Most common 2001 Nissan Xterra problems
Share of the 150 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.
Nissan Xterra complaints by model year
Best Xterra years: 2012, 2014, 2015. Years to avoid: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2000, 2001. Compare all years →
2001 Nissan Xterra recalls (3)
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 conditions.
Remedy: 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…
Fuel system, gasoline › Storage › Tank assembly › Filler pipe and cap
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the fuel tank inlet shutter valve does not meet the sealing performance specification.
Remedy: 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…
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.
Remedy: 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.
NHTSA defect investigations
Federal safety investigators have looked into 2 possible defects involving the 2001 Nissan Xterra:
Fuel spill during refueling
Brake rotor warpage
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…
What 2001 Nissan Xterra owners say
Windows, wipers & sunroof all 43 →
Major electrical fire which destroyed the engine room harness , shorted the power transiistor in the distributor, desstroyed the hood release cable and burned the windshield washer tubing, and also multiple fuses and relays.this condition occured due to the manufacturer crushing the wiring for the left front combination light under the air filter housing against the metal body during installation at the factory.all parts retained and vehicle available for insoection vehiicle currently not running.
I opened case # [redacted] 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 and the vehicle is primarily used only in the summer. There was a window regulator warranty extension (pu307) issued on this vehicle and there are numerous online complaints about the problem. Nissan consumer affairs has rejected the claim since it is beyond the warranty extension period even though I was never notified of the problem since it only applied to "warm weather" states. I'd like to escalate this claim to encourage Nissan to pick up the cost of parts as this is a safety issue should the window get stuck in the up or down position. …
Fuel & propulsion system all 32 →
The vehicle disabled and the steering wheel locked on the highway once the speed hit 70mph. The wheel bearings are always rattling and if I go through a pothole the steering and tire feel really loose. The brake system doesn't feel right and has made a loud metal grind sound. The exhaust and or gasoline smell is way potent and not normal either it is strong smelling all the time. Potential recalls with fuel system, gasoline delivery, fuel pump and suspension, REAR , gasoline storage , tank assembly, filler pipe and cap. All are potential recalls also the exterior lighting
I just purchased this car about 3 months ago and paid 4000 dollars for it. The vehicle stopped working and the fuel pump wasn't coming on. After searching for the power issue I discovered the fuel tank sending unit which is the top to the gas tank itself. Meaning the service hole of the tank access is the top part of the sending unit. The sending unit has 4 fuel line connections and 4 electrical connections. Two fuel conections and 2 electrical connections plug into the top side of the sending unit and they route through the plastic molded sending unit and connections are made in the bottom side. Basically fuel and electricity route through this unit into the tank. The power wire to the fuel pump burned and melted the conection inside the mold and burned the plastic all around the connection plug where the power goes to the gas tank. …
Engine & cooling
The Xterra started missing and hesitating (engine) eventually dying and not restarting. The missing and hesitation occurred while underway on a busy 4 lane divided highway, but thankfully made it home before dying and not restarting. Missing and hesitation occurred while traveling straight on and while stopped at red lights.
While driving, engine goes to idle mode and can't accelerate. I have to shift to neutral and back to drive to again drive normally, then problem happens again and have to do the same continuously every few miles while driving.
2001 Nissan Xterra engines & fuel economy
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | MPG city / hwy / combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 17 / 22 / 19 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 18 / 16 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | RWD | 15 / 17 / 16 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 15 / 17 / 16 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 17 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2001 Nissan Xterra a good car?
Based on 150 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2001 Xterra rates avoid: 2.4× as many complaints as a typical year of the Xterra at the same age. It is one of the Xterra years we suggest avoiding. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Nissan Xterra?
The windows, wipers & sunroof — 43 complaints, 29% of all complaints for this model year, most often about power window devices and controls. Next are the fuel & propulsion system (32) and engine & cooling (17).
How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Xterra have?
There are 3 recalls for the 2001 Nissan Xterra, the most recent from May 24, 2004 (fuel pump). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.
What are the best and worst years of the Nissan Xterra?
The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2012, 2014 and 2015. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2000 and 2001. See the full Nissan Xterra years comparison.
At what mileage do 2001 Nissan Xterra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 65,000 miles; 42% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.
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.