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Nissan Xterra 2003 — Reported problems

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote. 🇺🇸 Local data

40 owners reported problems with the 2003 Nissan Xterra to NHTSA, most often about steering.

All reports

40
AIR BAGS Crash 2022-09-26 · NHTSA 11486339

My son missed a sharp turn going approx 40 mph. Went up an embankment, off a 4 ft retaining wall and struck a guard rail with the front passenger side of the xterra. Airbags failed to deploy.

STEERING,ENGINE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2021-08-07 · NHTSA 11428152

Fuel pump power steering abs O2 sensors yes it's available for inspection upon requests car shut off while driving at 70 miles an hour on a highway due to fuel pump because my VIN number is not with all the other 2003 Nissan xterra's that have recalls on all of the same problems I have just for some reason my car has zero recalls which is ridiculous and not believable so yes my life was put at risk I took it to an independent service my mechanic because I can't take it to a dealer because all the parts that are broken and that need replacement that have been recalled on every other 2003 does not apply to my VIN so I've had to pay for labor and parts and the headache that I could have had this all replaced and fixed due to the recall and I would have taken it to the dealership immediately after purchasing the car in 2019 and since the previous owner didn't have any recalls why would he bother either I will not pass inspection if they do not fix this evap O2 sensor and now my fuel pump I would like to be reimbursed on that was purchased through Nissan dealership the gauge is no longer working just put in brand new part so I would like someone from the dealerships take a look at my car and replace everything that's wrong with it with every other 2003 Nissan Xterra regardless of my VIN number and I have check engine light on forever for evac leak replace catalytic converters exhaust system O2 sensors power steering fuel pump ABS sensors I would just like to take the best care of this vehicle that I can and that would be done through the dealership replacing all of the recalled parts on this make model of the Xterra 2003 3.3 l V6 non supercharged. The vehicle stalled while driving due to the fuel pump check engine light's been on for EVAP code for the fuel tank cap gas cap small leak and O2 sensors which I've been replaced but codes are still there no code has popped up pertaining to fuel pump car died at 70 miles an hour on a Thruway at midnight not fun.7Codes remaining

ENGINE 2020-10-10 · NHTSA 11363744

ENGINE OVERHEATING ALL COOLING PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED STILL OVERHEATING WITH NO KNOWN ISSUE FOUND VERY COMMON IN THE 2000 TO 2004 MODELS AND YET NO RECALLS TO FIX THE ISSUE AND KEEPS BLOWING RADIATOR HOSES

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2019-01-24 · NHTSA 11171830

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH FUEL, IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

ENGINE 2018-01-31 · NHTSA 11066135

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PREMATURE FAILURE OF COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR, WHICH IMPACTED THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL CAMPAIGN AND PROVIDED NO SOLUTION. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2017-11-13 · NHTSA 11045547

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 20 MPH, THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. IN ADDITION, THE POWER STEERING AND BRAKES FAILED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED AT CASA NISSAN (5855 MONTANA AVE, EL PASO, TX) PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM) THREE TIMES PREVIOUSLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE VEHICLE AND ADDED SEALANT TWICE BEFORE; HOWEVER, THE FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED DURING THE FINAL VISIT. THE REMEDIES FAILED TO REPAIR THE VEHICLE OVER THE PAST THREE YEARS. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO NISSAN OF LAS CRUCES (1801 S MAIN ST, LAS CRUCES, NM, 88005), BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND PROVIDED CASE NUMBER: 28820775. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 190,000.

AIR BAGS Crash 1 injured 2016-10-14 · NHTSA 10916137

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO THE REAR OF ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED NECK AND BACK INJURIES, BUT DID NOT REQUIRE MEDICAL ATTENTION. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A TOWING LOT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 160,000.

ENGINE 2016-06-12 · NHTSA 10873775

JUNE 12 2016 AT THE TRI-PAR IN SLINGER, WI I WAS FILLING UP THE GAS TANK, WHEN GAS BEGAN SPILLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL WELL. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED IT AFTER I NOTICED IT. THE STATION ALONG WITH THE SLINGER FIRE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATED A GALLON WAS SPILT. IT APPEARS THE VEHICLE'S GAS TANK NECK HAS RUSTED OUT. THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND RECOMMEND WE HAVE IT TOWED HOME, WHICH WE DID.

