FaultScore

Nissan Xterra electrical problems

209 of the 4,194 complaints filed about the Nissan Xterra are about the electrical system — 5% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.

209

Complaints

5%

Share of all complaints

5

Crashes

22

Fires

Electrical System complaints by model year

2000 Xterra 26 12.4%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

2001 Xterra 20 9.6%

Median failure at 67,188 miles

2002 Xterra 13 6.2%

Median failure at 44,180 miles

2003 Xterra 5 2.4%

Median failure at 7,100 miles

2004 Xterra 11 5.3%

Median failure at 69,500 miles

2005 Xterra 39 18.7%

Median failure at 82,650 miles

2006 Xterra 41 19.6%

Median failure at 66,812 miles

2007 Xterra 28 13.4%

Median failure at 79,500 miles

2008 Xterra 11 5.3%

Median failure at 73,700 miles

2009 Xterra 3 1.4%

Median failure at 8,247 miles

2010 Xterra 8 3.8%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

2011 Xterra 4 1.9%

Median failure at 42,000 miles

What owners said

2005 Nissan Xterra at 130,000 miles Eustis, FL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while driving at various speeds, the vehicle stalled inadvertently on several occasions. The contact was able to pull over to the side of the road on several occasions. There was no warning light illuminated. The vehicle was restarted, and the contact continued driving. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where it was diagnosed and determined that the Intelligent Power Distribution Module (IPDM) needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V517000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The dealer and the manufacturer were not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 130,000.

NHTSA complaint #11720443 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Nissan Xterra Parker, CO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:SPEEDOMETER/ODOMETER

Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle's mileage was approximately 129,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 188,000 in 2022.

NHTSA complaint #11677288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Nissan Xterra Antonito, CO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My car keeps stalling out like it's not getting gas.

NHTSA complaint #11614949 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Nissan Xterra Antonito, CO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

My car dies out while driving. I've replaced so many parts already and it keeps leaving me stranded.

NHTSA complaint #11614688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Nissan Xterra Broadview, IL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

There is usual rust on body of truck. There is some kind of electrical problem rather it’s the security system or wiring. There’s a clicking sound coming from dash area. There is a suspension problem, has to change leaf springs, struts and shocks often.

NHTSA complaint #11562845 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Nissan Xterra Middleburg, FL Crash 3 injured

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Car just shut off in traffic loosing all power and braking causing me to crash into the back of a stopped car at a red-light. After inspection from a mechanic shop, they informed me that something in the computer had fried causing the car to shut off, and it had also caused the transmission control unit module to go bad making the car not drive able.

NHTSA complaint #11519825 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Nissan Xterra at 159,000 miles Franklin, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:INSTRUMENT PANEL:FUEL GAUGE

The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated while driving 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled with the fuel level warning light illuminated. The fuel gauge failed to operate as needed. The vehicle was towed to a parking lot. The vehicle was not taken to a dealer nor independent mechanic. The manufacturer was not informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 159,000.

NHTSA complaint #11457690 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Nissan Xterra Long Beach,, CA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The engine service soon have been on for quite some time now. I tried to take it to several Smog places to get it smogged , and the mechanic have told me that the Smog scanner cannot read the computer of my car.

NHTSA complaint #11454910 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Nissan Xterra at 200,000 miles La Porte, TX Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

The contact owns a 2005 Nissan Xterra. The contact that while stopped at a traffic light the vehicle stalled. The contact was immediately able to restart the vehicle however, the vehicle kept stalling. The contact restarted the vehicle however while entering a parking garage the vehicle stalled again. After several attempts the vehicle restarted. The contact emphasized that the failure was most evident while stopped or driving at slower speeds. On one occasion the vehicle stalled and failed to restart. The contact connected a DTC scanner and retrieved a fault code regarding the fuel gauge sensor that was contacted to the submersible fuel pump. The contact stated that after removing the fuel tank from the vehicle and while changing the internal fuel tank submersible fuel pump, he became aware that the positive wire of the wiring harness on top of the fuel pump and the fuel pump housing above were both charred. The contact was concerned that excessive heating and sparking had caused the failure. The contact purchased a new fuel pump to replace the defective one. The vehicle was in the process of being repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 200,000.

