Nissan Xterra Problems by Year

We compared every Nissan Xterra model year from 2000–2015 using 3,095 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, 21 recalls and federal defect investigations. The years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2000 and 2001, which drew far more complaints than other Xterra years at the same age. The best years are 2012, 2014 and 2015.

15model years
3,095complaints
21recalls
2005, 2006worst years
2012, 2014best years

Complaints by model year

’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’14’152141501577284845780557119193824161010
Owner complaints per model year, Nissan Xterra. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).
YearComplaintsvs. typical*RecallsTop problemVerdict
201510−83%—TransmissionGood
201410−84%—SuspensionGood
201216−86%2TransmissionGood
201124−77%2AirbagGood
201038−62%4TransmissionGood
200919−78%3TransmissionGood
20081191.6×6TransmissionCaution
20075578.4×1TransmissionAvoid
200678011.6×3Fuel SystemAvoid
200584512.7×3TransmissionAvoid
200484−26%2SteeringAverage
200372−22%3Fuel SystemAverage
20021572.2×5EngineAvoid
20011502.4×3Window & WiperAvoid
20002143.6×3Fuel SystemAvoid

* Complaints compared with the median Xterra year at the same age, so new and old years are judged fairly. How this works.

Most common Nissan Xterra problems

Latest Nissan Xterra recalls

Air bags › Frontal

NHTSA recall 23V-067 · Feb 10, 2023 · 404,690 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

Suspension › Front › Hub

NHTSA recall 12V-462 · Sep 20, 2012 · 2,417 vehicles

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra two-wheel drive vehicles manufactured from June 19, 2012, through July 12, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with front wheel hubs that may not meet the design hardness specifications.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replaced the left and right side front wheel hub assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began on October 22, 2012.

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA recall 11V-592 · Dec 19, 2011 · 14,718 vehicles

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011 Infiniti fx, model year 2012 Infiniti m, model year 2011-2012 Nissan frontier, model year 2011-2012 Nissan xterra, model year 2011-2012 Nissan pathfinder, and model year 2012 Nissan nv vehicles.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. The safety recall began on January 30, 2012. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Steering › Column

NHTSA recall 10V-554 · Nov 11, 2010 · 500,552 vehicles

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.

Remedy: 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.

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA recall 10V-517 · Oct 28, 2010 · 747,480 vehicles

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 armada, titan, Infiniti qx56 and model year 2005-2006 frontier, pathfinder and xterra vehicles. The intelligent power distribution module (ipdm) assembly contains an engine control module (ECM) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction.

Remedy: Dealers will replace the ECM relay inside the ipdm assembly. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on December 6, 2010. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

All 21 Nissan Xterra recalls by year →

Frequently asked questions

What years of the Nissan Xterra should you avoid?

2005, 2006, 2007, 2000, 2001 and 2002 — these years have the most complaints relative to other Xterra years at the same age, led by transmission & drivetrain problems in the 2005.

What is the best year for the Nissan Xterra?

2012 has the fewest complaints compared with other Xterra years at the same age, followed by 2014 and 2015. Newer years can look better simply because fewer complaints have come in yet, so we compare like with like.

What are the most common Nissan Xterra problems?

Across all years, owners report the most problems with the fuel & propulsion system (1,083), transmission & drivetrain (1,031) and engine & cooling (811). Fuel System complaints peak in the 2006 model year.

How many recalls has the Nissan Xterra had?

21 recalls across 2000–2015. The model year with the most is 2008. See all Nissan Xterra recalls by year.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.