What are the most common problems with the 2001 Nissan Xterra?

Visibility is the biggest group, with 43 complaints. Fuel system and engine groups come next.

Does the 2001 Nissan Xterra have recalls?

Yes. The by-year facts show 3 recalls. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.

What is the gas mileage of the 2001 Nissan Xterra?

See the Fuel section on this page for the EPA figures.

Is the 2001 Nissan Xterra reliable?

NHTSA has 150 complaints on file. Read the problem groups above and the by-year section to judge for yourself.

Are there fire or crash reports for the 2001 Nissan Xterra?

Some complaints mention crashes and fires. The electrical group holds 5 fires and the air bag group holds 8 crashes.

2001 Nissan Xterra Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 150 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Nissan Xterra^[1]. The biggest group is visibility, with 43 complaints^[2].

150owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[3]

15–19MPG combined (EPA)^[4]

Problems
Recalls
Fuel economy
Safety
Engine and size
By year
Verdict
FAQ

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the truck. These are the groups, biggest first.

Visibility. 43 complaints^[2]. In the stories we read, owners describe power windows that stop working, window motors and regulators that give out, and doors or a sunroof that let water in.
Fuel System, Gasoline. 22 complaints^[5]. Owners describe fuel that splashes or spills at the pump because the filler does not shut off, and a truck that stalls and will not start again.
Engine. 17 complaints^[6]. Owners describe stalling on hills and a cracked or broken exhaust manifold, with worry about fumes reaching the cabin.
Electrical System. 17 complaints^[7]. Owners describe a horn that fails, a blown fuse that cuts off charging, and a weak battery. This group also has 5 fires among its reports^[7].
Wheels. 11 complaints^[8].
Brakes. 9 complaints^[9].
Air Bags. 8 complaints^[10]. This group has 8 crashes and 9 injuries among its reports^[10].
Fuel/Propulsion System. 8 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2001 Xterra is necessarily included.

Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump (04V230), May 2004. About 586,196 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.^[12]
Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe And Cap (02V300), November 2002. About 44,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: fire.^[13]
Suspension › Rear (02V299), November 2002. About 143,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, parts separating.^[14]

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version	City / highway / combined MPG	Annual fuel cost
Xterra 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[4]	17 / 22 / 19	$3,550
Xterra V6 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[15]	14 / 18 / 16	$4,200
Xterra V6 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[16]	15 / 17 / 16	$4,200
Xterra V6 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[17]	14 / 17 / 15	$4,450
Xterra V6 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[18]	15 / 17 / 16	$4,200

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR None^[19]	n/a	n/a	n/a	2	n/a

Engine and size

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version	Length	Width	Height	Wheelbase	Curb weight
XTERRA 4DR SUV 4x4 SE^[20]	178 in	70 in	74 in	104 in	4,131 lb
XTERRA 4DR SUV 4x4 XE^[21]	178 in	70 in	74 in	104 in	3,933 lb

How 2001 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Xterra model year. The 2001 is highlighted^[3].

Show the numbers

Model year	Complaints	Recalls
2000	214	3
2001	150	3
2002	157	5
2003	72	3
2004	84	2
2005	845	3
2006	780	3
2007	557	1
2008	119	6
2009	19	3
2010	38	4
2011	24	2
2012	16	2
2013	4	0
2014	10	0
2015	10	0

NHTSA's counts for the Xterra show 150 complaints and 3 recalls for 2001^[3]. Among the 16 model years listed, 10 have fewer complaints than 2001 and 5 have more^[3]. The fewest complaints are for 2013 (4) and the most are for 2005 (845)^[3]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2001 Xterra?

The 2001 Xterra has 150 complaints on file^[1]. Visibility leads the list, with windows and leaks in the stories we read^[2]. Fuel and engine complaints follow, and they include stalling and exhaust worries^[5]^[6]. Recalls exist for this year, so check the Recalls section^[3]. Complaints are unverified owner reports, so read them as a guide and not a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2001 Nissan Xterra?: Visibility is the biggest group, with 43 complaints^[2]. Fuel system and engine groups come next^[5]^[6].
Does the 2001 Nissan Xterra have recalls?: Yes. The by-year facts show 3 recalls^[3]. See the Recalls section on this page for the list.
What is the gas mileage of the 2001 Nissan Xterra?: See the Fuel section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2001 Nissan Xterra reliable?: NHTSA has 150 complaints on file^[1]. Read the problem groups above and the by-year section to judge for yourself.
Are there fire or crash reports for the 2001 Nissan Xterra?: Some complaints mention crashes and fires^[1]. The electrical group holds 5 fires^[7] and the air bag group holds 8 crashes^[10].

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Nissan Xterra

2001 this page
2002 157 complaints, 5 recalls
2003 72 complaints, 3 recalls
2004 84 complaints, 2 recalls
2005 845 complaints, 3 recalls
2006 780 complaints, 3 recalls
2007 557 complaints, 1 recall
2008 119 complaints, 6 recalls
2010 38 complaints, 4 recalls
2011 24 complaints, 2 recalls
2012 16 complaints, 2 recalls
2015 10 complaints, 0 recalls

Compare all model years of the Nissan Xterra

Other Nissan models from 2001

2001 Nissan Maxima 172 complaints, 3 recalls

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2001: suvs

2001 Toyota 4Runner 185 complaints, 1 recall
2001 Toyota Sequoia 531 complaints, 1 recall
2001 Ford Explorer 730 complaints, 8 recalls
2001 Isuzu Rodeo 441 complaints, 4 recalls
2001 Land Rover Discovery 44 complaints, 6 recalls
2001 Mazda Tribute 563 complaints, 13 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 150 owner complaints on file for the 2001 Nissan Xterra (15 mention a crash, 5 a fire, 11 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
43 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 40,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Xterra model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Xterra 2WD, 2.4L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
22 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 64,000). NHTSA vehicle records
17 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 89,000). NHTSA vehicle records
17 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 5 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 67,188). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the wheels component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
9 complaints name the brakes component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the air bags component group (8 crashes, 0 fires, 9 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
8 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 04V230, filed May 24, 2004: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
Recall 02V300, filed November 12, 2002: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage › Tank Assembly › Filler Pipe And Cap. NHTSA recall database
Recall 02V299, filed November 12, 2002: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Xterra V6 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Xterra V6 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 17 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Xterra V6 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 17 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,450. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
EPA rating for Xterra V6 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 17 highway / 16 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $4,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, 4 DR None: rollover 2 stars. NHTSA vehicle records
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XTERRA 4DR SUV 4x4 SE: length 178 in, width 70 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 4,131 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XTERRA 4DR SUV 4x4 XE: length 178 in, width 70 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 3,933 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.

2001 Nissan Xterra: problems, recalls and fuel economy