2001 Nissan Xterra Owner Complaints

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 is strong smelling all the time. Potential recalls with fuel system, gasoline delivery, fuel pump and suspension, REAR , gasoline storage , tank assembly, filler pipe and cap. All are potential recalls also the exterior lighting

NHTSA ID

11468769

Incident

May 4, 2022

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.

NHTSA ID

11405499

Incident

Mar 19, 2021

Mileage

217,000 mi

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 MELTED THROUGH THE PLASTIC, WHICH THEN ALLOWED CORROSION. NISSAN HOTLINE TOLD ME THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF ALREADY, BUT COULDN'T SAY IF THE UNIT WAS REPAIRED OR REPLACED.

NHTSA ID

11217267

Incident

May 20, 2019

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.

NHTSA ID

11144792

Incident

Oct 19, 2018

Mileage

100,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10954048

Incident

Feb 9, 2017

Mileage

121,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10896852

Incident

Aug 12, 2016

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 TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO PROVIDE THE PART TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED THE FAILURE LISTED IN THE RECALL. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 108,000.

NHTSA ID

10743271

Incident

Nov 12, 2002

Mileage

108,000 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 UNIT HAS 4 FUEL LINE CONNECTIONS AND 4 ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS. TWO FUEL CONECTIONS AND 2 ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS PLUG INTO THE TOP SIDE OF THE SENDING UNIT AND THEY ROUTE THROUGH THE PLASTIC MOLDED SENDING UNIT AND CONNECTIONS ARE MADE IN THE BOTTOM SIDE. BASICALLY FUEL AND ELECTRICITY ROUTE THROUGH THIS UNIT INTO THE TANK. THE POWER WIRE TO THE FUEL PUMP BURNED AND MELTED THE CONECTION INSIDE THE MOLD AND BURNED THE PLASTIC ALL AROUND THE CONNECTION PLUG WHERE THE POWER GOES TO THE GAS TANK. FROM WHAT I UNDERSTAND THE 00' AND 02' SENDING UNITS WERE RECALLED BUT NOT MY 01'. THIS IS THE EQUIVALENT TO RIDING DOWN THE ROAD WITH A TICKING TIME BOMB UNDER MY CHILDREN'S SEATS. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN BUT I HAVE GOTTEN NOWHERE WITH THEM SO I AM REACHING OUT TO THE TRANSPORTATION SAFTEY AUTHORITIES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10715043

Incident

May 4, 2015

Mileage

138,000 mi

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

NHTSA ID

10644150

Incident

May 2, 2014

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 SEVERAL TIMES FOR VARIOUS OTHER THINGS AND TWO DIFFERENT FRONT WHEELS JUST COMING OFF CAN NOT BE A MATTER OF LOOSE LUG NUTS AND INCOMPETENCE ON THE PART OF THE REPAIR SHOP. I FEEL THAT SOMETHING MUST BE FUNDAMENTALLY WRONG OR FAULTY. I SEE THAT THERE WERE RECALLS YEARS AGO HAVING TO DO WITH BALL JOINTS IN THIS MODEL, I CAN NOT TELL FROM CARFAX REPORTS WHETHER THIS VIN WAS EVER SERVICED FOR THAT, AND THAT NISSAN NEVER SHOULD HAVE RESOLD THIS CAR WITHOUT CHECKING TO SEE - DESPITE THE FACT THAT THIS IS AN OLDER CAR. A WHEEL COMING OFF IS DANGEROUS, ESPECIALLY WHILE DRIVING AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. MY SON COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED (LUCKILY NO ONE WAS HURT). I AM TRYING TO FIND OUT WHETHER THIS CAR WAS EVER CHECKED FOR THE RECALL ON BALL JOINTS IN 2003 OR EVER. DOESN'T THE DEALERSHIP HAVE ANY OBLIGATION TO CHECK SAFETY RECALLS BEFORE RESELLING CARS THAT COULD BE DANGEROUS TO DRIVE? I FEEL THAT WE WERE SOLD A USED CAR THAT WAS FUNDAMENTALLY NOT SAFE. TWO DIFFERENT WHEELS FALL OFF WITHIN 2 YEARS OF PURCHASE - SOMETHING DOESN'T SEEM LEGITIMATE HERE. *TR

NHTSA ID

10641367

Incident

Sep 28, 2014

Mileage

89,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE ABS WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE G SENSOR WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,709 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 100,741.