STEERING Crash 1 injured 2016-03-07 · NHTSA 10840315

I WAS DRIVING TO WORK ONE DAY AND WHILE I WAS TURNING CORNERS I FELT IT WAS GETTING HARDER TO STEER. I STOP AT THE RED LIGHT AND WHEN DROVE OFF AGAIN I WAS GOING MAYBE 5-10 MPH, I TURNED LEFT AND I WAS GOING TO STRAIGHTEN THE CAR UP THE CAR STARTED TO SWURVE AND BEAR TO THE LEFT. I TRIED TO REGAIN CONTROL BUT THE CAR WOULD NOT RESPOND I ENDED UP CRASHING INTO A POLE.

STRUCTURE,ENGINE 2016-01-14 · NHTSA 10820189

NISSAN XTERRA FRAME RUSTED BEYOND ANY SAFETY JUSTIFICATION. OIL LEAKS FROM ENGINE UP TWO 2 QUART A DAY LEAD TO ENGINE SEIZED UP WITHOUT WARNING.

STRUCTURE,TIRES 2015-03-22 · NHTSA 10700996

CALLED ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE TO CHANGE A TIRE. THE SPARE TIRE RUBBER WAS BURNED IN THREE OR MORE PLACES FROM THE HEAT SPREADING UNDER THE VEHICLE, AND THE CHAR/MELTING/BURNING WENT THROUGH THE VEHICLE BODY FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE OUTSIDE TO THE FLOOR INSIDE. THE MAN CHANGING MY TIRE SUGGESTED IT WAS A FIRE WAITING TO HAPPEN AND THAT THERE COULD BE A RECALL FOR THIS SORT OF ISSUE. I CHECKED AND DO NOT SEE ANYTHING LISTED. MY TIRED IS NOW DAMAGED FROM THE HEAT MELTING THE RUBBER, AND MY VEHICLE IS CHARRED IN PLACES. *TR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2014-09-05 · NHTSA 10631151

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE REAR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE CATALYTIC CONVERTERS FAILED. THE CONTACT ALSO MENTIONED THE EGR SYSTEM FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000.

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE Crash 2014-07-04 · NHTSA 10608227

WE WERE DRIVING ON VACATION AND THE CAR STOPPED. IT STARTED BACK UP AND THEN AFTER A COUPLE OF MILES STOPPED AGAIN. WE WERE STRANDED AND DIDN'T GET HOME FOR THREE DAYS.I HAVE TAKE CODES OFF THE ENGINE AND IT SHOWED A 0462 CODE. WENT BACK TO GET XTERRA WITH A CAR DOLLY AND DOLLY BROKE AND CAR CAME UNDONE. THIS UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF A BAD SENDING UNIT. *TR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE 2014-06-26 · NHTSA 10606088

RADIATOR IS FALLING OUT OF TRUCK ,DUE TO SERIOUS RUST ON FRAMING, HOOD LATCH IS STARTING TO BREAK FREE HOOD COULD FLY UP ONTO WINDSHIELD . *TR

ENGINE 2014-04-24 · NHTSA 10584612

DURING A DRIVE HOME FROM A WEEKEND IN THE COUNTRY, MY XTERRA BEGAN TO OVERHEAT. A FAINT POP, LIKE A BACKFIRE, HAPPENED. AFTER I HEARD THE NOISE, A CONSISTENT TICKING OR PINGING SOUND STARTED COMING FROM THE RIGHT FRONT SIDE OF MY XTERRA. THE SOUND IS CONSISTENT WITH THE ACCELERATION. ONCE I GOT HOME, I STARTED TO RESEARCH THE ISSUE ONLINE. FOUND THAT 2000-2004 XTERRAS HAVE A VERY COMMON PROBLEM WITH THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD CRACKING DUE TO WEAK MATERIAL. I AM AN ACTIVE MEMBER ON WWW.CLUBXTERRA.ORG AND MANY OTHER MEMBERS REPORT THE SAME ISSUE. THIS IS QUITE A SET BACK FOR MOST PEOPLE AND CAN CAUSE SERIOUS DAMAGE TO THE ENGINE IF IT IS NOT TAKEN CARE OF IN A TIMELY MANNER. NISSAN SHOULD RECOGNIZE THAT THIS IS A MANUFACTURING FAULT AND ISSUE A RECALL. EVERYONE I KNOW THAT OWNS AN XTERRA HAS OR HAD THIS ISSUE. *TR

STEERING 2014-02-04 · NHTSA 10562985

WHEN I BOUGHT THE CAR THE ADJUSTER FOR THE STEERING WHEEL LEVER TO LOWER OR LIFT UP THE WHEEL IS STUCK IN THE DOWN POSITION & WON'T MOVE. THE WHEEL IS HARD TO MOVE BUT THE STEERING FLUID IS FULL. *TR

