2003 Nissan Xterra Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 8%of 72 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 124,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the engine of the 2003 Nissan Xterra, 8% of the 72 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 124,500 miles.
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.
“June 12 2016 at the tri-par in slinger, wi I was filling up the gas tank, when gas began spilling out of the vehicle's wheel well. I immediately stopped it after I noticed it. The station along with the slinger fire department estimated a gallon was spilt. It appears the vehicle's gas tank neck has rusted out. They deemed the vehicle not safe to drive and recommend we have it towed home, which we did.”
NHTSA complaint #10873775, filed 2016-06, 131,000 miles“Engine overheating all cooling parts have been replaced still overheating with no known issue found very common in the 2000 to 2004 models and yet no recalls to fix the issue and keeps blowing radiator hoses”
NHTSA complaint #11363744, filed 2020-10, 200,000 miles“Fuel pump power steering abs O2 sensors yes it's available for inspection upon requests car shut off while driving at 70 miles an hour on a highway due to fuel pump because my VIN number is not with all the other 2003 Nissan xterra's that have recalls on all of the same problems I have just for some reason my car has zero recalls which is ridiculous and not believable so yes my life was put at risk I took it to an independent service my mechanic because I can't take it to a dealer because all the parts that are broken and that need replacement that have been recalled on every other 2003 does…”
NHTSA complaint #11428152, filed 2021-08“The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that there was a premature failure of coolant leaking into the radiator, which impacted the transmission. The vehicle was not diagnosed by a dealer. The independent mechanic replaced the radiator and flushed the transmission. The manufacturer stated that the vehicle was not included in a recall campaign and provided no solution. The failure mileage was not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11066135, filed 2018-01Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2012 | 4 | 25% |
| 2011 | 5 | 21% |
| 2010 | 4 | 11% |
| 2009 | 3 | 16% |
| 2008 | 23 | 19% |
| 2007 | 85 | 15% |
| 2006 | 104 | 13% |
| 2005 | 114 | 13% |
| 2004 | 8 | 10% |
| 2003 | 6 | 8% |
| 2002 | 8 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2003 Nissan Xterra
16 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Nissan Xterra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 28, 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