Owners have filed 26 complaints
about the 2009 Nissan Xterra with NHTSA between 2009 and 2026.
The largest single group is the transmission & drivetrain.
Across this model's run it ranks 15 of 15 worst.
The letter says how bad. This says what kind — whether this year drew
an unusual number of complaints, unusually dangerous
ones, or failures that arrived unusually early.
The dashed ring is 50 — the national norm. Further out is worse.
Complaint volume — 5
Against the median year of the Nissan Xterra. 50 means typical for this
model; 100 means roughly double.
Severity — 0
0% of these complaints
involved a crash, fire, injury or death, against a national rate of
9.7%.
Early failure — 41
24% of failures with a mileage on record happened under
36,000 miles, against a national rate of
29%.
Complaints filed with NHTSA, by model year. Bar colour is the FaultScore grade:
A
B
C
D
F
ungraded
What breaks on a 2009 Nissan Xterra
Every complaint is filed against a part. Follow any row for the complaints about that part alone.
Airbags
623.1%
Median failure at 78,000 miles
Transmission & Drivetrain
623.1%
Median failure at 101,300 miles
Engine & Cooling
415.4%
Median failure at 103,000 miles
Electrical System
311.5%
Median failure at 8,247 miles
Body & Structure
27.7%
Median failure at 43,242 miles
Brakes
27.7%
Median failure at 54,501 miles
Stability & Traction Control
13.8%
Median failure at 104,000 miles
Acceleration & Cruise Control
13.8%
Suspension
13.8%
Median failure at 41,485 miles
When it fails
Odometer readings owners gave when they filed. About half of all
complaints include one.
Under 1,000 miles
29.5%
1,000 – 9,999 miles
29.5%
25,000 – 49,999 miles
419.0%
50,000 – 74,999 miles
29.5%
75,000 – 99,999 miles
314.3%
100,000 – 149,999 miles
733.3%
150,000+ miles
14.8%
NHTSA crash tests
The agency crash-tested this model year itself. These are its own
photographs and star ratings.
These stars come from the pre-2011 crash test programme. NHTSA
rebuilt the programme for the 2011 model year and states that
ratings either side of that change are not comparable — so do
not read these against a 2011-or-newer car's stars.
Frontal crash test
Side barrier crash test
Photographs taken by NHTSA during its own New Car Assessment Program crash
tests of this model year. Public domain.
Configuration
Overall
Front
Side
Rollover
2009 Nissan Xterra 4-DR w/SAB
—
—
—
25.6% risk
When owners complained
A spike years after the car went on sale usually means a part wearing
out on schedule across the whole fleet — the kind of pattern no single
owner can see from inside their own car.
Dec 2009peak 5Mar 2026
NHTSA investigations into the 2009 Nissan Xterra
An investigation is the step before a recall: the agency has seen enough
complaints to look into a pattern itself. An open one means it thinks
something may be wrong and nothing has been fixed yet.
DP12004Opened 11 Jun 2012Closed 22 Oct 2016POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION:CONTROL MODULE (TCM/PCM/TECM)
Transmission Failures
On February 29, 2012 the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) received a letter petitioning the agency to conduct a defect investigation into MY 2005-2010 Nissan Pathfinder, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles [the subject vehicles] for automatic transmission failures related to failed transmission coolers.NHTSA conducted a comprehensive review of data related to this subject. Our report, documenting this review, is available in the document file for this defect petition.It will also be published in the Federal Register. Of the 2,505 referenced complaints, 638 relate to a potential...
Recalls on the 2009 Nissan Xterra
A complaint is one owner's allegation. A recall is the point at which
the manufacturer or a regulator agreed the defect is real and dangerous
enough to fix for free — however old the car is.
United States — NHTSA
23V067000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
Risk: OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
10E043000
EQUIPMENT
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Risk: AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
10E019000
SUSPENSION:FRONT:CONTROL ARM:LOWER ARM
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.
Risk: IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
08V690000
AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.
Risk: THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY.
Canada — Transport Canada
Canada runs its own recall programme, and its campaigns do not
always mirror the American ones.
