RoadVitals

2002 Nissan Xterra Steering Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Steering reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
22
Latest Mar 6, 2021
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
14%
of 157 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
6
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
8

What this page shows

Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2002 Nissan Xterra submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 22 reports on file name it.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

Owner reports naming steering

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

AirbagsSteering
Filed Mar 6, 2021
Crash reported2 injuries reported

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
Steering
Filed Jun 10, 2019
Crash reported2 injuries reported

TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE VEHICLE STEERED OUT OF CONTROL AND THE VEHICLE OVERTURNED FIVE TIMES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A LACERATION TO THE ELBOW AND BODY PAINS WHILE HER PASSENGER SUSTAINED SEVERAL LACERATIONS AND BRUISES FROM THE SEAT BELT AND AIR BAGS. MEDICAL ATTENTION WAS SOUGHT. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE LOT OF THE TOW TRUCK COMPANY. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED. NEITHER THE DEALER NOR THE MANUFACTURER WERE CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN. *DT*JB

NHTSA ID
11219059
Incident
May 30, 2019
Steering
Filed Feb 18, 2018

I HAVE HAD A RECALL ON MY VEHICLE SINCE 2010 AND I HAVE NEVER N=BEEN NOTIFIED OF THE STEERING ISSUE. THIS IS THE 2ND RECALL I HAVE HAD WITH NO ALARM FROM NISSAN

NHTSA ID
11073475
Incident
Feb 18, 2018
Mileage
144,000 mi
Steering
Filed Aug 31, 2015

TURN THE WHEEL ALL THE WAY TO RIGHT OR LEFT. HEAR A DREADFUL GRINDING SOUND AS IF THE AXLE IS GOING TO SNAP IN HALF.

NHTSA ID
10760467
Incident
Aug 1, 2011
Mileage
70,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 30, 2014

I WAS DRIVING MY XTERRA HOME AND ALL AT ONCE IT GOT LOUD AND A SMELL OF SULFUR CAME OUT STOPPED BY LOCAL SHOP (MONROE) THEY LOOKED AT IT AND AFTER THEY ALL HAD THEIR LAUGH SAID" OMG WE CANNOT BELIEVE SOMEONE SOLD THIS TRUCK IN THIS SHAPE" 1) THE PIPE AT THE CONVERTER BROKE,2) THE RUST AND ROT IS HORRID3) THE COB JOB THIS SO CALLED MECHANIC DID AGAIN WOW4) THE STEERING IS TIGHTENING UP ON ME PERIODICALLY AND MAKING IT UNSAFE FOR ME TO DRIVE AND CONTROL THE TRUCK. 5 ) GAS PROBLEMS6) CODE LIGHTS YOU NAME IT7) THE RUNNING BOARDS BROKE OFF LITTLE EACH DAY SOMETHING BREAKS OR GOES WRONG WITH IT.MY GRANDKIDS ARE IN THIS TRUCK DAILY IT IS NOT SAFE. IF THERE IS A RECALL ON THE POWER STEERING I WOULD LIKE IT CHECKED BUT I WOULD ALSO LIKE TO TURN THIS GUY IN NO EXCUSE FOR THIS TYPE OF WORK WHEN YOUR SELLING CARS. *TR

NHTSA ID
10651300
Incident
Oct 8, 2014
Mileage
131,000 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 7, 2014

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 10 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE VIN WAS INCLUDED IN RECALL NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V554000 (STEERING). THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 125,000.

NHTSA ID
10643173
Incident
Oct 4, 2014
Mileage
125,000 mi
Body & structureDriver assistanceSteering
Filed Sep 15, 2014
Crash reported

I BOUGHT THE CAR FROM HERTZ, THECAR HAD BEEN IN A ACCIDENT BEFORE I BOUGHT IT. I DID NOT FIND OUT ABOUT THE ACCIDENT UNTIL AFTER I BOUGHT THE CAR. THE CAR TIRES COULD NOT STAY ALIGNED, THE HEADLIGHTS WERE SHOOTING UP ABOUT 15 FEET OFF THE GROUND, THERE IS PAINT SPLATTER ON THE INSIDE OF THE CAR MOTOR, PAINT SPLATTER ON THE OUTSIDE BY THE GUARDS TIRE, AND YOU CAN SEE PAINT ON THE HOOD BY THE WINDOW ON THE RIGHT SIDE, THE TOE HOOK ON THE RIGHT SIDE LOOKS TO BE NEW.THERE IS A PAINT LINE ON THE INSIDE OF ENGINE COMPARTMENT, THE HOOD IS NEW, THERE ISNO RUBBER MOUNT ON THE HOOD ARM THAT HOLD THE HOOK UP. OVER SPRAY ON THE LEFT DRIVERS DOOR. *TR

NHTSA ID
10633284
Incident
Jun 15, 2014
AirbagsSteering
Filed Oct 5, 2013
Crash reported1 injury reported

I WAS APPROACHING THE 'ON' RAMP WHEN XTERRA PULLED TO SIDE THEN FLIPPED OVER 3X.THERE ARE 4 RECALLS;3 MAY HAVE CONTRIBUTED TO ROLLOVER. *TR

NHTSA ID
10546852
Incident
Sep 18, 2013
Mileage
85,607 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 19, 2012

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V554000 (STEERING COLUMN) AND BEGIN HAVING PROBLEMS WITH THE STEERING AFTER THE RECALL SERVICE. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE UPPER STEERING COLUMN NEEDED TO BE REPLACED AND POSSIBLY THE GEAR BOX. THE CONTACT WAS THEN ADVISED BY THE MANUFACTURER TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO ANOTHER DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS TOLD THAT THE POWER STEERING PUMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WERE NO ISSUES WITH THE POWER STEERING UNTIL THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED UNDER THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 92,000. UPDATED 02/15/12*BF UPDATED 02/28/12

NHTSA ID
10444535
Incident
Apr 5, 2011
Mileage
92,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jun 20, 2011

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V554000 (STEERING:COLUMN), THE VEHICLE BECAME DIFFICULT TO STEER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE GEAR BOX WAS DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE WHO OFFERED TO TAKE LIABILITY FOR THE REPAIR PARTS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 102,000.