STEERING 2014-01-19 · NHTSA 10560534

DRIVING 30 MPH ON STREET AND HIT A POTHOLE AND THE CAR GEARED TOWARDS THE RIGHT AND WAS VERY DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THE STEERING WHEEL. I HAD TO HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL WITH TWO HANDS WITH CONSTANT PRESSURE TO HOLD IT IN A STRAIGHT POSITION. I ARRIVED AT MY BROTHERS HOUSE AFTER TEN MINUTES BUT I WAS UNABLE TO PARK IN THEIR DRIVEWAY. THE CAR WOULD NOT TURN LEFT AND THE STEERING WHEEL WAS VERY STIFF. ABOUT TWO MONTHS PRIOR MY HUSBAND CHECKED THE POWER STEERING FLUID CAUSE I COULD PARK ON THE LEFT OF ANY STREET. BECAUSE OF THE STIFF STEERING WHEEL AND CRANKING NOISE COMING FROM THE BOTTOM OF THE VEHICLE. I FEEL LIKE I WILL BE LOSING CONTROL OF THE CAR SOON. SO I WILL BE TAKING IT TO OUR MECHANIC ON MONDAY. *TR

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2013-09-12 · NHTSA 10543334

I WAS PUMPING GAS AND IT BACKED UP AND SPLASHED ALL OVER MY EXPOSED SKIN AND CLOTHING. BECAUSE THE FUEL PUMP FUEL LEVEL SENDER IS MALFUNCTIONING GAS SPILLS WHEN I ATTEMPT TO FILL MY TANK. *TR

STEERING,AIR BAGS,SERVICE BRAKES Crash 2013-02-17 · NHTSA 10498397

I WAS DRIVING ALONG A SLIGHTLY SNOW COVERED ROAD WITH A LITTLE BIT OF ICE. MY SPEED WAS LOW ABOUT 15-20 MILES PER HOUR. THE CAR STARED SLIDING SIDEWAYS TOWARD ANOTHER CAR HEADING TOWARD ME. MY FOUR-WHEELED DRIVE WAS ENGAGED WHILE DRIVING. I MANAGED TO STEER THE CAR OUT OF THE WAY OF THE OTHER CAR BUT I COULD NOT GAIN CONTROL OF MY VEHICLE. THE BRAKES DID NOT HELP AND THE STEERING WOULD NOT RESPOND. I TRAVELED AT LEAST 80 FEET HITTING TREES AND BUSHES UNTIL A SET OF TREES STOPPED MY CAR. THE CRASH TOTALED MY CAR. *TR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2012-12-28 · NHTSA 10490307

ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON IN 09. VEHICLE FAILED EMISSIONS DUE TO PROBLEM WITH EVAC SYSTEM. GASKET AT FUEL TANK WAS REPLACED. WITHIN A YEAR, ENGINE LIGHT CAME BACK ON. THERE WAS ANOTHER PROBLEM WITH THE EVAC SYSTEM. AFTER $ 862.00 DOLLARS THAT WERE SPENT ON VEHICLE FOR O RING AND GASKET REPAIRS, VEHICLE PASSED EMISSIONS. WITHIN 8 MONTHS, ENGINE LIGHT WAS BACK ON DUE TO EVAC SYSTEM. MECHANIC STATES THAT THERE IS MAJOR CORROSION OF THE FUEL TANK AND THAT HE HAS SEEN THE SAME THING ON MANY NISSAN VEHICLES OF THIS AGE DUE TO THE MATERIAL USED TO CONSTRUCT THE FUEL TANK AND BELIEVES THAT IT IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM THAT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RECALLED AND THAT NISSAN STARTED USING A DIFFERENT MATERIAL ONCE THE PROBLEM WAS KNOWN. THE ENTIRE INTERIOR OF THE VEHICLE SMELLS OF GASOLINE AND MECHANIC STATES THAT ANYONE IN CLOSE PROXIMITY OF VEHICLE COULD CAUSE AN EXPLOSION IF A SPARK WAS CREATED. *TR

POWER TRAIN 2012-11-09 · NHTSA 10483883

THE TRANSMISSION IN MY 2003 NISSAN XTERRA NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE RADIATOR FLUID HAS LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID CAUSING DAMAGE TO MY TRANSMISSION. THIS IS A WIDESPREAD PROBLEM AND SHOULD BE HANDLED BY THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP. *TR