Recall 202305217,214 units in Canada
Airbag
Issue: On certain vehicles, the plastic emblem on the steering wheel airbag cover could detach and become a projectile when the airbag inflates in a crash. Safety Risk: Projectiles in the occupant compartment could increase the risk of an injury. Corrective Actions: Nissan will notify owners by mail and advise you to take your vehicle to a dealership to inspect and, if necessary, replace the steering wheel airbag cover.
Recall 201030132 units in Canada
Accessories
On certain Garmin nüvi 750 GPS units purchased as a customer or dealer installed accessory at Nissan dealerships, the lithium-ion batteries may contain a defect that may cause them to overheat and cause a fire. Correction: Dealers will direct customers who have an affected unit to the Garmin Web site, which explains how to verify if their units are involved and includes procedures to follow for product exchange.
Recall 200845427,695 units in Canada
Airbag
On certain vehicles operated in areas of heavy road salt usage, the front Crash Zone Sensor (CZS) may rust internally. This could result in the non-deployment of the driver and passenger front airbags during a vehicle crash, increasing the risk of personal injuries or death in certain crash conditions. Correction: Dealers will replace the Crash Zone Sensor.
In the owners' own words, exactly as filed with NHTSA.
Long Beach, CA
AIR BAGS
I took my car to complete Recall NumberPC945, I was told that my car has an issue with the driver side air Bag - Clockspring Assembly / Spiral Cable: REPLACE SPIRAL CABLE - C1163/B1049 and also another issue related to the driver side airbag that is under the steering wheel. I was quoted over $2000 to fix the issue. The recall is to replace the decal over the airbag and I think the issue is bigger than that, the issue is the airbag clock spring/ spiral cable that malfunctions and not only the plastic plate. A quick Google search will show you that this is a known issue that impacts thousands of Xterra owners. Nissan is fraudulently just replacing the plastic Nissan Emblem when the issue is way bigger than that and could cause bodily harm to the driver if the air bag doesn't deploy.
NHTSA complaint #11722570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
NHTSA complaint #11430763 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 260,000 milesYorktown, NY
POWER TRAIN
A FAULTY RADIATOR CAUSED MY TRANSMISSON AND COOLANT TO LEAK TOGETHER CAUSING DAMAGE TO THE TRANSMISSION. NOW MY TRANSMISSION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED
NHTSA complaint #11340619 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 98,600 milesPortland, ME
POWER TRAIN
I PURCHASED THIS 1 OWNER TRADE IN 4/11/19. AS OF 5/9/19 I STARTED TO EXPERIENCE PRONOUNCED ISSUES WITH LOSING POWER AROUND 40 MPH . DIAGNOSTICS CONFIRMED THAT IT WAS DUE TO A LEAK IN THE COOLING COIL WHICH RESULTED IN COOLANT IN MY TRANSMISSION FLUID WHICH DAMAGE THE TRANSMISSION. I HAVE FILED A CLAIM UNDER THE CLASS ACTION REQUIRED EXTENDED WARRANTY. AS I WAS UNAWARE OF THIS ISSUE AND DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WAS HAPPENING AND HONESTLY AFRAID TO FIND OUT SINCE I STILL OWE 5000 DOLLARS ON THE CAR I PUT OFF GETTING THE DIAGNOSTICS. THE FINAL STRAW CAME WHEN I WAS MERGING ONTO THE HIGHWAY AND LOST POWER TRYING TO MERGE INTO FAST TRAFFIC. I FINALLY CALLED A LOCAL REPAIR SHOP FOR DIAGNOSTICS ON 5/31/19 AND TOOK THE FIRST AVAILABLE APPOINTMENT ON 6/4/19. I WAS TOLD THERE MAY BE AN EXTENDED WARRANTY AND TO CALL THE DEALERSHIP. THE DEALERSHIP CONFIRMED THE DIAGNOSIS THE NEXT DAY 6/5/19 AND NISSAN IS REVIEWING MY CLAIM. I AM PRAYING THEY WON'T DENY IT BECAUSE THE DIAGNOSTICS WERE COMPLETED A COUPLE BUSINESS DAY AFTER THE EXTENSION EXPIRED ON 5/31/19.
