Avoid: 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2002, 2001, 2000 (lowest Year Scores on complaints per year on the road, crash reports and recalls)
Best: 2015
16 model years of NHTSA owner complaints and recalls · How we grade
Across 15 model years, the Nissan Xterra has 3,138 owner-filed NHTSA complaints and 58 recalls on record. The most-reported areas are power train and fuel system. 2005 drew the most complaints (845), 2015 the fewest (10).
Source: NHTSA complaints and recalls filed for Nissan Xterra vehicles (US, public record). Typical used asking price $9,407–$14,399.
Complaint volume by model year. Raw NHTSA totals, not adjusted for sales volume or time on the road, so older and higher-selling years accumulate more. Every year links to its full breakdown.
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 10 |
| 2014 | 10 |
| 2012 | 16 |
| 2011 | 24 |
| 2010 | 38 |
| 2009 | 19 |
| 2008 | 119 |
| 2007 | 557 |
| 2006 | 780 |
| 2005 | 845 |
| 2004 | 84 |
| 2003 | 72 |
| 2002 | 172 |
| 2001 | 161 |
| 2000 | 231 |
Highest: 2005 (845 complaints). Lowest: 2015 (10).
Sentiment is strongly bifurcated by generation and specific model years.
Radiator internal failure mixes coolant and transmission fluid, leading to automatic transmission destruction.
Plastic guides wear out, causing chain slack, potential timing jump, and catastrophic engine interference failure. Typically occurs around 60k-80k miles (97k-129k km).
Rough shifts between 1st and 2nd gear, transmission failure, and general reliability concerns. Often linked to SMOD or age.
Specifically noted on older models from northern climates, where road grime accumulates.
Repeated starter replacements reported across multiple model years (2000, 2004, 2015), suggesting a common point of failure.
Owner insights cover all generations of the Xterra. Individual model years are broken down above.
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