Electrical complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 | 17% | 65,000 miles |
| 2010 | 8 | 21% | 100,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 16% | 8,000 miles |
| 2008 | 11 | 9% | 90,000 miles |
| 2007 | 27 | 5% | 79,000 miles |
| 2006 | 41 | 5% | 67,000 miles |
| 2005 | 39 | 5% | 84,000 miles |
| 2004 | 11 | 13% | 116,000 miles |
| 2003 | 4 | 6% | 7,000 miles |
| 2002 | 13 | 8% | 48,000 miles |
| 2001 | 17 | 11% | 67,000 miles |
| 2000 | 26 | 12% | 95,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (battery, alternator, wiring, ignition, instrument cluster, infotainment).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle's mileage was approximately 129,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 188,000 in 2022.
Tl* the contact owns a 2011 Nissan Xterra. While driving approximately 30 MPH, the hands free Bluetooth system failed. When driving at high speeds, the sound quality would be impaired and prevented the contact from using the hands free option. The failure occurred on multiple occasions. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 19,000.
Intermittent stalling issue. Vehicle has 98,700 miles on it and has not had any other issues prior to this. On the first occasion the vehicle was in motion, going between 5 and 10 MPH, turning into a parking lot. The vehicle start to slow down, lost power steering and all dashboard lights were illuminated (check engine, battery, airbag, seatbelt, etc.) but the radio and headlights remained on. Placed the vehicle in park and turned the key in the off position. Restarted the vehicle and it started up immediately with no dashboard warning lights. Was drivable with no other issues for several days. The vehicle stalled a second time about a week or so later, while it was stationary, at a stop light on a city street. Again, all the dashboard lights illuminated while the radio and headlights remained on. Turned the key to the off position and attempted to restart the vehicle. …
Sudden loss of power while driving between 10-15 MPH. Immediate loss of brakes, acceleration, and power steering. Vehicle was in motion on the 405 fwy/sepulveda pass area during morning rush hour in stop-go traffic conditions. Was able to pull to side of road, and shut off vehicle. Waited 1 minute and vehicle restarted with no further issues on drive to work. From a review of online resources this looks eerily similar to issue outlined in prior recall issued by NHTSA listed under ntb10-137. This is serious and dangerous, and could easily result in loss of life!
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving at 15 MPH, the air bag warning light illuminated and the brake lights failed. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the stop lamp needed to be replaced. In addition, the ac failed and the blower amp needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but the failure recurred. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 109,000.
We purchased a new 2009 Nissan Xterra on June 5, 2009. While driving the vehicle, the following dashboard warning lights come on for no known reason: brake, ABS, slip, tire sensor & vdc. Odometer fails to operate, mileage needle returns to the start position and does not show speed, and fails to register miles covered when the odometer fails. Cruise control fails to operate. The vehicle has been brought to the service department of the dealership on 5 different occasions. The vehicle was brought in for electronic failure with the following odometer readings and dates: 849 on 6/22/2009, 1374 on 7/7/2009, 4082 on 8/10/2009, 8123 on 11/9/2009 and 8247 on 11/24/2009. The following repairs were made: replaced ABS actuator, replaced odometer, replaced electrical harness and replaced electronic computer module. On the last occasion, the vehicle was brought in with dashboard warning lights on. …
Total transmission and radiator failure. a dealership "fixed" the coolant contamination problem when nissan offered the warrantied coverage for what's known as SMOD. all the dealership did was flush the transmission and radiator. they did not repair or replace any components even after being berated by my husband to do so and to do it under the covered warranty.($5k for tranny replacement that we couldn't afford) they claimed the flush had fixed the xterra. less than 3,000 miles later I was driving on the highway with my 2 children in the car and the vehicle just shut off. no warning lights or behaviors just shut off at 70+mph on the highway. while sitting broke down [pulled off highway edge as far as I could after vehicle died and before it coasted to a complete stop] we were then rear-ended and my 2 kids spent 2 days being monitored in a children's hospital. …
Noticed shuddering at first, then a stumbling upon hitting gas 120000 miles took truck in and had ext. Cooler put on, flushed out tranny fluid, new radiator, new gaskets and filters in tranny $1,100.00 job. 1 month later service engine soon light came on and truck wouldn't start. TCM module in tranny started blowing fuse, truck smelled like it was burning up and wouldn't allow truck to start. 2,000.00 to replace module and secondary breach. Its not just in radiator, there is another breach problem that puts the transmission and coolant together. 2nd breach. Shop wont guarantee 2000.00 job, new transmission 5800.00. My beautiful truck left on a flatbed to salvage yard. Single mom of 4. Thanks Nissan, you suck. Also issues with airbag coil. 600.00 for that. …
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Xterra years have electrical problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (41), 2005 (39), 2007 (27), 2000 (26) and 2001 (17) model years. Electrical complaints make up 5% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Nissan Xterra electrical problems?
No. NHTSA lists no electrical system recall for any Nissan Xterra model year. A widespread problem may still be covered by an extended warranty or a manufacturer service bulletin, so ask a dealer.
At what mileage do Nissan Xterra electrical problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 76,000 miles; 28% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the wiring (15 mentions), followed by the instrument cluster/panel (8).
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.