2002 Nissan Xterra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 4%of 157 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 22,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2002 Nissan Xterra, 4% of the 157 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 22,000 miles. 1 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.
“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 miles“Steering wheel does not lock when ignition is turned off. Ignition can be in off position and keys removed with gear shifter still in d drive. I did not know this was not normal until on 7/16/2004 the steering wheel was locked and it took apprx 10 minutes of adjusting wheel and on/off of the brake pedal to get the wheel to unlock. I then read the owners manual and realized I should not be able to remove the keys from the ignition when the gear shifter still in drive. …”
NHTSA complaint #10081275, filed 2004-07“The vehicle continued to experience problem with the axle after the vehicle was serviced for NHTSA recall #02v299000. The dealer stated that there was nothing they could do and that they replaced the component indicated in the recall.”
NHTSA complaint #10055362, filed 2004-01Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 | 60% |
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2012 | 6 | 38% |
| 2011 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 11 | 29% |
| 2009 | 6 | 32% |
| 2008 | 47 | 40% |
| 2007 | 231 | 41% |
| 2006 | 268 | 34% |
| 2005 | 412 | 49% |
| 2004 | 6 | 7% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 22 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2002 Nissan Xterra
28 complaintsEngine cooling
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 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2002 Nissan Xterra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Nov 1, 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