NHTSA complaint #11441040 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Nissan Xterra Centennial, CO

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THIS IS A COMPLIANT FOR THE WELL KNOWN RADIATOR ISSUE. OURS RUPTURED AND RUINED THE TRANSMISSION COSTING US ABOUT $6K IN REPAIRS.

NHTSA complaint #11436618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2008 Nissan Xterra Corning, OH Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

Total transmission and radiator failure. a dealership "fixed" the coolant contamination problem when nissan offered the warrantied coverage for what's known as SMOD. all the dealership did was flush the transmission and radiator. they did not repair or replace any components even after being berated by my husband to do so and to do it under the covered warranty.($5k for tranny replacement that we couldn't afford) they claimed the flush had fixed the xterra. less than 3,000 miles later I was driving on the highway with my 2 children in the car and the vehicle just shut off. no warning lights or behaviors just shut off at 70+mph on the highway. while sitting broke down [pulled off highway edge as far as I could after vehicle died and before it coasted to a complete stop] we were then rear-ended and my 2 kids spent 2 days being monitored in a children's hospital. 1 of which had a concussion. although the xterra only needed a new rear hatch and bumper and etc insurance didn't consider it totalled so it was cosmetically repaired. after reaching out to nissan about the incident they refused to even offer us any sort of discounted repair costs on tranny replacement[car was still under extended coverage warranty] nor would they offer any kind of anything regarding a discount on a replacement vehicle. so here we were still paying on a car loan for a car that was still under warranty, but could not be drove. or even starred for that matter. it ended up wrecking us financially. the car never showed any signs of any mechanical problems prior to dealer flushing trans. the car didn't show any signs of anything afterwards until that day on the highway. the problem ended up being metal pieces from coolant contamination shorted out something in transmission and I guess shorted so strong that it blew the trans fuse and blew fuse links on positive terminal which caused car to just shut off. nissan needs to take responsibility for their bullcrap.

NHTSA complaint #11426321 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Nissan Xterra Birmingham, AL

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN I TURN THE KEY IN THE ON POSITION ALL LIGHTS COME ON AND THE MOTOR DOES TURN OVER. I TOOK IT TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE STARTER AND A WEEK LATER IT DOES THE SAME SO I RAN A DIAGNOSTIC TEST AND P0181 CODE AND 3RD COIL PACK MISFIRE COMES ON. WHEN I CONTACT NISSAN MECHANIC HE SAID THERE WAS A RECALL ON THE IPDM AND THATS WHY I'M CONTACTING YOU ALL

NHTSA complaint #11407603 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Nissan Xterra at 200,000 miles Redmond, OR

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

THE GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK

NHTSA complaint #11387352 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Nissan Xterra at 170,000 miles Chocowinity, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

RADIATOR FAILED, COOLANT MIXED/LEAKED INTO THE TRANSMISSION FLUID AND CAUSED THE TRANSMISSION TO FAIL. GAS GAUGE QUIT WORKING PROPERLY

NHTSA complaint #11374496 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Nissan Xterra Oakton, VA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK AND ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN

NHTSA complaint #11353433 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Nissan Xterra at 160,000 miles Santa Monica, CA Crash

