2002 Nissan Xterra Fuel system Problems
- Complaints
- 13about this part
- Share
- 8%of 157 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 13 complaints about the fuel system of the 2002 Nissan Xterra, 8% of the 157 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,000 miles. 2 a fire, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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.
“My car was recalled for a problem connected to the fuel sending unit in 2006. It has now been back in for repair for the fuel sending unit over 14 times in the past 4 years. The past several repairs have been made via the guidance of engineers at from the main factory and yet my car is still having the same problem and the dealership nor the main company are willing to take responsibility.”
NHTSA complaint #10358465, filed 2010-09, 71,000 miles“I was driving down the highway at 65 MPH when my engine died. I cruised it to the side of the road and attempted to start it again, but it would not turn over. I could smell gas. After having it towed, we initially determined fuel pump failure. Once the repair was initiated, we found that the wire to the fuel sending unit was corroded and had heated up enough to cause a pea size hole in the plug. …”
NHTSA complaint #10274706, filed 2009-06, 89,000 miles“My wife was driving her Nissan Xterra when the vehicle engine suddenly died in traffic in a multi-lane street with heavy traffic. She had to get out of the car and, with the help of our son, push it off to the side of the road to clear the street. The failure was found later to be a bad fuel pump and bad fuel sending unit. The vehicle was towed to a repair shop that did the diagnosis and isolated the fault to those two components. They replaced the fuel pump and sending unit, as well as the fuel filter and strainer. …”
NHTSA complaint #10400807, filed 2011-05, 163,000 miles“Check engine light is on and a there is an obvious smell of gasoline on the drivers side in the back of the vehicle. Dealer tells me that the fuel tank needs to be replaced and this is a common issue with them as they rust around the top of the tank. This is a separate issue from the fuel sending unit recall that has been done to these vehicles.”
NHTSA complaint #10324029, filed 2010-04, 109,000 miles“- the contact owns a 2002 Nissan Xterra. While driving at 35 MPH the vehicle began to vibrate. The contact pulled into a gas station, purchased oil and put it into the vehicle, and then the vehicle would not start. The contact had triple aaa tow the vehicle to a Nissan dealership. The problem was diagnosed as diesel fuel mixed with gas. The contact was told that the vehicle needed the fuel tank and the fuel system to be flushed, and the oil changed, spark plugs replaced, and the fuel filter replaced. …”
NHTSA complaint #10186030, filed 2007-03, 50,000 milesRelated recalls
- 04V230000May 24, 2004On certain pickup trucks equipped with six cylinder engines and sport utility vehicles equipped with four or six cylinder engines, the fuel pump terminal on…Covers: Nissan Xterra 2000–2003, Frontier 1999–2003
Fuel system: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 1 | 6% |
| 2011 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 5 | 13% |
| 2008 | 18 | 15% |
| 2007 | 228 | 41% |
| 2006 | 368 | 47% |
| 2005 | 323 | 38% |
| 2004 | 12 | 14% |
| 2003 | 16 | 22% |
| 2002 | 13 | 8% |
| 2001 | 32 | 21% |
| 2000 | 66 | 31% |
Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Xterra
28 complaintsEngine cooling
24 complaintsSteering
22 complaintsAir bags
19 complaintsElectrical 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