Skip to content
Electrical systemPart report

2001 Nissan Xterra Electrical system Problems

Complaints
17about this part
Share
11%of 150 total for the year
Median mileage
67,094miles
Trend
StableComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are within 25% of the 3 years before.

NHTSA recorded 17 complaints about the electrical system of the 2001 Nissan Xterra, 11% of the 150 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 67,094 miles. 5 a fire, according to the filers.

Example complaints

Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.

“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

“I was driving about 25 minutes on the turnpike and pulled off for gas, the second I turned off the car smoke started to pour inside from the front area and also pouring from the under hood area. This turned into an actual fire next to a gas pump. Fire dept. Was called to put it out . Engine totally burned up and hood etc...”

NHTSA complaint #10278740, filed 2009-07, 60,000 miles

“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. I'm still wondering why the fuses didn't break like they were suppose to, preventing this whole situation from happening.”

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

“Major electrical fire which destroyed the engine room harness , shorted the power transiistor in the distributor, desstroyed the hood release cable and burned the windshield washer tubing, and also multiple fuses and relays.this condition occured due to the manufacturer crushing the wiring for the left front combination light under the air filter housing against the metal body during installation at the factory.all parts retained and vehicle available for insoection vehiicle currently not running.”

NHTSA complaint #10192749, filed 2007-06, 98,000 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

Related service bulletins

Electrical system: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2011417%
2010821%
2009316%
2008119%
2007275%
2006415%
2005395%
20041113%
200346%
2002138%
20011711%
20002612%

Other parts of the 2001 Nissan Xterra

Visibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
43 complaintsFuel system
32 complaintsEngine cooling
11 complaintsWheels
11 complaintsBrakes
9 complaintsAir bags
8 complaintsOther or unknown
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsSteering
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsSuspension
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2001 Nissan Xterra

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.

To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology