Nissan Xterra Nissan Xterra

We are 103,000+ car owners sharing real-world car information.

Join Us

Nissan Xterra repairs by problem area

Engine (39%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (15%)

Brakes and Traction Control (6%)

Suspension and Steering (16%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (17%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (3%)

Other (4%)

Select a problem area

Show all problems

Need advice about a specific Nissan Xterra problem?

Chart based on 557 repairs.
See TSBs and recalls for the Nissan Xterra.

Nissan Xterra electrical repair cost distribution

$2500+ (0%)

$1000 - $2499 (4%)

$500 - $999 (15%)

$100 - $499 (43%)

< $100 (37%)

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

Chart based on 91 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

2015 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range

80400 mi

US $505
Rat damage: headlight/marker light wiring, windshield washer hose & motor wire, steam-cleaned engine, new cabin air filter 

Return to top

2012 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range

28000 mi

US $30
Intermittent no start when turning ignition. replace clutch pedal safety switch (ignition interlock) 

Return to top

2012 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range

34100 mi Window Regulator need replacement 
55000 mi Recall P7318 to change airbag control parameters 
58000 mi Ventilation no longer switches between floor, vents, defrost correctly. This is mostly for the floor as the other two seem to work most of the time. Currently have decided to live with it and no repairs have been made. 

Return to top

2010 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range

66000 mi

US $180
Leaking battery was replaced. Leaking battery was original and had not been previously replaced. 
129300 mi

US $59
The blower motor resistor blew. It is a common problem, and a cheap fix. Took 5 minutes and a screwdriver. 
2480 mi Dealer replaced Radio/CD head unit. Static from rear speakers. Covered under warranty. 

Return to top

2010 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range

2200 mi Attempt to fix an intermittent cooling problem. Will not blow cold air on occasion. 
84000 mi

US $100
Driver side window slow since June, as of December left motor now only goes down instead of up+down. 
48360 mi

¤400
Internal AC Blower fan intermittently stops working, causing no air to be delivered inside the car. 
63120 mi When in Idle, the AC would stop cooling, once moving again, the AC would kick in and cool again... 
35000 mi TPMS system reset and recalibrated to clear flashing tire light. 
13640 mi

C $212
Battery totally dead after one cold night. 1 year 10 months after purchase 
22000 mi Windshield washer fluid pump stopped working. The integrated pump and fluid reservoir were replaced. 

Return to top

2010 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

51900 mi

US $45
A/C cutting off + #1 fan speed not working. Researched online to find common problem requiring replacement of cabin blower fan resistor. I j 

Return to top

2008 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range

148900 mi Gas gauge fluctuated then quit working. Replaced fuel level sending unit. 

Return to top

2008 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD

62000 mi

US $260
Replaced tire pressure monitors to keep light from staying on. Had light reset several times. No code on any so all were replaced. Fixed problem. Not a big deal at all. 

Return to top

2008 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range

203000 mi

US $135
Dead battery 
213000 mi

US $60
HVAC blower motor. 5 screws and a few pieces of trim...done 
16000 mi TPMS sensor failed 
118420 mi

C $200
TPMS Light On 
42900 mi TPMS issues, have not repaired. Most likely caused by the shop that put the new tires on it.  

Return to top

2007 Nissan Xterra

Engine not specified

100000 mi

US $150
Driver’s window motor 

Return to top

2007 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

261-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range

172000 mi

US $80
Fuel sending unit bad, resulting in faulty gas gauge readings. 

Return to top

2007 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD

67000 mi

US $450
Fuel level sensor failed 
97000 mi

US $420
Airbag steering column clockspring steering angle sensor 
147795 mi

US $611
Clock spring 
40000 mi Inaccurate fuel guage reading. Fuel level sending unit was replaced 
125000 mi

US $450
Fuel sending unit was replaced 

Return to top

2007 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

261-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range

97000 mi

US $500
Fuel pump. The gas gauge was not working, but the gauge is on the same module as the pump, and so I had to get the whole damn thing replaced. 
89280 mi

C $618
Fuel level sender replaced 
56000 mi

US $36
Replaced the OEM battery and in the process had to replace the battery, battery terminal between the battery and fuseable link, and also the fuseable link itself ($36 from the dealer) between the battery and the car's harness due to severe corrosion. 
40300 mi Fuel sending unit failed. Check engine light came on. Fuel gauge showed empty when tank was full. Replaced under extended Nissan warranty. 