NHTSA ID

10609033

Incident

Jun 30, 2014

Mileage

100,709 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.

NHTSA ID

10594173

Incident

May 18, 2014

Mileage

140,000 mi

EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKS CAUSING EXHAUST GASES/HEAT INTO ENGINE BAY AND CABIN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10584336

Incident

Sep 1, 2010

Mileage

110,000 mi

MY XTERRA WAS SITTING IN MY DRIVEWAY ON THURSDAY JUNE 13TH AND AT 2 AM MY ROOMMATES COME KNOCKING ON MY DOOR SAYING MY FRONT END OF MY CAR FELL. I GOT UP AND LOOKED AND SURE ENOUGH IT HAD DROPPED. HAD IT TOWED TO A MECHANIC SHOP AND THEY SAID BOTH TORSION BARS WERE BROKE. I HAD TO TAKE IT TO THE DEALER TO GET IT FIXED BECAUSE THEY WOULD NOT TOUCH IT. NO CAN BELIEVE THAT I WAS NOT DRIVING IT WHEN THIS HAPPENED, MY XTERRA HAD BEEN SITTING FOR 7 HOURS WHEN THIS HAPPENED. IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE BOTH BROKE AT THE SAME TIME AND WHILE IT WAS SITTING IN THE DRIVEWAY. *TR

NHTSA ID

10519946

Incident

Jun 13, 2013

Mileage

83,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST ONTO THE SHOULDER WHERE IT WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER. A DIAGNOSTIC WAS PERFORMED WHICH LOCATED THE FAILURE AT THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), WAS PERFORMED ON THE VEHICLE BUT THE REPAIR DID NOT CORRECT THE FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE DEALER, WHO SEALED THE FUEL SENDING UNIT AS A REMEDY. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 87,128 AND THE APPROXIMATE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 87,130. ..UPDATED 06/28/13 *BF THE CONSUMER STATED THE RECALL REPAIR FAILED . THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED BACK TO THE DEALER AFTER THE FAILURE, THEN THE PART WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER REFUSED TO ASSIST WITH THE COST. UPDATED 07/2/2013 *JS

NHTSA ID

10509699

Incident

Apr 7, 2013

Mileage

87,128 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 5 MPH, THERE WAS A FLUTTERING SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR DIAGNOSTIC TESTING. THE MECHANIC STATED THAT THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS FRACTURED AND WOULD HAVE TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.

NHTSA ID

10499378

Incident

Feb 19, 2013

Mileage

95,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE AT A TRAFFIC LIGHT THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNINGS. THE VEHICLE ENGINE FAILED TO RESTART AND AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S HOME. THE DEALER WAS NOTIFIED WHO OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN ANY RECALLS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 182,000.

NHTSA ID

10486011

Incident

Nov 23, 2012

Mileage

182,000 mi

EXITING ONE FREEWAY (315S) TO ENTER ANOTHER (270W). ON A LIGHT WET GROUND, MY XTERRA SPUN OFF THE ROAD DOING A SPIN (APPROX 360 DEGREES) OFF THE ROAD. THERE WAS A LIGHT RAIN 5-10 MINS PRIOR, I WAS DOING NOR MORE THAN 25MPH ON THE EXIT AND WITHOUT A KNOWN REASON, AND DESPITE TIRES WITH TREAD, THE VEHICLE SPUN OUT OF CONTROL. I PURSCHASED THIS VEHICLE USED AND I ATTEMPT NOT TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE IN THE WINTER BECAUSE OF IT NOT BEING ABLE TO MAINTAIN THE ROAD IN THE SNOW. IN ADDITION, IF I HIT A BUMP, THE REAR WHEELS JERK/SKIPS WHEN IT MAKES CONTACT BACK WITH THE GROUND. *TR

