Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (fuel pump, injectors, fuel tank, hybrid and EV propulsion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2001 Nissan Xterra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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. …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA campaign numbers: 04V230000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 02V299000 (suspension). The manufacturer stated that the part to do the repair was available; however, when the contact took the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair, the dealer stated that the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the part to do the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle experienced the failure listed in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.
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.
2001 Nissan Xterra - I was just getting off a busy rt. 95 and my car just turned off - no power steering,etc. I was luckily able to coast to the side of the road without causing an accident where I had to leave it overnight. Called two Nissan dealerships the next day and they were unable to fit me in for two days, so I needed my Xterra fixed so I took it to an independent auto shop. They said my fuel pump sending unit shorted out which in effect shorted out my fuel pump, both were replaced - $962 later.....I took it to the dealership and they were well aware of the problem (I showed them the Nissan faulty part) and they referred me to Nissan consumer affairs. …
I was on my way home from work and on rt17 which is very busy around rush hour with tractor trailers and plenty of cars, all of a sudden my 2001 Xterra stalled out at the stop light, then would never start again, it took 30 minutes to get the truck of the road because there was so much traffic, I had it towed to radley Chevrolet because I called Nissan, and they advised me my warranty ran out and it would be at least 200.00 before they could even look at it? Once to the dealer which my warranty just ran out, and they said there was nothing wrong with it, so I paid the tow bill and took my car, no more than an hour later I was broke down again on the road, and had to pay another tow bill, come to find out my fuel pump was malfunctioning and that was the problem, $500.00 later I am back on the road, I could not under stand on such a new vehicle with only 37000 miles the fuel pump would go …
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving 65 MPH, the vehicle stalled without warning. The contact was able to coast onto the shoulder where it was towed to the dealer. A diagnostic was performed which located the failure at the fuel sending unit. The contact also stated that NHTSA campaign id number: 04V230000 (fuel system, gasoline), was performed on the vehicle but the repair did not correct the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was taken back to the dealer, who sealed the fuel sending unit as a remedy. The failure mileage was 87,128 and the approximate current mileage was 87,130. ..updated 06/28/13 the consumer stated the recall repair failed . The vehicle was towed back to the dealer after the failure, then the part was replaced. The manufacturer refused to assist with the cost. Updated 07/2/2013
Tl contact owns a 2001 Nissan Xterra. The vehicle was taken to be repaired under a recall. The remedy was performed by silicone spray being sprayed over the strap sending unit, which rests on the fuel pump and indicates how much fuel the vehicle is using. After having the vehicle repaired, while driving approximately 65 MPH, the vehicle suddenly stopped. The contact feels that this is a safety issue because a crash could have occurred. He feels that the repair was not fixed properly, but covered up instead. He would like the repair work investigated. The NHTSA campaign id number was unknown. The current and failure mileages were 92,000.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the engine stalled without any warning. The vehicle failed to restart and was towed to an independent mechanic. The technician diagnosed that the fuel pump sending unit was corroded and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer was contacted who refused to provide any assistance since the vehicle was not included in NHTSA campaign id number 04V230000 (fuel system, gasoline). The manufacturer was notified of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 140,000.
Car failed to start after being parked overnight. Would crank but not start. Had it diagnosed and the fuel sending unit replaced. The dead unit had a hole through it's plastic which showed a corroded electrical tab. It doesn't look like corrosion from a crack in the plastic as stated in campaign# 04V230000, but more like the electrical connection melted through the plastic, which then allowed corrosion. Nissan hotline told me that the previous owner had the recall taken care of already, but couldn't say if the unit was repaired or replaced.
Related recalls
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…
Fuel System complaints in other Xterra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are fuel system problems on the 2001 Nissan Xterra?
NHTSA has 32 complaints about the fuel & propulsion system of the 2001 Nissan Xterra, 21% of the model year's 150 complaints. The component named most often is delivery › fuel pump (9 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2001 Nissan Xterra fuel system problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 04V-230 (fuel pump, May 24, 2004); NHTSA recall 02V-300 (filler pipe and cap, Nov 12, 2002). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 2001 Nissan Xterra fuel system problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 80,000 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.