2002 Nissan Xterra problems
Owners have filed 214 complaints about the 2002 Nissan Xterra with NHTSA. Engine and engine cooling accounts for 11.7% of them — narrowly the most common, ahead of steering at 10.3%.
Complaints214
Crashes33
Fires12
Injuries55
Deaths48
What owners report breaking
Engine and engine cooling 11.7% · 25
Steering 10.3% · 22
Air bags 8.9% · 19
Suspension 6.1% · 13
Electrical system 6.1% · 13
Service brakes, hydraulic 5.6% · 12
Vehicle speed control 5.1% · 11
Unknown or other 5.1% · 11
Severity
Of those complaints, 33 describe a crash, 12 describe a fire, 55 report an injury and 48 report a death.
Reading the numbers
Across the 8 model years of the Nissan Xterra in this data, 2002 sits 5th by complaint volume. 2005 draws the most.
Filing volume has held steady, 10 in the last three years against 11 in the three before.
The median odometer reading at the time of complaint was 82,000 miles.
In owners' own words
Both of the vehicles exhaust manifolds have developed cracks and had to be replaces because of potential exhaust fumes entering the drivers cabin. This is a well known and common occurrence with 00-02 Nissan xterras . Nissan changed the manifold design in 03 which acknowledged that they recognized the issue but have done nothing to recall or compensate consumers for the issue in prior models. Engine and engine cooling · reported at 89,000 miles
The owners of this truck live 6500 feet above elevation. The truck will lose power or will not maintain moderate speed. The truck was returned to the dealership and they told him that the truck was too heavy for that size engine to deal with that kind of altitude. Two other dealers in the area also came to the same conclusion. Please describe details. Engine and engine cooling
Vehicle died upon acceleration. Consumer took vehicle to dealer, and they said air control valve had shutdown. Dealer repaired problem. Three weeks later problem reoccurred. *Ak the consumer stated that engine fails to a default speed of about 15 mph. The dealer described as an error in computer engine control. Engine and engine cooling
Verbatim from NHTSA filings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.
Safety recalls
Checking NHTSA for open recalls…