2003 Nissan Xterra Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 12about this part
- Share
- 17%of 72 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 100,588miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 12 complaints about the steering of the 2003 Nissan Xterra, 17% of the 72 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 100,588 miles. 4 of these say a crash was involved, 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.
“I was driving to work one day and while I was turning corners I felt it was getting harder to steer. I stop at the red light and when drove off again I was going maybe 5-10 MPH, I turned left and I was going to straighten the car up the car started to swurve and bear to the left. I tried to regain control but the car would not respond I ended up crashing into a pole.”
NHTSA complaint #10840315, filed 2016-03, 142,000 miles“I drove the vehicle on a freeway under construction with one finished new pavement lane. When I was changed the other old lane to the new one, the wheel suddenly got out of control and spun from one lane to the other and ended in the midium bumped into barriers. Lately I contacted with Nissan and question if this is associated with the recall r1037. They denied.”
NHTSA complaint #10460065, filed 2012-05, 30,000 miles“When I was driving on freeway, the steering wheel of my car got hard to maneuver. I pulled very hard. I had to take my car to the dealer and they said they have to replace the hose from the steering wheel, the steering liquid is poured. And it costs me $ 500 to repair my car. I think it's a manufacturer's defect in the steering fluid hose.”
NHTSA complaint #10415118, filed 2011-07, 101,000 miles“I was negotiating a curve with around 45 MPH and suddenly lost steering control. The vehicle started turning to the right side, I panicked and tried to steer it to the left ,and the vehicle took a u turn and came to a stop facing the inbound vehicles. Luckily there was no other cars and I managed to take drive it again. It never happened before and I have no idea what causes it. It was really scary and I am not sure what to do about it. Please advice. Thanks”
NHTSA complaint #10460549, filed 2012-06, 100,175 miles“Driving 30 MPH on street and hit a pothole and the car geared towards the right and was very difficult to control the steering wheel. I had to hold the steering wheel with two hands with constant pressure to hold it in a straight position. I arrived at my brothers house after ten minutes but I was unable to park in their driveway. The car would not turn left and the steering wheel was very stiff. About two months prior my husband checked the power steering fluid cause I could park on the left of any street. …”
NHTSA complaint #10560534, filed 2014-01, 90,000 milesRelated recalls
- 10V554000Nov 11, 2010Nissan is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 frontier vehicles manufactured from july 9, 2001 through october 20, 2004, and model year 2002-2004, xterra…Covers: Nissan Xterra 2002–2004, Frontier 2002–2004
Related service bulletins
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10232652Feb 22, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10192217Jul 23, 2013If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and…
- 10192216Jul 23, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2011 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 5% |
| 2007 | 6 | 1% |
| 2006 | 22 | 3% |
| 2005 | 10 | 1% |
| 2004 | 20 | 24% |
| 2003 | 12 | 17% |
| 2002 | 22 | 14% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2003 Nissan Xterra
16 complaintsBrakes
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 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 30, 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