2002 Nissan Xterra Nissan Xterra 2002

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2002 Nissan Xterra repairs by problem area

Engine (58%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (0%)

Brakes and Traction Control (8%)

Suspension and Steering (15%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (17%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (0%)

Chart based on 59 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the 2002 Nissan Xterra.

2002 Nissan Xterra repair cost distribution

$2500+ (4%)

$1000 - $2499 (8%)

$500 - $999 (18%)

$100 - $499 (42%)

< $100 (28%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 50 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2002 Nissan Xterra

Engine not specified

Nissan Xterra in Texas, United States
Jun 2011 - Sep 2011
Sep 2011

265000 mi

US $5000
Piston rods broke 

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2002 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

supercharged 210hp 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD

Nissan Xterra in Florida, United States
Jul 2011 - Aug 2011
Aug 2011

98000 mi

US $200
replaced fuel injectors and replaced leaking intake lower plenum plate and gasket. 

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2002 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

170-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed manual RWD

Nissan Xterra in Texas, United States
Nov 2014 - Mar 2017
Apr 2016

180000 mi

US $280
Coolant bypass hose rupture. 
Nissan Xterra in Arizona, United States
Mar 2011 - Jan 2012
Jun 2011

85000 mi

US $3300
Engine burning oil very badly, black exhaust, adding a quart every couple of days. Told engine swap would be $2500 but a rebuild would be cheaper, so opted for rebuild. Weeks later after it was done we were billed $3300. 
Sep 2011

86000 mi

US $900
A few months went by when the next thing to go was the radiator and one other thing i cant think of to save my life at the moment but it was $900. Different mechanic shop much better all around. 
Jan 2012 Not running when sold as-is for a little over $2,000. Awful vehicle. Rebuilt engine earlier, now needed a new engine and catalytic converter. Will never buy another Nissan. 

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2002 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

170-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range

Nissan Xterra in Ohio, United States
Jun 2011 - Sep 2015
Sep 2013

125000 mi

US $200
The clutch went out on the air conditioning compressor--replaced the clutch. 
Nissan Xterra in Pennsylvania, United States
Aug 2013 - Dec 2014
Sep 2013

212000 mi

US $7
Had to replace the Positive Battery Terminal. Too corroded 
Nov 2013

212000 mi

US $384
Mystery short kept killing battery. Eventually vehicle wouldn't start. Shop changed starter, both problems are gone. 
Feb 2014

212000 mi

US $55
Shocks were rusty and would not pass inspection. Changed rear shocks. Rides a lot better now and ride height has increased Loud exhaust, found out the muffler is gone. Needs to be replaced Front shocks will not pass inspection. Need to be replaced 
Apr 2014

212200 mi

US $60
Loud exhaust CD is stuck in CD player Driver front speaker is blown out 

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2002 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD

Nissan Xterra in Connecticut, United States
Dec 2010 - Sep 2016
Jul 2012

89200 mi

US $260
Muffler needed to be replaced 
Feb 2013

90900 mi
Oil odor that could either be rear main seal or oil pan. I cleaned and tightened the valve cover seals afterward and the odor was greatly reduced. Update: So far the leaking and odor seems to have stopped by tightening them. 
Aug 2013

93300 mi

US $50
Heat shield needed a spot weld, second time it has come loose. 
Aug 2014

95300 mi

US $130
Battery died 
Dec 2014

96000 mi

US $1100
Distributor melted, needed plugs and wires, diagnostic etc. 
Jan 2016

94700 mi

US $887
Muffler, center tube, gasket exhaust. Four wheel alignment. 
Sep 2016

98000 mi

US $852
Starter and negative battery cable 
Nissan Xterra in Florida, United States
Feb 2016 - Jun 2016
Mar 2016

123000 mi

US $900
starter, no charge rear main seal, $500 (major job, most shops were going to charge $700) shocks, $400 (bilstein) 
Nissan Xterra in Kansas, United States
Feb 2012 - Dec 2014
Mar 2012

148000 mi

US $300
just changed the head gasket, it was leaking coolant from the left rear of the engine. 
Nissan Xterra in Tennessee, United States
Sep 2010 - Mar 2015
Oct 2010

93000 mi

US $350
Power Steering Leak. Replaced hoses that connect to resevoir One catalytic converter threw the code, replaced both with aftermarket at muffler shop 
Jun 2011

103000 mi

US $150
headliner was falling down, ordered new cloth for $35 bucks, shop put it in for $100 
Dec 2011

