2001 Nissan Xterra: problems, recalls and reliability
5 recalls and 150 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is visibility (27% of complaints); the 2003 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Apr 2009
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 150 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The vehicle disabled and the steering wheel locked on the highway once the speed hit 70mph. The wheel bearings are always rattling and if I go through a pothole the steering and tire feel really loose. The brake system doesn't feel right and has made a loud metal grind sound. The exhaust and or gasoline smell is way potent and not normal either it is strong smelling all the time. Potential recalls with fuel system, gasoline delivery, fuel pump and suspension, REAR , gasoline storage , tank assembly, filler pipe and cap. All are potential recalls also the exterior lighting”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2022
“The xterra started missing and hesitating (engine) eventually dying and not restarting. The missing and hesitation occurred while underway on a busy 4 lane divided highway, but thankfully made it home before dying and not restarting. Missing and hesitation occurred while traveling straight on and while stopped at red lights.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Mar 2021
“Car failed to start after being parked overnight. Would crank but not start. Had it diagnosed and the fuel sending unit replaced. The dead unit had a hole through it's plastic which showed a corroded electrical tab. It doesn't look like corrosion from a crack in the plastic as stated in campaign# 04v230000, but more like the electrical connection melted through the plastic, which then allowed corrosion. Nissan hotline told me that the previous owner had the recall taken care of already, but couldn't say if the unit was repaired or replaced.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · May 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“While driving, engine goes to idle mode and can't accelerate. I have to shift to neutral and back to drive to again drive normally, then problem happens again and have to do the same continuously every few miles while driving.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2018
“Major intrusion on front end after a motor vehicle accident without air bag deployment. This occurred on the highway after sliding on ice and being hit head on by a ford f150.”Owner report · Air Bags · Feb 2017
“The terminal strip are corrode and can't be replaced because the pump got damage by the corrosion of the terminal, now nissan do not want to replace the pump. Is not my fault that they using parts that causing those type of problem. I can't affort to pay for the pump plus labor.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Aug 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan xterra. The contact stated while driving at an unknown speed, the ABS warning light illuminated intermittently. The vehicle was taken dealer. The technician diagnosed that the g sensor would need to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 100,709 and the current mileage was 100,741.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2014
“Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan xterra. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 mph, the engine stalled without any warning. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the fuel pump sending unit was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was contacted who refused to provide any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04v230000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · May 2014
“After the car warms up it will stall while driving and when coming to a stop to idle.sometimes it will not start immediately after stalling. This is a safety hazard and could cause an accident. We have also had multiple problems with the alignment due to the wheel bearings. *tr”Owner report · Engine · May 2014
“My xterra was sitting in my driveway on thursday june 13th and at 2 am my roommates come knocking on my door saying my front end of my car fell. I got up and looked and sure enough it had dropped. Had it towed to a mechanic shop and they said both torsion bars were broke. I had to take it to the dealer to get it fixed because they would not touch it. No can believe that I was not driving it when this happened, my xterra had been sitting for 7 hours when this happened. It is hard to believe both broke at the same time and while it was sitting in the driveway. *tr”Owner report · Suspension · Jun 2013
When filing, owners marked a crash in 15 of these complaints and injuries in 11 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 5 campaigns
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 TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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 RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
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 JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THE OTHER STATES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE SENDING UNIT FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE UNIT. IF THERE IS NOT CORROSION, THE DEALER WILL APPLY SEALANT TO THE TERMINAL HOUSING TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION IN THE FUTURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
Remedy: PRO-A MOTORS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER TO REPURCHASE THE LAMPS. THE RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 3, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT PRO-A MOTORS AT 323-838-2988.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.
How other years compare
Check your exact Xterra by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Nissan Xterra reliable?
NHTSA has 150 owner complaints and 5 recall campaigns on record for the 2001 Nissan Xterra. The most complained-about area is visibility (27% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2001 Nissan Xterra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 66,000 miles or less.
Does the 2001 Nissan Xterra have open recalls?
5 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning suspension:rear. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.