KnownCarProblems2001 Nissan Xterra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 150 complaints with NHTSA about the 2001 Nissan Xterra, most often about the visibility and wipers (29% of complaints, typically around 40,000 miles). It is 6th of 16 Xterra model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2001 Nissan Xterra problems
Visibility and wipers
43 complaints · 29%Half of these problems showed up before 40,000 miles. Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, windshield wiper/washer, glass, side/rear, rear window wiper/washer.
My car is a 2001 Nissan x-terra, purchased in august of 2001. The window regulators on both front windows and the rear driver's side have stopped working. All three failures happened within three weeks of each other. The fourth window is showing signs of impending failure, e.g. Popping and sluggish behavior. The car…
Within a three week period the driver, passenger and rear power windows stopped operating. The windows would go down, but would not go all the way up.
Fuel system
32 complaints · 21%Half of these problems showed up before 80,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
Complaint concerns the fuel tank sending unit. My vehicle went dead on hwy 131s at 6:00 in the morning. Alone and out of town. Had to be towed on flatbed. When talking with the local dealership they stated they have had to replace this part on numerous occasions. I then called my private, usual dealership I have…
My 2001 Nissan Xterra shuts off while in motion. Also, will not start at times. Overall, car has shut off or not started probably about 10 or so times. According to Nissan the recall on this part was already fixed before I owned the car (I bought it preowned)....but obviously it is the same problem again therefore…
Engine
17 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 89,000 miles. Parts named most often: exhaust system, cooling system, engine.
I am the original owner of a 2001 Nissan Xterra xe v6 3.3l engine. All maintenance done at mossy Nissan is san diego. I am now having to replace the head gasket after 89000mi. Nissan does not offer any warranty for the failure of the engine gasket. This is problematic and needs to be corrected.
(1) normal vehicle operation, no special circumstances LED to failure. (2) the right cylinder bank exhaust manifold failed which allowed exhaust gases to be present under the hood and drawn into the passenger compartment by the heat and air conditioning system of the vehicle. (3) the right cylinder bank exhaust…
Electrical
17 complaints · 11%Half of these problems showed up before 67,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, horn, alternator/generator/regulator, 12v/24v/48v battery.
Instrument gauge failure. Speedometer, tachometer, odometer, heat, and fuel gauges all go to zero. This occurs usually about 30 minutes after the car is running and/or the temperature is very warm outside. Suv continues to run 'normally' when this occurs, but this can be a safety hazard in not knowing your vehicle…
I opened case # [] 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 time (many years) now…
Wheels and tires
13 complaints · 9%Parts named most often: hub, temporary/emergency spare tire, sidewall.
While driving at 35 MPH the front left wheel separated from the vehicle without warning. The vehicle rolled into a ditch but the vehicles occupants were not damaged. The manufacturer is looking into the problem and is dragging their feet.
: the contact stated during an oil change the mechanic noticed the driver side rear wheel was fractured. The vehicle was operating normal prior to the failure. The vehicle was taken to the dealership where a spare tire was put onto the vehicle. Updated 05/16/06.
Brakes
9 complaints · 6%Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, pedals and linkages, foundation components.
The vehicle has had 3 brake repairs and 3 horn repairs within 27,500 miles, the vehicle drive crooked down a straight highway, it appears that the frame is bent, the right rear door is not sealed properly and it leaks it also sounds like the window is open, the driver's door rattles, the carpet on the driver's side…
Nissan, Xterra, 2001. Within 6 months of purchasing the vehicle I began having problems with the brake pedal. When applying the brakes after a short period of time the pedal will sink approximately 1 - 2 inches. I have taken the vehicle several times to the dealer since I purchased it. The first time the dealer told…
Air bags
8 complaints · 5%Parts named most often: frontal.
I was traveling at approximately 35 MPH when a vehicle pulled out of a business parking lot, the vehicle failed to yield, causing me to collide with her driver door. My concern is that my airbag in my 2001 Nissan Xterra failed to deploy causing me to hit the steering wheel with my chest. I contacted Nissan and the…
Major intrusion on front end after a motor vehicle accident without air bag deployment. This occurred on the highway after sliding on ice and being hit head on by a ford f150.
Body and structure
6 complaints · 4%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
The vehicle has had 3 brake repairs and 3 horn repairs within 27,500 miles, the vehicle drive crooked down a straight highway, it appears that the frame is bent, the right rear door is not sealed properly and it leaks it also sounds like the window is open, the driver's door rattles, the carpet on the driver's side…
I am currently recuperating from an SUV rollover accident. A truck ran a red light and hit the passenger side of my 2001 Nissan Xterra xe. The Xterra rolled over several times with the roof crushing in on me, breaking the windows out. When it stopped tumbling, it was upside down and continued sliding down the road on…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2001 Nissan Xterra recalls
Fuel system: fuel pump
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.
Fix: 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
Full defect summary
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.
Fuel system: filler pipe and cap
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 being filled. In the presence of an ignition source, fuel leakage could result in a fire.
Fix: Dealers will replace the fuel tank inlet shutter valve. Owner notification is expected to begin december 10, 2002. 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.
Full defect summary
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the fuel tank inlet shutter valve does not meet the sealing performance specification.
Suspension: rear
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which recalls are still open on your car.
NHTSA defect investigations
Brake rotor warpage
Summary
Mr. Kent jones of kernersville, nc, submitted a petition to NHTSA by e-mail dated july 1, 2003, requesting NHTSA to investigate the brake rotors on my 2002 nissan xterra vehicles.the petitioner alleged that the brake rotors in these vehicles were defective because the rotors overheat and warp from normal usage.a review of odi's database for complaints regarding my 2001 through my 2003 nissan xterra vehicles identified only two reports related to brake rotor warping; one for a my 2001 and one for a my 2002.the complaint for the my 2002 nissan xterra was reported by the petitioner.brake rotor warping can result in brake pulsation and shaking when the brake is applied.brake pulsation, tire or s
Fuel spill during refueling
Questions about the 2001 Nissan Xterra
- What are the most common problems with the 2001 Nissan Xterra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: visibility and wipers (43 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles); fuel system (32 complaints, typically around 80,000 miles); engine (17 complaints, typically around 89,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Xterra have?
- 3 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from May 24, 2004 (fuel system). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2001 a bad year for the Nissan Xterra?
- It is 6th of 16 Xterra model years by number of complaints, with 150 complaints. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many cars were sold, so popular years collect more of them, and the newest years have had less time to.