STEERING:COLUMN
2003 Nissan Xterra
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 72 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2003 Nissan Xterra, most frequently naming the fuel system, engine and brakes categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; 1 NHTSA investigation names it; and 48 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 2003 | 1 | 1 |
| Aug 2003 | 1 | 2 |
| Oct 2003 | 1 | 3 |
| Nov 2003 | 2 | 5 |
| Feb 2004 | 1 | 6 |
| Mar 2004 | 2 | 8 |
| May 2004 | 2 | 10 |
| Jun 2004 | 1 | 11 |
| Aug 2004 | 1 | 12 |
| Sep 2004 | 4 | 16 |
| Nov 2004 | 2 | 18 |
| Dec 2004 | 2 | 20 |
| Jan 2005 | 3 | 23 |
| Aug 2005 | 2 | 25 |
| Sep 2005 | 1 | 26 |
| Jun 2006 | 1 | 27 |
| Jan 2007 | 1 | 28 |
| Feb 2007 | 1 | 29 |
| May 2007 | 1 | 30 |
| Jun 2007 | 1 | 31 |
| Aug 2008 | 1 | 32 |
| Apr 2009 | 1 | 33 |
| Jul 2009 | 2 | 35 |
| Jun 2010 | 2 | 37 |
| Nov 2010 | 1 | 38 |
| Dec 2010 | 1 | 39 |
| Feb 2011 | 1 | 40 |
| Mar 2011 | 2 | 42 |
| Apr 2011 | 2 | 44 |
| Jul 2011 | 1 | 45 |
| Sep 2011 | 3 | 48 |
| Jan 2012 | 1 | 49 |
| May 2012 | 1 | 50 |
| Jun 2012 | 1 | 51 |
| Nov 2012 | 1 | 52 |
| Dec 2012 | 1 | 53 |
| Feb 2013 | 1 | 54 |
| Sep 2013 | 1 | 55 |
| Jan 2014 | 1 | 56 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 57 |
| Apr 2014 | 1 | 58 |
| Jun 2014 | 1 | 59 |
| Jul 2014 | 1 | 60 |
| Sep 2014 | 1 | 61 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 62 |
| Jan 2016 | 1 | 63 |
| Mar 2016 | 1 | 64 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 65 |
| Oct 2016 | 1 | 66 |
| Nov 2017 | 1 | 67 |
| Jan 2018 | 1 | 68 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 69 |
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 70 |
| Aug 2021 | 1 | 71 |
| Sep 2022 | 1 | 72 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Fuel system1616.8%
- Engine1313.7%
- Brakes1212.6%
- Steering1212.6%
- Airbags1010.5%
- Body & structure77.4%
- Visibility55.3%
- Tires & wheels55.3%
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
3 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.govFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
Recent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11486339
- Incident
- Sep 24, 2022
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 ridiculous and not believable so yes my life was put at risk I took it to an independent service my mechanic because I can't take it to a dealer because all the parts that are broken and that need replacement that have been recalled on every other 2003 does not apply to my VIN so I've had to pay for labor and parts and the headache that I could have had this all replaced and fixed due to the recall and I would have taken it to the dealership immediately after purchasing the car in 2019 and since the previous owner didn't have any recalls why would he bother either I will not pass inspection if they do not fix this evap O2 sensor and now my fuel pump I would like to be reimbursed on that was purchased through Nissan dealership the gauge is no longer working just put in brand new part so I would like someone from the dealerships take a look at my car and replace everything that's wrong with it with every other 2003 Nissan Xterra regardless of my VIN number and I have check engine light on forever for evac leak replace catalytic converters exhaust system O2 sensors power steering fuel pump ABS sensors I would just like to take the best care of this vehicle that I can and that would be done through the dealership replacing all of the recalled parts on this make model of the Xterra 2003 3.3 l V6 non supercharged. The vehicle stalled while driving due to the fuel pump check engine light's been on for EVAP code for the fuel tank cap gas cap small leak and O2 sensors which I've been replaced but codes are still there no code has popped up pertaining to fuel pump car died at 70 miles an hour on a Thruway at midnight not fun.7Codes remaining
- NHTSA ID
- 11428152
- Incident
- Jun 15, 2021
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
- NHTSA ID
- 11363744
- Incident
- Jul 24, 2019
- Mileage
- 200,000 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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11171830
- Incident
- Jan 21, 2019
- Mileage
- 180,000 mi
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 RECALL CAMPAIGN AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
- NHTSA ID
- 11066135
- Incident
- Oct 1, 2017
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 VEHICLE AND ADDED SEALANT TWICE BEFORE; HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED DURING THE FINAL VISIT. THE REMEDIES FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO NISSAN OF LAS CRUCES (1801 S MAIN ST, LAS CRUCES, NM, 88005), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 28820775. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 11045547
- Incident
- Nov 10, 2017
- Mileage
- 190,000 mi
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 MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.
- NHTSA ID
- 10916137
- Incident
- Oct 14, 2016
- Mileage
- 160,000 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 SAFE TO DRIVE AND RECOMMEND WE HAVE IT TOWED HOME, WHICH WE DID.
- NHTSA ID
- 10873775
- Incident
- Jun 12, 2016
- Mileage
- 131,000 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.