2001 Nissan Xterra Problems

What owners report

Owners of this model year most often report window regulator and power window motor problems, followed by stalling linked to the fuel sending unit. Many reports describe slow or stuck windows at relatively low mileage, and stalling episodes that happened without warning at highway speeds. Various electrical and cooling items also appear, though less consistently.

1. 1
   Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)

   Power window regulators and motors failing

   • 43 complaints (29%)
   • median 42,300 mi at 3.5 yrs old (27 state mileage)
   • 1 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • owner-quoted repair $441 (median of 6 quotes)
   • filed 2000–2011

   Windows move slowly, bind halfway up, or stop working altogether; some owners describe a grinding or popping sound and windows that need a hand to close. Complaints commonly describe several windows failing in succession, and dealers replacing regulators or motors, sometimes applying lubricant or telling owners the problem was normal wear. Some owners mention a service campaign covering the regulators and report that repairs were declined once that coverage period ended. Reported from under 30,000 miles up to about 130,000 miles, and owners in hot climates and older vehicles describe more frequent failures.

   3 related service bulletins

   What to check: Operate every window from fully down to fully up and listen for grinding or slow travel; ask whether the window regulator service campaign work was ever performed.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Regulators in both windows have failed in the last 8 months. Upon searching, I did not find any recall notices nor did the manufacturer notify me that there was a problem.the driver's side regulator was used quite often, but the passenger side window was rarely used and it still failed within 2 years of owning the vehicle.”

   NHTSA complaint #10032734, filed 2003-08, 56,684 miles

   “I bought my 2001 Nissan Xterra new in feb. 2001. I've had 3 window regulators replaced under warranty on my driver, passenger and rear passenger window. Now less than 10k miles later and out of warranty, both the rear driver and passenger window regulators have quit working.”

   NHTSA complaint #10049237, filed 2003-12, 27,437 miles
2. 2
   Fuel system

   Engine stalls from fuel sending unit / fuel pump

   • 27 complaints (18%)
   • median 78,822 mi at 3.4 yrs old (18 state mileage)
   • filed 2001–2022

   The engine quits without warning, often at speed or at a stop, and sometimes will not restart, leaving owners to be towed. Complaints describe dealers diagnosing the fuel sending unit or fuel pump, with some citing the related fuel system recall and reporting that the stalling returned after the recall work was done. Others note the part being on back order. Mostly reported between about 35,000 and 120,000 miles, with a few at higher mileage.

   Recall 04V230000Recall 02V300000

   What to check: Ask whether the fuel sending unit recall was completed and whether the unit has been replaced since; a stall history or a fuel gauge that reads erratically is worth investigating before purchase.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2001 Nissan Xterra - I was just getting off a busy rt. 95 and my car just turned off - no power steering,etc. I was luckily able to coast to the side of the road without causing an accident where I had to leave it overnight. Called two Nissan dealerships the next day and they were unable to fit me in for two days, so I needed my Xterra fixed so I took it to an independent auto shop. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10058501, filed 2004-02, 48,100 miles

   “I just purchased this car about 3 months ago and paid 4000 dollars for it. The vehicle stopped working and the fuel pump wasn't coming on. After searching for the power issue I discovered the fuel tank sending unit which is the top to the gas tank itself. Meaning the service hole of the tank access is the top part of the sending unit. The sending unit has 4 fuel line connections and 4 electrical connections. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10715043, filed 2015-05, 138,000 miles
3. 3
   Electrical system

   Electrical faults, gauge failure, and wiring fires

   • 17 complaints (11%)
   • median 44,829 mi at 3.3 yrs old (14 state mileage)
   • 3 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2001–2019

   Owners describe instrument clusters where the speedometer, tachometer, odometer and fuel gauge drop to zero, often after the vehicle has been running a while or in warm weather, then recover after cooling. Other complaints describe blown fuses that leave the alternator not charging, ignition wiring damage, and in a few cases smoke or fire from the engine compartment or under the dash. Reports span roughly 34,000 to 100,000 miles, with gauge failures often appearing after about half an hour of driving in warm conditions.

   5 related service bulletins

   What to check: Watch the gauges during a longer test drive in warm weather and check that all warning lights and accessories work; ask whether any wiring or fuse repairs have been done.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “There was no warning before the ignition wiring in my 2001 Nissan Xterra fried. The engine cut out while driving to enter the freeway. I was then told by the dealership where I purchased the vehicle that I was lucky that the Xterra didn't catch on fire and it fried because of an after market alarm,it doesn't have an after market alarm its the same as when I bought it,nine months prior. They are going to fix it but I have to pay for new ignition wire. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10132174, filed 2005-08, 83,450 miles

   “Fuse #11 which protects the alternator/charging circut and 4wd/atp warning light circuts kept blowing. When this fuse blows the alternator stops working and the vehicle then runs off the battery. And when the battery dies 30 minutes later so does your Xterra!”

