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#BS-2002-NISXTE-5BEC2002 Nissan Xterra
Based on reports from 214 owners and 6 recalls for this exact model.
Preliminary Verdict
Red Flag
Based on 214 complaints, 33 crashes, 12 fires, and 6 recalls.
Top reported problems
blown head gasket
6 complaints • Severity 8.7/10
failed emissions test
1 complaints • Severity 10/10
reverse not working properly
1 complaints • Severity 8/10
Preview: What's in your full report
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Mechanic Inspection Checklist
18 owners reported steering issues — failures commonly reported around 82K miles.
Failure Timeline by Mileage
Peak failure range: 0–30K miles (29 reports) • Median: 82K miles
30,000-Mile Cost Projection
Best Case
Most Likely
Worst Case
Top cost driver: Steering (18 reports).
Also in your report
Owner Intelligence
AI-synthesized themes from real complaints
Buyer Lot Checklist
Questions, test drive checks, walk-away triggers
Negotiation Talking Points
Data-backed dollar deductions
Buy / Skip Verdict
Final recommendation with conditions
Where the complaints fall
2002 Nissan Xterra: Known Issues & Problem Areas
Steering Issues
Steering complaints account for 8% of all reports filed for the 2002 Nissan Xterra, with 18 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. The median mileage at time of complaint is 82,000 miles, suggesting issues tend to surface around the 82K-mile mark.
Engine Issues
Engine complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2002 Nissan Xterra, with 15 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to engine-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Brakes Issues
Brakes complaints account for 7% of all reports filed for the 2002 Nissan Xterra, with 15 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to brakes-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Airbags Issues
Airbags complaints account for 6% of all reports filed for the 2002 Nissan Xterra, with 12 owners filing complaints with NHTSA. Owners should pay attention to airbags-related symptoms during test drives and pre-purchase inspections.
Data sourced from NHTSA owner complaints and community reports. The full report analyzes severity, repair costs, and failure patterns for each category.
Complaint trend by year
Complaints filed with NHTSA by year for the 2002 Nissan Xterra. Recent trend: increasing.
Don't negotiate blind — know what this car costs to own
Repair costs • Negotiation scripts • Mechanic checklist • Buy/skip verdict
Recall History (6 recalls)
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGER, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS FULL THROTTLE IN LOW GEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT FULLY WARMED UP AND AT COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, THE AMOUNT OF INTAKE AIR FLOW THROUGH THE AIR FLOW METER MAY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PRESET DIAGNOSIS LIMIT VALUE.
SUSPENSION:REAR
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.
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE
ON CERTAIN VEHICLES, THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR FOR THE DRIVER AIR BAG MAY COME LOOSE. IF THE CONNECTOR COMES LOOSE, THE SUPPLEMENTAL AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT FLASHES INTERMITTENTLY.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
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.
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
+ 1 more recall in the full report
Recall severity analysis & seller scripts
The full report rates each recall's severity and gives you scripts for asking the seller about recall completion.
The worst model year for the Nissan Xterra is the 2005 — worth knowing if you're cross-shopping years. The biggest problem area is transmission.
2002 Nissan Xterra vs. Class Average (Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD)
This vehicle
214
Class avg
442
Below the class average — fewer complaints than typical sport utility vehicle - 2wd vehicles. A good sign.
Complaint counts correlate with sales volume — popular vehicles naturally generate more reports. The full report normalizes for this.
About this data
NHTSA Complaints
Federal database of owner-filed safety complaints. 214 records for this vehicle.
NHTSA Recalls
Manufacturer-issued safety recalls. 6 recalls found for this vehicle.
Repair Cost Data
Real-world repair costs from owner reports and independent databases.
Other Nissan Xterra Model Years
View all Nissan Xterra years →2002 Nissan Xterra: Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most common problem with the 2002 Nissan Xterra?
Is the 2002 Nissan Xterra reliable?
How much does it cost to fix 2002 Nissan Xterra problems?
Does the 2002 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?
What mileage do Nissan Xterra problems start?
What’s in the full report?
How is this different from free NHTSA data?
How is this different from Carfax?
What if the report isn’t useful?
Get the Full 2002 Nissan Xterra Report
10 sections of AI analysis based on 214 owner reports. Know before you buy.