FaultScore

Nissan Xterra fuel system problems

1,106 of the 4,194 complaints filed about the Nissan Xterra are about the fuel system — 26% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2006.

1,106

Complaints

26%

Share of all complaints

5

Crashes

8

Fires

Fuel & Propulsion complaints by model year

2000 Xterra 67 6.1%

Median failure at 68,220 miles

2001 Xterra 33 3.0%

Median failure at 80,000 miles

2002 Xterra 13 1.2%

Median failure at 99,000 miles

2003 Xterra 16 1.4%

Median failure at 93,000 miles

2004 Xterra 12 1.1%

Median failure at 135,500 miles

2005 Xterra 325 29.4%

Median failure at 63,000 miles

2006 Xterra 377 34.1%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2007 Xterra 236 21.3%

Median failure at 60,000 miles

2008 Xterra 19 1.7%

Median failure at 65,000 miles

2010 Xterra 5 0.5%

Median failure at 38,250 miles

2011 Xterra 1 0.1%
2012 Xterra 1 0.1%
2013 Xterra 1 0.1%

Median failure at 19,150 miles

What owners said

2000 Nissan Xterra Antonito, CO

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Unknown

NHTSA complaint #11615875 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Nissan Xterra Antonito, CO

FUEL/PROPULSION 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

FUEL/PROPULSION 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.

2012 Nissan Xterra Charlottesville, VA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Extreme smell of gas after filling gas tank while out of town. Odor was so strong it required all windows to be down to drive without feeling affected by fumes and I was terrified that someone would fluck a cigarette out of a car somewhere, especially at a stop light, and cause an explosion. Once the gas tank was only half full or less, the odor diminished. Dealership found that this issue had been reported on other vehicles but did not qualify as a recall. Dealership found faulty gasket INSIDE gas tank and required the entire tank be replaced at a cost to me of more than $2000. I can get receipts from Charlottesville Nissan Dealership.

NHTSA complaint #11567759 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2011 Nissan Xterra Cheltenham, PA

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Hole in exhaust system due to weld failure in support clamp The problem is reoccurring every year over a 3 1/2 year period

NHTSA complaint #11541014 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Nissan Xterra Middleburg, FL Crash 3 injured

FUEL/PROPULSION 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 Greendale, WI

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Check engine light is on and fuel gauge does not work Can go from full to empty Stays on empty even though I know there is gasoline in tank Has caused us to run out of gas middle of nowhere

NHTSA complaint #11481923 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2001 Nissan Xterra Eugene, OR

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

The vehicle disabled and the steering wheel locked on the highway once the speed hit 70mph. The wheel bearings are always rattling and if I go through a pothole the steering and tire feel really loose. The brake system doesn't feel right and has made a loud metal grind sound. The exhaust and or gasoline smell is way potent and not normal either it is strong smelling all the time. Potential recalls with fuel system, gasoline delivery, fuel pump and suspension, REAR , gasoline storage , tank assembly, filler pipe and cap. All are potential recalls also the exterior lighting

NHTSA complaint #11468769 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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

FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

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.

2003 Nissan Xterra Sloatsburg, NY

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Fuel pump power steering abs O2 sensors yes it's available for inspection upon requests car shut off while driving at 70 miles an hour on a highway due to fuel pump because my VIN number is not with all the other 2003 Nissan xterra's that have recalls on all of the same problems I have just for some reason my car has zero recalls which is ridiculous and not believable so yes my life was put at risk I took it to an independent service my mechanic because I can't take it to a dealer because all the parts that are broken and that need replacement that have been recalled on every other 2003 does not apply to my VIN so I've had to pay for labor and parts and the headache that I could have had this all replaced and fixed due to the recall and I would have taken it to the dealership immediately after purchasing the car in 2019 and since the previous owner didn't have any recalls why would he bother either I will not pass inspection if they do not fix this evap O2 sensor and now my fuel pump I would like to be reimbursed on that was purchased through Nissan dealership the gauge is no longer working just put in brand new part so I would like someone from the dealerships take a look at my car and replace everything that's wrong with it with every other 2003 Nissan Xterra regardless of my VIN number and I have check engine light on forever for evac leak replace catalytic converters exhaust system O2 sensors power steering fuel pump ABS sensors I would just like to take the best care of this vehicle that I can and that would be done through the dealership replacing all of the recalled parts on this make model of the Xterra 2003 3.3 l V6 non supercharged. The vehicle stalled while driving due to the fuel pump check engine light's been on for EVAP code for the fuel tank cap gas cap small leak and O2 sensors which I've been replaced but codes are still there no code has popped up pertaining to fuel pump car died at 70 miles an hour on a Thruway at midnight not fun.7Codes remaining