NHTSA complaint #11219416 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 103,000 milesDenver, CO
ENGINE
I TOOK MY XTERRA IN BECAUSE IT CONSTANTLY BLEW HOT AIR. UPON INSPECTION I WAS INFORMED OF THE TSB ISSUED BY NISSAN THAT THE RADIATOR TUBES CAN CRACK AND MIX COOLANT WITH TRANSMISSION FLUID AND THAT I WAS LOW ON COOLANT BECAUSE OF THAT. THE TECH INFORMED ME THAT THE LEAK WAS MINIMAL BUT NEEDED TO BE REPLACES ASAP. THE RADIATOR WAS REPLACED AND LINES FLUSHED AND ALSO HAD TO TAKE MY CAR INTO A TRANS EXPERT TO FLUSH AND INSPECT THE TRANSMISSION
NHTSA complaint #11203345 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 3 milesMoca, PR
SERVICE BRAKES
ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS DURING THE LAST YEAR I'VE HAD ISSUES WITH THE BREAK SYSTEM OF MY NISSAN XTERRA. WHEN USING THE BREAKS THE ANTI LOCK BREAK SYSTEM (ABS) WONT WORK AND THE VEHICLE TAKES LONER TO STOP. I HAVE TO PRESS THE BREAKS ALL THE WAY TO GET THE VEHICLE TO STOP. ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS I HAVE TAKEN THE VEHICLE FOR REPAIRS BUT NO ONE CAN COME UP WITH A SOLUTION, INCLUDING AN AUTHORIZED NISSAN DEALER REPAIR SHOP.
NHTSA complaint #11171459 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesMililani, HI
POWER TRAIN
RADIATOR INTERNAL FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #11083706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesMililani, HI
ENGINE
RADIATOR INTERNAL FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #11083706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 104,000 milesMililani, HI
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)
RADIATOR INTERNAL FAILURE CAUSING ENGINE COOLANT AND TRANSMISSION FLUID TO MIX CAUSING TRANSMISSION TO FAIL.
NHTSA complaint #11083706 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Mesa, AZ
POWER TRAIN
PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE FOR MY WIFE, WHILE SHE WAS DRIVING DOWN THE FREEWAY IN RUSH-HOUR IN AUGUST IN PHOENIX, THE VEHICLE STARTED SMOKING AND LOST ALL POWER TO THE TRANSMISSION, I NOTICED THE TRANSMISSION COOLER HAD FAILED AND SPRAYED FLUID ALL OVER THE ENGINE,-THIS ALL HAPPENED WITH ZERO WARNING AND NO SERVICE INDICATOR LIGHTS WERE ACTIVATED. I TOWED THE VEHICLE TO MY HOUSE AND INSPECTED FURTHER, CALLED THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY SAID AT 120K I NO LONGER QUALIFY FOR A WARRANTY COVERED REPAIR EVEN THOUGH THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT IS VERY MUCH AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM. I'M NOW FACING A REPAIR BY MYSELF OR PAY A MECHANIC TO FIX AN OBVIOUS DESIGN FLAW.
NHTSA complaint #10896965 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesDeerfield, NY
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STOP LAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE AC FAILED AND THE BLOWER AMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
NHTSA complaint #10765122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,485 milesHuntington, WV
SUSPENSION
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL LOUD NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL DISENGAGED AND DAMAGED THE RING AND PINION; OVERHAUL REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,485.
NHTSA complaint #10765231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 41,485 milesHuntington, WV
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL LOUD NOISE WITHOUT WARNING. THE FAILURE RECURRED CONTINUOUSLY. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL DISENGAGED AND DAMAGED THE RING AND PINION; OVERHAUL REAR DIFFERENTIAL. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED HOWEVER, THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 41,485.
NHTSA complaint #10765231 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesDeerfield, NY
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STOP LAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE AC FAILED AND THE BLOWER AMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
NHTSA complaint #10765122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 109,000 milesDeerfield, NY
SERVICE BRAKES
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 15 MPH, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED AND THE BRAKE LIGHTS FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE STOP LAMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. IN ADDITION, THE AC FAILED AND THE BLOWER AMP NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 109,000.