Return to top

2006 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

265-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range

44400 mi

US $550
Fuel Sending Unit Failure, a Known Problem w/X-Terra's 
100700 mi

US $300
Driver's power window motor failed. 
85000 mi

US $500
Fuel sending unit was replaced. Nissan has a TSB out for it, and it is known to be an issue with 2005-2008 Xterras. 
78000 mi

US $200
Had to replace the fuel sensor in the gas tank, which required removing the tank. The truck drove fine, but there was a CEL and the gas level reading was not accurate. 

Return to top

2006 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD

61000 mi

US $100
fuel gauge showing incorrect level. Replaced fuel sender unit. 
74000 mi

US $470
Fuel Sending Unit Went Bad causing check engine light to illumine and also for fuel level readings on dash to be intermittently inaccurate. 
234000 mi

US $850
Replaced 1 tire pressure sensor. 

Return to top

2006 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range

85000 mi

US $550
Faulty Fuel Sending Unit (FSU) Eventually covered under recall. Many, many calls to Nissan to convince them to cover. Eventually did prior to recall but wasn't easy getting repair covered AND had to pay upfront and mail receipts paperwork 
97000 mi

US $200
Kamaaina Nissan said the TPMS sensor in one tire was bad and needed to be replaced (but the other three were good), so I paid the $200 to do that. The problem was not fixed, and they again said that one TMPS sensor was bad and the other three were good. I declined to pay $200 a second time because they had lost their credibility. 
253000 mi

US $1100
Driver side power window motor replaced. 
275000 mi

US $1000
All gauges went dead. Shop can't figure out what's wrong with the Xterra. Still at the shop. Will likely just donate to charity since repair is not yet successful 
83000 mi

US $316
Starter was failing. Replaced starter. 
85000 mi

US $1100
BCU replaced, keys re-programmed 
127000 mi

US $242
Fuel level sender was bad 
64000 mi

US $106
The positive terminal had failed and required replacement. 
72000 mi

US $450
The fuel sending unit failed and required replacement. 
81840 mi

C $98
Blower motor stopped working. Problem was the heater resistor. Some time spent for research on possible cause. Purchased from dealer - sent by freight (no dealership in my town) and installed myself. 
5000 mi 105lb occupant does not activate front passenger airbag. Nissan and NHTSA say that's acceptable. I love the Xterra, but wife's safety is paramount. Consequently, this is the last Nissan I buy in this lifetime. 
11000 mi Faulty passenger door actuator prevented opening of door. Repaired under warranty. 
66960 mi

C $80
Replaced blower motor resistor Replaced blower motor resistor 

Return to top

2005 Nissan Xterra

Engine not specified

88000 mi

US $400
The fusible link on the positive terminal failed causing the battery to not charge 

Return to top

2005 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

265-horsepower 4.0L V6 6-speed manual 4WD, part-time w/low range

148000 mi

US $800
Alternator bearings failed. 

Return to top

2005 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic RWD

97000 mi changed fuel gauge sending unit in tank 

Return to top

2005 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

265-horsepower 4.0L V6 5-speed automatic 4WD, part-time w/low range

47740 mi Fuel sending unit not working correctly. Replaced under Nissan extended warranty. 
126000 mi

US $425
Fuel Sending Unit replaced 
106000 mi

US $200
Heater blower motor and switch were replaced 
108000 mi Driver power window stuck down, rear passenger window stuck down. Power window tracks and motors replaced. 
69000 mi

US $775
Motor for air blend door broke and had to be replaced. 
58000 mi

US $600
wiring corrosion in factory trailer wiring from improper testing by someone. Turn signals and brake lights did not work in trailer. 600 bucks, we'll see if it works. 
130000 mi

US $320
The xterra had random computer issues, lots of main electrical harness connection issues, communication errors, my (U1000 codes I believe), the trans computer kicking out, and the trans dash lights flashing. After much research, there was recall for a faulty relay on the main power board (IPDM board) which led me to discover the early generation IPDM boards had enough issues that nissan completely re-engineered the IPDM board but not enough problems to recall it. SO IF YOU HAVE A WHITE FUSE BOARD NEXT TO THE BATTERY REPLACE IT WITH THE NEW BLACK REPLACEMENT BOARD. Install is easy, disconnect the battery, pop the cover off, carefully unplug all the 7 or so car harness plugs, unclip the two clips retaining the board in the box and slide out the old. In with the new board install it as the old one came out. 
135000 mi

