2002 Nissan Xterra: Recalls, Problems & MPG
Here are the deets on the 2002 Nissan Xterra: 5 recalls, 157 owner complaints and up to 19 mpg combined.
Recalls
5 vehicle recalls from the manufacturer, plus 1 equipment/tire recall that can apply. Repairs are free. Check your VIN to see if one is still open on your car.
Suspension Vehicle recall #02V299000 · 2002 · 143,000 vehicles
What's wrong: On 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) sensor.
Why it matters: This can result in corrosion and eventual failure of the wheel bearing. If this occurs, the wheel assembly could separate from the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle for water intrusion and any affected components will be replaced. The ABS sensor will be resealed to prevent water intrusion. Owner notification began December 10, 2003.
Speed control / throttle Vehicle recall #02V298000 · 2002 · 5,000 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles equipped with a supercharger, under certain conditions, such as full throttle in low gear when the engine is not fully warmed up and at cold ambient temperature, the amount of intake air flow through the air flow meter May exceed the maximum preset diagnosis limit value.
Why it matters: This will cause the engine control system to go into the failsafe mode. Under this condition, the malfunction indicator lamp will illuminate and engine speed will not exceed 2400 rpm regardless of the throttle position, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Dealers will reprogram the electronic control module. Owner notification began January 15, 2003.
Airbags Vehicle recall #03V061000 · 2003 · 64,562 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain vehicles, the electrical connector for the driver air bag May come loose. If the connector comes loose, the supplemental air bag warning light flashes intermittently.
Why it matters: The driver side air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
The fix: Dealers will install a retaining clip on the clock spring electrical connector. Owner notification began April 21, 2003.
Fuel system Vehicle recall #04V230000 · 2004 · 586,196 vehicles
What's wrong: On certain pickup trucks equipped with six cylinder engines and sport utility vehicles equipped with four or six cylinder engines, the fuel pump terminal on the fuel-sending unit can develop a crack in the plastic molding. This can cause the terminal strip to corrode under some environmental conditions.
Why it matters: If corrosion occurs, the terminal strip could eventually break causing the fuel pump to stop operation. This will result in not being able to start the engine or cause the engine to stop running without warning, which can result in a crash.
The fix: In the following states, dealers will replace the fuel-sending unit. These states are connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, tennessee, vermont, virginia,…
Steering Vehicle recall #10V554000 · 2010 · 500,552 vehicles
What's wrong: Over time corrosion May form in the lower steering column joint and limit movement of the joint. The limited movement of this joint May create excessive load on the lower steering column shaft. If the vehicle continues to be driven in this condition, it May lead to cracking of the shaft during low speed maneuvers that require large steering inputs.
Why it matters: The shaft May break which could result in loss of steering control during these low speed maneuvers increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The steering column shaft and joint will be replaced with a shaft of a different design. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on December 13, 2010.
1 aftermarket equipment / tire recall replacement parts sold to fit this car, not the car itself
Exterior lights Equipment recall #06E026000 · 2006 · 61,944 vehicles
What's wrong: Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Some combination lamps that are not equipped with amber side reflectors fail to conform to Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard no. 108, lamps, reflective devices, and associated equipment.
Why it matters: Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
The fix: Pro-a motors will notify owners and offer to repurchase the lamps. The recall began on April 3, 2006.
Most-reported problems
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component. One complaint can list several components. 7 mention a fire, 28 injuries and 17 deaths were reported.
What owners describe
- Engine & cooling (24): the most common themes are stalls / loses power (9), warning light on (5), noise or vibration (4).
- Steering (22): the most common themes are steering problems (12), noise or vibration (3).
- Airbags (19): the most common themes are fails to deploy (7), warning light on (4).
- Suspension (13): the most common themes are noise or vibration (3).
The 2002 Nissan Xterra has 157 owner complaints, ranking #5 of 16 Xterra model years for complaints (about average; the typical year has 194). Complaints peaked in 2003 (29 filed that year). The typical problem showed up when the car was about 4 years old, at a median of 80,000 miles. Neighboring years: 2001 (150 complaints, 3 recalls), 2003 (72 complaints, 3 recalls).
Engines & fuel economy (EPA)
| Engine | Transmission | Drive | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl | Manual 5-spd | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | Regular |
Want the full repair deets? Get the factory manual.
Recall and complaint data tells you what goes wrong. A service manual tells you how to fix it: torque specs, wiring diagrams, fluid capacities and step-by-step procedures for the 2002 Nissan Xterra.
Closest thing to the factory manual for most years. Pay once, keep it.
Most $25–$78, one-timePro-shop repair procedures, wiring diagrams and TSBs for your exact car.
From $19.99/mo · $39.99/yrOEM procedures, specs and recall/TSB info, the same source many shops use.
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FAQ
Does the 2002 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 5 vehicle recalls for the 2002 Nissan Xterra, plus 1 equipment or tire recalls that can apply. Recall repairs are free at any dealer, no matter how old the car is. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common 2002 Nissan Xterra problems?
Owners have filed 157 complaints with NHTSA. The most-reported areas are engine & cooling (24), steering (22), airbags (19).
What gas mileage does the 2002 Nissan Xterra get?
EPA ratings run up to 19 mpg combined (2.4 L, Manual 5-spd), across 1 engine and transmission combos.
Where can I get a 2002 Nissan Xterra repair manual?
eManualOnline sells downloadable manuals, Mitchell 1 DIY and ALLDATAdiy sell online access to factory repair data, and Haynes sells printed guides and online access. Pick a download if you want to keep it, or a subscription for wiring diagrams and TSBs.