NHTSA complaint #10765122 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 95,000 milesHaverstraw, NY
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHO DIAGNOSED THAT A SENSOR NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS AWARE OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 08V690000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 95,000.
NHTSA complaint #10716124 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 73,100 milesRavena, NY
AIR BAGS
AIR BAG SENSOR LIGHT STARTS BLINKING AFTER ENGINE STARTUP AND CONTINUES TO BLINK UNTIL ENGINE IS TURNED OFF. SENT EMAIL TO NISSAN IN DEC 2013 REGARDING THIS ISSUE AND THEY INDICATED "A REVIEW OF OUR SYSTEM INDICATES THAT THE ABOVE-REFERENCED VEHICLE IS NOT CURRENTLY INVOLVED IN ANY RECALLS OR SERVICE CAMPAIGNS." I FIND IT HARD TO BELIEVE THIS IS NOT A NISSAN ISSUE WHEN THERE HAVE BEEN AIR BAG SENSOR RECALLS IN 2005, 2006, 2007 ,2008 ,2009, AND 2010.
NHTSA complaint #10577708 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 78,000 milesGrand Rapids, MI
AIR BAGS
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE STARTED THE ENGINE AND THE AIR BAG LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE TECHNICIAN STATED THAT THE SIDE AIR BAG SATELLITE SENSOR HAD CORRODED AND NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 78,000.
NHTSA complaint #10512085 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 45,000 milesUtica, NY
STRUCTURE:BODY
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE NOTICED THAT THE REAR HATCH AND REAR BUMPER WERE COMPLETELY CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER. THE TECHNICIAN VERIFIED THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT THE REAR BUMPER AND HATCH DOOR NEEDED TO BE PULLED OFF IN ORDER TO BE SANDED AND RE-PAINTED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE BUT DID NOT OFFER ANY ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,000 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 51,000.
NHTSA complaint #10505773 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 60,000 milesSaint Joseph, MO
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
TIMING CHAIN GUIDES ARE WORN AND ARE NOW UNSTABLE AND CAN CAUSE THE TIMING CHAIN TO BREAK WHICH WILL RUIN ENGINE. NISSAN KNOWS ABOUT THIS PROBLEM AND HAS CHANGED TO A NEW PART IN 2010. IT IS RIDICULOUS THAT THEY ARE TRYING TO CHARGE ME 1500 DOLLARS TO REPLACE A PART THAT COST 2 DOLLARS WHEN THEY KNEW ABOUT IT WHEN I BROUGHT IT IN SO MANY TIMES TO DIAGNOSE!!!!! THERE ARE COUNTLESS TIMING CHAIN ISSUES WITH OTHER OWNERS THENEWX.ORG YOU WILL FIND TONS OF COMPLAINTS.
NHTSA complaint #10453861 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 27,500 milesLong Beach, CA
AIR BAGS:SIDE/WINDOW
AIR BAG DEPLOYMENT 23 JUNE 2011 LOCATION: PLEASANT VALLEY TRAIL, PANAMINT MOUNTAINS, DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK, CA TIME: APPROXIMATELY 6 PM I WAS DRIVING ON A POPULAR 4X4 TRAIL ON THE WESTERN EDGE OF DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK ON THE EVENING OF 23 JUNE 2011. I WAS ALONE AND CRAWLING DOWN A STEEP DECLINE IN 4 WHEEL DRIVE, LOW RANGE, IN 1ST GEAR. I MADE A TRANSITION FROM ONE SET OF DEEP RUTS TO ANOTHER. THE CAR ROCKED FROM THE DRIVER'S SIDE TO THE PASSENGER SIDE AND BACK. THE MOTION WAS ABRUPT, BUT NOT VIOLENT IN ANY WAY, AND THE SAME MOTION THAT ANY OTHER VEHICLE THAT TRAVELS ON THIS POPULAR TRAIL WOULD FACE. ON COMPLETION