RecallMyCar

Nissan Xterra Recalls & Complaints by Model Year

NHTSA lists 21 safety recalls and 3,099 owner complaints across 16 model years of the Nissan Xterra (2000–2015). The most-complained-about year is 2005.

21
safety recalls, all years
3,099
owner complaints, all years
2008
year with most recalls
2005
year with most complaints

Pick your Nissan Xterra model year

Model yearRecallsComplaints
2015 Nissan Xterra010
2014 Nissan Xterra010
2013 Nissan Xterra04
2012 Nissan Xterra216
2011 Nissan Xterra224
2010 Nissan Xterra438
2009 Nissan Xterra319
2008 Nissan Xterra6119
2007 Nissan Xterra1557
2006 Nissan Xterra3780
2005 Nissan Xterra3845
2004 Nissan Xterra284
2003 Nissan Xterra372
2002 Nissan Xterra5157
2001 Nissan Xterra3150
2000 Nissan Xterra3214

What Nissan Xterra owners complain about

Across all model years, owners have filed 3,099 complaints with NHTSA. The 2005 model year has the most, with 845.

All Nissan Xterra recalls (21)

Every NHTSA safety campaign that lists a Nissan Xterra, most recent first, with the model years each one covers.

  1. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 23V067000 Reported 404,690 vehicles potentially affected Nissan North America, Inc.

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

    Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

  2. Hub (suspension)

    NHTSA 12V462000 Reported 2,417 vehicles potentially affected Nissan North America, Inc.

    Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra two-wheel drive vehicles manufactured from June 19, 2012, through July 12, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with front wheel hubs that may not meet the design hardness specifications. A wheel hub that was manufactured below hardness specification may…

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replaced the left and right side front wheel hub assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began on October 22, 2012. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at…

    Model years: 2012

  3. Engine and engine cooling

    NHTSA 11V592000 Reported 14,718 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011 infiniti fx, model year 2012 infiniti m, model year 2011-2012 nissan frontier, model year 2011-2012 nissan xterra, model year 2011-2012 nissan pathfinder, and model year 2012 nissan nv vehicles. Some of the bolts that connect the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine in…

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. The safety recall began on january 30, 2012. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

    Model years: 2011, 2012

  4. Column (steering)

    NHTSA 10V554000 Reported 500,552 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    Nissan is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 frontier vehicles manufactured from july 9, 2001 through october 20, 2004, and model year 2002-2004, xterra vehicles manufactured from july 9, 2001, through january 6, 2005. Over time corrosion may form in the lower steering column joint and limit movement of the joint. The limited…

    Remedy: The steering column shaft and joint will be replaced with a shaft of a different design. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on december 13, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

    Model years: 2002, 2003, 2004

  5. Engine and engine cooling

    NHTSA 10V517000 Reported 747,480 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    Nissan is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 armada, titan, infiniti qx56 and model year 2005-2006 frontier, pathfinder and xterra vehicles. The intelligent power distribution module (ipdm) assembly contains an engine control module (ECM) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction. The ECM relay may allow silicon…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ECM relay inside the ipdm assembly. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on december 6, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

    Model years: 2005, 2006

  6. Navigational system(global positioning system) (equipment)

    NHTSA 10V401000 Reported 7,948 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    Nissan is recalling certain vehicles that were equipped with a garmin nuvi model 750 navigation system. The batteries contained in the affected gps units can overheat.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners and the repairs will be performed by garmin technicians by replacing the battery and inserting a spacer on top of the battery free of charge. The safety recall began on september 16, 2010.…

    Model years: 2008, 2009, 2010

  7. Suspension: lower arm

    NHTSA 10V208000 Reported 41,649 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    Nissan is recalling certain model year 2010 titan, armada, qx56, frontier, xterra, and pathfinder vehicles manufactured from november 19, 2009 through march 3, 2010. The lower control link assembly has two cylindrical collars forming the inboard attachment points to the chassis. Due to an improper welding process some collars may…

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on may 20, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

    Model years: 2010

  8. Air bags: sensor/control module-inactive and shaft sector (steering)

    NHTSA 10V115000 Reported 4,038 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    Nissan has notified NHTSA of a defect in certain model year 2010 frontier, pathfinder, and xterra vehicles manufactured from february 22, 2010 to march 13, 2010. On some of the potentially affected vehicles, the fasteners securing the passenger front air bag module, and also the fasteners securing the steering shaft positioning bracket…

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering column and the passenger front air bag fasteners and any missing fasteners will be replaced and all loose fasteners will be retightened to the proper torque specifications free of…

    Model years: 2010

  9. Auxillary tank (fuel system)

    NHTSA 10V075000 Reported 80,689 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    Nissan is recalling certain model year 2006 and model year 2008 frontier, xterra and pathfinder vehicles. The molded fuel tank shells can deform, causing the fuel sender float arm to contact an embossment molded into the tank shell causing the instrument panel fuel gauge to show that the vehicle has approximately one quarter tank when…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel level sending unit inside the fuel tank with a new one that has a modified float arm. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall is expected to begin on or before…

