2003 Nissan Xterra Exterior lighting Problems
- Complaints
- 2about this part
- Share
- 3%of 72 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 2,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 2 complaints about the exterior lighting of the 2003 Nissan Xterra, 3% of the 72 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 2,000 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.
“Headlights came on and off while vehicle was in motion. Consumer took vehicle back to the dealer on three occassions to have the problem resolved. However, the problem recurred.”
NHTSA complaint #10091707, filed 2004-09, 2,000 miles“My headlights just went out in the middle of driving at night. Luckily there wasn't anyone else around me on the interstate, because that could have been a really nasty wreck. I pull over on the shoulder of the road and wiggle the wires and they came back on. I drove home and changed the light bulbs, think that would fix them. About two months later it happened again, that is when I found out that the headlight sockets on my truck were burt up. I was told that it was caused by heat from the headlights. I went to auto zone and bought new ones and replaced them. …”
NHTSA complaint #10091198, filed 2004-09Related service bulletins
- 10032306Nov 27, 2013Nissan: exterior lamp fogging. Occasionally water is noticed in the exterior lamps. This is generally not due to a defect. All current exterior lamp assemblies are vented to the…
- 10021508Apr 18, 2007Exterior lamp fogging.
Exterior lighting: other model years
Other parts of the 2003 Nissan Xterra
16 complaintsBrakes
12 complaintsSteering
12 complaintsAir bags
10 complaintsEngine cooling
7 complaintsBody and structure
7 complaintsEngine
6 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsElectrical system
4 complaintsTires
4 complaintsSuspension
3 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 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