Most common 2002 Nissan Xterra problems
Share of the 157 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 →
2002 Nissan Xterra recalls (5)
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 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.
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…
Air bags › Frontal › Driver side › Inflator module
On certain vehicles, the electrical connector for the driver air bag May come loose. If the connector comes loose, the supplemental air bag warning light flashes intermittently.
Remedy: Dealers will install a retaining clip on the clock spring electrical connector. Owner notification began April 21, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not…
Vehicle speed control
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with a supercharger, under certain conditions, such as full throttle in low gear when the engine is not fully warmed up and at cold ambient temperature, the amount of intake air flow through the air flow meter May exceed the maximum preset diagnosis limit value.
Remedy: Dealers will reprogram the electronic control module. Owner notification began January 15, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy…
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 3 possible defects involving the 2002 Nissan Xterra:
Driver's air bag system malfunction
Driver's air bag system failure
In its letter dated February 21, 2003 to NHTSA, Nissan stated that it will conduct a safety recall of approximately 27,385 my 2002 Nissan xterra vehicles produced from 6/12/01 (start of production) to 11/1/01 as well as approximately 37,177 my 2002 Nissan altima vehicles produced from 6/13/01 (start of production) to 10/25/01.vehicles manufactured after these dates are not affected.Nissan stated that the clockspring…
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 2002 Nissan Xterra owners say
Engine & cooling all 32 →
Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Xterra. While driving 70 MPH, the vehicle failed to accelerate when the accelerator pedal was depressed and the engine stalled. The failure occurred without warning. The contact pulled the vehicle over to the side of the road and turned off the engine. The vehicle was towed to anything automotive (located at 1228 e river rd, dixon, il 61021; [phone]) where the mechanic stated that the back seat was catching fire. The mechanic diagnosed the vehicle and stated that the fuel sending unit needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was contacted at [phone] and stated that the vehicle was too old and nothing could be done. Case number: 27261028 was provided. The contact also stated that the previous owner of the vehicle had a recall in 2004 for the fuel sending unit. …
I was entering a parking spot at my normal slow speed when suddenly the engine went into an extremely high rev and the Xterra made a sudden lunge forward. In a matter of seconds it slammed into a number of other parked cars. It was as if it had a mind of its own. I can only guess it was a stuck gas pedal, stuck throttle or stuck accelerator. Over the years I have had nothing but American cars, the last several were caravans with no issues of this type. This Nissan is the first foreign car that I have purchased.
Brakes all 28 →
I had my brake boosters replaced on 05/22/2019.I was backing up slowly on 07/24/2020 in a parking lot of a convenience store. As I was backing up, I tried to apply the brakes and they became stiff. I tried to pump harder on the brakes and they would not stop the vehicle in which it was to late and my car collided into a utility pole.
Upon slowing down for a red traffic light brake pedal got hard not allowing vehicle to stop and vehicle also starting rapidly accelerating without pressing the gas pedal.resulted in a crash with a stopped vehicle at the traffic light.no serious injuries thankfully.
Steering all 22 →
My 2002 Nissan Xterra's airbags failed to deploy in a collision with a telephone pole at apx. 45 MPH. The accident was on a badly maintained city street, the steering has been problematic even though I had an alignment done apx. 6 mo.s ago.
Tl* the contact owned a 2002 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 45 MPH, the vehicle steered out of control and the vehicle overturned five times. A police report was filed. The contact sustained a laceration to the elbow and body pains while her passenger sustained several lacerations and bruises from the seat belt and air bags. Medical attention was sought. The vehicle was towed to the lot of the tow truck company. The contact mentioned that the drive shaft fractured. The vehicle was not diagnosed. Neither the dealer nor the manufacturer were contacted. The vehicle was destroyed. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
2002 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 | 15 / 19 / 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 supercharged | 4-speed automatic | RWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | 5-speed manual | RWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 18 / 15 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | 4-speed automatic | 4WD/AWD | 14 / 17 / 15 |
| 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged | 5-speed manual | 4WD/AWD | 13 / 17 / 15 |
EPA ratings. Class: SUV.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 2002 Nissan Xterra a good car?
Based on 157 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2002 Xterra rates avoid: 2.2× 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 2002 Nissan Xterra?
The engine & cooling — 32 complaints, 20% of all complaints for this model year, most often about engine › gasoline. Next are the brakes (28) and steering (22).
How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Xterra have?
There are 5 recalls for the 2002 Nissan Xterra, the most recent from November 11, 2010 (column). 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 2002 Nissan Xterra problems happen?
The median mileage reported in complaints is about 80,000 miles; 34% 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.