2002 Nissan Xterra Steering Problems

Which parts fail

• Column
  2
• Linkages
  1
• Hydraulic power assist system
  1

Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).

Mileage when the problem started

• Under 25k
  321%
• 25k–50k
  17%
• 50k–75k
  17%
• 75k–100k
  214%
• 100k–150k
  643%
• 150k+
  17%

Owner reports

Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 2002 Nissan Xterra owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).

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.

Tl* the contact previously owned a 2002 Nissan Xterra. The contact was driving approximately 15 MPH when the steering wheel became resistant to movement. The contact was unable to maintain control of the vehicle and crashed into a residential home. The contact sustained a dislocated shoulder and her head struck and penetrated the front windshield. The vehicle was destroyed and a police report was available. The contact later received notification of a recall for the steering under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V554000 (steering:column). The manufacturer was not contacted. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000.

I was driving my Xterra home and all at once it got loud and a smell of sulfur came out stopped by local shop (monroe) they looked at it and after they all had their laugh said" omg we cannot believe someone sold this truck in this shape" 1) the pipe at the converter broke,2) the rust and rot is horrid3) the cob job this so called mechanic did again wow4) the steering is tightening up on me periodically and making it unsafe for me to drive and control the truck. 5 ) gas problems6) code lights you name it7) the running boards broke off little each day something breaks or goes wrong with it.my grandkids are in this truck daily it is not safe. If there is a recall on the power steering I would like it checked but I would also like to turn this guy in no excuse for this type of work when your selling cars.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that the vehicle was repaired under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V554000 (steering column) and begin having problems with the steering after the recall service. The contact took the vehicle back to the dealer and was told that the upper steering column needed to be replaced and possibly the gear box. The contact was then advised by the manufacturer to take the vehicle to another dealer. The vehicle was taken to another dealer where the contact was told that the power steering pump needed to be replaced. The contact stated that there were no issues with the power steering until the vehicle was serviced under the recall. The failure and the current mileage was 92,000. Updated 02/15/12 updated 02/28/12

Dt: 2002 Nissan Xterra. The consumer states on September 5, 2005 vehicle veered to the left, and when she tried to correct it, nothing would happen. It was raining and the road was wet. This caused the vehicle to hit the median wall on the turnpike. The vehicle turned over and landed upside down. The vehicle was towed to a body shop, and the insurance adjuster totaled the vehicle. There has been no indication as to why this occurred, no one has inspected the vehicle. A police report was taken. The driver sustained minor abrasions on legs and arms, was taken to the hospital in an ambulance. The passenger sustained a broken toe ,and back and breasts were bothering her.

I bought the car from hertz, thecar had been in a accident before I bought it. I did not find out about the accident until after I bought the car. The car tires could not stay aligned, the headlights were shooting up about 15 feet off the ground, there is paint splatter on the inside of the car motor, paint splatter on the outside by the guards tire, and you can see paint on the hood by the window on the right side, the toe hook on the right side looks to be new.there is a paint line on the inside of engine compartment, the hood is new, there isno rubber mount on the hood arm that hold the hook up. Over spray on the left drivers door.

Tl contact owns a 2002 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that she received a recall notice in regards to NHTSA campaign id number (10V554000-steering:column). After taking the vehicle to the dealer they advised her that they do not manufacturer that part anymore; therefore, they were unable to repair the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired for the steering column. The failure and current mileages were approximately 102,000. Updated 03/07/11 the consumer stated the repairs have been made. Updated 05/06/11

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that after having recall repairs performed under NHTSA campaign id number: 10V554000 (steering:column), the vehicle became difficult to steer. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who diagnosed that the gear box was defective and needed to be replaced. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure who offered to take liability for the repair parts. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 100,000 and current mileage was 102,000.

Tl* the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving approximately 10 MPH, the steering wheel seized without warning. The vehicle was towed to a dealer. The technician diagnosed that the steering shaft needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was included in recall NHTSA campaign number: 10V554000 (steering). The failure mileage was 125,000.

Related recalls

Steering complaints in other Xterra years