STEERING 2012-06-04 · NHTSA 10460549

I WAS NEGOTIATING A CURVE WITH AROUND 45 MPH AND SUDDENLY LOST STEERING CONTROL. THE VEHICLE STARTED TURNING TO THE RIGHT SIDE, I PANICKED AND TRIED TO STEER IT TO THE LEFT ,AND THE VEHICLE TOOK A U TURN AND CAME TO A STOP FACING THE INBOUND VEHICLES. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO OTHER CARS AND I MANAGED TO TAKE DRIVE IT AGAIN. IT NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE AND I HAVE NO IDEA WHAT CAUSES IT. IT WAS REALLY SCARY AND I AM NOT SURE WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT. PLEASE ADVICE. THANKS *TR

STEERING,STRUCTURE,WHEELS Crash 2012-05-30 · NHTSA 10460065

I DROVE THE VEHICLE ON A FREEWAY UNDER CONSTRUCTION WITH ONE FINISHED NEW PAVEMENT LANE. WHEN I WAS CHANGED THE OTHER OLD LANE TO THE NEW ONE, THE WHEEL SUDDENLY GOT OUT OF CONTROL AND SPUN FROM ONE LANE TO THE OTHER AND ENDED IN THE MIDIUM BUMPED INTO BARRIERS. LATELY I CONTACTED WITH NISSAN AND QUESTION IF THIS IS ASSOCIATED WITH THE RECALL R1037. THEY DENIED. *TR

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 2012-01-13 · NHTSA 10443653

NISSAN PUT OUT A RECALL ON THE 2003 FUEL SYSTEMS IN REGARDS TO CORRISON THAT COULD OCCUR TO THE FUEL SYSTEM. OUR VEHICLE WAS NOT PART OF THE RECALL. THE FUEL SYSTEM DID CORRODE, CAUSING US TO PAY OUT OF POCKET FOR A NEW TANK, NEW FUEL PUMP. THIS RECALL WAS FOR SALT AREAS, THAT WOULD BE IN MA. WHAT WAS DONE TO FIX THIS PROBLEM DID NOT. *TR

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 2011-09-06 · NHTSA 10423968

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE BRAKES WERE APPLIED AND THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM WAS ENGAGED. THE ANTI LOCK BRAKING LIGHT ALSO ILLUMINATED ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL DURING THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHERE THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE A FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR WHENEVER THE BRAKES WERE ENGAGED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE, BUT OFFERED NO ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,000.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC 2011-09-06 · NHTSA 10423988

BRAKES FAILED AND THE ABS DIDN'T WORK UNTIL I ALMOST HIT ANOTHER CAR IN FRONT OF ME. THE ABS TRIGGERS WITHOUT ANY NOTICE AND HAS CAUSE ME TO MERGE ONTO THE OTHER LANE. CAUSE MY CAR DOES NOT STOP. THE ABS LIGHT DOESN'T GO ON SO THE MANUFACTURER NISSAN TOLD ME THEY COULDN'T FIND ANY PROBLEMS WITH IT. AND ITS SITTING AT A LOCAL TRUSTWORTHY MECHANIC SHOP WHERE IT WILL BE FIXED FOR THE SERVICE BRAKES AIR-ANTILOCK BRAKE FAILURE. PLEASE HELP WITH A RAPID RECALL SO MY FAMILY COULD GET REIMBURSED FOR THE HUGE EXPENSE OF FIXING A MANUFACTURER PROBLEM. *TR

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE,VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 2011-09-06 · NHTSA 10423994

THE CAR DOESN'T SEEM TO BE ACCELERATING PROPERLY DUE TO SOMETHING WRONG WITH THE FUEL SYSTEM OR GASOLINE DELIVERY THERE IS A VIBRATING SOUND AND VIBRATION COMING FROM THE GAS PEDAL. AND THE GASOLINE SMELL IS TERRIBLE. THE GAS PEDAL IS VERY LOOSE AND I DON'T FEEL SAFE DRIVING MY CAR AT THIS TIME. *TR

STEERING 2011-07-25 · NHTSA 10415118

WHEN I WAS DRIVING ON FREEWAY, THE STEERING WHEEL OF MY CAR GOT HARD TO MANEUVER. I PULLED VERY HARD. I HAD TO TAKE MY CAR TO THE DEALER AND THEY SAID THEY HAVE TO REPLACE THE HOSE FROM THE STEERING WHEEL, THE STEERING LIQUID IS POURED. AND IT COSTS ME $ 500 TO REPAIR MY CAR. I THINK IT'S A MANUFACTURER'S DEFECT IN THE STEERING FLUID HOSE. *TR

STEERING 2011-04-21 · NHTSA 10397018

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING THE REPAIRS UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V554000 (STEERING:COLUMN), THE VEHICLE STALLED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT THE BATTERY AND THE STARTER SYSTEM WERE DEFECTIVE AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE PARTS WERE REPLACED BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED AND THE VEHICLE WAS NOT FURTHER REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 110,000.

