MYRModel Year Report

2002 Nissan Xterra

● Typical for this model
2002 Nissan Xterra
RENDERED 2026-11-01T13:57:29.665Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
157
Recalls
6

Campaigns on file for 2002

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Service brakes

18% of complaints

Complaints per year

2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 150 complaints 2002: 157 complaints 2002 157 2003: 72 complaints 2004: 84 complaints 2004 2005: 845 complaints 2006: 780 complaints 2006 2007: 557 complaints 2008: 119 complaints 2008 2009: 19 complaints 2010: 38 complaints 2010 2011: 24 complaints 2012: 16 complaints 2012 2013: 4 complaints 2014: 10 complaints 2014 2015: 10 complaints
2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 150 complaints 2001 2002: 157 complaints 2002 157 2003: 72 complaints 2003 2004: 84 complaints 2004 2005: 845 complaints 2005 2006: 780 complaints 2006 2007: 557 complaints 2007 2008: 119 complaints 2008 2009: 19 complaints 2009 2010: 38 complaints 2010 2011: 24 complaints 2011 2012: 16 complaints 2012 2013: 4 complaints 2013 2014: 10 complaints 2014 2015: 10 complaints 2015
2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 150 complaints 2001 2002: 157 complaints 2002 157 2003: 72 complaints 2003 2004: 84 complaints 2004 2005: 845 complaints 2005 2006: 780 complaints 2006 2007: 557 complaints 2007 2008: 119 complaints 2008 2009: 19 complaints 2009 2010: 38 complaints 2010 2011: 24 complaints 2011 2012: 16 complaints 2012 2013: 4 complaints 2013 2014: 10 complaints 2014 2015: 10 complaints 2015

2002: 157 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
19990
2000214
2001150
2002157
200372
200484
2005845
2006780
2007557
2008119
200919
201038
201124
201216
20134
201410
201510

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Service brakes

18% · 28 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I had my brake boosters replaced on 05/22/2019.I was backing up slowly on 07/24/2020 in a parking lot of a convenience store. As I was backing up, I tried to apply the brakes and they became stiff.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-08-02

Upon slowing down for a red traffic light brake pedal got hard not allowing vehicle to stop and vehicle also starting rapidly accelerating without pressing the gas pedal.resulted in a crash with a stopped vehicle at the traffic light.no serious...

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-01-18

Engine and engine cooling

16% · 25 reports

Most commonly citing gasoline and engine.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Engine check light kept coming on. Everytime vehicle has to be reprogrammed. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated that parts had to be replaced to keep engine light from coming on.

NHTSA ODI report, 2001-12-05

Steering

14% · 22 reports

Most commonly citing column and linkages.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle steered out of control and the vehicle overturned five times. A police report was filed.

NHTSA ODI report, 2019-06-10

I was approaching the 'on' ramp when Xterra pulled to side then flipped over 3X.there are 4 recalls;3 may have contributed to rollover.

NHTSA ODI report, 2013-10-05

Also filed under Air bags

Air bags

12% · 19 reports

Most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASHINJURYDEATH
Show complaint excerpts

While driving 35-40MPH vehicle was rear ended and pushed into another vehicle, and neither driver side nor passenger's side airbags deployed. Dealer has not seen vehicle. *ak *yh. There were 2 injuries.

NHTSA ODI report, 2002-03-06

Suspension

8% · 13 reports

Most commonly citing leaf and shock absorber.

Safety timeline

6 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. I
    2002-03-26Preliminary evaluationClosed 2002-08-29 Driver's air bag system malfunction
  2. I
    2002-08-29Engineering analysisClosed 2003-03-03 Driver's air bag system failure
  3. R
    2003-01-13Vehicle speed control02V298000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2003-04-21Air bags03V061000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. I
    2003-07-11Defect petitionClosed 2003-07-29 Brake rotor warpage
  6. R
    2003-12-10Suspension02V299000 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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2004-06-28Fuel system, gasoline04V230000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2006-04-03Exterior lighting06E026000 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…

    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.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. R
    2010-12-13Steering10V554000 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…

    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…

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2002 Nissan Xterra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Service brakes: 28 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine and engine cooling: 25 reports on file for this year.
  • Steering: 22 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V298000 · Vehicle speed control
  • Recall 03V061000 · Air bags
  • Recall 02V299000 · Suspension
  • Recall 04V230000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 06E026000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 10V554000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2002 Nissan Xterra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Nissan Xterra is rated "typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Xterra?
The most-reported component is service brakes, accounting for 18% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Xterra have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.