2002 Nissan Xterra Recalls, Complaints & Specs
5 safety recalls list the 2002 Nissan Xterra, and owners have filed 157 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
5 safety recalls for the 2002 Nissan Xterra
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Column (steering)
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.
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Fuel pump (fuel system)
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…
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Inflator module (air bags)
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…
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Vehicle speed control
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…
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Suspension: rear
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…
157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2002 Nissan Xterra have filed 157 complaints with NHTSA; 21 describe a crash and 7 describe a fire. Reports cite 28 injuries and 17 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 86,278 miles. Complaints peaked in 2003 with 31 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“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”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, July 8, 2025 · Back over prevention
“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 det”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, December 5, 2024 · Seat belts
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2002 Nissan Xterra (Xterra 2WD, Xterra V6 2WD, Xterra V6 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 15–19 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 13–17 / 17–22 |
| Fuel | Premium, Regular |
| EPA class | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.4/3.3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Nissan Xterra model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Nissan Xterra model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 214 |
| 2001 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 150 |
| 2002 Nissan Xterra | 5 | 157 |
| 2003 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 72 |
| 2004 Nissan Xterra | 2 | 84 |
| 2005 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 845 |
| 2006 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 780 |
| 2007 Nissan Xterra | 1 | 557 |
| 2008 Nissan Xterra | 6 | 119 |
| 2009 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 19 |
| 2010 Nissan Xterra | 4 | 38 |
| 2011 Nissan Xterra | 2 | 24 |
| 2012 Nissan Xterra | 2 | 16 |
| 2013 Nissan Xterra | 0 | 4 |
| 2014 Nissan Xterra | 0 | 10 |
| 2015 Nissan Xterra | 0 | 10 |
Checking a specific 2002 Nissan Xterra
How do I know if my 2002 Nissan Xterra has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 5 campaigns currently list the 2002 Nissan Xterra; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Nissan dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 02V298000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Nissan models
- Altima15,472 complaints
- Pathfinder7,355 complaints
- Rogue7,322 complaints
- Maxima6,955 complaints
- Murano5,958 complaints
- Sentra5,954 complaints
- Frontier3,357 complaints
- Versa3,325 complaints
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.