2003 Nissan Xterra
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Fuel System
Fuel System leads by volume: 16 of 72 complaints (22%) mention it. Complaints mentioning Airbags & Restraints include more reported injuries (6) than those mentioning any other identified area.
Complaints filed fell from 157 in 2002 to 72 in 2003.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | vs. 2003 Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 3,300–4,150 | 3,300–5,150 | 3,300–5,150 | 3,300–5,150 | 3,650–3,900 | |
| Combined MPG | 15–19 | 15–19 | 15–19 | 15–19 | 16–17 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 14–17 / 17–22 | 13–17 / 17–22 | 14–17 / 17–22 | 13–17 / 17–23 | 14–15 / 19–21 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 468–592 | 468–592 | 468–592 | 468–592 | 523–555 | |
| Complaints filed | 150 | 157 | 72 | 84 | 845 | |
| Recalls issued | 5 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 6 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 15 | 21 | 16 | 10 | 7 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 5 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 6 | |
| Injuries reported | 11 | 28 | 10 | 7 | 8 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 2 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2003 Nissan Xterra have?
3 NHTSA recall campaigns as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2003 Nissan Xterra?
Fuel System: 16 of 72 NHTSA complaints (22%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2003 Nissan Xterra get?
EPA rates it 15–19 MPG combined.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2003 Nissan Xterra?
EPA estimates $3,300–$5,150 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (9)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.4L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 17 mpg (high) | 22 mpg (high) | 19 mpg (high) | $3,300 (low) | 468 g/mi (low) |
| Configuration 2 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 14 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $5,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 15 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 14 mpg (low) | 18 mpg | 15 mpg (low) | $5,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 5 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.3L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD | 15 mpg | 19 mpg | 17 mpg | $3,650 | 523 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $5,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 7 | Automatic 4-spd | 6 | 3.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
| Configuration 8 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Premium | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 14 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | 15 mpg (low) | $5,150 (high) | 592 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 9 | Manual 5-spd | 6 | 3.3L | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | Regular | Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD | 15 mpg | 19 mpg | 16 mpg | $3,900 | 555 g/mi |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 16 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 12 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Steering | 12 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 9 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 10 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (3)
STEERING:COLUMN · Campaign 10V554000 · Nov 12, 2010
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 JOINT. THE LIMITED MOVEMENT OF THIS JOINT MAY CREATE EXCESSIVE LOAD ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE SHAFT DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS THAT REQUIRE LARGE STEERING INPUTS.
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:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP · Campaign 04V230000 · May 24, 2004
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, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THE OTHER STATES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE SENDING UNIT FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE UNIT. IF THERE IS NOT CORROSION, THE DEALER WILL APPLY SEALANT TO THE TERMINAL HOUSING TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION IN THE FUTURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
SUSPENSION:REAR · Campaign 02V299000 · Nov 19, 2002
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 FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.