2002 Nissan Xterra Electrical system Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 8%of 157 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 44,180miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the electrical system of the 2002 Nissan Xterra, 8% of the 157 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 44,180 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved and 2 a fire, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“The distributor has ball bearings under the solenoid and photo for cam sensor that comes apart and goes every where internally. It caused me to go off the highway and almost got hit by a trucker when it completely stopped my car with out warning of any kind on the highway. There was no sensor indicator until I turned the car off and it only registered the crankshaft sensor after the car was turned of an on to figure out what was wrong. It almost caused my whole electrical system to burn out as well. …”
NHTSA complaint #10616274, filed 2014-07, 145,000 miles“My 2002 Xterra engine stalls when at idle speed, it starts back but will stall almost everytime I stop at a light,stop sign or in traffic. Engine light does not come on and there is no codes. I spoke to a Nissan dealership and when I asked them about a recall on the 2004 model for this problem that has to do with the ipdm relay, they said that is probably what is wrong with mine. The dealership also said there is an ongoing campaign for this issue with the 2002 model. …”
NHTSA complaint #10413939, filed 2011-07, 90,000 miles“I have serious electrical malfunction with my 2002 Nissan Xterra. The electrical short causes my amp to blow and stereo to die. I have brought my truck in over 7 times (*currently in dealership's serv dept for exact same problem) and my truck has been out of service for 23 days (*currently in dealership's serv dept as we speak) since the problem originally occurred.there has never been a problem found w/in my electrical system or stereo, only amps and fuses replaced (7 times and counting).”
NHTSA complaint #10036994, filed 2003-09, 5,356 miles“I purchased a brand new 2002 Nissan Xterra vehicle in november 2001. The vehicle was purchased at the pacific Nissan dealership in san diego, california. My wife and children went on an outing on easter sunday. While at lunch, 5-15 minutes go buy and a person inquires about a parked Xterra on fire. To my wife's horror it was our Xterra with the widows up and flames/smoke coming from the dash/steering column area. My insurance and the fire marshal determined the fire appeared to be an electrical short/arching and no other apparent sources of ignition were present. …”
NHTSA complaint #10016498, filed 2003-04, 22,000 miles“The vehicle started to sputter and the ABS and airbag lights started to come on. When the gears shifted up, it started to resist acceleration and losing transmission power. Started to shift down and coast. Pulled over to the side and the vehicle shut off. Would not start back up.”
NHTSA complaint #10700786, filed 2015-03, 245,000 milesRelated service bulletins
- 11004962May 21, 2024VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10239062Jun 16, 2023SILICONE-BASED LUBRICANT OR GREASE CAN DAMAGE ELECTRICAL COMPONENTS SERVICE INFORMATION Do not apply Silicone-based lubricants or grease to, or around, any interior electrical…
- 10239060Jun 16, 202312 VOLT BATTERY TESTING FOR IN-SERVICE VEHICLES SERVICE INFORMATION The following Service Information lists NNA procedural recommendations for establishing good connections while…
- 10235707Apr 27, 2023VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10235710Apr 17, 2023INTELLIGENT KEY REPLACEMENT OR SWAPPING BETWEEN VEHICLES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10172183Feb 6, 2020VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN WINDOW REGULATOR Service Campaign ID #s PU306 & PU307 are no longer active. ï· - Repair orders opened after this bulletinâs published date are no…
- 10192192Jun 7, 2013As part of an enhanced emissions test for Inspection & Maintenance (I/M), some States may require the System Readiness Test (SRT) status be checked. - The SRT is used to indicate…
- 10030165Apr 6, 2009Nissan: the 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay connected when the engine is running. To prevent damage to vehicle…
Electrical system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 4 | 17% |
| 2010 | 8 | 21% |
| 2009 | 3 | 16% |
| 2008 | 11 | 9% |
| 2007 | 27 | 5% |
| 2006 | 41 | 5% |
| 2005 | 39 | 5% |
| 2004 | 11 | 13% |
| 2003 | 4 | 6% |
| 2002 | 13 | 8% |
| 2001 | 17 | 11% |
| 2000 | 26 | 12% |
Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Xterra
28 complaintsEngine cooling
24 complaintsSteering
22 complaintsAir bags
19 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 29, 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