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EnginePart report

2011 Nissan Xterra Engine Problems

Complaints
5about this part
Share
21%of 24 total for the year
Median mileage
54,000miles
Trend
Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.

NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2011 Nissan Xterra, 21% of the 24 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,000 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.

“Driver's side exhaust manifold broke while driving slowly on bumpy road. Flange that attached to catalytic converter separated from stainless steel piping. Now heat and carbon monoxide is pumping out under driver's feet. Very loud. Nissan says tough luck - we are not paying. 54,000 miles, 7 years old.”

NHTSA complaint #11035945, filed 2017-10, 54,000 miles

“Driver's side exhaust manifold broke while driving slowly on bumpy road. Flange that attached to catalytic converter separated from stainless steel piping. Now heat and carbon monoxide is pumping out under driver's feet. Very loud. Nissan says tough luck - we are not paying. 54,000 miles, 7 years old.”

NHTSA complaint #11035942, filed 2017-10, 54,000 miles

“The vehicle was driving just fine, then about a month later the heat gauge started to fluctuate, i replaced the radiator caps, thermostat...it ran good for another month, started to overheat....i made sure water was in radiator and overflow...about a month went by the gauge started to fluctuate again, now there is water in my oil, meaning a cracked head gasket...this is the 2nd vehicle ive purchased that the same thing has hapoened to.”

NHTSA complaint #11594707, filed 2024-06

Related service bulletins

Engine: other model years

YearComplaintsShare of year
2014110%
2012425%
2011521%
2010411%
2009316%
20082319%
20078515%
200610413%
200511413%
2004810%
200368%
200285%
200164%
200021%

Other parts of the 2011 Nissan Xterra

Air bags
9 complaints
Electrical system
4 complaints
Tires
2 complaints
Electronic stability control
1 complaints
Engine cooling
1 complaints
Fuel system
1 complaints
Steering
1 complaints
Body and structure
1 complaints
Suspension
1 complaints
Transmission and drivetrain
1 complaints

← All problems reported for the 2011 Nissan Xterra

About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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