OF THE ROCKING MOTION THE SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED. AT THE TIME OF DEPLOYMENT MY FACE WAS AGAINST THE WINDOW CHECKING MY SIDE CLEARANCE ON THE ROAD. MY ELBOW WAS RESTING ON THE WINDOW SILL, AND I WAS STEERING WITH ONE HAND AT THE 9 O'CLOCK POSITION AND THE OTHER AT THE 5 O'CLOCK POSITION. ON DEPLOYMENT MY FACE WAS STRUCK ON THE LEFT FRONT AND SIDE, LEAVING ME WITH FACIAL PAIN, BRUISING, A BLOODY NOSE, AND RINGING EARS. THE ARM RESTING ON THE WINDOW SILL WAS FORCED DOWN AND FORWARD, LEVERING MY SHOULDER UP AND FORWARD. I WAS DAZED AND DISORIENTED FOR A FEW MINUTES. THE SEATBELT PRE-TENSIONER FIRED, PULLING THE BELT TIGHT ENOUGH AROUND MY PELVIS TO LEAVE BRUISES AND PAIN. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THE INCIDENT OCCURRED WHILE I WAS IN FIRST GEAR, LOW RANGE. THE VEHICLE STOPPED WHEN I PULLED MY FOOT FROM THE ACCELERATOR, IF I HAD BEEN IN 4 WHEEL HIGH RANGE THE VEHICLE WOULD HAVE LIKELY CONTINUED DOWNHILL AND GONE OVER THE EMBANKMENT AND DOWN A 400' 60 DEGREE SLOPE. THIS IS A SIGNIFICANT PRODUCT DESIGN ERROR AND COULD HAVE RESULTED IN FAR GREATER INJURIES OR DEATH. THE MOTION THAT SET OFF THE DEPLOYMENT WAS ONE THAT I HAVE HAD ON HUNDREDS OF OCCASIONS WITH OTHER VEHICLES IN MY MORE THAN 30 YEARS OF OFF ROAD DRIVING EXPERIENCE. IT OCCURRED ON A POPULAR TRAIL USED BY THOUSANDS OF VEHICLES EACH YEAR.
NHTSA complaint #10409192 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 500 milesWalnut Creek, CA
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:HORN
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2009 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 35 MPH, THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE HORN BUT HAD TO APPLY EXTREME FORCE FOR IT TO SOUND. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHERE THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE FAILURE WAS DUE TO THE AIR BAG IN THE STEERING WHEEL. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED WHEN THE CONTACT ATTEMPTED TO ENGAGE THE HORN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 500 AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 26,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA complaint #10358512 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
at 4,950 milesBaltimore, MD
POWER TRAIN:MANUAL TRANSMISSION
PREMATURE CLUTCH FAILURE IN 2ND GENERATION NISSAN XTERRA. CLUTCH BURNT OUT AT UNDER 5000 MILES WITHOUT WARNING WHILE DRIVING IN SNOW IN 4WD LO. I HAVE 20 YEARS MANUAL DRIVING EXPERIENCE, AND HAVE NEVER BURNED OUT A CLUTCH. DEALERSHIP REFUSED TO PAY FOR IT BECAUSE IT IS A WEAR ITEM. MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD SAME PROBLEM - SOME WITH TRANSMISSION DISENGAGING WITHOUT ANY NOTICE WHICH COULD BE VERY DANGEROUS ON A HIGHWAY. MANY HAVE DESCRIBED CLUTCH AS "EXPLODED" OR "TOTALLY SHREDDED" WHEN TAKEN APART. WE BELIEVE THIS IS BECAUSE NISSAN DUMPED THE 350 Z CLUTCH, WHICH IS MADE FOR A LIGHTWEIGHT SPORTS CAR, INTO A HEAVY AND POWERFUL 4WD. THIS CLUTCH IS UNDERPOWERED FOR THE 265 HP XTERRA. NISSAN REFUSES TO ACKNOWLEDGE THIS PROBLEM, YET IT CONTINUES TO HAPPEN. MORE INFO AND DETAILS OF THE FREQUENCY OF THIS FAILURE CAN BE FOUND AT EDMUNDS.COM UNDER THE NISSAN XTERRA CLUTCH PROBLEM POST. NISSAN HAS BEEN TOTALLY INCONSISTENT IN ITS PARTIAL, COMPLETE, OR LACK OF REIMBURSED FOR THIS PROBLEM.
NHTSA complaint #10324759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
