MYRModel Year Report

2002 Nissan Xterra

● Typical for this model
2002 Nissan Xterra
RENDERED 2026-09-17T03:01:02.524Z

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 PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Xterra Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 150 complaints 2002: 157 complaints 2002 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 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%

18% of complaints: service brakes — 28 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
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, 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

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 16%

16% of complaints: engine and engine cooling — 25 distinct reports on file, 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. *AK

NHTSA ODI report, 20011205

Also filed under UNKNOWN OR OTHER

STEERING 14%

14% of complaints: steering — 22 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing column and linkages.

CRASH INJURY
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, 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

Also filed under AIR BAGS and UNKNOWN OR OTHER

AIR BAGS 12%

12% of complaints: air bags — 19 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing frontal and sensor/control module.

CRASH INJURY DEATH
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.*JG

NHTSA ODI report, 20020306

SUSPENSION 8%

8% of complaints: suspension — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing leaf and shock absorber.

SAFETY TIMELINE

I 20020326 — PE (closed 20020829)

DRIVER'S AIR BAG SYSTEM MALFUNCTION

I 20020829 — EA (closed 20030303)

DRIVER'S AIR BAG SYSTEM FAILURE

R 20030113 — 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

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

R 20030421 — 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 SERV

Campaign 03V061000 — check if this car was fixed

I 20030711 — DP (closed 20030729)

BRAKE ROTOR WARPAGE

R 20031210 — suspension

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

R 20040628 — fuel system, gasoline

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

R 20060403 — exterior lighting

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

R 20101213 — 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, 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 service brakes issues (28 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for engine and engine cooling issues (25 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (22 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.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2010 ▲ 2003 ▲ 2004

WORST YEARS

■ 2005 ■ 2006 ■ 2007

See all years ranked →

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 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.