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL Crash 1 injured 2011-04-13 · NHTSA 10395760

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHEN APPLYING THE BRAKES AT LOW SPEEDS THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED AND CRASHED INTO THE HOUSE. THE DRIVER WAS INJURED AND WAS NOT TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WITH THE INSURANCE AGENCY. THE FAILURE WILL BE DIAGNOSED PENDING AN INVESTIGATION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 93,700.

STEERING 2011-03-25 · NHTSA 10392896

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V554000 (STEERING:COLUMN) AND TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR REPAIRS. AFTER REPAIRS, THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME RESISTANT AND ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO MANEUVER. THE DEALER ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THERE WAS NOTHING THAT THEY COULD DO AND OFFERED NO ADDITIONAL ASSISTANCE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 130,000.

STEERING,SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,WHEELS 2011-03-10 · NHTSA 10390968

STEERING INPUTS VERY SLOWER TO RESPOND, HUGE NOISE, COULD NOT MAKE TURN EASILY, IT IS HAPPENING EVERY YEAR SINCE 2008 EVEN AFTER I SERVICED THE VEHICLE AND CHANGED THE PARTS, PREVIOUSLY PROBLEM STARTED WITH U- TURNS AND NOW WIDE TURNS, LEFT AND RIGHT TURNS ALSO. FOLLOWING IT-UP WITH NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS SINCE JULY 2009 ( FILE # 6541095 AND [INTR #1358858] ), THEY DID NOT TAKE IT SERIOUSLY AND CLOSING THE CASE, NOW I GOT A RECALL NOTICE ABOUT MY STEERING INPUT ISSUE RELEASED BY NISSAN, HOWEVER I FEEL THIS MODEL OR MY PARTICULAR VEHICLE IS GIVING PROBLEMS ON TURNS AND UNCERTAIN ABOUT BRAKING CONDITION. LAST TIME DEALER WARNED ME THAT VEHICLE IS IN BAD CONDITION HOW COULD I MANAGED TO DRIVE TO HIS SHOP. PROBLEM STARTED AGAIN WITH NOISE AND TURNS, SUGGEST ME WHAT SHOULD BE DONE, I WILL KEEP THE VEHICLE IN SAME CONDITION UNTIL THAT TIME. SOME TIMES WHEN I'M TURNING ON LEFT HAND SIDE I FEEL LIKE COMPLETE VEHICLE WEIGHT ON MY LEFT HAND AND CHEST CAUSING PAINS.

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC,POWER TRAIN 2011-02-08 · NHTSA 10381086

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKES WOULD LOCK ABNORMALLY WHENEVER ATTEMPTING TO BRAKE WITH THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ACTIVATED. THE FAILURE WOULD ALSO OCCUR WHEN DRIVING IN WET OR INCLEMENT WEATHER WITH THE FOUR WHEEL DRIVE ACTIVATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 75,000.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 2010-12-27 · NHTSA 10372517

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY STALLED. IT WAS TOWED TO THE CONTACT'S RESIDENCE; THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS CORROSION ON THE FUEL PUMP CONNECTOR AND THE SENDING UNIT CAUSED THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT REFERENCED RECALL 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP) BUT WAS INFORMED BY THE MANUFACTURER THAT THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 70,000.

STEERING Crash 1 injured 2010-11-17 · NHTSA 10366638

WHILE DRIVING HOME MY 2003 NISSAN XTERRA JERKED TO THE LEFT, TAKING ME INTO ONCOMING TRAFFIC. *TR

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 2010-06-28 · NHTSA 10340344

WHEN FUELING MY 2003 NISSAN XTERRA GAS UNEXPECTED BACK WASHES OUT OF THE FUEL FILLER. I WAS COVERED IN GAS ALONG WITH THE VEHICLE AND SURROUNDING GROUND. A RECALL WAS FOR THE 2001 NISSAN XTERRA FOR THE IDENTICAL PROBLEM. I WOULD LIKE THE RECALL TO COVER THE 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE PROBLEM AND PART FAILURE IS IDENTICAL IN BOTH CASES. THE FAILING PART IS THE FUEL TANK INLET SHUTTER VALVE. *TR

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 2010-06-11 · NHTSA 10335815

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HIS VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE: DELIVERY: FUEL PUMP). A FEW MONTHS LATER, THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE ATTEMPTED TO START THE VEHICLE BUT IT WOULD NOT START. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THE FUEL PUMP WOULD NEED TO BE REPLACED. THE FUEL PUMP WAS REPLACED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 70,000.

