Reliability & 5-year cost of ownership — 2002 Nissan Xterra
NHTSA data on file today
The 2002 Nissan Xterra has 6 NHTSA recall campaigns and 157 owner complaints on file as of . Recall data is refreshed daily from NHTSA.
Recall campaigns on file
- NHTSA #10V554000 STEERING COLUMN LOWER SHAFT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #06E026000 FMVSS 108/AMBER SIDE REFLEX REFLECTORS NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #04V230000 NISSAN/FUEL SENDING UNIT NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #03V061000 NISSAN/AIR BAG MODULE NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V299000 NISSAN/AXLE CORROSION NHTSA notice
- NHTSA #02V298000 NISSAN/THROTTLE SUPERCHARGER NHTSA notice
Most-cited components in owner complaints
- Engine and Engine Cooling 24 complaints
- Steering 22 complaints
- Air Bags 19 complaints
- Electrical System 13 complaints
- Suspension 13 complaints
- Service Brakes, Hydraulic 12 complaints
Of the 157 complaints on file, 21 report a crash and 7 a fire; across all 157 complaints, owners report 28 injuries and 17 deaths (owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA).
Average
Estimated 5-year repair + maintenance cost: $4,000–$7,000AI estimate — not from NHTSA data
The 2002 Nissan Xterra has an average reliability rating with 157 owner complaints and 6 recalls. The most common issues involve the engine, steering, and air bags. Several recalls address safety-critical components, such as the steering column and fuel system, suggesting some potential areas of weakness. However, the overall complaint volume is modest for a vehicle of this age, indicating an average risk of significant problems.
Most-common failures
| Part | Typical mileage (AI estimate) | Cost range (AI estimate) | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 80,000–120,000 miles | $1,000–$2,500 | occasional |
| Steering | 60,000–100,000 miles | $300–$800 | occasional |
| Air bags | Unknown | $200–$600 | rare |
AI estimate — not from NHTSA data: the mileage bands and repair-cost ranges above. Get a written repair quote before you budget.
Scheduled maintenance to budget
Routine items every owner should plan for.
- Oil change every 5,000 miles
- Replace air filter annually
- Brake fluid flush every 2 years
- Coolant replacement every 3 years
- Transmission service every 60,000 miles
Warning signs to watch for
Symptoms that signal a major upcoming repair.
- Steering stiffness
- Airbag warning lights
- Unusual engine noises
- Check engine light illumination
Generated by gpt-4o on from the NHTSA recall campaigns and owner-complaint counts on file for the 2002 Nissan Xterra at the time. The rating is an AI assessment; cost and mileage figures are AI estimates, not NHTSA data.