Sign inCreate free garage
Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2002 Nissan XterraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 172 owner complaints for the 2002 Nissan Xterra. Most complaints involve engine and engine cooling (29) and steering (22). The EPA rates it 15–19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–19mpg
EPA · 9 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
6campaigns
Latest Nov 2010
Owner complaints
172
Top: engine and engine cooling
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

6 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: column

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Nov 11, 2010NHTSA 10V554000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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.

Exterior lightingReported Mar 23, 2006NHTSA 06E026000

Fuel system

Free remedy

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.

Fuel system, gasolineReported May 24, 2004NHTSA 04V230000
See all 6 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

172 complaints filed with NHTSA · Dec 2001 – Jul 2025
  1. Engine and engine cooling29
  2. Steering22
  3. Air bags21
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic16
  5. Electrical system15
  6. Suspension13
  7. Vehicle speed control11
  8. Fuel system, gasoline9
  9. Service brakes8

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Xterra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2000230
2001159
2002172
200372
200484
2005845
2006780
2007557
2008119
200919
201038
201124
201216
20134
201410
201510
Crashes reported
22
Fires reported
7
Injuries reported
28
Deaths reported
17
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Engine and engine cooling

29 reports1 fire
“MY 2002 XTERRA ENGINE STALLS WHEN AT IDLE SPEED, IT STARTS BACK BUT WILL STALL ALMOST EVERYTIME I STOP AT A LIGHT,STOP SIGN OR IN TRAFFIC. ENGINE LIGHT DOES NOT COME ON AND THERE IS NO CODES. I SPOKE TO A NISSAN DEALERSHIP AND WHEN I ASKED THEM ABOUT A RECALL ON THE 2004 MODEL FOR THIS PROBLEM THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE IPDM RELAY, THEY SAID THAT IS PROBABLY WHAT IS WRONG WITH MINE. THE DEALERSHIP ALSO SAID THERE IS AN ONGOING CAMPAIGN FOR THIS ISSUE WITH THE 2002 MODEL. I HAVE ALREADY HAD IT IN THE SHOP FOR THIS PROBLEM HAD SPARK PLUGS,DISTRIBUTOR,PLUG WIRES,FUEL FILTER ,MAF SENSOR AND THE THROTTLE BODY REPLACED $1300.00 LATER I STILL HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM. *KB”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 21, 2011Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 10413939

Steering

22 reports6 crashes
“MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA'S AIRBAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY IN A COLLISION WITH A TELEPHONE POLE AT APX. 45 MPH. THE ACCIDENT WAS ON A BADLY MAINTAINED CITY STREET, THE STEERING HAS BEEN PROBLEMATIC EVEN THOUGH I HAD AN ALIGNMENT DONE APX. 6 MO.S AGO.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 6, 2021Steering, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11399557

Air bags

21 reports10 crashes
“VEHICLE WAS WRECKED ON A DIRT ROAD. THE VEHICLE ROLLED FOUR TIMES AND WAS TOTALED; THE AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. DRIVER WAS THE ONLY PERSON IN THE CAR SO PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAGS NOT DEPLOYING IS NOT A SURPRISE. DRIVER WAS SEVERELY INJURED FROM ACCIDENT, INCURRING SIGNIFICANT MEDICAL COSTS AS WELL AS JOB LOSS.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2016Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10863215
All 2002 Xterra problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

9 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.3L 6-cyl · 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Xterra 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172219$3,300468
Xterra V6 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151916$3,900555
Xterra V6 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151716$3,900555
Xterra V6 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151716$3,900555
Xterra V6 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
141815$5,150592
Xterra V6 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
141815$5,150592
Xterra V6 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
Xterra V6 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141715$5,150592
Xterra V6 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131715$5,150592
  • Xterra 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    15 city · 17 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    15 city · 17 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg
    14 city · 18 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg
    14 city · 18 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg
    14 city · 17 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg
    13 city · 17 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Nissan Xterra as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 4401
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Xterra questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Xterra have?

6 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.

What are the most common 2002 Nissan Xterra problems?

Owners filed 172 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are engine and engine cooling (29), steering (22), air bags (21). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Nissan Xterra get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Nissan Xterra at 15–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026