WAS ABOUT 300 FT FROM HIGHWAY 36 GOING TO THE PARK. IT WAS KIND OF CHILLY AND THE ROAD HAVE SOME SNOW ON IT. I WAS GOING SLOW ABOUT 13 TO 15 MILES, BECAUSE I'M NOT FAMILIAR WITH THE ROAD, I WAS THINKING I'LL PUT ON FOUR WHEEL DRIVE,BUT I HAVE TO STOP THE CAR AND TRANSFER IT TO 4WD-WHEN I STARTED SLIDING TOWARDS THE MOUNTAINSIDE,SO STEPPED ON THE BRAKES(ABS) BUT I KEPT ON SLIDING, I DID NOT STEER IT TO THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION,I JUST WENT WHERE THE WAS GOING WHICH IS TO THE RIGHT,THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP. IT HIT THE THE MOUNTAIN SIDE TREES AND SNOW THEN IT ROLLED OVER. MY SON AND ME WERE SHAKEN AND I SMELLED THE GAS SO I TURN THE ENGINE, IT STILL RUNNING. WE GOT OUT OF THE CAR AND I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT WE SURVIVED THE CRASH- WE WERE WEARING OUR SEAT BELTS, WE GOT SOME BRUISE AN D BUMPS IN OUR HEAD,BUT A WEEK LATER I STILL FEEL ACHES AND PAINS-MY COMPLAINTS ARE THAT WHY DID OUR ABS DID NOT WORK AND THE AIRBAS DID NOT DEPLOY? LUCKY ENOUGH THAT WE WERE NOT ON THE SIDE OF THE OF THE DEEP CANYON WHEN IT HAPPENED. I ALWAYS MAINTAINED THAT CAR. *JB

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Sep 4, 200433,000 milesCA

FRONT PASSENGER WINDOW BEGAN TO SLOW DURING RAISING, THEN IT STALLED DOWN AND THE TWO REAR WINDOWS FROZE DOWN ALSO, NO ACTION TAKEN AT THIS TIME. *AK

Visibility › Power Window Devices and Controls
Filed Aug 20, 200430,000 milesMD

THE WINDOWS ON THE FRONT AND BACK ON THE DRIVER SIDE GO DOWN AND WILL NOT GO UP. VEHICLE WAS GIVEN AN EXTENDED WARRANTY FROM 30,000 MILES TO 60,000 MILES AFTER VEHICLE HAD ALREADY 60,000 MILES ON IT. THEREFORE, THE EXTENDED WARRANTY WAS POINTLESS. CURRENTLY, CONSUMER HAD TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO REPAIR THE WINDOWS. *AK

Power Train › Automatic Transmission › Lever and Linkage › Column Shift
Filed Jul 17, 2004TX

STEERING WHEEL DOES NOT LOCK WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED OFF. IGNITION CAN BE IN OFF POSITION AND KEYS REMOVED WITH GEAR SHIFTER STILL IN "D" DRIVE. I DID NOT KNOW THIS WAS NOT NORMAL UNTIL ON 7/16/2004 THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOCKED AND IT TOOK APPRX 10 MINUTES OF ADJUSTING WHEEL AND ON/OFF OF THE BRAKE PEDAL TO GET THE WHEEL TO UNLOCK. I THEN READ THE OWNERS MANUAL AND REALIZED I SHOULD NOT BE ABLE TO REMOVE THE KEYS FROM THE IGNITION WHEN THE GEAR SHIFTER STILL IN DRIVE. I HAVE DONE THIS MANY TIMES AFTER THE 2ND OR 3RD I CAONTACTED THE DEALER TO LET THEM KNOW I WAS NOT HAPPY WITH THIS VEHICLE AS I HAD TO ACTUALLY RUN AFTER IT AT A GAS STATION. THE SERVICE REP AT TROPHY NISSAN SAID MY TRUCK WAS NO LONGER UNDER WARRANTY BUT THEY WILL LOOK AT IT AND TELL ME HOW MUCH IT WILL COST TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. THIS IS NOT A WARRANTY ISSUE, THIS VEHICLE IS CLEARLY DEFECTIVE AND VERY DANGEROUS. BECAUSE OF THIS PROBLEM I DO NOT ALLOW ANY FAMILY MEMBER TO DRIVE THIS TRUCK IN FEAR THEY WILL EITHER RUN OVER THEMSELVES OR INJURY SOMEONE ELSE WHEN THE TRUCK ROLLS AWAY.*AK

Suspension › Rear › Shock Absorber
Filed Jul 8, 200480,800 milesCT

RIGHT REAR SHOCK BROKE WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH. MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED, AND THEY INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT IT WAS CONSIDERED NORMAL WEAR AT 80,000 MILES.*AK

Air Bags
Filed Jun 23, 2004FL

PROBLEMS WITH CONTROL UNIT ON 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. *MR THE SRS LIGHT WOULD COME ON, THE FIRST DEALER REPLACED THE CONTROL PANEL BUT THE SECOND SERVICE DEALER SUGGESTED THAT THE PART WAS NOT REPLACED. THE CONSUMER FOUND THAT THE PROBLEM WAS DUE TO A FAULTY CONNECTOR. *SC *JB

Steering
Filed Jun 22, 200447,000 milesNY

WHILE DRIVING 30 MPH STEERING WHEEL PULLED TO THE RIGHT. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER VEHICLE, AND HAD IT TOWED TO THE DEALERSHIP, BUT DEALERSHIP DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM.*AK

Engine and Engine Cooling
Filed May 7, 200450,000 milesMD

I WAS DRIVING WHEN SUDDENLY THE ENGINE OF MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA WITH APPROXIMATELY 50,000 MILES JUST SHUT DOWN AND CAUSED DIFFICULTY WITH STEERING AND BRAKING OF THE VEHICLE. *AK I HAD TO HAVE THE VEHICLE TOWED TO THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. IT APPEAR THE DEALER KNOW THE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM JUST BY SPEAKING TO ME ON THE TELEPHONE. AFTER A DIAGNOSIS, THE DEALERSHIP STATED THE THE PROBLEM WAS WITH THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AND THAT IT WOULD REQUIRE REPLACEMENT. THE ISSUE THAT I HAVE IS THAT WITH THE EXTREME DANGER ASSOCIATED WITH THIS ISSUE AND AFTER RESEARCH ON THE INTERNET OF OTHER XTERRA OWNERS WHO EXPERIENCED THIS PROBLEM THAT NISSAN IS NOT DOING A PROACTIVE ROLE AND RECALLING THIS PART IF IT IS PRONE TO SUCH FAILURE.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly
Filed Apr 16, 2004FL

WHEN DRIVING AT A DETERMINED SPEED CONSUMER NOTICED A LOSS OF FUEL ON THE FUEL GAUGE. CONSUMER HAD CONTACTED DEALER ABOUT THIS ISSUE, AND MECHANIC DETERMINED THAT FUEL TANK FAILED. *AK

Reading these

NHTSA publishes every complaint as the owner wrote it and investigates only a fraction. Spelling, capitalisation and judgement are the filer’s own. What carries weight is repetition: the same component failing the same way across many filings, and whether the manufacturer eventually opened a recall for it.

Full record for the 2002 Nissan Xterra → · Every Xterra year → · How the figures are calculated →