Is the 2002 Nissan Xterra a bad year?
157 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Xterra years.
Keep it
Engine and transmission complaints for the 2002 Nissan Xterra are in line with other Xterra years.
The verdict moves with mileage: the same car reads differently at 30,000 and at 150,000 miles.
What 2002 Xterra owners report, by mileage
Each system owners named in five or more complaints, with the mileage range where the middle half of those complaints were filed. Read at 52,000 miles.
| SYSTEM | COMPLAINTS | MIDDLE HALF FILED AT | TYPICAL US REPAIR BILLS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brakes | 28 (18%) | 18k–120k miles · around this mileage | Brake pad replacement (one axle) $115–$390 · Brake pads and rotors replacement (one axle) $200–$1,084 |
| Electrical system | 13 (8%) | 26k–82k miles · around this mileage | 12-volt battery replacement $100–$400 · Starter motor replacement $350–$1,200 |
| Visibility and wipers | 8 (5%) | 32k–68k miles · around this mileage | — |
| Engine | 26 (17%) | 71k–134k miles · ahead | Valve cover gasket replacement $110–$500 · Timing chain replacement $1,000–$4,000 |
| Steering | 22 (14%) | 62k–121k miles · ahead | Steering rack and pinion replacement $700–$2,100 |
| Fuel system | 13 (8%) | 53k–136k miles · ahead | Fuel pump replacement $220–$1,500 · Fuel injector replacement (one injector) $300–$1,200 |
| Air bags | 19 (12%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Suspension | 13 (8%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Speed control | 11 (7%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Tires | 8 (5%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Equipment | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Transmission and drivetrain | 6 (4%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Body structure | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
| Exhaust | 5 (3%) | too few with a mileage | — |
Bills are typical US ranges from the sources named in the tool (J.D. Power, Kelley Blue Book, CarParts.com and others), printed only for systems that stand out or sit at or ahead of 52,000 miles. Not a quote.
What owners reported alongside their complaints
Of 157 complaints: 21 mention a crash · 7 mention a fire · 13 report an injury · 5 say the car was towed.
No complaints in the last 12 months; the newest was filed in Jul 2025.
Counts of what owners wrote in their complaints, not verified by anyone.
Recalls for the 2002 Nissan Xterra: 6
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. The shaft may break which could result in loss of steering control during these low speed maneuvers increasing the risk of a crash.
Certain pro-a motors corner lamps, turn signals, and headlights sold as replacement lamps for use on certain passenger vehicles listed above. Without the amber reflectors, the vehicle will be poorly illuminated, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash without warning.
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. 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.
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. The driver side air bag will not deploy in the event of a crash, increasing the risk of personal injury.
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. 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.
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… This will cause the engine control system to go into the failsafe mode.
A recall may cover only some cars of a model year; the campaign size counts every model and year it lists. Enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls: dealers fix open recalls free.
Service bulletins from Nissan: 25
Repair instructions Nissan sent its dealers for symptoms seen in the shop on the 2002 Nissan Xterra. Ask a dealer or mechanic for a bulletin by its number.
Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
Identify: A leaking strut or a shock absorber that qualifies for replacement under warranty
Vent control valve replacement
Tire pressure monitoring system (TPMS) warning light on/flashing
NHTSA defect investigations: 3
Brake rotor warpage
Driver's air bag system failure
Driver's air bag system malfunction
Neighbouring years
2001 Xterra: 149 complaints, keep it · 2003 Xterra: 72 complaints, keep it.
Every Nissan Xterra year
2000 · 2001 · 2002 · 2003 · 2004 · 2005 · 2006 · 2007 · 2008 · 2009 · 2010 · 2011 · 2012 · 2013 · 2014 · 2015 · All Xterra years side by side
Other Nissan models: Nissan 350Z · Nissan 370Z · Nissan Altima · Nissan Armada · Nissan Cube · Nissan Frontier · Nissan Juke · Nissan Kicks · Nissan Leaf · Nissan Maxima · Nissan Murano · Nissan Pathfinder · Nissan Quest · Nissan Rogue · Nissan Rogue Sport · Nissan Sentra · Nissan Titan · Nissan Titan XD · Nissan Versa · Nissan Versa Note. All makes and models.
Questions
Is the 2002 Nissan Xterra a bad year?
157 owner complaints to NHTSA. Engine and transmission complaints are in line with other Xterra years. At 52,000 miles the tool says: Keep it.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Xterra?
By owner complaints to NHTSA: brakes (28), electrical system (13), visibility and wipers (8), engine (26), steering (22).
How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Xterra have?
6 recall campaigns list this model year: Steering (NHTSA 10V-554), Exterior lighting (NHTSA 06E026000), Fuel system (NHTSA 04V-230), Air bags (NHTSA 03V-061) and more. A recall may cover only some cars; check by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Method: counts of unverified owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared only with other years of the same model (sales volumes are unknown, so no failure rate is computed). A system stands out at 40+ complaints and at least twice the model's quiet (lower-quartile) year, or twice the share across every vehicle of that model year. The mileage range is the 25th to 75th percentile of the mileages owners reported. Data received by NHTSA through November 5, 2026. Repair prices are typical US ranges from named sources, not quotes. Not a diagnosis and not financial advice. PulsCar is not affiliated with NHTSA. Check this car at your own mileage.