What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Xterra?

Owners name the engine group most often, followed by brakes and steering. See the problems section above for what owners describe.

Does the 2002 Nissan Xterra have recalls?

Yes. The year lists 5 recalls. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.

How many complaints does the 2002 Nissan Xterra have?

NHTSA has 157 owner complaints on file. These are unverified reports from owners.

Is the 2002 Nissan Xterra reliable?

The complaints on file show engine, brakes and steering as the biggest groups. Read the problems and verdict sections, then have a mechanic inspect any truck you plan to buy.

What is the gas mileage of the 2002 Nissan Xterra?

See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

2002 Nissan Xterra Problems, Recalls and MPG

NHTSA has 157 owner complaints on file for the 2002 Nissan Xterra^[1]. The same year also lists 5 recalls^[2].

157owner complaints^[1]

5recalls^[2]

15–19MPG combined (EPA)^[3]

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

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups owners name most often, biggest first.

Engine. 32 complaints name the engine group^[4]. In the stories we read, owners describe a check engine light that keeps returning and trucks that lose power or shut off while driving. Some say the dealer needed several visits to find the cause.
Brakes. 27 complaints name the brakes group^[5]. Owners describe the truck pulling to one side when they brake, an ABS warning light that stays on, and a pedal that sank to the floor.
Steering. 22 complaints name the steering group^[6]. Owners describe a wheel that drifts to one side and takes steady effort to hold straight. A few say it does not settle back to center after slow turns.
Air Bags. 19 complaints name the air bags group^[7]. In the stories we read, the air bag warning light keeps coming back after dealer repairs. Some owners also report an air bag that went off unexpectedly, or one that stayed shut after a collision.
Suspension. 13 complaints name the suspension group^[8].
Electrical System. 13 complaints name the electrical system group^[9].
Speed Control. 11 complaints name the speed control group^[10].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2002 Xterra is necessarily included.

Steering › Column (10V554), November 2010. About 500,552 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, loss of steering, steering problems. Dealers do the repair free of charge.^[11]
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]
Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module (03V061), February 2003. About 64,562 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash, injury, an air bag that may not work as intended.^[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]
Vehicle Speed Control (02V298), November 2002. About 5,000 vehicles are potentially affected across every model and year the recall names. The recall names these risks: a crash.^[15]

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^[3]	17 / 22 / 19	$3,550
Xterra V6 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[16]	15 / 19 / 16	$4,200
Xterra V6 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[17]	14 / 18 / 15	$5,500
Xterra V6 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive^[18]	15 / 17 / 16	$4,200
Xterra V6 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[19]	14 / 18 / 15	$5,500
Xterra V6 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[20]	14 / 18 / 15	$4,450
Xterra V6 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[21]	14 / 17 / 15	$5,500
Xterra V6 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[22]	15 / 17 / 16	$4,200
Xterra V6 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[23]	13 / 17 / 15	$5,500

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR None^[24]	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^[25]	178 in	70 in	74 in	104 in	4,059 lb
XTERRA 4DR SUV 4x4 SE^[26]	178 in	70 in	74 in	104 in	4,182 lb
XTERRA 4DR SUV 4x4 SE SC^[27]	178 in	70 in	74 in	104 in	4,202 lb

How 2002 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Xterra model year. The 2002 is highlighted^[2].

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 157 complaints and 5 recalls for 2002^[2]. Among the 16 model years listed, 11 have fewer complaints than 2002 and 4 have more^[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2013 (4) and the most are for 2005 (845)^[2]. 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 2002 Xterra?

The 2002 Xterra has 157 complaints on file^[1]. Engine, brakes and steering lead the list^[4]^[5]^[6]. These are unverified owner reports, and the counts are not adjusted for sales. Check the recall section on this page before you buy, since the year lists 5 recalls^[2]. A pre-purchase inspection that looks at the brakes, steering and warning lights is a sensible step for any truck this age.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Xterra?: Owners name the engine group most often^[4], followed by brakes^[5] and steering^[6]. See the problems section above for what owners describe.
Does the 2002 Nissan Xterra have recalls?: Yes. The year lists 5 recalls^[2]. They are listed in the Recalls section of this page.
How many complaints does the 2002 Nissan Xterra have?: NHTSA has 157 owner complaints on file^[1]. These are unverified reports from owners.
Is the 2002 Nissan Xterra reliable?: The complaints on file show engine, brakes and steering as the biggest groups^[4]^[5]^[6]. Read the problems and verdict sections, then have a mechanic inspect any truck you plan to buy.
What is the gas mileage of the 2002 Nissan Xterra?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Nissan Xterra

2001 150 complaints, 3 recalls
2002 this page
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 2002

2002 Nissan Maxima 205 complaints, 6 recalls

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2002: suvs

2002 Chevrolet TrailBlazer 1,249 complaints, 13 recalls
2002 Dodge Durango 423 complaints, 4 recalls
2002 GMC Envoy 557 complaints, 15 recalls
2002 Isuzu Rodeo 125 complaints, 3 recalls
2002 Land Rover Discovery 51 complaints, 3 recalls
2002 Mazda Tribute 384 complaints, 7 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 157 owner complaints on file for the 2002 Nissan Xterra (21 mention a crash, 7 a fire, 28 injuries, 17 deaths reported). 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
32 complaints name the engine component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 87,000). NHTSA vehicle records
27 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 90,890). NHTSA vehicle records
22 complaints name the steering component group (6 crashes, 0 fires, 8 injuries, median mileage at failure 96,000). NHTSA vehicle records
19 complaints name the air bags component group (9 crashes, 0 fires, 10 injuries, median mileage at failure 91,803). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the suspension component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 35,050). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 2 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,180). NHTSA vehicle records
11 complaints name the speed control component group (3 crashes, 1 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 147,000). NHTSA vehicle records
Recall 10V554, filed November 11, 2010: Steering › Column. NHTSA recall database
Recall 04V230, filed May 24, 2004: Fuel System, Gasoline › Delivery › Fuel Pump. NHTSA recall database
Recall 03V061, filed February 27, 2003: Air Bags › Frontal › Driver Side › Inflator Module. NHTSA recall database
Recall 02V299, filed November 12, 2002: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
Recall 02V298, filed November 12, 2002: Vehicle Speed Control. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Xterra V6 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 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, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. 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 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 18 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. 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 / 18 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, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 17 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. 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
EPA rating for Xterra V6 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 13 city / 17 highway / 15 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $5,500. 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: length 178 in, width 70 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 4,059 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
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 4,182 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XTERRA 4DR SUV 4x4 SE SC: length 178 in, width 70 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 4,202 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.

2002 Nissan Xterra: problems, recalls and fuel economy