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2001 Nissan XterraProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 150 owner complaints about the 2001 Nissan Xterra, most often about the visibility. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.

2001 Nissan Xterra
52
CarFlaw IndexSolid year7% below the Xterra median · #6 of 15 years by complaints
Safety recalls3Free fix at dealersOwner complaints15028 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage40kVisibility, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through June 11, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2001 Nissan Xterra has problems

150 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Visibility431
Fuel system, gasoline220
Electrical system175
Wheels112
Engine and engine cooling110
Air bags88
Fuel/propulsion system80
Service brakes, hydraulic72
Steering62
13 other systems477

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

3 recalls

2001 Nissan Xterra recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 04V-230 · May 24, 2004 · 586,196 vehicles

Risk. IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Tank assembly: filler pipe and cap

Recall 02V-300 · Nov 12, 2002 · 44,000 vehicles

Risk. UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS SUCH AS HIGH AMBIENT TEMPERATURE AND WHEN WINTER GRADE GASOLINE IS BEING SOLD, FUEL COULD SPILL FROM THE FILLER INLET AS THE TANK IS…

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.

Mileage at failure

When do visibility problems start?

40kmiles, median

Based on the odometer reading in 27 visibility complaints. 93% were reported before 100,000 miles.

median0k50k100k150k200k+
5under 30k miles25under 100k miles2100k miles or more
Best & worst years

2001 vs. every other Xterra year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Xterra median. How we score

'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2001 Nissan Xterra safety ratings

2001 Nissan Xterra 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2001 Nissan Xterra frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2001 Nissan Xterra side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 2 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
2 investigations

NHTSA defect investigations

Federal investigations that included the 2001 Nissan Xterra, and the recalls they led to.

  1. BRAKE ROTOR WARPAGEDP03005 · closed Jul 29, 2003
    No recall
  2. FUEL SPILL DURING REFUELINGPE02052 · closed Dec 3, 2002
    Led to recall 02V-300
In owners' words

What Xterra owners report

Recent visibility complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

I OPENED CASE # [XXX] WITH NISSAN REGARDING THE FAILURE OF ALL FOUR WINDOW REGULATORS IN THE NISSAN XTERRA I PURCHASED FROM NISSAN OF BOURNE (MA) IN 2000 ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD. THAT IS WHERE THE VEHICLE IS GARAGED AND USED AND ONLY HAS 67K MILES ON IT. THE WINDOWS HAVE BEEN ACTING UP FOR QUITE SOME…
Complaint 10423990 · Sep 6, 2011 · 67,000 miles
ON MY 2001 NISSAN XTERRA, THE WINDOWS ARE NEARLY INOPERABLE ON FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDES. THEY STARTED OUT SLOWLY AND GETTING STUCK HALF THE WAY UP, IT WOULD USUALLY TAKE ABOUT 4 ATTEMPTS TO GET WINDOW ALL THE WAY UP. THIS IS A SERIOUS NISSAN PROBLEM, AND ACCORDING TO OTHER FORUMS, OTHERS…
Complaint 10347507 · Aug 5, 2010 · 130,000 miles
FIRST THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW STOPPED WORKING. SOUNDS LIKE BREAKING GLASS WHEN IT IS ROLLED DOWN. WILL ONLY ROLL DOWN 1 -2 INCHES AND WILL NOT ROLL BACK UP. THE LEFT REAR WINDOW WILL ROLL DOWN BUT WILL NOT ROLL BACK UP. THE RIGHT REAR WINDOW WILL OCCASIONALLY ROLL DOWN BUT WILL NOT ROLL BACK UP. THE…
Complaint 10298471 · Jan 6, 2010 · 48,000 miles

Own a 2001 Xterra?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.