Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (service brakes, ABS, rotors and pads, parking brake).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Nissan Xterra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
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.
On 5/2/2012 at approximately 2:30 pm in the afternoon vehicle traveling on a divided highway in moderate traffic at approximately 30mph. While braking for traffic at a stop light operator felt a sudden drop in the brake pedal and loss of stopping ability requiring them to swerve onto the shoulder to avoid the car in front of them. The vehicle was drivable but required more stopping distance to brake. Light smoke noted while stopped but none at speed. Upon stopping to investigate the light smoke, which was coming from the front right wheel area the hood was opened to investigate and a small flame was noted on the exhaust manifold which was extinguished with an abc extinguisher. Brake fluid noted to be low in the master cylinder. Vehicle towed to shop for investigation and repair. …
Unable to control speed and battery keeps dying even though battery and alternator test good. When driving at low speed I cannot accelerate gradually, the car revs really hard and pulls hard when trying to increase speed. Once I drive for about 20 minutes and pickup speed the brakes are loose and hard to come to a stop, and the pedal does not respond when accelerating or reducing speed. I recently was going home on the freeway at about 45 MPH trying to reduce speed to prepare to exit, and my car just shut off, all dash lard light came on and I had to coast and then get a push from someone to get into the exit lane and coast to the gas station.
Vehicle stalls at 100mph also ABS light keeps coming on and off randomly brakes aren't bad but it's like they're going out. The brake pedal wobbles when stopping hard or on wet roads also when acceleratating and driving the RPM gauge will jimp up for a second and make the engine sound louder while it does it and also steering wheel feels loose somewhat when driving on rough roads and bumps cruise control lights up but doesn't work happens every day
The vehicle started to sputter and the ABS and airbag lights started to come on. When the gears shifted up, it started to resist acceleration and losing transmission power. Started to shift down and coast. Pulled over to the side and the vehicle shut off. Would not start back up.
I owned a Nissan Xterra(02)4wd-I drove it to the lassen nat'l volcanic park in red bluff,ca,I was about 300 ft from highway 36 going to the park. It was kind of chilly and the road have some snow on it. I was going slow about 13 to 15 miles, because I'm not familiar with the road, I was thinking I'll put on four wheel drive,but I have to stop the car and transfer it to 4wd-when I started sliding towards the mountainside,so stepped on the brakes(ABS) but I kept on sliding, I did not steer it to the opposite direction,I just went where the was going which is to the right,the vehicle did not stop. It hit the the mountain side trees and snow then it rolled over. My son and me were shaken and I smelled the gas so I turn the engine, it still running. …
My brakes were losing power with the brake pedal feeling 'mushy' and brake light on. The dealer, maita Nissan, advised me that the spare tire, had rubbed a hole in the brake lining going to the rear brake drums. Nissan did not feel that they were responsible, because the spare tire was oversized, compared to the recommended tire size (sears had installed a wrangler p26570s17 to spare tire compartment on 9/21/2004). Per Nissan, the recommended tire was p266565,17. Fortunately, the loss of hydraulic fluid and loss of braking fluid did not lead to a crash or injury. As you might imagine, as the owner, I did not authorize sears to install the wrong size tire to my vehicle and am certain that they have no idea that the consequence of this error could lead to rubbing a hole in the braking system 4 years later. …
While driving 55mph, my rear axle broke causing the wheel to fly off, loss of control, and obvious damage to the car. I later found out that there was a ABS recall for this identical problem, but I was never informed of the recall. After 4 weeks, I have been told the Nissan will cover the repair of the vehicle, but that is all. I would like to know if there is anything else I can or should pursue for negligence on behalf of the corporation and the dealer. I was extremely fortunate that myself and my 2 year old were not seriously injured or killed in this accident, and feel someone should be held acountable.
Front calipers seized simultaneously on my 2002 x-terra 4x4. Repairs done at pep boys in March 2005. Team Nissan stated there were no TSB's or recalls on the front brakes, although other owners have complained of similar instances. Even pep boys service manager stated they have repaired several x-terras with the same brake condition.
NHTSA investigations
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…
Brake complaints in other Xterra years
Frequently asked questions
How common are brake problems on the 2002 Nissan Xterra?
NHTSA has 28 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Nissan Xterra, 18% of the model year's 157 complaints. The component named most often is antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip (5 mentions).
Is there a recall for 2002 Nissan Xterra brake problems?
No. NHTSA lists no brakes recall for the 2002 Nissan Xterra, though it has 5 recalls for other components. If the problem is widespread, a repair may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin — ask a dealer.
At what mileage do 2002 Nissan Xterra brake problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 127,000 miles, and 36% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 4 crashes, 1 fire and 2 injuries to brakes problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
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.