NHTSA vehicle safety data

2011 Nissan Xterra Recalls, Ratings & Complaints

The 2011 Nissan Xterra has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns and 24 owner complaints on file as of November 3, 2026. Recall repairs are usually free at an authorized Nissan dealer.

NHTSA recall and complaint data for the 2011 Nissan Xterra, plus NCAP crash-test ratings. Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.

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2011 Nissan Xterra owner complaints

Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA about the 2011 Nissan Xterra, describing incidents dated January 13, 2011 to September 2, 2025.

Most-cited components

Air Bags 9 complaints
Engine 6 complaints
Electrical System 4 complaints
Tires 2 complaints
Electronic Stability Control (ESC) 1 complaint
Fuel/Propulsion System 1 complaint

Newest complaints

ODI #11684563 · Filed September 2, 2025
The airbag warning light started flashing. I took the car to Valley Nissan in Longmont, Colorado where I was told that they need to replace the AirBag Diagnosis Sensor and the RH side Airbag Module. Valley Nissan said that these parts were no longer being produced, so they could not complete this…
ODI #11677288 · Filed July 30, 2025
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle's mileage was approximately 129,000, and at the…
ODI #11605423 · Filed July 30, 2024
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, an engine oil leak was present. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the oil connector bolt and O-ring seal needed to be…

Read all 24 complaints

Driver's Side Air Bag Cover Emblem May Detach

NHTSA #23V067000 · Air Bags — Frontal · NHTSA notice

Reported February 10, 2023 · Nissan North America, Inc.

Potentially affected: 404,690 vehicles

Repair completion: 16.1% (latest rate the manufacturer reported to NHTSA; dataset updated November 3, 2026)

Nissan campaign PC944, PC945, PC946 · Owners notified December 8, 2023

Defect description

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

Safety consequence

A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Manufacturer remedy

Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

Notes

Owners may also contact the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Vehicle Safety Hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), or go to www.nhtsa.gov.

ENGINE OIL COOLER CONNECTOR BOLT

NHTSA #11V592000 · Engine and Engine Cooling · NHTSA notice

Reported December 19, 2011 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.

Potentially affected: 14,718 vehicles

Owners notified January 30, 2012

Defect description

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 INFINITI FX, MODEL YEAR 2012 INFINITI M, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN FRONTIER, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN XTERRA, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES. SOME OF THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER TO THE ENGINE IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO BELOW SPECIFICATION STRENGTH. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY BREAK AT THE OIL FILTER ATTACHMENT POINT AND CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE OIL LEAK.

Safety consequence

IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Manufacturer remedy

NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONNECTOR BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Notes

OWNERS MAY ALSO CONTACT THE NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC SAFETY ADMINISTRATION'S VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE AT 1-888-327-4236 (TTY 1-800-424-9153), OR GO TO <A HREF=HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV>HTTP://WWW.SAFERCAR.GOV</A> .

2011 Nissan Xterra SUV RWD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

25% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

2011 Nissan Xterra SUV 4WD

—

out of 5

Overall Safety Rating

Not Rated

Frontal Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Crash

Not Rated

Driver: Not Rated, Passenger: Not Rated

Side Pole

Not Rated

Rollover

26% rollover risk

Safety Technology

Electronic Stability Control

24 owner complaints have been filed with NHTSA for the 2011 Nissan Xterra.

Air Bags

ODI #11684563

Incident: September 2, 2025 · Filed: September 2, 2025

The airbag warning light started flashing. I took the car to Valley Nissan in Longmont, Colorado where I was told that they need to replace the AirBag Diagnosis Sensor and the RH side Airbag Module. Valley Nissan said that these parts were no longer being produced, so they could not complete this repair. The airbag system is not functioning which puts me and my passengers at risk if there is an accident that should activate the airbags.

Electrical System

ODI #11677288

Incident: July 30, 2025 · Filed: July 30, 2025

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle's mileage was approximately 129,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 188,000 in 2022.

Engine and Engine Cooling

ODI #11605423

Incident: January 15, 2023 · Filed: July 30, 2024

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, an engine oil leak was present. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the oil connector bolt and O-ring seal needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not replaced. The contact was aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V592000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Engine

ODI #11594707

Incident: June 17, 2024 · Filed: June 17, 2024

The vehicle was driving just fine, then about a month later the heat gauge started to fluctuate, i replaced the radiator caps, thermostat...it ran good for another month, started to overheat....i made sure water was in radiator and overflow...about a month went by the gauge started to fluctuate again, now there is water in my oil, meaning a cracked head gasket...this is the 2nd vehicle ive purchased that the same thing has hapoened to.

Structure; Fuel/Propulsion System

ODI #11541014

Incident: August 11, 2023 · Filed: August 27, 2023

Hole in exhaust system due to weld failure in support clamp The problem is reoccurring every year over a 3 1/2 year period

Air Bags

ODI #11524634

Incident: February 9, 2023 · Filed: May 31, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that an unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and offered to buy back the vehicle however, the offer was declined. The contact was provided a case number but no further assistance. VIN tool confirms parts not available

Air Bags

ODI #11524629

Incident: May 31, 2023 · Filed: May 31, 2023

Nissan consumer affairs Case #48955822 Manufacturer Recall NumberPC948 NHTSA Recall Number23E-012 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary THE RESIN EMBLEM ON THE DRIVER S AIRBAG MODULE COVER IN AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE REDUCED DURABILITY DUE TO POTENTIAL SUPPLIER PRODUCTION PROCESS VARIATION. IN THIS CONDITION, OVER TIME THE POSTS OF THE EMBLEM MAY DEVELOP CRACKS, AND THE EMBLEM AND RETAINER COMPONENTS COULD DETACH IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I attempted to reach a buy back agreement with Nissan consumer affairs and the request was denied with no reason given. I have requested a remedy to this recall with no response. I refuse to drive a vehicle that is deemed too unsafe to sell. I demand Nissan to buy this vehicle back.

Air Bags

ODI #11517357

Incident: April 8, 2023 · Filed: April 17, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Engine

ODI #11406625

Incident: July 16, 2020 · Filed: April 6, 2021

ENGINE FAILED

Steering; Electrical System; Electronic Stability Control (ESC)

ODI #11353433

Incident: January 1, 2019 · Filed: September 6, 2020

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK AND ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN

Other Nissan Xterra model years

Check your 2011 Nissan Xterra VIN

Not every recall applies to every VIN in a given year. Enter the 17-character VIN from your Nissan Xterra at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether your specific vehicle has an unrepaired recall.

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