NHTSA ID

10471804

Incident

Jul 14, 2012

Mileage

106,000 mi

I OPENED CASE # [XXX] WITH NISSAN REGARDING THE FAILURE OF ALL FOUR WINDOW REGULATORS IN THE NISSAN XTERRA I PURCHASED FROM NISSAN OF BOURNE (MA) IN 2000 ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD. THAT IS WHERE THE VEHICLE IS GARAGED AND USED AND ONLY HAS 67K MILES ON IT. THE WINDOWS HAVE BEEN ACTING UP FOR QUITE SOME TIME (MANY YEARS) NOW AND THE VEHICLE IS PRIMARILY USED ONLY IN THE SUMMER. THERE WAS A WINDOW REGULATOR WARRANTY EXTENSION (PU307) ISSUED ON THIS VEHICLE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS HAS REJECTED THE CLAIM SINCE IT IS BEYOND THE WARRANTY EXTENSION PERIOD EVEN THOUGH I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM SINCE IT ONLY APPLIED TO "WARM WEATHER" STATES. I'D LIKE TO ESCALATE THIS CLAIM TO ENCOURAGE NISSAN TO PICK UP THE COST OF PARTS AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD THE WINDOW GET STUCK IN THE UP OR DOWN POSITION. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR

NHTSA ID

10423990

Incident

Aug 25, 2011

Mileage

67,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT LOW SPEEDS AND MAKING A TURN HE HEARD A LOUD NOISE IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE FAILURE OCCURRED INTERMITTENTLY. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED BY A DEALER NOR WAS IT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED HIM THAT THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 160,000.

NHTSA ID

10410033

Incident

Apr 1, 2011

Mileage

160,000 mi

BOTH OF MY FRONT RIMS CRACKED ON MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. TWO OF THE FOUR PASSENGER SIDE SPOKES AND ONE OF THE DRIVER'S SIDE SPOKES IS STARTING TO CRACK. THERE WASN'T ANY IMPACT THAT WOULD HAVE CAUSED THIS. I ONLY NOTICED BECAUSE MY BRAKES BEGAN SQUEAKING AFTER A TRIP WITH MY 10YR OLD SON. WHEN I LOOKED AT THE FRONT RIMS TO CHECK THE BRAKES, I NOTICED THE CRACKS. THEY ARE ALUMINUM 4 SPOKE 15"X7"RIMS. I FOUND A RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 03V307000. *TR

NHTSA ID

10386591

Incident

Mar 5, 2011

Mileage

72,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WHEN IT CAUGHT FIRE. HE WAS ABLE TO PUT THE FIRE OUT WITH A WATER HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT STATED THAT IT WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 80,000.

NHTSA ID

10378190

Incident

Jan 17, 2011

Mileage

80,000 mi

INSTRUMENT GAUGE FAILURE. SPEEDOMETER, TACHOMETER, ODOMETER, HEAT, AND FUEL GAUGES ALL GO TO ZERO. THIS OCCURS USUALLY ABOUT 30 MINUTES AFTER THE CAR IS RUNNING AND/OR THE TEMPERATURE IS VERY WARM OUTSIDE. SUV CONTINUES TO RUN 'NORMALLY' WHEN THIS OCCURS, BUT THIS CAN BE A SAFETY HAZARD IN NOT KNOWING YOUR VEHICLE SPEED OR FUEL LEVEL WHEN DRIVING. TYPICALLY, THE GAUGES RETURN TO NORMAL AFTER THE CAR HAS NOT BEEN RUNNING AND PARKED IN A 'COOL' SPACE FOR ABOUT AN HOUR. THERE ARE NUMEROUS REPORTS ON THE WEB ABOUT THIS, BUT THERE APPEARS TO BE NO SOLUTION AVAILABLE OR ACKNOWLEDGEMENT FROM NISSAN. *TR

NHTSA ID

10353919

Incident

Aug 4, 2010

Mileage

67,188 mi

WINDOW REGULATORS ALL HAVE BEEN MALFUNCTIONING ON MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. *TR

NHTSA ID

10347825

Incident

Jul 11, 2010

Mileage

44,000 mi

ON MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA, THE WINDOWS ARE NEARLY INOPERABLE ON FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THEY STARTED OUT SLOWLY AND GETTING STUCK HALF THE WAY UP, IT WOULD USUALLY TAKE ABOUT 4 ATTEMPTS TO GET WINDOW ALL THE WAY UP. THIS IS A SERIOUS NISSAN PROBLEM, AND ACCORDING TO OTHER FORUMS, OTHERS ARE HAVING SAME PROBLEM. THE WINDOWS NEED TO HAVE A RECALL ON THEM, IT IS VERY AGGRAVATING TO NOT BE ABLE TO ROLL THE WINDOWS UP OR DOWN, WHAT IF YOUR DOOR GETS HIT BY A CAR, AND DOOR IS INOPERABLE? *TR

NHTSA ID

10347507

Incident

Jan 2, 2010

Mileage

130,000 mi