NHTSA complaint #11428152 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Nissan Xterra Arlington, TX

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

Aprox. three years ago, I reported a problem with the fuel gauge not giving true readings. After taking the car to be tested, I was advised that the sending unit was faulty, and the mechanic believed that there was a recall on the matter (he had heard of many people having the same problem). After doing online research, I came across hundreds, if not thousands of Xterra owners reporting the same problem. I called Nissan, and I was advised that there were no recalls on this matter. That does not make sense, for it seems obvious, based on my research, that this--among other common problems (such as the Airbag light coming on)--are very prevalent, and seem to be due to a manufacturing/design problem.

NHTSA complaint #11418553 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Nissan Xterra Birmingham, AL

FUEL/PROPULSION 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.

2001 Nissan Xterra at 217,000 miles Strawberry Plains, TN

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE XTERRA STARTED MISSING AND HESITATING (ENGINE) EVENTUALLY DYING AND NOT RESTARTING. THE MISSING AND HESITATION OCCURRED WHILE UNDERWAY ON A BUSY 4 LANE DIVIDED HIGHWAY, BUT THANKFULLY MADE IT HOME BEFORE DYING AND NOT RESTARTING. MISSING AND HESITATION OCCURRED WHILE TRAVELING STRAIGHT ON AND WHILE STOPPED AT RED LIGHTS.

NHTSA complaint #11405499 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Nissan Xterra at 90,000 miles Sarasota, FL

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2007 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE FUEL GAUGE FAILED TO OPERATE PROPERLY WITH THE CHECK ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT REFILLED THE FUEL TANK HOWEVER, THE FUEL GAUGE SHOWED EMPTY. THE CONTACT REFERENCED NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V075000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE) HOWEVER, THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED BY A DEALER OR INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT RECALLS WERE VIN SPECIFIC AND THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA complaint #11404194 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Nissan Xterra at 129,000 miles Sheridan, AR

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

YES IN THE 2005 NISSAN XTERRAS THERE IS NO FLOATING ARM DEVICE WITHIN THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. WHICH IS WHAT IS CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO HAVE THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE FRONT DASH PANEL TO READ INCORRECTLY TO THE ELECTRONIC SCREEN. IT ALSO DOESN'T REPORT YOUR DTE ON THE DASH PANEL BECAUSE THE FUEL SENDING UNIT HAS BEEN CORRODED, OR WAS MADE OF PLASTIC, AND HAS BEEN COMPLETELY DAMAGED. SO NOW WHEN THE VEHICLE SITS WHILE STARTED FOR A LONG PERIOD OF TIME THE FUEL GAUGE WILL GO TO EMPTY BUT REMAIN RUNNING, OR YOU COULD FILL YOUR VEHICLE UP ALL THE WAY WITH GAS, AND THEN WHEN YOU START THE XTERRA, THE VEHICLE WILL THEN SHOW EMPTY STILL UNTIL IT WAS AT 3 QUARTERS OF THE TANK, THEN IT WILL READ IT AT 3 QUARTERS OF A TANK UNTIL HALF A TANK. UNLESS THE VEHICLE SITS TO LONG WITHOUT MOVING, THEN VEHICLE WILL SHOW THE FUEL GAUGE ON THE FRONT DASH PANEL TO BE EMPTY. THIS IS UNSAFE BECAUSE IT WILL CAUSE NISSAN XTERRAS TO RUN OUT OF GAS ON THE ROAD WHICH COULD LEAD TO FRONT, SIDE, REAR, AND ROLLOVER CRASHES.

