RecallRepo

2003 Nissan Xterra Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2003 Nissan Xterra has 3 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,229,748 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 97 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the steering. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STEERING 10V554000 2010-11-11 500,552 affected
Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 FRONTIER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001 THROUGH OCTOBER 20, 2004, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2004, XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001, THROUGH JANUARY 6, 2005. OVER TIME CORROSION MAY FORM IN THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN JOINT AND LIMIT MOVEMENT OF THE…

Consequence

THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND JOINT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHAFT OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 04V230000 2004-05-24 586,196 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION. THIS WILL RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy

IN THE FOLLOWING STATES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT. THESE STATES ARE CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA,…

SUSPENSION 02V299000 2002-11-12 143,000 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE WHEEL BEARING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE FOR WATER INTRUSION AND ANY AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. THE ABS SENSOR WILL BE RESEALED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE…

Complaints by component

STEERING
12
4crashes2injuries
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC
8
2crashes2injuries
AIR BAGS
7
7crashes4injuries
ENGINE
6
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
6
1crashes
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
5
1crashes1fires
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
5
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
4
1fires
STRUCTURE:BODY
4
1crashes
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
3
3crashes2injuries
Total complaints97

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“My son missed a sharp turn going approx 40 mph. Went up an embankment, off a 4 ft retaining wall and struck a guard rail with the front passenger side of the xterra. Airbags failed to deploy.”

AIR BAGS · reported 2022-09-24

“Fuel pump power steering abs o2 sensors yes it's available for inspection upon requests car shut off while driving at 70 miles an hour on a highway due to fuel pump because my vin number is not with all the other 2003 nissan xterra's that have recalls on all of the same problems I have just for…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2021-06-15

“Fuel pump power steering abs o2 sensors yes it's available for inspection upon requests car shut off while driving at 70 miles an hour on a highway due to fuel pump because my vin number is not with all the other 2003 nissan xterra's that have recalls on all of the same problems I have just for…”

STEERING · reported 2021-06-15

“Fuel pump power steering abs o2 sensors yes it's available for inspection upon requests car shut off while driving at 70 miles an hour on a highway due to fuel pump because my vin number is not with all the other 2003 nissan xterra's that have recalls on all of the same problems I have just for…”

ENGINE · reported 2021-06-15

“Engine overheating all cooling parts have been replaced still overheating with no known issue found very common in the 2000 to 2004 models and yet no recalls to fix the issue and keeps blowing radiator hoses”

ENGINE · reported 2019-07-24

“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan xterra. After the vehicle was filled with fuel, it would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who stated there was a crack in the fuel sending unit. The vehicle was repaired. The dealer and manufacturer were not contacted. The failure…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2019-01-21

“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan xterra. While driving 20 mph, the vehicle stalled without warning. In addition, the power steering and brakes failed. The contact stated that the vehicle was serviced at casa nissan (5855 montana ave, el paso, tx) per nhtsa campaign number: 04v230000 (fuel…”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2017-11-10

“Tl* the contact owns a 2003 nissan xterra. The contact stated that there was a premature failure of coolant leaking into the radiator, which impacted the transmission. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The independent mechanic replaced the radiator and flushed the transmission. The…”

ENGINE · reported 2017-10-01

Defect investigations

Investigation DP03005 Opened 2003-07-11 · closed 2003-07-29

BRAKE ROTOR WARPAGE

MR. KENT JONES OF KERNERSVILLE, NC, SUBMITTED A PETITION TO NHTSA BY E-MAIL DATED JULY 1, 2003, REQUESTING NHTSA TO INVESTIGATE THE BRAKE ROTORS ON MY 2002 NISSAN XTERRA VEHICLES.THE PETITIONER ALLEGED THAT THE BRAKE ROTORS IN THESE VEHICLES WERE DEFECTIVE BECAUSE THE ROTORS OVERHEAT AND WARP FROM NORMAL USAGE.A…

Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2003 Nissan Xterra as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.