2003 Nissan Xterra Problems and Recalls (70 Complaints)

The most-reported problem on the 2003 Nissan Xterra is Fuel system (21% of 70 owner reports). There are 3 safety recalls. Check the VIN and inspect Fuel system — this is the NHTSA file, not a score.

NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation Snapshot 2026-09-07 70 complaints · 3 recalls

What problems show up on the 2003 Nissan Xterra?

15 of 70 filings named Fuel system (21% of the file). That is what owners wrote, not a shop diagnosis of the vehicle in the driveway.

Second is Airbags (10 reports).

There are 3 official safety recalls on this year. They were filed about Suspension, Fuel system, and Steering. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov — a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific truck.

The 2002 has 152 reports on file; this year has 70. A smaller lifetime total is not a clean bill of health. If you need a fairer comparison, use the equal-time view.

What to check before you buy a 2003 Nissan Xterra

A useful visit to this page takes five minutes. YearTell does not score years and cannot see the vehicle in front of you.

Look up the VIN for open recalls at nhtsa.gov. This year has 3 campaigns on file below.
Fuel system. Check for fuel smell, leaks and whether it starts and idles cleanly.
Airbags. Confirm the airbag light behaves normally and that open airbag recalls are closed.
Engine. Have a shop check for oil consumption, coolant leaks, rough idle and unusual engine noise.
Skim a few owner reports below for Fuel system. Look for the same symptom repeating.
Take that list to a mechanic. Do not turn the complaint total into a score.

What owners reported

System named most often: Fuel system 15 complaints · 21.4% of the file

Crashes, fires, injuries and deaths in those filings:

Crashes 15
Fires 2
Injuries 9
Deaths 0

All Nissan Xterra years →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record Read our complete data methodology →

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Which systems owners named

Share of owner complaints filed against each vehicle system. These shares are not adjusted for how many vehicles were sold.

“Unclassified NHTSA leftover” is not a car part. It is a filing bucket and always sits last.

View component data as a table

System / Component	Complaints	Share of Reports	Safety Reports (Crashes / Fires)
Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)	15	21.4%	1 crashes · 1 fires
Airbags (AIR BAGS)	10	14.3%	10 crashes · 0 fires
Engine (ENGINE)	10	14.3%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Steering (STEERING)	8	11.4%	2 crashes · 0 fires
Brakes (SERVICE BRAKES)	5	7.1%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Electrical (ELECTRICAL SYSTEM)	4	5.7%	0 crashes · 1 fires
Glass / wipers / cameras (VISIBILITY)	4	5.7%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Body / frame (STRUCTURE)	3	4.3%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Lights (EXTERIOR LIGHTING)	2	2.9%	0 crashes · 0 fires
Unclassified NHTSA leftover	33	47.1%	4 crashes · 1 fires

NHTSA Consumer Complaints, NHTSA Safety Recalls, and NHTSA Defect Investigations Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

When reports and recalls showed up

When owners filed reports, and when recall campaigns showed up.

View timeline records as a table

Date	Record type	Count	Record identifier
2003-Q1	Owner reports	1
2003-Q4	Owner reports	3
2004-Q1	Owner reports	3
2004-Q2	Owner reports	3
2004-Q3	Owner reports	5
2004-Q4	Owner reports	4
2005-Q1	Owner reports	3
2005-Q3	Owner reports	3
2006-Q2	Owner reports	1
2007-Q1	Owner reports	2
2007-Q2	Owner reports	2
2008-Q3	Owner reports	1
2009-Q2	Owner reports	1
2009-Q3	Owner reports	1
2010-Q2	Owner reports	2
2010-Q4	Owner reports	2
2011-Q1	Owner reports	3
2011-Q2	Owner reports	2
2011-Q3	Owner reports	4
2012-Q1	Owner reports	1
2012-Q2	Owner reports	2
2012-Q4	Owner reports	2
2013-Q1	Owner reports	1
2013-Q3	Owner reports	1
2014-Q1	Owner reports	2
2014-Q2	Owner reports	2
2014-Q3	Owner reports	2
2015-Q1	Owner reports	1
2016-Q1	Owner reports	2
2016-Q2	Owner reports	1
2016-Q4	Owner reports	1
2017-Q4	Owner reports	1
2018-Q1	Owner reports	1
2019-Q1	Owner reports	1
2020-Q4	Owner reports	1
2021-Q3	Owner reports	1
2022-Q3	Owner reports	1
Nov 2002	Recall campaign	1	02V299000
May 2004	Recall campaign	1	04V230000
Nov 2010	Recall campaign	1	10V554000
Jul 2003	Defect investigation	1	DP03005

NHTSA Safety Recalls Snapshot 2026-09-06 Open source record

Safety Recalls (3)

Official campaigns. Each one says what could go wrong and what the dealer was told to fix.

