NISSAN XTERRA · model year

2003 NISSAN XTERRA

97 NHTSA complaints, 26 crash reports, and 3 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2003NISSANXTERRA carries 97 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 26 crashes, 3 fires, 15 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2003 XTERRA is steering with 12 filings, followed by service brakes, hydraulic (8) and air bags (7). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 3 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle — the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 54 investigation files overlapping the 2003 XTERRA, and 5 remain open. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page — a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

97
Complaints
26
Crashes
3
Fires
15
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

97 filings

Crashes Reported

26 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
STEERING12
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC8
AIR BAGS7
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE6
ENGINE6
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING5
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM4
STRUCTURE:BODY4
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL3
VISIBILITY:POWER WINDOW DEVICES AND CONTROLS3
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL3
TIRES2
STRUCTURE:BODY:ROOF AND PILLARS2
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:UPPER BALL JOINT2

Recalls (3)

04V23000024/05/2004

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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 CONDIT

02V29900012/11/2002

SUSPENSION:REAR

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.

10V55400011/11/2010

STEERING:COLUMN

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 MO

Recent Complaints

20220926CrashAIR BAGS

My son missed a sharp turn going approx 40 mph. Went up an embankment, off a 4 ft retaining wall and struck a guard rail with the front passenger side of the xterra. Airbags failed to deploy.

20210807FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 some reason my car has zero recalls which is ridiculous and not believable so yes my life was put at risk I took it to an independent service my mechanic because I can't take it to a dealer because all the parts that are broken and that need replacement that have been recalled on every other 2003 does not apply to my VIN so I've had to pay for labor and parts and the headache that I could have had this all replaced and fixed due to the recall and I would have taken it to the dealership immediately after purchasing the car in 2019 and since the previous owner didn't have any recalls why would he bother either I will not pass inspection if they do not fix this evap O2 sensor and now my fuel pump I

20210807STEERING

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 some reason my car has zero recalls which is ridiculous and not believable so yes my life was put at risk I took it to an independent service my mechanic because I can't take it to a dealer because all the parts that are broken and that need replacement that have been recalled on every other 2003 does not apply to my VIN so I've had to pay for labor and parts and the headache that I could have had this all replaced and fixed due to the recall and I would have taken it to the dealership immediately after purchasing the car in 2019 and since the previous owner didn't have any recalls why would he bother either I will not pass inspection if they do not fix this evap O2 sensor and now my fuel pump I

20210807ENGINE

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 some reason my car has zero recalls which is ridiculous and not believable so yes my life was put at risk I took it to an independent service my mechanic because I can't take it to a dealer because all the parts that are broken and that need replacement that have been recalled on every other 2003 does not apply to my VIN so I've had to pay for labor and parts and the headache that I could have had this all replaced and fixed due to the recall and I would have taken it to the dealership immediately after purchasing the car in 2019 and since the previous owner didn't have any recalls why would he bother either I will not pass inspection if they do not fix this evap O2 sensor and now my fuel pump I

20201010ENGINE

ENGINE OVERHEATING ALL COOLING PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED STILL OVERHEATING WITH NO KNOWN ISSUE FOUND VERY COMMON IN THE 2000 TO 2004 MODELS AND YET NO RECALLS TO FIX THE ISSUE AND KEEPS BLOWING RADIATOR HOSES

Mileage: 200,000

20190124FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH FUEL, IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Mileage: 180,000

20180131ENGINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PREMATURE FAILURE OF COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR, WHICH IMPACTED THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL CAMPAIGN AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

20171113FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT CASA NISSAN (5855 MONTANA AVE, EL PASO, TX) PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM) THREE TIMES PREVIOUSLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADDED SEALANT TWICE BEFORE; HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED DURING THE FINAL VISIT. THE REMEDIES FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO NISSAN OF LAS CRUCES (1801 S MAIN ST, LAS CRUCES, NM, 88005), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 28820775. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.

Mileage: 190,000

20161014CrashAIR BAGS

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

Mileage: 160,000

20160612ENGINE

JUNE 12 2016 AT THE TRI-PAR IN SLINGER, WI I WAS FILLING UP THE GAS TANK, WHEN GAS BEGAN SPILLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL WELL. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED IT AFTER I NOTICED IT. THE STATION ALONG WITH THE SLINGER FIRE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATED A GALLON WAS SPILT. IT APPEARS THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK NECK HAS RUSTED OUT. THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND RECOMMEND WE HAVE IT TOWED HOME, WHICH WE DID.

Mileage: 131,000

20160307CrashSTEERING

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 CONTROL BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND I ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A POLE.

Mileage: 142,000

20160114STRUCTURE:BODY

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.

Mileage: 98,000

20160114ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 98,000

20150322STRUCTURE:BODY

CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO CHANGE A TIRE. THE SPARE TIRE RUBBER WAS BURNED IN THREE OR MORE PLACES FROM THE HEAT SPREADING UNDER THE VEHICLE, AND THE CHAR/MELTING/BURNING WENT THROUGH THE VEHICLE BODY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE OUTSIDE TO THE FLOOR INSIDE. THE MAN CHANGING MY TIRE SUGGESTED IT WAS A FIRE WAITING TO HAPPEN AND THAT THERE COULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS SORT OF ISSUE. I CHECKED AND DO NOT SEE ANYTHING LISTED. MY TIRED IS NOW DAMAGED FROM THE HEAT MELTING THE RUBBER, AND MY VEHICLE IS CHARRED IN PLACES. *TR

Mileage: 122,000

20150322TIRES:TEMPORARY/EMERGENCY SPARE TIRE

CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO CHANGE A TIRE. THE SPARE TIRE RUBBER WAS BURNED IN THREE OR MORE PLACES FROM THE HEAT SPREADING UNDER THE VEHICLE, AND THE CHAR/MELTING/BURNING WENT THROUGH THE VEHICLE BODY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE OUTSIDE TO THE FLOOR INSIDE. THE MAN CHANGING MY TIRE SUGGESTED IT WAS A FIRE WAITING TO HAPPEN AND THAT THERE COULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS SORT OF ISSUE. I CHECKED AND DO NOT SEE ANYTHING LISTED. MY TIRED IS NOW DAMAGED FROM THE HEAT MELTING THE RUBBER, AND MY VEHICLE IS CHARRED IN PLACES. *TR

Mileage: 122,000

20140905ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL:CATALYTIC CONVERTOR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THE EGR SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

Mileage: 120,000

20140704CrashENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

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 UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF A BAD SENDING UNIT. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

20140704CrashFUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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 UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF A BAD SENDING UNIT. *TR

Mileage: 108,000

20140626STRUCTURE:BODY

RADIATOR IS FALLING OUT OF TRUCK ,DUE TO SERIOUS RUST ON FRAMING, HOOD LATCH IS STARTING TO BREAK FREE HOOD COULD FLY UP ONTO WINDSHIELD . *TR

20140626ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

RADIATOR IS FALLING OUT OF TRUCK ,DUE TO SERIOUS RUST ON FRAMING, HOOD LATCH IS STARTING TO BREAK FREE HOOD COULD FLY UP ONTO WINDSHIELD . *TR

Compare 2003NISSANXTERRA to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations 5 Open

View all investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2003 NISSAN XTERRA have?
The 2003 NISSAN XTERRA has 97 NHTSA complaints, 26 crashes, 3 fires, 15 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2003 NISSAN XTERRA?
Yes, the 2003 NISSAN XTERRA has 3 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 NISSAN XTERRA?
The most-complained component for the 2003 NISSAN XTERRA is STEERING with 12 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC and AIR BAGS.
Is the 2003 NISSAN XTERRA safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.