KnownCarProblems2003 Nissan Xterra Problems and Recalls
Owners filed 72 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Nissan Xterra, most often about the fuel system (22% of complaints, typically around 78,000 miles). It is 9th of 16 Xterra model years by number of complaints and has 3 recalls.
Most common 2003 Nissan Xterra problems
Fuel system
16 complaints · 22%Half of these problems showed up before 78,000 miles. Parts named most often: delivery, fuel injection system, storage.
Engine light came on in 09. Vehicle failed emissions due to problem with evac system. Gasket at fuel tank was replaced. Within a year, engine light came back on. There was another problem with the evac system. After $ 862.00 dollars that were spent on vehicle for o ring and gasket repairs, vehicle passed emissions.…
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that his vehicle was serviced for the recall associated with NHTSA campaign id number: 04v230000 (fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump). A few months later, the contact stated that he attempted to start the vehicle but it would not start. The vehicle was…
Engine
13 complaints · 18%Half of these problems showed up before 103,000 miles. Parts named most often: cooling system, exhaust system.
We were driving on vacation and the car stopped. It started back up and then after a couple of miles stopped again. We were stranded and didn't get home for three days.I have take codes off the engine and it showed a 0462 code. Went back to get Xterra with a car dolly and dolly broke and car came undone. This…
Nissan Xterra frame rusted beyond any safety justification. Oil leaks from engine up two 2 quart a day lead to engine seized up without warning.
Brakes
12 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 44,500 miles. Parts named most often: antilock, foundation components.
2003 Xterra brakes failed to stop causing consumer to run a red light. The first failure occurred on may, 21, 2004. The dealer informed the consumer that the brakes were worn, the right inner pad came out of holder from metal contact with the rotor causing caliper piston to jam into inside of right front rotor. The…
The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving 35 MPH, the brakes were applied and the anti lock braking system was engaged. The anti lock braking light also illuminated on the instrument panel during the failure. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer, where they were unable to…
Steering
12 complaints · 17%Half of these problems showed up before 100,500 miles.
I was negotiating a curve with around 45 MPH and suddenly lost steering control. The vehicle started turning to the right side, I panicked and tried to steer it to the left ,and the vehicle took a u turn and came to a stop facing the inbound vehicles. Luckily there was no other cars and I managed to take drive it…
When I was driving on freeway, the steering wheel of my car got hard to maneuver. I pulled very hard. I had to take my car to the dealer and they said they have to replace the hose from the steering wheel, the steering liquid is poured. And it costs me $ 500 to repair my car. I think it's a manufacturer's defect in…
Air bags
10 complaints · 14%Half of these problems showed up before 18,000 miles. Parts named most often: frontal.
While driving 50 MPH driver lost control of the vehicle. A technician determined that upper ball joint on driver's side broke. The air bags did not deploy during this accident. The technician indicated that he had never seen ball joint fail this way before.
Product defect. No summary listed (Nissan). While the consumer was driving down a smoothly paved road she suddenly lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle veered sharply across the yellow lines and flipped end over end at least twice. The vehicle landed upside down on the opposite side of the road facing in the…
Body and structure
7 complaints · 10%Parts named most often: body, frame and members.
On the way to the beach traveling 55 MPH in my 2003 Nissan Xterra, my surf board flew off the roo track into the middle of route 1 in delaware. The traffic behind me managed to avoid hitting the surfboard that was situated in the left lane of traffic. More importantly, there were no accidents caused by the incident…
I drove the vehicle on a freeway under construction with one finished new pavement lane. When I was changed the other old lane to the new one, the wheel suddenly got out of control and spun from one lane to the other and ended in the midium bumped into barriers. Lately I contacted with Nissan and question if this is…
Wheels and tires
6 complaints · 8%Half of these problems showed up before 54,000 miles. Parts named most often: sidewall, temporary/emergency spare tire.
Steering inputs very slower to respond, huge noise, could not make turn easily, it is happening every year since 2008 even after I serviced the vehicle and changed the parts, previously problem started with u- turns and now wide turns, left and right turns also. Following it-up with Nissan consumer affairs since july…
Purchased mastercraft courser a/t2 265/70r16 tires 9/13/2007, took to mechanic for shimmy, was informed that belts in tires shifted, brought to town fair tire in westfield, ma. Balanced tires sent me on my way, went back 2 weeks later for same problem, was informed that there was a safety concern, however it still…
Visibility and wipers
5 complaints · 7%Parts named most often: power window devices and controls, defroster/defogger/hvac system.
I have a problem with the front windows of my Nissan Xterra, I bought the car two months ago and the front windows stopped working twice already. I was told by the service manager that there is a problem with the window regulators in the xterras and that Nissan does not have a recall or even has a solution to this…
Three of the power windows on the 2003 Nissan Xterra have ceased from functioning. The only window functioning was the front driver side window.
Complaints are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. One complaint can name several components, so shares add up to more than 100%.
2003 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.
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
Questions about the 2003 Nissan Xterra
- What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Xterra?
- By NHTSA owner complaints: fuel system (16 complaints, typically around 78,000 miles); engine (13 complaints, typically around 103,000 miles); brakes (12 complaints, typically around 44,500 miles).
- How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan Xterra have?
- 3 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 2003 a bad year for the Nissan Xterra?
- It is 9th of 16 Xterra model years by number of complaints, with 72 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.