NHTSA ID
10407608
Incident
May 27, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 9, 2011

NISSAN IS SAYING I HAVE TO GET RECALL WORK DONE AT DEALER. JUNEAU, ALASKA DOES NOT HAVE A NISSAN DEALER AND THERE ARE NO ROADS OUT OF JUNEAU. *TR

NHTSA ID
10399612
Incident
May 9, 2011
Steering
Filed Apr 7, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported

TL* THE CONTACT PREVIOUSLY OWNED A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 15 MPH WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME RESISTANT TO MOVEMENT. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A RESIDENTIAL HOME. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A DISLOCATED SHOULDER AND HER HEAD STRUCK AND PENETRATED THE FRONT WINDSHIELD. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED AND A POLICE REPORT WAS AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF A RECALL FOR THE STEERING UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V554000 (STEERING:COLUMN). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 100,000.

NHTSA ID
10395178
Incident
Jan 4, 2011
Mileage
100,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jan 18, 2011

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

NHTSA ID
10377086
Incident
Jan 5, 2011
Mileage
102,000 mi
Steering
Filed Sep 9, 2005
Crash reported2 injuries reported

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

NHTSA ID
10136034
Incident
Sep 5, 2005
Steering
Filed Jun 22, 2004

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

NHTSA ID
10079640
Incident
May 20, 2004
Mileage
47,000 mi
EngineFuel systemSteering+1 more
Filed Oct 31, 2003

ENGINE MAKES LOUD "WHISTLING" SOUND; ENGINE DEFINITELY LOST POWER OVER THE LAST YEAR; WILL NOT GO OVER 70-75 MPH; MAKES LOUD WHINING/GRINDING SOUND WHEN SHIFTING GEARS; PULLS TO THE RIGHT ALL THE WHILE DRIVING; USING AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF GAS. (CONSUMER CAN ALSO BE EMAILED AT [email protected]) *LA

NHTSA ID
10045198
Incident
Jul 4, 2003
Mileage
19,000 mi
BrakesSteering
Filed Jul 18, 2003

CONSUMER STATES WHILE DRIVING AND APPLYING THE BRAKES STEERING WHEEL WOULD PULL IN EITHER DIRECTIONS. *AK

NHTSA ID
10029657
Incident
Jul 18, 2003
Steering
Filed Jul 8, 2003

MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA 4X2 STEERING WAS DESIGNED TO NOT RETURN TO CENTER ON ITS OWN AFTER MAKING A SHARP TURN EITHER RIGHT OR LEFT AT SLOW SPEEDS. I DISCOVERED THIS BY ALMOST RUNNING INTO A FENCE AFTER TURNING OUT OF A DRIVEWAY INTO THE RIGHT LANE. THIS OCCURS EVERY TIME...PULLING INTO A PARKING PLACE IS A REAL CHALLANGE TO KEEP FROM RAMMING THE CAR NEXT TO ME. MY DEALER ADMITS THEY ALL DO IT WITH NO CORRECTION AVALIABLE.*AK

NHTSA ID
10025634
Incident
Mar 7, 2003
Mileage
13,755 mi
SteeringSuspension
Filed May 20, 2003

THIS IS A VERY SOLID, AND STABLE VEHICLE IN THE SNOW AND ICE, (WITH STUDDED SNOW TIRES, ALL SEASON RADIALS ONLY WORK IN FLORIDA) IT HANDLES WELL, AND PERFORMS NICELY FOR A SMALL SUV. THE ONLY COMPLAINTS THAT I HAVE WITH THIS VEHICLE, IS THAT THE RIDE IS A BIT ROUGH. AND IT IS A BIT UNCOMFORTABLE FOR TALLER PEOPLE ON LONG RIDES. TO THOSE THAT ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT THE VEHICLE PULLING TO THE LEFT AND RIGHT. CURE #1, GET THE CAR ALIGNED. #2, CHECK THE ROAD YOU ARE DRIVING ON, THE TRACK WIDTH ON THE XTERRA IS NARROW, IT MAY BE CATCHING A GROOVE IN THE ROAD. #3 CHECK THE TIRE PRESSURES, TO COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BRAKING....... HAVE THE BRAKES CHECKED, ROTORS, PADS, OR CALIPERS COULD BE STICKING. *NLM

NHTSA ID
10019029
Incident
May 20, 2003
SteeringSuspensionTires & wheels
Filed Apr 1, 2003

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE PULLS TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT. ALSO, WHEN BRAKING IT TENDS TO PULL ON EITHER SIDE MAKING IT HARD TO CONTROL. *JB

NHTSA ID
10013792
Incident
Dec 9, 2002
Mileage
2,500 mi
Steering
Filed Oct 11, 2002

CONSUMER STATES THAT WHILE DRIVING AND WITHOUT WARNING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL PULL TO THE RIGHT AND IT WILL BE HARD FOR THE CONSUMER TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE. DEALER NOTIFIED. MR

NHTSA ID
8020714
Incident
Sep 24, 2002
AirbagsSteering
Filed Apr 15, 2002

WHILE APPLYING UNLOCK BUTTON ON THE KEYLESS REMOTE ENTRY WITHOUT WARNING HEARED A LOUD NOISE, CAUSING DRIVERS AIR BAG TO DEPLOY. *AK

NHTSA ID
8007659

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.

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Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .