NHTSA lists 5 safety recalls and 159 owner complaints for the 2001 Nissan Xterra. Most complaints involve visibility (44) and fuel system, gasoline (22). The EPA rates it 15–19 mpg combined.
SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.
CERTAIN PRO-A MOTORS CORNER LAMPS, TURN SIGNALS, AND HEADLIGHTS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES LISTED ABOVE. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS THAT ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR OR SIX CYLINDER ENGINES, THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT CAN DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC MOLDING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TERMINAL STRIP TO CORRODE UNDER SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Xterra model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 2000 | 230 |
| 2001 | 159 |
| 2002 | 172 |
| 2003 | 72 |
| 2004 | 84 |
| 2005 | 845 |
| 2006 | 780 |
| 2007 | 557 |
| 2008 | 119 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2010 | 38 |
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2013 | 4 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2015 | 10 |
“I OPENED CASE # [XXX] WITH NISSAN REGARDING THE FAILURE OF ALL FOUR WINDOW REGULATORS IN THE NISSAN XTERRA I PURCHASED FROM NISSAN OF BOURNE (MA) IN 2000 ON MARTHA'S VINEYARD. THAT IS WHERE THE VEHICLE IS GARAGED AND USED AND ONLY HAS 67K MILES ON IT. THE WINDOWS HAVE BEEN ACTING UP FOR QUITE SOME TIME (MANY YEARS) NOW AND THE VEHICLE IS PRIMARILY USED ONLY IN THE SUMMER. THERE WAS A WINDOW REGULATOR WARRANTY EXTENSION (PU307) ISSUED ON THIS VEHICLE AND THERE ARE NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE PROBLEM. NISSAN CONSUMER AFFAIRS HAS REJECTED THE CLAIM SINCE IT IS BEYOND THE WARRANTY EXTENSION PERIOD EVEN THOUGH I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM SINCE IT ONLY APPLIED TO "WARM WEATHER" STATES. I'D LIKE TO ESCALATE THIS CLAIM TO ENCOURAGE NISSAN TO PICK UP THE COST OF PARTS AS THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE SHOULD THE WINDOW GET STUCK IN THE UP OR DOWN POSITION. THERE ARE NUMEROUS ONLINE COMPLAINTS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM. *TR”
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED WITHOUT ANY WARNING. THE VEHICLE FAILED TO RESTART AND WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE TECHNICIAN DIAGNOSED THAT THE FUEL PUMP SENDING UNIT WAS CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER WAS CONTACTED WHO REFUSED TO PROVIDE ANY ASSISTANCE SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE). THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 140,000.”
“CAR FAILED TO START AFTER BEING PARKED OVERNIGHT. WOULD CRANK BUT NOT START. HAD IT DIAGNOSED AND THE FUEL SENDING UNIT REPLACED. THE DEAD UNIT HAD A HOLE THROUGH IT'S PLASTIC WHICH SHOWED A CORRODED ELECTRICAL TAB. IT DOESN'T LOOK LIKE CORROSION FROM A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC AS STATED IN CAMPAIGN# 04V230000, BUT MORE LIKE THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTION MELTED THROUGH THE PLASTIC, WHICH THEN ALLOWED CORROSION. NISSAN HOTLINE TOLD ME THAT THE PREVIOUS OWNER HAD THE RECALL TAKEN CARE OF ALREADY, BUT COULDN'T SAY IF THE UNIT WAS REPAIRED OR REPLACED.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Xterra 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Xterra V6 2WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 | 18 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Xterra V6 2WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 17 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Xterra V6 4WD Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 | 17 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Xterra V6 4WD Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 | 17 | 15 | $4,150 | 592 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
5 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 159 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are visibility (44), fuel system, gasoline (22), electrical system (20). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2001 Nissan Xterra at 15–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (5 versions rated).