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

IMMEDIATELY AFTER I EXITED MY BUILDING GARAGE AND MADE RIGHT TURN ON CITY STREET ON A CLEAR SUMMER DAY AFTERNOON THE ENGINE SOUND BEGAN ROARING AND VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATING. I TRIED TO CONTROL THE VEHICLE FORCIBLY HITTING ON THE BRAKES, SHIFTING GEARS TO NEUTRAL, TURNING OFF THE ENGINE BUT THE VEHICLE KEPT ON GOING AND RAN-AWAY UNCONTROLLABLY TILL I MADE TWO LEFT TURNS AND ENDED UP ON A SIDE WALK WITH THE REAR TIRE BLOWN OUT AND THE CAR STOPPED AFTER COLLIDING WITH SOME PUBLIC UTILITY BOX. THE VEHICLE HAS INCOMPLETE RECALL #R0402 AND NHSTA RECALL #04V-230 REGARDING THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THERE WAS A LOCAL POLICE REPORT #200057082. SUSPECTED CAUSES COULD BE FLAWS IN THE VEHICLE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL SYSTEM THAT PRODUCED FAULTY SIGNAL OF FULLY DEPRESSED ACCELERATOR PEDAL.

NHTSA complaint #11349705 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2004 Nissan Xterra at 220,715 miles Charlotte, NC

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

WHEN DRIVING MY XTERRA, IT LOSES POWER AND CUTS OUT ON ME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CUTS COMPLETELY OFF WHEN I'M ACCELERATING. THERE IS A DECLARATION AND THEN THE VEHICLE WON'T CRANK OR START LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME OVER YEARS THAT THE XTERRA HAS CUT OFF ON ME. ALL DASHBOARD SYSTEMS STOP COMPLETELY WHEN IT HAPPENS. I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS.

NHTSA complaint #11343229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Nissan Xterra at 160,000 miles Hays, KS

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

A LA SEMANA DE MARZO 30 DEL 2019 QUE SAQUE ESTA CAMIONETA DEL DEALER HAPPY'S AUTO, LLC EN HAYS, KS 67601. ESTE PRESENTO UN CALENTAMIENTO DEL MOTOR, TUBE QUE PAGAR PARA QUE LE CAMBIARAN EN TERMOSTATO, PERO SIGUIO EL PROBLEMA SIEMPRE HASTA QUE ME DIJERON LOS DEL MISMO DEALER QUE EL MOTOR YA NO SERVIA. DI 2200 DOLLARS DE PAGO, DIJERON QUE TENIA YO QUE PAGAR OTRO MOTOR MAS EL COSTO 11,072 DOLLARS DE LA CAMIONETA. ES UN ROBO, ME ENTREGARON LA CAMIONETA CON EL ESTEREO MAL, LA REFACCION NO ME LA PUSIERON ABAJO EN SU LUGAR, LO CUAL CAUSO QUE SE ME QUEBRARA UN PLASTICO DE LA CAJUELA TRADERS. AL FINAL LES DIJE QUE NO QUERIA MAS LA CAMIONETA Y ME DIJERON QUE ESTABA BIEN PERO NO ME DEVOLVERIAN MI DINERO, NUNCA ME ENSEARON EL HISTORIAL MECANICO DE LA CAMIONETA. LA CAMIONETA YA TENIA MAS DE 150000 MILLAS. AHORA AUTO CHOICES,LLC ME ESTA COBRANDO POR UNA CAMIONETA QUE NO TENGO PORQUE ELLOS SE LA QUEDARON, QUE ME FALLO SIEMPRE Y CON UN INTERES DEL 20% ANUAL. NECECITO AYUDA POR FAVOR.

NHTSA complaint #11290762 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2010 Nissan Xterra at 73,000 miles Bethel, CT

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

DRIVER'S DOOR LOCK EITHER STAYS LOCKED AND YOU ARE UNABLE TO EXIT THE VEHICLE, OR, THE LOCK DOES NOT LATCH SO THE DOOR SWINGS OPEN. THIS HAPPED BOTH WHILE PARKED AND WHILE DRIVING.

NHTSA complaint #11289570 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Nissan Xterra at 126,000 miles Peachtree City, GA Fire

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

ON 6/12/2018 PULLED INTO MY GARAGE AT HOME AND ON TURNING ENGINE OFF SAW ELECTRICAL SPARK UNDER HOOD AND SUV WENT UP IN FLAMES. FIRE DEPARTMENT REPORT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA complaint #11280774 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Nissan Xterra problems