KnownCarProblems2002 Nissan Xterra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 157 complaints with NHTSA about the 2002 Nissan Xterra, most often about the engine (20% of complaints, typically around 87,000 miles). It is 5th of 16 Xterra model years by number of complaints and has 5 recalls.
Most common 2002 Nissan Xterra problems
Engine
32 complaints · 20%Half of these problems showed up before 87,000 miles. Parts named most often: engine, exhaust system, cooling system.
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…
My 2002 Xterra engine stalls when at idle speed, it starts back but will stall almost everytime I stop at a light,stop sign or in traffic. Engine light does not come on and there is no codes. I spoke to a Nissan dealership and when I asked them about a recall on the 2004 model for this problem that has to do with the…
Brakes
27 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 91,000 miles. Parts named most often: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip, antilock, disc, foundation components.
My brakes were losing power with the brake pedal feeling 'mushy' and brake light on. The dealer, maita Nissan, advised me that the spare tire, had rubbed a hole in the brake lining going to the rear brake drums. Nissan did not feel that they were responsible, because the spare tire was oversized, compared to the…
On 5/2/2012 at approximately 2:30pm in the afternoon vehicle traveling on a divided highway in moderate traffic at approximately 30mph. While braking for traffic at a stop light operator felt a sudden drop in the brake pedal and loss of stopping ability requiring them to swerve onto the shoulder to avoid the car in…
Steering
22 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 96,000 miles. Parts named most often: column, linkages, hydraulic power assist system.
The contact previously owned a 2002 Nissan Xterra. The contact was driving approximately 15 MPH when the steering wheel became resistant to movement. The contact was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and crashed into a residential home. The contact sustained a dislocated shoulder and her head struck and…
The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that after having recall repairs performed under NHTSA campaign id number: 10v554000 (steering:column), the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the gear box was defective and needed to be replaced. The…
Air bags
19 complaints · 12%Half of these problems showed up before 92,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
I was approaching the 'on' ramp when Xterra pulled to side then flipped over 3x.there are 4 recalls;3 may have contributed to rollover.
Vehicle was wrecked on a dirt road. The vehicle rolled four times and was totaled; the airbags did not deploy. Driver was the only person in the car so passenger side airbags not deploying is not a surprise. Driver was severely injured from accident, incurring significant medical costs as well as job loss.
Suspension
13 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 35,000 miles. Parts named most often: rear, multiple axle, front.
I own a 13 month old 2002 Nissan Xterra that has 32,600 miles on it and has never been driven off-road. The leaf spring on the driver's side broke at the rear mounting bolt. Luckily we caught it immediately and the dealer is replacing it under warranty. Has this been a problem with the Xterra and should the other one…
The vehicle left a couple large puddles while parked. Dealer identified the problem as a completely failed rear shock, due to corrosion, and recommended immediate replacement or risk diminished handling. At 37,500 mi, the 2002 model year vehicle was no longer under factory warranty so both rear shocks were replaced at…
Fuel system
13 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 99,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, storage.
I was driving down the highway at 65 MPH when my engine died. I cruised it to the side of the road and attempted to start it again, but it would not turn over. I could smell gas. After having it towed, we initially determined fuel pump failure. Once the repair was initiated, we found that the wire to the fuel sending…
Check engine light is on and a there is an obvious smell of gasoline on the drivers side in the back of the vehicle. Dealer tells me that the fuel tank needs to be replaced and this is a common issue with them as they rust around the top of the tank. This is a separate issue from the fuel sending unit recall that has…
Electrical
13 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 44,000 miles. Parts named most often: wiring, ignition.
Vehicle: 2002 Nissan Xterra se tail lights, front side marker lights, dash panel illumination failed due to wire chafing behind driver's side front marker light. The back of the bulb socket for the front side marker light pinches it's connection wire against the head of a 10mm screw located immediately behind the bulb…
The dashboard lights, headlights all went off at night while the vehicle was being driven. The consumer pulled off the road, replaced a fuse and continued on. One weeks later, the fuse blew again. The dealer found the right front wiring harness marker was rubbing against the frame and it had shorted out.
Wheels and tires
12 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 110,000 miles. Parts named most often: lugs/nuts/bolts/studs, temporary/emergency spare tire.
2002 Nissan Xterra: the spare tire holder winch mechanism in ne regions rusts (from what I gather in on line research the problem is rampant) and freezes not allowing you to lower the tire to replace a flat. I had a flat on a very busy road. I could not lower the spare and bent the rod. Called aaa. Had to have flat…
2002 Nissan Xterra, over the last year, wheel lug nuts have broken off the wheels, the actual stud broke off for no apparent reason, this has happen on all 4 wheels, each time I had a mechanic replace the bad parts. Note these were not cross threaded,. And were also tighten with a torque wrench. The stud just broke…
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2002 Nissan Xterra recalls
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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.
Air bags: inflator module
Risk: The driver side air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
Speed control: vehicle speed control
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.
Fix: 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.
Full defect summary
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.
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
Driver's air bag system failure
Summary
In its letter dated february 21, 2003 to NHTSA, nissan stated that it will conduct a safety recall of approximately 27,385 my 2002 nissan xterra vehicles produced from 6/12/01 (start of production) to 11/1/01 as well as approximately 37,177 my 2002 nissan altima vehicles produced from 6/13/01 (start of production) to 10/25/01.vehicles manufactured after these dates are not affected.nissan stated that the clockspring electrical connector may not be fully secured to the driver-side air bag module squib pin connector due to the retaining groove in the module not having sufficient depth to hold the connector in the assembled position.a retaining clip will be installed on the clockspring electric
Driver's air bag system malfunction
Questions about the 2002 Nissan Xterra
- What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Xterra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: engine (32 complaints, typically around 87,000 miles); brakes (27 complaints, typically around 91,000 miles); steering (22 complaints, typically around 96,000 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Xterra have?
- 5 recalls listed by NHTSA, the latest from November 11, 2010 (steering). Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see which ones are still open on your car.
- Is the 2002 a bad year for the Nissan Xterra?
- It is 5th of 16 Xterra model years by number of complaints, with 157 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.