What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Xterra?

Engine, brakes and steering lead the complaint list, followed by air bags and the gasoline fuel system.

Does the 2003 Nissan Xterra have recalls?

Yes. The Recalls section on this page lists them, and the by-year fact confirms recalls exist for this model year.

Is the 2003 Nissan Xterra reliable?

Owner reports are mixed. Some groups involve crashes and injuries, so read the problem list and the recalls section before you decide.

What is the gas mileage of the 2003 Xterra?

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

2003 Nissan Xterra Problems, Recalls and MPG

Q: How many complaints are there for the 2003 Xterra?

NHTSA has 72 owner complaints on file.

NHTSA has 72 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Nissan Xterra, and 16 of them mention a crash^[1]. Engine, brakes and steering are the biggest groups, so they are worth a close look before you buy^[2]^[3]^[4].

72owner complaints^[1]

3recalls^[5]

15–19MPG combined (EPA)^[6]

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

Most reported problems

Owners filed complaints across several parts of the truck. Here are the biggest groups.

Engine. 13 complaints^[2]. Owners describe warning lights that keep returning after repairs, overheating, odd noises, and rust around the front of the truck.
Brakes. 12 complaints^[3]. In the stories we read, owners describe a pedal that sinks or a truck that will not stop, plus a brake that stuck while driving.
Steering. 12 complaints^[4]. Owners describe a wheel that turns hard, a pull toward the other lane, and trouble that returned after a dealer repair.
Air Bags. 10 complaints^[7]. Owners describe bags that did not open in a crash.
Fuel System, Gasoline. 10 complaints^[8]. Owners describe gas smells, fuel spilling back at the pump, and repairs that did not hold.
Structure. 7 complaints^[9].
Visibility. 5 complaints^[10].
Fuel/Propulsion System. 5 complaints^[11].

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2003 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.^[12]
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.^[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^[6]	17 / 22 / 19	$3,550
Xterra V6 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Rear-Wheel Drive^[15]	14 / 17 / 15	$5,500
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, Manual 5-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 / 19 / 17	$3,950
Xterra V6 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[19]	14 / 17 / 15	$5,500
Xterra V6 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive^[20]	14 / 19 / 16	$4,200
Xterra V6 4WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-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 / 19 / 16	$4,200

Safety ratings

Version	Overall	Frontal	Side	Rollover	Rollover risk
4 DR None^[23]	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 SE 4DR SUV 4WD^[24]	178 in	70 in	74 in	104 in	4,182 lb
XTERRA SE-SC 4DR SUV 4WD^[25]	178 in	70 in	74 in	104 in	4,228 lb
XTERRA XE 4DR SUV 4WD^[26]	178 in	70 in	74 in	104 in	4,059 lb

How 2003 compares with other years

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Xterra model year. The 2003 is highlighted^[5].

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 72 complaints and 3 recalls for 2003^[5]. Among the 16 model years listed, 7 have fewer complaints than 2003 and 8 have more^[5]. The fewest complaints are for 2013 (4) and the most are for 2005 (845)^[5]. 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 2003 Xterra?

The 2003 Xterra has a mixed record in owner reports. Air bags are a smaller group, but every one of those complaints mentions a crash^[7]. Brake complaints also point to early trouble in the mileage numbers^[3]. These are unverified owner reports and they are not adjusted for sales^[1]. If you shop for one, check the brakes, steering and fuel system closely and see the recalls section for open repairs^[5].

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Xterra?: Engine, brakes and steering lead the complaint list, followed by air bags and the gasoline fuel system^[2]^[3]^[4]^[7]^[8].
Does the 2003 Nissan Xterra have recalls?: Yes. The Recalls section on this page lists them, and the by-year fact confirms recalls exist for this model year^[5].
How many complaints are there for the 2003 Xterra?: NHTSA has 72 owner complaints on file^[1].
Is the 2003 Nissan Xterra reliable?: Owner reports are mixed. Some groups involve crashes and injuries, so read the problem list and the recalls section before you decide^[1]^[5].
What is the gas mileage of the 2003 Xterra?: See the fuel economy section of this page for the EPA figures.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Nissan Xterra

2003 this page
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
2012 16 complaints, 2 recalls

Compare all model years of the Nissan Xterra

Other Nissan models from 2003

2003 Nissan Maxima 206 complaints, 3 recalls

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2003: suvs

2003 Mazda Tribute 199 complaints, 6 recalls
2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara 42 complaints, 5 recalls
2003 Toyota 4Runner 696 complaints, 3 recalls
2003 Toyota Sequoia 565 complaints, 6 recalls
2003 Chevrolet Avalanche 386 complaints, 4 recalls
2003 Dodge Durango 339 complaints, 4 recalls

All suvs we cover

Facts and sources

NHTSA has 72 owner complaints on file for the 2003 Nissan Xterra (16 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 10 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
13 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 103,000). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the brakes component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 44,540). NHTSA vehicle records
12 complaints name the steering component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries, median mileage at failure 100,587). 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
10 complaints name the air bags component group (10 crashes, 0 fires, 6 injuries, median mileage at failure 18,000). NHTSA vehicle records
10 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 70,000). NHTSA vehicle records
7 complaints name the structure component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the visibility component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
5 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). 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 02V299, filed November 12, 2002: Suspension › Rear. NHTSA recall database
EPA rating for Xterra V6 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Automatic 4-spd, Premium, Rear-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 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, 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 2WD, 3.3L 6-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 19 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. 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, Automatic 4-spd, Regular, 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive: 14 city / 19 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: 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 / 19 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 SE 4DR SUV 4WD: 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 SE-SC 4DR SUV 4WD: length 178 in, width 70 in, height 74 in, wheelbase 104 in, curb weight 4,228 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, XTERRA XE 4DR SUV 4WD: 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

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.

2003 Nissan Xterra: problems, recalls and fuel economy