107000 mi

US $100
replaced two power steering hoses repaired a valve cover oil leak by tightening the screws 
Feb 2013

119700 mi

US $250
Replaced Radiator and Thermostat. The upper hose connection broke at the radiator body. 
Jan 2014

131000 mi
Valve Cover Leaking. Tightened Bolts that were accessible. Rattling sound over bumps. Skid plate bolts were broken off. Drilled out remainder and replaced bolts. 
Mar 2015

148000 mi

US $200
replaced 4 shocks and tires w alignment 

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2002 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range

Nissan Xterra in Illinois, United States
Jul 2016 - Sep 2019
Aug 2016

90000 mi

US $5
Battery negative connection was loose, cleaned out terminals, used washer to tighten up connection. 
Apr 2017

92000 mi

US $500
replaced serpentine belt, valve gaskets on both sides 
Apr 2018

95000 mi

US $150
Replaced wires and plugs and distributor 
Nissan Xterra in Pennsylvania, United States
Jul 2013 - May 2020
Dec 2015

133000 mi

US $127
Front Sway bar links replaced. 
Dec 2016

138000 mi

US $650
Problem with soft brake pedal Replace leaking wheel cylinders and then replaced brake calipers. Still have issue - will be replacing power brake booster and master cylinder. 
Jan 2017

US $425
Replaced the power brake booster as well as the master cylinder. 
May 2019

150000 mi

US $125
Replace pads 
Dec 2019

153000 mi

US $1600
Lower ball joints, upper control arm Rear pads and drums replaced 
Nissan Xterra in Chihuahua, Mexico
Jul 2011 - Mar 2012
Sep 2011

130820 mi

$100
Thermostat stopped working and radiator was very clogged, so the engine was overheating, had to pour water into the engine exterior to low temp and continue driving to the repair shop to get the problem fixed.Paid $100 for all. 
Mar 2012

136400 mi

$70
Cleaning the AC system recharge of the system with R134a and construction of harness for the auxiliary fan in front of the radiator, the one that turns on with the AC. 
Nissan Xterra in Nevada, United States
May 2011 - Dec 2016
May 2014

90000 mi

US $850
fix a coolant leak/replace coolant. 
Nissan Xterra in Iowa, United States
Sep 2010 - Jun 2011
Oct 2010

114000 mi

US $63
rusted out brake line. 
Nissan Xterra in Indiana, United States
Sep 2015 - Sep 2016
Jun 2016

198000 mi

US $85
Changed Mass Air Flow Sensor 
Nissan Xterra in Indiana, United States
Sep 2010 - Sep 2014
Dec 2011

122000 mi

US $100
Rattle due to loose heat shields. 
Sep 2014

135000 mi
Heat shield rattle was fixed temporarily multiple times. When I sold the vehicle another heat shield was rattling. 
Nissan Xterra in Colorado, United States
Nov 2010 - Sep 2014
Jan 2012

116000 mi

US $780
Timing belt broke. Replaced 
Apr 2012

119800 mi

US $600
Failed emissions test. Replaced O2 sensors and knock sensor. Also did a tuneup, needed spark plugs, still had the original ones, they needed replaced. 

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2002 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

143-horsepower 2.4L I4 5-speed manual RWD

Nissan Xterra in Oregon, United States
Dec 2017 - Sep 2018
Jun 2018

155000 mi

US $100
Spark plugs, tensioner squeal. Belts and A/C tensioner pulley replaces. Squeal on start up after warm, remains. 
Nissan Xterra in Colorado, United States
Apr 2015 - Sep 2015
Jul 2015

140000 mi

US $200
New shocks. Repair complete. 
Nissan Xterra in California, United States
Nov 2009 - Aug 2012
Mar 2009

220345 mi

US $345
Replaced water pump, all water related hoses, and radiator 
Feb 2010

257190 mi

US $1354
Rebuilt Head, due to blown head gasket. 
Dec 2010

238000 mi

US $1500
Cracked block due to bad head gasket. Engine overheated and was driven until engine seized. Driver error. 
Nissan Xterra in California, United States
Feb 2016 - Feb 2016
Feb 2016

152000 mi

US $150
Small coolant hose which connects to intake manifold developed a leak. 

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See TrueDelta's information for all Nissan models.

2002 Nissan Xterra Repair Histories

See our lemon odds and nada odds page to see vehicles with no repairs or vehicles with more than three repairs. To see how frequently 2002 Nissan Xterra problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.