US $650
The xterra would crank but not start, the battery terminal was loose so the computer was getting a poor signal. This led to the dealership failure to identify the actual problem, and instead diagnosed it as a pump failure, so this costed me the effort to drop the tank and replace a perfectly good fuel pump unit. 
79000 mi Fuel gauge sender replaced. 
90700 mi

US $382
Fuel level sender replaced by local shop. Check engine light active so truck would not pass inspection without the repair. 
125200 mi

US $200
Front Drivers side door actuator. Clicking remote or door unlock/lock button did not work. Door lock still worked with manual key. 
84000 mi

US $1100
Fuel sending unit failed 

Return to top

2004 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

180-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD

77100 mi

US $400
A/C compressor failed 

Return to top

2003 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

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

153140 mi

C $200
Vehicle would not start - replaced starter 
151590 mi

C $100
The starter was replaced last year. Truck still does not start at times. New ground wire was installed. 

Return to top

2003 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

180-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD

112000 mi

US $120
AC hose failed - very common on xterras. Replaced a hose and recharged the system. 
133000 mi

US $133
starter started to fail - very slow cranking even with a fresh battery. Barely made it home so tow was not needed. 

Return to top

2003 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

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

156000 mi The speedometer reads very low, but the odometer seems correct. Doesnt' happen all the time, but sometimes we can be traveling 60MPH and the speedometer reads 26-29 MPH. When starting the car, we turn the key to the ignition and wait for the bell, before engaging the starter, it will sometimes return to correct reading. Wondering what's up. 
159000 mi All I did was tighten a few grounds, but I didn't find any corroded or loose. The speedometer seems to register perfectly now. I sure am a good mechanic.. no... great. 

Return to top

2002 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

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

212000 mi

US $7
Had to replace the Positive Battery Terminal. Too corroded 
212000 mi

US $384
Mystery short kept killing battery. Eventually vehicle wouldn't start. Shop changed starter, both problems are gone. 
212200 mi

US $60
CD is stuck in CD player Driver front speaker is blown out 
125000 mi

US $200
The clutch went out on the air conditioning compressor--replaced the clutch. 

Return to top

2002 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD

123000 mi starter, no charge 
95300 mi

US $130
Battery died 
98000 mi

US $852
Starter and negative battery cable 

Return to top

2002 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

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

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. 
90000 mi

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

Return to top

2001 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

170-horsepower 3.3L V6 5-speed manual RWD

137000 mi

US $250
A/C ceased working. Major leak in a high pressure line. Line was replaced and system recharged. 

Return to top

2001 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD

197000 mi

US $33
Recharged A/C refrigerant 
210000 mi

US $340
alternator problems blew 100amp fuse, and fuses in aftermarket stereo. Replaced fuse, and alternator 

Return to top

2001 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

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

303000 mi

US $10
AC clutch slipping, causing clutch to disengage and no longer cool the vehicle interior. Had to remove spacers from clutch assembly to reduce clutch disk to pulley air gap to be within specification. 
73000 mi had to replace driver's side window switch as the window would intermittently get stuck down. also had to replace foglamp assembly as bulb failed, severe condensation and deterioration. 

Return to top

2000 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

170-horsepower 3.3L V6 4-speed automatic RWD

69000 mi

US $100
Heater blower motor failed. Replaced. 
149700 mi

US $97
Brake light was staying on all the time. Rubber stoppers on the brake pedal wore off. Replaced the 2 rubber stoppers. 
156000 mi

US $420
Also the air conditioner was not cold. Replaced the fan clutch. Air is ice cold now. 
141000 mi

US $180
Air conditioner working intermittently. Sensor replaced. 

Return to top

2000 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

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

203200 mi

US $550
Bad alternator, original had over 200k miles. 

Return to top

See TrueDelta's information for all SUVs
See TrueDelta's information for all Nissan models.

Nissan Xterra Electrical Problems

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 Nissan Xterra problems occur, check out our car reliability stats.