Worst 2002 Nissan Xterra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
Steering Defects
Airbags
Unintended Acceleration
Check the actual VIN — every car is different.
This page shows the model year's reputation. The VIN tells you about this specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer rollbacks. Full report just $4.99 (vs. Carfax $44.99).
All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Nissan Xterra.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steering Defects | 18 | 6 | — | 89,655 mi | |
| Airbags | 12 | 6 | — | 137,087 mi | |
| Unintended Acceleration | 10 | 3 | 1 | 122,320 mi | |
| Engine Problems | 8 | 3 | 1 | 137,312 mi | |
| Brakes | 8 | 2 | 1 | 170,834 mi | |
| Engine & Cooling | 7 | — | 1 | 52,107 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Gasoline | 7 | — | — | — | |
| Visibility:Power Window Devices And Controls | 7 | — | — | 50,300 mi | |
| Air Bags:Frontal | 6 | 3 | — | 51,438 mi | |
| Electrical Faults | 6 | 1 | — | 116,635 mi | |
| Electrical System:Wiring | 6 | — | 2 | 57,693 mi | |
| Gasoline Fuel System | 6 | — | 1 | 94,667 mi | |
| Hydraulic Brakes | 6 | — | — | 29,993 mi | |
| Suspension Failures | 6 | — | — | 917 mi | |
| Tire Defects | 6 | — | — | 65,867 mi | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine | 5 | — | — | 60,000 mi | |
| Service Brakes, Hydraulic:Antilock/Traction Control/Electronic Limited Slip | 5 | 1 | — | 8,467 mi | |
| Electronic Stability Control | 4 | 2 | — | — | |
| Wheel Issues | 4 | — | — | — | |
| Other Equipment | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Transmission / Drivetrain | 3 | — | 1 | — | |
| Structural Problems | 3 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:Exhaust System:Emission Control | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Equipment:Electrical:Radio/Tape Deck/Cd Etc. | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel Pump | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System, Other | 2 | — | — | — | |
| Fuel System | 2 | — | 1 | — | |
| Service Brakes, Air:Antilock:Abs Warning Light | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2002 Nissan Xterra. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2002 Nissan Xterra
1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~500,552 vehicles.
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. THE LIMITED MOVEMENT OF THIS JOINT MAY CREATE EXCESSIVE LOAD ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE SHAFT DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS THAT REQUIRE LARGE STEERING INPUTS.
Other Nissan Xterra Years
2002 Nissan Xterra — FAQ
Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.
Is the 2002 Nissan Xterra reliable?
What are common problems with the 2002 Nissan Xterra?
At what mileage do problems start on the 2002 Nissan Xterra?
How safe is the 2002 Nissan Xterra?
Does the 2002 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?
Should I buy a 2002 Nissan Xterra?
Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.
Wider context: See the full Nissan Xterra reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2002 Nissan Xterra
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
Check Any VIN — $4.99