2002 Nissan Xterra
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.
COMPLAINTS PER YEAR
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1999 | 0 |
| 2000 | 214 |
| 2001 | 150 |
| 2002 | 157 |
| 2003 | 72 |
| 2004 | 84 |
| 2005 | 845 |
| 2006 | 780 |
| 2007 | 557 |
| 2008 | 119 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2010 | 38 |
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 10 |
KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS
11% of complaints: steering — 18 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURYShow 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, 20190610
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. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20131005
8% of complaints: air bags — 12 distinct reports on file.
CRASH INJURY DEATHShow complaint excerpts
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. *TR
NHTSA ODI report, 20131005
6% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 10 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRE INJURY5% of complaints: service brakes — 8 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIREShow 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, 20200802
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, 20190118
5% of complaints: engine — 8 distinct reports on file.
CRASH FIRESAFETY TIMELINE
DRIVER'S AIR BAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION
DRIVER'S AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILURE
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
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 REC
Campaign 02V298000 — check if this car was fixed
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 SERV
Campaign 03V061000 — check if this car was fixed
BRAKE ROTOR WARPAGE
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 1
Campaign 02V299000 — check if this car was fixed
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 I
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, NE
Campaign 04V230000 — check if this car was fixed
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 S
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.
Campaign 06E026000 — check if this car was fixed
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, TH
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 NIS
Campaign 10V554000 — check if this car was fixed
BUY-SMART CHECKLIST
2002 Nissan Xterra — pre-purchase inspection
- Test/inspect for steering issues (18 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for air bags issues (12 reports on file for this year).
- Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (10 reports on file for this year).
- Verify recall 02V298000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
- Verify recall 03V061000 (air bags) has been completed.
- Verify recall 02V299000 (suspension) has been completed.
- Verify recall 04V230000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
- Verify recall 06E026000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
- Verify recall 10V554000 (steering) has been completed.
OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL
BEST YEARS
WORST 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 steering, accounting for 11% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Xterra have?
6 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.