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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2003 Nissan XterraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 72 owner complaints for the 2003 Nissan Xterra. Most complaints involve steering (12) and air bags (10). 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
3campaigns
Latest Nov 2010
Owner complaints
72
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 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

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

Suspension: rear

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER MAY ENTER THE REAR AXLE HOUSING DUE TO INADEQUATE SEALING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR.

SuspensionReported Nov 12, 2002NHTSA 02V299000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

72 complaints filed with NHTSA · Mar 2003 – Sep 2022
  1. Steering12
  2. Air bags10
  3. Fuel system, gasoline10
  4. Service brakes, hydraulic9
  5. Structure7
  6. Engine and engine cooling7
  7. Engine6
  8. Fuel/propulsion system5
  9. Visibility5

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
16
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
10
Deaths reported
0
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

Steering

12 reports4 crashes
“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…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 7, 2021Steering, Engine, Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11428152

Air bags

10 reports10 crashes
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 26, 2022Air bagsCrash reportedODI 11486339

Fuel system, gasoline

10 reports1 crash1 fire
“WE WERE DRIVING ON VACATION AND THE CAR STOPPED. IT STARTED BACK UP AND THEN AFTER A COUPLE OF MILES STOPPED AGAIN. WE WERE STRANDED AND DIDN'T GET HOME FOR THREE DAYS.I HAVE TAKE CODES OFF THE ENGINE AND IT SHOWED A 0462 CODE. WENT BACK TO GET XTERRA WITH A CAR DOLLY AND DOLLY BROKE AND CAR CAME UNDONE. THIS UNFORTUNATE INCIDENT WAS A DIRECT RESULT OF A BAD SENDING UNIT. *TR”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jul 4, 2014Engine and engine cooling, Fuel system, gasolineCrash reportedODI 10608227
All 2003 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
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151917$3,650523
Xterra V6 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151916$3,900555
Xterra V6 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
Xterra V6 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151916$3,900555
Xterra V6 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
141715$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, 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
141715$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
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    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 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg
    14 city · 17 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, 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
    14 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 2003 Nissan Xterra as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 4896
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

2003 Xterra questions

How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan Xterra have?

3 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 2003 Nissan Xterra problems?

Owners filed 72 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (12), air bags (10), fuel system, gasoline (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2003 Nissan Xterra get?

The EPA rates the 2003 Nissan Xterra at 15–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (9 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026