    Model years: 2006, 2008

  10. Air bags: frontal

    NHTSA 08V690000 Reported 242,720 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    Nissan is recalling 242,720 my 2005-2009 pathfinder, frontier and xterra vehicles originally sold in or currently registered in the states of connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, missouri, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, vermont, west…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the front czs with a redesigned sensor. The recall began on january 26, 2009. Owners in the other states will receive extended warranty coverage for the sensor to 10 years. These owners will be…

    Model years: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009

  11. Labels (equipment)

    NHTSA 08V045000 Reported 5,523 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    Nissan is recalling 5,523 my 2008 titan, frontier and xterra vehicles for failing to comply to the requirements of federal motor vehicle safety standard no. 110, 'tire selection and rims for motor vehicles.' the tire placard lists an incorrect vehicle capacity weight.

    Remedy: Nissan will mail a correct tire placard and installation instructions to owners of the affected vehicles. The recall began on february 25, 2008. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

    Model years: 2008

  12. Service brakes, hydraulic: control unit/module

    NHTSA 07V528000 Reported 1,115 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    On certain sport utility vehicles, the antilock brake system/vehicle dynamic control (ABS/vdc) actuator is designed with one ball in the valve section. Some ABS/vdc actuators were manufactured with more than one ball in the valve.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the ABS/vdc actuator with a new one. The recall began on december 31, 2007. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

    Model years: 2008

  13. Trailer hitches

    NHTSA 05V458000 Reported 12,500 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with a nissan accessory tow hitch, inadequate quality of some welded joints in the hitch assembly may result in separation of the hitch from the vehicle when being used to tow.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the tow hitches. On october 17, 2005, owners were sent an interim letter advising them not to use the tow hitch until it can be repaired. Another letter was sent out on november 21, 2005, notifying…

    Model years: 2005

  14. Trailer hitches

    NHTSA 04V581000 Reported 131 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    On certain sport utility vehicles, the accessory tow hitch attachment bolts may not have been tightened to the proper specification.

    Remedy: Dealers will tighten the tow hitch. The recall began on january 3, 2005. Owners should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

    Model years: 2004

  15. Fuel pump (fuel system)

    NHTSA 04V230000 Reported 586,196 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    On certain pickup trucks equipped with six cylinder engines and sport utility vehicles equipped with four or six cylinder engines, the fuel pump terminal on the fuel-sending unit can develop a crack in the plastic molding. This can cause the terminal strip to corrode under some environmental conditions.

    Remedy: In the following states, dealers will replace the fuel-sending unit. These states are connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, new hampshire, new…

    Model years: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003

  16. Wheels

    NHTSA 03V307000 Reported 31,700 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    2000 nissan xterra vehicles manufactured between october 15, 1999, and february 29, 2000. The alloy wheels used on these vehicles may not have been properly manufactured and could develop cracks in the wheel spokes.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify its customers and replace the four alloy wheels with xterra se model bright alloy wheels free of charge. The spare tire steel wheel is not affected. Owner notification began on september 15, 2003.…

    Model years: 2000

  17. Inflator module (air bags)

    NHTSA 03V061000 Reported 64,562 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    On certain vehicles, the electrical connector for the driver air bag may come loose. If the connector comes loose, the supplemental air bag warning light flashes intermittently.

    Remedy: Dealers will install a retaining clip on the clock spring electrical connector. Owner notification began april 21, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…

    Model years: 2002

  18. Suspension: rear

    NHTSA 02V299000 Reported 143,000 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, water may enter the rear axle housing due to inadequate sealing of the anti-lock braking system (ABS) sensor.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle for water intrusion and any affected components will be replaced. The ABS sensor will be resealed to prevent water intrusion. Owner notification began december 10, 2003. Owners who…

    Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003

  19. Filler pipe and cap (fuel system)

    NHTSA 02V300000 Reported 44,000 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the fuel tank inlet shutter valve does not meet the sealing performance specification.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel tank inlet shutter valve. Owner notification is expected to begin december 10, 2002. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…

    Model years: 2001

  20. Vehicle speed control

    NHTSA 02V298000 Reported 5,000 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with a supercharger, under certain conditions, such as full throttle in low gear when the engine is not fully warmed up and at cold ambient temperature, the amount of intake air flow through the air flow meter may exceed the maximum preset diagnosis limit value.

    Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the electronic control module. Owner notification began january 15, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy…

    Model years: 2002

  21. Automatic transmission (power train)

    NHTSA 00V288000 Reported 76,652 vehicles potentially affected NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

    Vehicle description: pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions fail to comply with the requirements of FMVSS no. 102, "transmission shift lever sequence, starter interlock, and transmission braking effect. " these vehicles could have a shift cable lock plate that is too brittle and can break. The…

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the automatic transmission shift cable lock plate.

    Model years: 2000

Other Nissan models

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.