STEERING:COLUMN
2002 Nissan Xterra
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 157 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2002 Nissan Xterra, most frequently naming the engine, brakes and steering categories. 6 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 3 NHTSA investigations name it; and 74 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 2006 | 1 | 82 |
| Feb 2006 | 1 | 83 |
| Mar 2006 | 1 | 84 |
| Jun 2006 | 2 | 86 |
| Oct 2006 | 1 | 87 |
| Mar 2007 | 1 | 88 |
| Apr 2007 | 1 | 89 |
| Jul 2007 | 1 | 90 |
| Nov 2007 | 1 | 91 |
| Apr 2008 | 1 | 92 |
| Jun 2008 | 1 | 93 |
| Jul 2008 | 2 | 95 |
| Oct 2008 | 1 | 96 |
| Jan 2009 | 1 | 97 |
| Jun 2009 | 1 | 98 |
| Mar 2010 | 1 | 99 |
| Apr 2010 | 1 | 100 |
| Jun 2010 | 1 | 101 |
| Sep 2010 | 1 | 102 |
| Nov 2010 | 1 | 103 |
| Dec 2010 | 1 | 104 |
| Jan 2011 | 1 | 105 |
| Feb 2011 | 2 | 107 |
| Mar 2011 | 2 | 109 |
| Apr 2011 | 1 | 110 |
| May 2011 | 2 | 112 |
| Jun 2011 | 1 | 113 |
| Jul 2011 | 2 | 115 |
| Sep 2011 | 1 | 116 |
| Jan 2012 | 1 | 117 |
| Sep 2012 | 1 | 118 |
| Apr 2013 | 1 | 119 |
| Oct 2013 | 1 | 120 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 121 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 122 |
| Jul 2014 | 1 | 123 |
| Sep 2014 | 1 | 124 |
| Oct 2014 | 2 | 126 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 127 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 128 |
| Jan 2015 | 2 | 130 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 131 |
| Apr 2015 | 2 | 133 |
| Aug 2015 | 2 | 135 |
| Sep 2015 | 1 | 136 |
| Nov 2015 | 1 | 137 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 138 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 139 |
| May 2016 | 1 | 140 |
| Mar 2017 | 3 | 143 |
| Jun 2017 | 1 | 144 |
| Feb 2018 | 2 | 146 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 147 |
| Jun 2019 | 1 | 148 |
| Aug 2020 | 3 | 151 |
| Dec 2020 | 1 | 152 |
| Mar 2021 | 2 | 154 |
| Apr 2021 | 1 | 155 |
| Dec 2024 | 1 | 156 |
| Jul 2025 | 1 | 157 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Engine3216.2%
- Brakes2814.1%
- Steering2211.1%
- Airbags199.6%
- Driver assistance168.1%
- Electrical157.6%
- Suspension136.6%
- Fuel system136.6%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
6 campaigns cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govEXTERIOR LIGHTING
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
Safety investigations
NHTSA inquiries naming this vehicle. An investigation is not a finding of a defect.
BRAKE ROTOR WARPAGE
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.
DRIVER'S AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILURE
IN ITS LETTER DATED FEBRUARY 21, 2003 TO NHTSA, NISSAN STATED THAT IT WILL CONDUCT A SAFETY RECALL OF APPROXIMATELY 27,385 MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 6/12/01 (START OF PRODUCTION) TO 11/1/01 AS WELL AS APPROXIMATELY 37,177 MY 2002 NISSAN ALTIMA VEHICLES PRODUCED FROM 6/13/01 (START OF PRODUCTION) TO 10/25/01.VEHICLES MANUFACTURED AFTER THESE DATES ARE NOT AFFECTED.NISSAN STATED THAT THE CLOCKSPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR MAY NOT BE FULLY SECURED TO THE DRIVER-SIDE AIR BAG MODULE SQUIB PIN CONNECTOR DUE TO THE RETAINING GROOVE IN THE MODULE NOT HAVING SUFFICIENT DEPTH TO HOLD THE CONNECTOR IN THE ASSEMBLED POSITION.A RETAINING CLIP WILL BE INSTALLED ON THE CLOCKSPRING ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR.SEE RECALL 03V-061 FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
DRIVER'S AIR BAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
The registered owner of this vehicle is registered tp the arab known as the polish polako missing a leg and is claiming to be a wanna be fake cop police. Hes bald and on the thinner side and ugly. im being framed for rapes & murders that hes done along w\ everyone i know from my pass that are deseased and and still alive. I dont appreciate the trap house or the drug rape sex house that i own utilized by these drug sex rapist murders. Its so funny that people i know are dropping in that property and never coming out alive. i just did a few things to prove that im correct and the fake 5 proud boys are utilizing me from district 15 to get away with murder and rape. Yes.. they ate rapping men, woman and children and black mailing them by the millions. Im stationed under a goverment security from the Government Center that are being installed everywhere nation wide because Im the President of the United States and the schools all around where im at or go by are closed for what is going on at the property. i set a curfew into affect and everyone is watching who ate entering and but never leave alive. Everyone you see there on a daily basis are not who they claim to be.Im being framed for all the rapes and murders just when i got cancer and has lived passed all those time i been poison to death. i have seen it for myself online that i cant beleive it.... i looked like someone else thats doing the rapes and murders.. I dont think its funny any more but they think so. Nothing but meth addicts w\a raping desease. im so over it that im watching it for myself so everyone can see for them selfs. I rather die from cancer than to be poison from a drug overdozes i have had by the fake cop wanna be police with their drug issue & mental murder desease because Im the President Of the United States and not them. I have uploaded the VIN # of the vehicle online wirh the plates and I didnt have them register that vehicle for me or as a request. Nothing but delusional homocidles men!!!!!!.
