MYRModel Year Report

2003 Nissan Xterra

▲ Better than typical
2003 Nissan Xterra
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:56:08.969Z

This year had at least 30% fewer complaints than 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
72
Recalls
3

Campaigns on file for 2003

Investigations
1

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Steering

17% of complaints

Complaints per year

2000: 214 complaints 2000 2001: 150 complaints 2002: 157 complaints 2003: 72 complaints 2003 72 2004: 84 complaints 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 2003: 72 complaints 2003 72 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 2003: 72 complaints 2003 72 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

2003: 72 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.

Steering

17% · 12 reports
CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

I drove the vehicle on a freeway under construction with one finished new pavement lane.

NHTSA ODI report, 2012-05-30

Also filed under Structure and wheels

Service brakes

15% · 11 reports

Most commonly citing hydraulic and air.

CRASHINJURY

Air bags

14% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing frontal.

CRASHINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 2022-09-26

Driver side airbag failure in a front end collision at speeds of 30-40 MPH. Drivers airbag did not deploy while the empty passengers did. Complete brake failure resulting in a three car accident. 2003 Nissan Xterra 3,700 miles.

NHTSA ODI report, 2003-11-07

Also filed under Service brakes, hydraulic

Fuel system, gasoline

14% · 10 reports

Most commonly citing fuel injection system and storage.

CRASHFIRE

Structure

11% · 8 reports

Most commonly citing body and roof and pillars.

CRASH

Safety timeline

3 recalls · 1 investigation · oldest first

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

  1. I
    2003-07-11Defect petitionClosed 2003-07-29 Brake rotor warpage
  2. 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 →

  3. 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 →

  4. 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

2003 Nissan Xterra — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Steering: 12 reports on file for this year.
  • Service brakes: 11 reports on file for this year.
  • Air bags: 10 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 02V299000 · Suspension
  • Recall 04V230000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 10V554000 · Steering
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years2 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2003 Nissan Xterra reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2003 Nissan Xterra is rated "better than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Xterra?
The most-reported component is steering, accounting for 17% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan Xterra have?
3 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.