TIRES 2009-07-09 · NHTSA 10276178

PURCHASED MASTERCRAFT COURSER A/T2 265/70R16 TIRES 9/13/2007, TOOK TO MECHANIC FOR SHIMMY, WAS INFORMED THAT BELTS IN TIRES SHIFTED, BROUGHT TO TOWN FAIR TIRE IN WESTFIELD, MA. BALANCED TIRES SENT ME ON MY WAY, WENT BACK 2 WEEKS LATER FOR SAME PROBLEM, WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS A SAFETY CONCERN, HOWEVER IT STILL COST ME $322.01 WITH OLD TIRES BEING PRORATED. I ONLY HAD 12000 MILES ON THE TIRES AND IF IT WAS A SAFETY CONCERN SHOULDN'T THE TIRES BEEN COVERED UNDER A RECALL OR WORKMANSHIP WARRANTY. I DID CHECK FOR RECALLS DIFFERENT SIZE TIRE HAD A RECALL FOR BELT SHIFTING IN TIRE, HOWEVER THIS SIZE WAS NOT AFFECTED BY RECALL. I FEEL THIS IS A PROBLEM AND I AM VERY UPSET THAT I HAD TO PAY FOR THE PROBLEM WITH COULD HAVE BEEN WORSE. SO IN LESS THAN TWO YEARS I HAD TO SPEND ALMOST $900.00 WITH ONE SET BEING PRORATED ON TIRES.... VERY CONCERNED VERY UPSET. PLEASE NOTE THIS WAS A PROBLEM ON MORE THAN ONE TIRE. *TR

SUSPENSION 2009-07-02 · NHTSA 10275637

2003 NISSAN XTERRA, REAR AXLE FELL OFF DURING DRIVING. 6-27-09 BY CHANCE WE GOT OUT OF LINE TO ENTER THE INTERSTATE, AND DRIVE INTO A DRIVE-THRU, AS WE TURNED IN, WE HEARD A LOUD NOISE AND LOST POWER OF THE TRUCK, WE WERE ABLE TO DRIFT INTO A PARKING SPOT THE REAR AXLE AND STILL ATTACHED TO THE DRIVER SIDE REAR TIRE WERE IN THE PARKING SPOT NEXT TO US. *TR

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING 2009-04-21 · NHTSA 10266229

I OWN A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA 4WD. IT HAS 55,000 MILES AND ONLY BEEN SERVICED AT NISSAN DEALERSHIP. I NOTICED A SWEET SMELL COMING FROM THE ENGINE WHEN THE CAR WAS WARM SO WHEN I TOOK IN FOR OIL CHANGE ASKED THEM TO CHECK IT OUT. TOLD ME THE HEADS WERE WARPED AND NEEDED TO BE GROUND DOWN, NEW GASKET, BELTS AND SPARKPLUGS D/T THE HEAD LEAKING. THIS IS THE SECOND HEAD GASKET PROBLEM I'VE HAD WITH A NISSAN I'VE OWNED. THE OTHER ONE WAS UNDER WARRANTY AND WAS TOLD IT WAS A FREAK THING. I BELIEVED THEM, AND HAD NO PROBLEM BUYING ANOTHER NISSAN. NOW SAME PROBLEM AND I HAVE TO PAY $2,250.00 FOR REPLACEMENT. NO ONE CAN TELL ME WHY. I CONTACTED NISSAN CORP FOR REIMBURSEMENT ON THIS. IM STILL WAITING FOR A REPLY, BUT AFTER SEARCHING THE NET I SEE THAT THIS IS A FAMILIAR PROBLEM WITH NISSAN. I WILL NOT BE BUYING ANOTHER NISSAN PRODUCT. *TR

Specifications, safety and listings for this car

Questions

What do owners report most on the 2003 Nissan Xterra?
Problems with steering: 12 reports of 40 on record at NHTSA.
How many owner reports mention a crash or a fire?
Out of 40 reports: a crash is mentioned in 8 and a fire in 0. These are what owners wrote, not confirmed findings.