Model year record

2002 Nissan Xterra

5 recall campaigns on file for this model year. 217 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V554000

Steering: column

Component: Steering: column
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 500,552
Reported to NHTSA: 2010-11-11
Owners notified: 2010-12-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 04V230000

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump

Component: Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 586,196
Reported to NHTSA: 2004-05-24
Owners notified: 2004-06-28

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION. THIS WILL RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Recall campaignNHTSA 03V061000

Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module

Component: Air bags: frontal: driver side: inflator module
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 64,562
Reported to NHTSA: 2003-02-27
Owners notified: 2003-04-21

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.

Manufacturer 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 SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V298000

Vehicle speed control

Component: Vehicle speed control
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 5,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-11-12
Owners notified: 2003-01-13

Defect description

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 TEMPERATURE, THE AMOUNT OF INTAKE AIR FLOW THROUGH THE AIR FLOW METER MAY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PRESET DIAGNOSIS LIMIT VALUE.

Safety risk

THIS WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM TO GO INTO THE FAILSAFE MODE. UNDER THIS CONDITION, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND ENGINE SPEED WILL NOT EXCEED 2400 RPM REGARDLESS OF THE THROTTLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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 RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Recall campaignNHTSA 02V299000

Suspension: rear

Component: Suspension: rear
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 143,000
Reported to NHTSA: 2002-11-12
Owners notified: 2003-12-10

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

THIS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE WHEEL BEARING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Steering	18	100,000 mi
Air bags	12	136,000 mi
Unknown or other	11	82,000 mi
Vehicle speed control	10	147,000 mi
Engine	8	144,500 mi
Service brakes	8	168,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling	7	50,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline	7	—
Visibility: power window devices and controls	7	46,900 mi
Air bags: frontal	6	54,000 mi
Electrical system	6	90,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring	6	26,050 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	6	89,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	6	17,800 mi
Suspension	6	250 mi
Tires	6	2,500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine	5	50,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip	5	8,467 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)	4	147,000 mi
Wheels	4	188,000 mi
Equipment	3	26,050 mi
Power train	3	22,000 mi
Structure	3	30,000 mi
Back over prevention: rearview system braking	2	—
Back over prevention: warnings	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	2	89,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control	2	29,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	2	50,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump	2	73,500 mi
Fuel system, other	2	71,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	2	170,000 mi
Lane departure: assist	2	—
Service brakes, air: antilock: ABS warning light	2	—
Service brakes, air: disc: rotor	2	—
Steering: column	2	19,000 mi
Suspension: rear: shock absorber	2	37,500 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly: leaf	2	32,600 mi
Air bags: frontal: sensor/control module	1	—
Electrical system: ignition	1	26,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: cooling system	1	70,267 mi
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system: emission control: gas recirculation valve (EGR valve)	1	—
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	—
Exterior lighting	1	—
Forward collision avoidance: adaptive cruise control	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	1	—
Power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: column shift	1	—
Power train: axle assembly	1	—
Power train: manual transmission	1	19,000 mi
Seat belts	1	164,000 mi
Seat belts: front	1	18,500 mi
Seat belts: front: anchorage	1	—
Seats: front assembly: recliner	1	100 mi
Service brakes, air	1	—
Service brakes, air: antilock: wheel speed sensor	1	9,000 mi
Service brakes, air: disc: caliper	1	42,000 mi
Service brakes, electric	1	—
Service brakes, hydraulic: foundation components: disc: rotor	1	18,000 mi
Steering: hydraulic power assist system	1	—
Steering: linkages	1	—
Structure: body	1	—
Structure: body: hood	1	157,000 mi
Suspension: front	1	—
Suspension: multiple axle	1	—
Suspension: rear	1	—
Tires: temporary/emergency spare tire	1	120,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	1	11 mi
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices	1	26,050 mi
Visibility: windshield	1	—
Wheels: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs	1	70,540 mi

The 2001 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2003 model has 2 times as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.