Resources for the Repair and Maintenance of your Nissan Xterra
Nissan Xterra Models:
Nissan Xterra Problems
Erratic Fuel Gauge and/or Check Engine Light
The fuel level sensor can fail causing erratic or inaccurate fuel gauge readings. The Check Engine Llight may also illuminate. Nissan has recalled 2006 - 2008 vehicles only for this fuel gauge issue. For more information on the recall, please click here»
Engine Stall and/or No Start Condition
The distributor shaft bearing can become rusty, and seize causing the engine to stall or not start. The failed distributor will commonly require replacement.
Abnormal Noise From Front of Engine
A whining or buzzing type noise may develop from the timing chain area caused by excess slack in the secondary timing chains. Nissan has issued a service bulletin (NTB09-128) regarding this issue. Replacement of both secondary timing chains and their tensioner shoes will be necessary to repair this concern. As part of this repair, the engine oil and filter should also be replaced.
Coolant Outlet on Lower Intake Maniflod May Leak
The coolant outlet on the front of the lower intake manifold may develop a coolant leak.
Fuel Injectors May Fail and Cause Drivability Concerns
The fuel injectors can fail and cause drivability problems. Often there is no Check Engine light and the failures can be caused by corrosion of the connector, clogging beyond the point of cleaning, and/or internal failures.
Nissan Xterra Recalls (Recent)
Nissan Recalls 2008–2010 Vehicles with Garmin Nuvi 750 Nav Systems Due to Overheating
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Nissan is recalling 2008–2010 models equipped with Garmin Nuvi 750 navigation systems because the battery may overheat, which could lead to a fire. Nissan will notify owners and Garmin technicians will replace the unit's battery and insert a spacer to prevent the problem from reoccurring. This will be performed free of charge.
Learn more »Potential Engine Oil Leak
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Some of the bolts that attach the engine oil cooler and filter to the engine may have been manufactured below specification strength. As a result, the bolt may break at the oil filter attachment point, which can cause an engine oil leak. Loss of too much engine oil can result in loss of oil pressure and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash. Dealers will replace the connector bolts to correct this concern.
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Nissan Recalls 2002–2004 Vehicles Due to Corrosion in Lower Steeing Column Joint
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Nissan is recalling 2002–2004 Frontier and Exterra models due to corrosion in the lower steering column joint that can limit movement of the joint, resulting in excessive load. This can lead to cracking of the shaft, which may result in loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash. Nissan will replace the steering column shaft and joint with a different design, free of charge.
Learn more »Infiniti QX56 Recall 10E019000
Summary: NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.
Learn more »One or Both Front Lower Control Arms May Fail
RepairPal Expert Overview:
Welds on the mounting collars of the front lower control arm may not meet specifications. A failed control arm increases the risk of a crash. Dealers will repair the vehicles as necessary. This recall is scheduled to begin by May 20, 2010.
Learn more »Nissan Xterra Questions and Answers
xterra keep dieing, after a couple of days of that, would not start at all. Someone suggested we change the tps sensor and we did, but did not calibrate anything. We are think that the transmissio...
The horn on my 2000 Nissan x terra is not working. I was looking for a fuse but I didnt find one. When you press to activate the alarm it sounds like a duck. It is dull. can you help me find the an...
My daughters 2000 xterra won't start after it has warmed up and ran . This just started-- it has no juice at all--lights, door buzzer etc--after it has sat for awhile it starts and runs fine, but a...
Please provide details on how to change the head gasket for the 2000 xterra - 6 cy
I need to remove the right front turn signal housing so I can change the bulb. There is one screw I can see at the top, under the hood but once it is out, there is something behind the housing tha...
Nissan Xterra Stories
after reaching 64000 miles start having problem with a whinning sound when i accerlerates and mor and mre i drive it noise get lounder.
2005 Nissan Xterra has been seriously one of the best decisions we've made. GREAT vehicle. Yes, it does drive/ride more like a truck, but I actually wanted that. It's got the BEST ground clearance around. We take it camping and on dirt roads frequently in the summer and the ride and storage on it is great.
One MAJOR complaint: Emissions. NIGHTMARE. I believe after doing research - ALOT of research - that it's just the 2004/2005 models that have this much of an issue. Apparently the fuel sensors in these models were placed on the inside of the fuel tank vs the outside - I'm not a mechanical genuis, but this somehow caused a problem. Bottomline: Constant "service engine now" light on, and anyone who lives in an Emissions Area knows, this is an absolute nightmare. $$$$$ later, plus two traffic violations (for expired registration, b/c it couldn't pass emissions) later.. Nissan finally fixed it for free. FINALLY. After over a year of arguing with them. The year following: Cat converter went. $1400 more on that. Now, the heat is blowing cold air. I looked on the forums.. also seems to be a "known issue" but no recall, there will be more $$ coming out of my pocket.
Overall - yes - I'd recommend the Xterra. If I had to do it over, though, I'd probably stay away from the 2004/2005's.. Just sayin'. :-)
Exhaust & Emissions* I need to see how i get to the knock senser and change it.
Alarm went off for no reason. Lights in dash stay on and engine continues to run after key was removed from ignition! Had to reinsert key, turn slightly, then to off to turn off engine. ??
I bought my Xterra used in August of 2007, and have put a little over 100,000 miles in the past four years of ownership. I've made a few power-increasing modifications, and my rig can get up and go quite well. I've beat quite a few cars down the road that I never should have given what I'm driving.
I wouldn't trade my X for any other SUV out there...except maybe another one. It might be the X trim package, the base model(2wd, manual transmission, manual locks and windows) but I love that about it. In reading some of the other "stories," I haven't experienced any of the fuel sensor issues or cold weather complaints that anyone else has. My Xterra keeps plugging along as it should. The only thing I've replaced is the serpentine belt and the brakes. Next, is the secondary time chains and tensioners, which is an issue that everyone with Nissan's 4.0 V6 has. $1,200 for that repair, though. Despite that, and the annoying noise it makes, I love my rig and wouldn't give it up. I've converted many of my friends to being Xterra fans, and I'm a lifelong Xterra man now.