NHTSA complaint #11396894 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2007 Nissan Xterra Naples, FL

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

EXACT SAME ISSUE AS ON NHTSA CAMPAIGN # 10V075000 IS APPLICABLE TO MY 2007 NISSAN XTERRA AS WELL. NISSAN MUST RECALL THE PART ON 2007 XTERRAS AS WELL. THIS IS A WIDELY REPORTED ISSUE BY OTHER CUSTOMERS ON THE INTERNET AS WELL.

NHTSA complaint #11395208 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Nissan Xterra at 200,000 miles Redmond, OR

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

THE GAS GAUGE DOESN'T WORK

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

2000 Nissan Xterra at 241,496 miles Highland, CA Fire

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2000 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 65 MPH WHEN THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY SHUT OFF. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO COAST TO THE SIDE SHOULDER WHERE THEY GOT OUT THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM UNDERNEATH THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT OPENED THE HOOD OF THE VEHICLE AND POURED WATER ONTO THE VEHICLE TO PUT OUT THE FIRE HOWEVER THE FIRE INCREASED SLIGHTLY. THE CONTACT STATED BIGGER EFFORTS WERE MADE FROM HER AND ANOTHER DRIVER TO PUT OUT THE FIRE. A FIRE REPORT WAS NOT MADE. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED. THE CONTACT HAD NOT TAKEN THE VEHICLE TO A DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN OFFICIALLY DIAGNOSED THE CONTACT LEARNED THAT THEIR VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 04V230000 (FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE), HOWEVER, THE VEHICLE HAD NOT BEEN REPAIRED AS OF YET. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE. THE APPROXIMATE MILEAGE ON THE VEHICLE 241,496.

NHTSA complaint #11383398 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Nissan Xterra at 121,000 miles Parkville, MD

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

CAR CUTS OFF WHEN DRIVING AND WHILE CAR IS IDLED. FUELS STOPS REPEATEDLY WHEN REFUELING.

NHTSA complaint #11365644 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2005 Nissan Xterra Bend, OR

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

I HAVE THE SAME ISSUE AS DESCRIBED IN RECALL #10V075000. THIS AFFECTED 2006 NISSAN XTERRAS, MINE IS A 2005. THE FUEL GAUGE DROPS TO EMPTY WHEN THE TANK IS FILLED, AFTER DRIVING AWHILE IT STARTS TO CLIMB BACK UP TO READ NEAR FULL, THEN IT WILL APPEARS TO DECREASE AS NORMAL, BUT YOU NEVER KNOW HOW MUCH FUEL IS ACTUALLY IN THE TANK, SO YOU HAVE TO BASE IT ON MILES TRAVELED. THE PROBLEM IS YOU NEVER KNOW IF THE STATION ATTENDANT (I LIVE IN OR SO YOU CAN'T FILL YOUR OWN VEHICLE WITH GAS) HAS ACTUALLY FILLED THE TANK OR DID IT CLICK OFF EARLY AGAIN, WHICH IT FREQUENTLY DOES. SO YOU CAN RUN OUT OF GAS EASILY, BECAUSE YOU HAVE A FUEL GAUGE THAT DOESN'T FUNCTION CORRECTLY. THIS HAS BEEN GOING ON SINCE ABOUT 2011, BUT I'M TIRED OF DEALING WITH IT. DON'T KNOW THE ACTUAL DATE WHEN THIS PROBLEM STARTED, BUT IT HAS BEEN ONGOING.

NHTSA complaint #11355012 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Nissan Xterra problems