Worst 2002 Nissan Xterra Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
STEERING
AIR BAGS
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2002 Nissan Xterra.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STEERING | 18 | 6 | — | 89,655 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 12 | 6 | — | 137,087 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 11 | 1 | — | 92,062 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 10 | 3 | 1 | 122,320 mi | |
| ENGINE | 8 | 3 | 1 | 137,312 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 8 | 2 | 1 | 170,834 mi | |
| ENGINE AND 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 SYSTEM | 6 | 1 | — | 116,635 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING | 6 | — | 2 | 57,693 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 6 | — | 1 | 94,667 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC | 6 | — | — | 29,993 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 6 | — | — | 917 mi | |
| TIRES | 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 (ESC) | 4 | 2 | — | 138,333 mi | |
| WHEELS | 4 | — | — | 164,492 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT | 3 | — | — | 40,525 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 3 | — | 1 | 133,500 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 3 | — | — | 51,667 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM | 2 | — | — | 89,000 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 2 | — | — | 29,000 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT:ELECTRICAL:RADIO/TAPE DECK/CD ETC. | 2 | — | — | 50,000 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 2 | — | — | 73,500 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 2 | — | — | 71,000 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 | — | 1 | 185,000 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES, AIR:ANTILOCK:ABS WARNING LIGHT | 2 | 1 | — | — |
Recalls for 2002 Nissan Xterra
1 NHTSA recall campaigns 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
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.
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