In short, these campaigns were filed about Suspension, Fuel system, and Steering.

Recall campaign 02V299000

Suspension

Report date

Nov 12, 2002

Component:

Suspension (SUSPENSION)

Consequence:

THIS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE WHEEL BEARING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE FOR WATER INTRUSION AND ANY AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. THE ABS SENSOR WILL BE RESEALED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 04V230000

Fuel system

Report date

May 24, 2004

Component:

Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)

Consequence:

IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION. THIS WILL RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy:

IN THE FOLLOWING STATES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT. THESE STATES ARE CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THE OTHER STATES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE SENDING UNIT FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE UNIT. IF THERE IS NOT CORROSION, THE DEALER WILL APPLY SEALANT TO THE TERMINAL HOUSING TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION IN THE FUTURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

View authoritative NHTSA record →
Recall campaign 10V554000

Steering

Report date

Nov 11, 2010

Component:

Steering (STEERING)

Consequence:

THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy:

THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND JOINT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHAFT OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

View authoritative NHTSA record →

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

What owners actually wrote

Short excerpts from the public NHTSA file. Look for the same symptom repeating.

Data: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation · snapshot 2026-09-07

Showing 8 of 70 complaints · page 1 of 3

2022-09-26Airbags (AIR BAGS)

NHTSA ODI 11486339

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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.

2021-08-07Engine (ENGINE)

NHTSA ODI 11428152

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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

2020-10-10Engine (ENGINE)

NHTSA ODI 11363744

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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

2019-01-24Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)

NHTSA ODI 11171830

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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.

2018-01-31Engine (ENGINE)

NHTSA ODI 11066135

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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.

2017-11-13Fuel system (FUEL SYSTEM)

NHTSA ODI 11045547

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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.

2016-10-14Airbags (AIR BAGS)

NHTSA ODI 10916137

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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.

2016-06-12Engine (ENGINE)

NHTSA ODI 10873775

CrashFireInjuryDeath

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.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems on the 2003 Nissan Xterra?

Owners named Fuel system most often — 15 of 70 reports (21%). That is the NHTSA file, not a diagnosis of every vehicle.

Are there recalls for the 2003 Nissan Xterra?

NHTSA lists 3 safety recall campaigns. They were filed about Suspension, Fuel system, and Steering. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov; a campaign on this page can still be open on a specific vehicle.

What should I inspect before buying a 2003 Nissan Xterra?

Look up the VIN for open recalls. Check for fuel smell, leaks and whether it starts and idles cleanly. Then skim owner filings for the same symptom and take that list to a mechanic.

Does a high complaint count mean I should skip this year?

No. Counts are reports people chose to file and they are not adjusted for sales volume. YearTell does not publish scores or a list of years to skip. Inspect the vehicle.

EPA Fuel Economy Database Snapshot 2026-08-21 Open source record

Estimated Ownership Cost

EPA fuel economy ratings and annual operating cost estimates

Data: US EPA Fuel Economy Guide · snapshot 2026-08-21

Estimate unavailable

EPA fuel-economy data is unavailable for this vehicle.

No estimate is shown when required EPA values are unavailable.

Open Ownership Cost Calculator →

Adjacent Model Years

Immediate preceding and succeeding model year records

NHTSA Consumer Complaints Snapshot 2026-09-07 Open source record

Complaint counts reflect self-selected reports and are not normalised for production sales volume. We publish no reliability scores, superlatives, or vehicle rankings.

Methodology & Data Integrity

Source: NHTSA ODI / recalls, snapshot 2026-09-07. YearTell is not a government agency.

Read our complete data methodology → Sources