   NHTSA complaint #10048860, filed 2003-11, 33,995 miles
4. 4
   Engine cooling

   Cracked exhaust manifold or leaking exhaust gaskets

   • 10 complaints (7%)
   • median 80,500 mi at 5.8 yrs old (8 state mileage, few)
   • filed 2003–2022

   Owners describe a ticking or exhaust-type noise from the engine bay, sometimes with exhaust smell inside the cabin and the climate system drawing fumes in. Complaints mention dealers first replacing other parts such as a knock sensor before identifying a cracked manifold or failed gaskets, with repairs sometimes covered under extended warranty and sometimes charged to the owner. Reported from roughly 30,000 to 85,000 miles.

   What to check: Listen for a ticking noise at cold start and check for exhaust smell in the cabin; ask whether the manifold or gaskets have been replaced.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “2001 Nissan Xterra currently has 77, 123 miles. Experiencing power window failure and crankshaft pulley failure. 1. Aug 06 window failed to completely close, had to adjust with hand to close. I thought window was off track so I had dealer service window, dealer applied lubrication. Window is still failing to completely close without assistance. 2.heard noise in engine compartment took vehicle to dealer for service, dealer replaced power steering tensioner pulley noise continued to exist. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10166599, filed 2006-08, 76,000 miles

   “Both rear window regulators failed in the consumer's 2001 Nissan Xterra. The blower motor only blows on high. The dealer found that the blower motor resistor shorted out. The check engine light illuminated while driving. The dealer diagnosed that the thermostat had to be replaced.”

   NHTSA complaint #10161609, filed 2006-07, 39,695 miles
5. 5
   Wheels

   Wheel cracking, wheel separation and rear axle seals

   • 9 complaints (6%)
   • median 48,900 mi at 5.5 yrs old (5 state mileage, few)
   • 2 mention a crash, fire or injury
   • filed 2003–2014

   Complaints describe cracked or fractured alloy wheels found during routine service, and in some cases a front wheel separating from the vehicle, which owners link to loose or damaged hardware. Others report water entering the rear axle through the ABS sensor seal and subsequent axle or bearing repairs after the related recall was performed. Reported across a wide range, from about 45,000 to 90,000 miles and beyond.

   Recall 02V2990001 related service bulletin

   What to check: Inspect the wheels closely for cracks around the spokes and check lug nut torque and wheel hardware; ask whether the rear axle seal recall was completed and whether the seals have been checked since.

   2 excerpts from owner complaints in NHTSA records

   “Both of my front rims cracked on my 2001 Nissan Xterra. Two of the four passenger side spokes and one of the driver's side spokes is starting to crack. There wasn't any impact that would have caused this. I only noticed because my brakes began squeaking after a trip with my 10yr old son. When I looked at the front rims to check the brakes, I noticed the cracks. They are aluminum 4 spoke 15 x7 rims. I found a recall NHTSA campaign id number: 03v307000.”

   NHTSA complaint #10386591, filed 2011-03, 72,000 miles

   “While driving on the mass turnpike, the front wheel came off the car. This is the second time. First time, in 2013, in school parking lot, different side but also a front wheel. We bought the car used from a Nissan dealership in august 2012 for my 19 year old son. The car is hardly driven as he is away in college. This car has been serviced several times for various other things and two different front wheels just coming off can not be a matter of loose lug nuts and incompetence on the part of the repair shop. …”

   NHTSA complaint #10641367, filed 2014-10, 89,000 miles

Buying note. Check the power windows and the condition of the wheels and axle seals closely, and ask for documentation on any fuel sending unit or recall work already performed. A pre-purchase inspection by an independent mechanic, including a longer drive in warm weather, can surface several of these items at once.

Summary written with AI from a sample of 60 NHTSA complaints for this model year (picked at random, with complaints that state a mileage and recent ones taken first), then checked automatically against the source records. Where a problem shows a complaint count, every complaint for this model year was matched with fixed keyword rules (written with AI and tested against the sample), and the mileage, age and repair figures are calculated from those complaints; owners' figures are as stated, not verified. Other counts refer to the sample. The excerpts come from NHTSA's public complaint records and are unverified; capitalisation is normalised, NHTSA staff notes are removed, and shortened text ends with “…”. Something wrong? Request a correction.