- NHTSA ID
- 11671857
- Incident
- Jul 1, 2025
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked with the rear passenger’s seat occupied, the rear passenger’s seat belt thread unraveled, and the buckle detached and remained latched. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 164,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11628967
- Incident
- Dec 3, 2024
- Mileage
- 164,000 mi
MY WIFE'S CAR WAS IN NEED OF TWO FRONT TIRES SO I TOOK MY VEHICLE TO WHEELS 360- IT WAS THE ONLY SHOP OPEN AND I WAS CRUNCHED ON TIME. SHE IS AN EMT AND I AM AN EDUCATOR SO WE DO NOT HAVE MUCH SPARE TIME DURING THE WEEK. THE SHOP OVER CHARGED ME FOR TWO LOW QUANTITY TIRES. THERE WERE TWO WORKERS REPLACING THE TIRES ON MY VEHICLE. THE WORKER REPLACING THE WHEEL ON THE PASSENGER SIDE DAMAGED THE WHEEL STUDS BECAUSE HE WAS ON A HURRY. THE LEAD WORKER AND TWO OTHERS SPENT 2 HOURS TRYING TO FIX THE STUDS AND GET SOME OF THE LUG NUTS BACK ON. THEY MANAGED TO GET 5 OUT OF THE SIX ON. THEY INSISTED ON SENDING ME HOME WITH A WHEEL MISSING ONE LUG NUT. THEY ASKED ME TO COMEBACK TOMORROW OR SOME OTHER DAY TO FIX IT. IT WAS CLOSE TO 9 PM BY THAT TIME, AND I WAS FRUSTRATED. I DROVE HOME AND ON THE WAY HOME, THE CENTER HUB PLASTIC COVERING FELL OFF. IT EXPOSED THE AXLE/BEARING. I FEEL THAT VEHICLE IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE AND I DO NOT FEEL COMFORTABLE DRIVING MY TODDLER AROUND. SHOPS LIKE THE ONE MENTIONED SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO OPERATE BECAUSE THEY COMPROMISE DRIVERS' SAFETY.I WOULD LIKE 1. A REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE OVERPRICED TIRES AND 2. MY VEHICLE PROPERLY SERVICED SO THAT IT'S SAFE TO DRIVE.THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME AND CONSIDERATION.
- NHTSA ID
- 11413743
- Incident
- Apr 24, 2021
- Mileage
- 205,000 mi
MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA'S AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A COLLISION WITH A TELEPHONE POLE AT APX. 45 MPH. THE ACCIDENT WAS ON A BADLY MAINTAINED CITY STREET, THE STEERING HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC EVEN THOUGH I HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE APX. 6 MO.S AGO.
- NHTSA ID
- 11399557
- Incident
- Mar 4, 2021
- Mileage
- 155,000 mi
LOSES PRESSURE ON THE BRAKES, THE STEERING WHEEL IS MOVING SIDEWAYS
- NHTSA ID
- 11398323
- Incident
- Mar 11, 2020
SERVICE ENGINE SOON
- NHTSA ID
- 11385466
- Incident
- Dec 29, 2020
TIRES ARE RECALLED AND CAUSE THE SPEEDOMETER TO REGISTER SLOWER THAN ACTUAL SPEED
- NHTSA ID
- 11349264
- Incident
- Aug 14, 2020
- Mileage
- 188,000 mi
VEHICLE STALLS AT 100MPH ALSO ABS LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON AND OFF RANDOMLY BRAKES AREN'T BAD BUT IT'S LIKE THEY'RE GOING OUT. THE BRAKE PEDAL WOBBLES WHEN STOPPING HARD OR ON WET ROADS ALSO WHEN ACCELERATATING AND DRIVING THE RPM GAUGE WILL JIMP UP FOR A SECOND AND MAKE THE ENGINE SOUND LOUDER WHILE IT DOES IT AND ALSO STEERING WHEEL FEELS LOOSE SOMEWHAT WHEN DRIVING ON ROUGH ROADS AND BUMPS CRUISE CONTROL LIGHTS UP BUT DOESN'T WORK HAPPENS EVERY DAY
- NHTSA ID
- 11349259
- Incident
- Aug 14, 2020
- Mileage
- 188,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).
STRUCTURE:BODY
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 available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
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
WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
VISIBILITY/WIPER
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
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.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.