2003 Nissan Xterra Suspension Problems
- Complaints
- 3about this part
- Share
- 4%of 72 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 18,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 3 complaints about the suspension of the 2003 Nissan Xterra, 4% of the 72 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 18,000 miles. 2 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.
“2003 Nissan Xterra, rear axle fell off during driving. 6-27-09 by chance we got out of line to enter the interstate, and drive into a drive-thru, as we turned in, we heard a loud noise and lost power of the truck, we were able to drift into a parking spot the rear axle and still attached to the driver side rear tire were in the parking spot next to us.”
NHTSA complaint #10275637, filed 2009-07, 81,000 miles“While driving 50 MPH driver lost control of the vehicle. A technician determined that upper ball joint on driver's side broke. The air bags did not deploy during this accident. The technician indicated that he had never seen ball joint fail this way before.”
NHTSA complaint #10067379, filed 2004-05, 18,000 miles“Product defect. No summary listed (Nissan). While the consumer was driving down a smoothly paved road she suddenly lost control of the vehicle. The vehicle veered sharply across the yellow lines and flipped end over end at least twice. The vehicle landed upside down on the opposite side of the road facing in the opposite direction. The air bags did not deploy. The manufacturer's sent an employee of an engineering firm as an unbiased third party. The engineer determined that there was no impact to the ball joint to cause a failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #10066480, filed 2005-01, 18,000 milesRelated recalls
- 02V299000Nov 12, 2002On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, water may enter the rear axle housing due to inadequate sealing of the anti-lock braking system (abs)…Covers: Nissan Xterra 2001–2003, Frontier 2001–2003
Related service bulletins
- 10206391Dec 7, 2021STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10188377Feb 12, 2021STRUT AND SHOCK ABSORBER REPLACEMENT GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10109211Mar 7, 2017BALL JOINT AXIAL END PLAY PROCEDURE SERVICE INFORMATION When working on the front suspension, use the updated service information in this bulletin along with the Electronic…
- 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…
- 10192145Mar 19, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION This bulletin provides information to identify: - A leaking strut or a shock absorber that qualifies for replacement under warranty. - A strut or shock…
Suspension: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 3 | 30% |
| 2014 | 3 | 30% |
| 2011 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 1 | 3% |
| 2009 | 1 | 5% |
| 2008 | 2 | 2% |
| 2007 | 11 | 2% |
| 2006 | 12 | 2% |
| 2005 | 8 | 1% |
| 2004 | 11 | 13% |
| 2003 | 3 | 4% |
| 2002 | 13 | 8% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 9 | 4% |
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 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 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