no report yet
Steering: column
Risk. THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
2003 Nissan XterraProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 72 owner complaints about the 2003 Nissan Xterra, most often about the steering. It is covered by 3 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through September 26, 2022. Updated daily. Photo: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2003 Nissan Xterra has problems
72 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
12Steering4 crash/fire/injury
10Fuel system, gasoline2 crash/fire/injury
10Air bags10 crash/fire/injury
9Service brakes, hydraulic2 crash/fire/injury
7Engine and engine cooling2 crash/fire/injury
7Structure1 crash/fire/injury
6Engine
5Visibility
5Fuel/propulsion system
2411 other systems8 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 12 | 4 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 10 | 2 |
| Air bags | 10 | 10 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 9 | 2 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 7 | 2 |
| Structure | 7 | 1 |
| Engine | 6 | 0 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 0 |
| 11 other systems | 24 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
3 recalls
2003 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
Risk. IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION.
no report yet
Suspension: rear
Risk. THIS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE WHEEL BEARING.
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.
Best & worst years
2003 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
2003 Nissan Xterra safety ratings
2003 Nissan Xterra 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Rollover: 2 stars (0.0% risk)
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
1 investigation
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal investigations that included the 2003 Nissan Xterra, and the recalls they led to.
- BRAKE ROTOR WARPAGENo recall
In owners' words
What Xterra owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
Fuel pump power steering abs O2 sensors yes it's available for inspection upon requests car shut off while driving at 70 miles an hour on a highway due to fuel pump because my VIN number is not with all the other 2003 Nissan xterra's that have recalls on all of the same problems I have just for…
I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE DAY AND WHILE I WAS TURNING CORNERS I FELT IT WAS GETTING HARDER TO STEER. I STOP AT THE RED LIGHT AND WHEN DROVE OFF AGAIN I WAS GOING MAYBE 5-10 MPH, I TURNED LEFT AND I WAS GOING TO STRAIGHTEN THE CAR UP THE CAR STARTED TO SWURVE AND BEAR TO THE LEFT. I TRIED TO REGAIN…
WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE ADJUSTER FOR THE STEERING WHEEL LEVER TO LOWER OR LIFT UP THE WHEEL IS STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION & WON'T MOVE. THE WHEEL IS HARD TO MOVE BUT THE STEERING FLUID IS FULL. *TR
Own a 2003 Xterra?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.