2003 Nissan Xterra: problems, recalls and reliability
3 recalls and 72 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is steering (15% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2022
“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”Owner report · Engine · Jul 2019
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Jan 2019
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Oct 2017
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2016
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2016
“Nissan xterra frame rusted beyond any safety justification. Oil leaks from engine up two 2 quart a day lead to engine seized up without warning.”Owner report · Engine · Jan 2016
“I was driving to work one day and while I was turning corners I felt it was getting harder to steer. I stop at the red light and when drove off again I was going maybe 5-10 mph, I turned left and I was going to straighten the car up the car started to swurve and bear to the left. I tried to regain control but the car would not respond I ended up crashing into a pole.”Owner report · Steering · Dec 2015
“Called roadside assistance to change a tire. The spare tire rubber was burned in three or more places from the heat spreading under the vehicle, and the char/melting/burning went through the vehicle body from the bottom of the vehicle outside to the floor inside. The man changing my tire suggested it was a fire waiting to happen and that there could be a recall for this sort of issue. I checked and do not see anything listed. My tired is now damaged from the heat melting the rubber, and my vehicle is charred in places. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2015
“We were driving on vacation and the car stopped. It started back up and then after a couple of miles stopped again. We were stranded and didn't get home for three days.I have take codes off the engine and it showed a 0462 code. Went back to get xterra with a car dolly and dolly broke and car came undone. This unfortunate incident was a direct result of a bad sending unit. *tr”Owner report · Fuel System, Gasoline · Jun 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 16 of these complaints and injuries in 10 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 3 campaigns
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 MOVEMENT OF THIS JOINT MAY CREATE EXCESSIVE LOAD ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE SHAFT DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS THAT REQUIRE LARGE STEERING INPUTS.
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.
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 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.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2003 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
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 2003 Nissan Xterra reliable?
NHTSA has 72 owner complaints and 3 recall campaigns on record for the 2003 Nissan Xterra. The most complained-about area is steering (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2003 Nissan Xterra problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 75,000 miles or less.
Does the 2003 Nissan Xterra have open recalls?
3 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:column. 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.