2002 Nissan Xterra Brakes Problems
- Complaints
- 28about this part
- Share
- 18%of 157 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 90,890miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 28 complaints about the brakes of the 2002 Nissan Xterra, 18% of the 157 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 90,890 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved and 1 a fire, according to the filers.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I had my brake boosters replaced on 05/22/2019.I was backing up slowly on 07/24/2020 in a parking lot of a convenience store. As I was backing up, I tried to apply the brakes and they became stiff. I tried to pump harder on the brakes and they would not stop the vehicle in which it was to late and my car collided into a utility pole.”
NHTSA complaint #11342829, filed 2020-08, 131,058 miles“Unable to control speed and battery keeps dying even though battery and alternator test good. When driving at low speed I cannot accelerate gradually, the car revs really hard and pulls hard when trying to increase speed. Once I drive for about 20 minutes and pickup speed the brakes are loose and hard to come to a stop, and the pedal does not respond when accelerating or reducing speed. …”
NHTSA complaint #10958662, filed 2017-03, 147,000 miles“My brakes were losing power with the brake pedal feeling 'mushy' and brake light on. The dealer, maita Nissan, advised me that the spare tire, had rubbed a hole in the brake lining going to the rear brake drums. Nissan did not feel that they were responsible, because the spare tire was oversized, compared to the recommended tire size (sears had installed a wrangler p26570s17 to spare tire compartment on 9/21/2004). Per Nissan, the recommended tire was p266565,17. Fortunately, the loss of hydraulic fluid and loss of braking fluid did not lead to a crash or injury. …”
NHTSA complaint #10254295, filed 2009-01, 55,000 miles“Upon slowing down for a red traffic light brake pedal got hard not allowing vehicle to stop and vehicle also starting rapidly accelerating without pressing the gas pedal.resulted in a crash with a stopped vehicle at the traffic light.no serious injuries thankfully.”
NHTSA complaint #11170695, filed 2019-01, 190,000 miles“Vehicle stalls at 100mph also ABS light keeps coming on and off randomly brakes aren't bad but it's like they're going out. The brake pedal wobbles when stopping hard or on wet roads also when acceleratating and driving the RPM gauge will jimp up for a second and make the engine sound louder while it does it and also steering wheel feels loose somewhat when driving on rough roads and bumps cruise control lights up but doesn't work happens every day”
NHTSA complaint #11349259, filed 2020-08, 188,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10192217Jul 23, 2013If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and…
- 10192216Jul 23, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item…
Brakes: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2 | 20% |
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2010 | 4 | 11% |
| 2009 | 2 | 11% |
| 2008 | 13 | 11% |
| 2007 | 6 | 1% |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% |
| 2005 | 4 | 0% |
| 2004 | 6 | 7% |
| 2003 | 12 | 17% |
| 2002 | 28 | 18% |
| 2001 | 9 | 6% |
| 2000 | 14 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Xterra
24 complaintsSteering
22 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsElectrical system
13 complaintsFuel system
13 complaintsSuspension
13 complaintsOther or unknown
11 complaintsVehicle speed control
11 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
8 complaintsTires
7 complaintsEquipment
6 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Nissan Xterra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 31, 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