Does the 2003 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2003 Nissan Xterra, the most recent reported on November 11, 2010 (Steering: column). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Xterra?

Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is steering (12 complaints), followed by air bags (10).

How many 2003 Nissan Xterra complaints mention a crash or fire?

16 of 72 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 10 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2003 Nissan Xterra recalls and problems

3 recalls and 72 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Nissan Xterra.

recalls

owner complaints

complaints mentioning a crash

mentioning a fire

Recalls apply to specific production ranges. To see whether a particular car still has an open recall, enter its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Repairs for safety recalls are free at authorised dealers.

2003 Nissan Xterra recalls

Steering: column

NHTSA campaign 10V554000 · reported November 11, 2010 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 500,552 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 frontier vehicles manufactured from july 9, 2001 through october 20, 2004, and model year 2002-2004, xterra vehicles manufactured from july 9, 2001, through january 6, 2005. 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. If the vehicle continues to be driven in this condition, it may lead to cracking of the shaft during low speed maneuvers that require large steering inputs.
The risk: The shaft may break which could result in loss of steering control during these low speed maneuvers increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: The steering column shaft and joint will be replaced with a shaft of a different design. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on december 13, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump

NHTSA campaign 04V230000 · reported May 24, 2004 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 586,196 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: In the following states, dealers will replace the fuel-sending unit. These states are connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, new hampshire, new jersey, new york, ohio, pennsylvania, rhode island, tennessee, vermont, virginia, west virginia, wisconsin, and the district of columbia. In the other states, the dealer will inspect the fuel pump terminal on the sending unit for corrosion. If corrosion is present, the dealer will replace the unit. If there is not corrosion, the dealer will apply sealant to the terminal housing to help prevent corrosion in the future. Owner notification began on june 28, 2004. Owners should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Suspension: rear

NHTSA campaign 02V299000 · reported November 12, 2002 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 143,000 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: 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.
The fix: Dealers will inspect the rear axle for water intrusion and any affected components will be replaced. The ABS sensor will be resealed to prevent water intrusion. Owner notification began december 10, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Most reported problems

Areas named in owner complaints to NHTSA. One complaint can name several areas.

Steering12
Air bags10
Fuel system, gasoline10
Service brakes, hydraulic9
Engine and engine cooling7
Structure7
Engine6
Fuel/propulsion system5
Visibility5
Electrical system4

What owners report

Recent complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. These are unverified accounts from owners, not findings.

Sep 26, 2022 · Air bags · crash reported
My son missed a sharp turn going approx 40 mph. Went up an embankment, off a 4 ft retaining wall and struck a guard rail with the front passenger side of the xterra. Airbags failed to deploy.

Aug 7, 2021 · 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…

Oct 10, 2020 · Engine · 200,000 miles
ENGINE OVERHEATING ALL COOLING PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED STILL OVERHEATING WITH NO KNOWN ISSUE FOUND VERY COMMON IN THE 2000 TO 2004 MODELS AND YET NO RECALLS TO FIX THE ISSUE AND KEEPS BLOWING RADIATOR HOSES

Jan 24, 2019 · Fuel/propulsion system · 180,000 miles
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH FUEL, IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL SENDING UNIT. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER WERE NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000.

Jan 31, 2018 · Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PREMATURE FAILURE OF COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR, WHICH IMPACTED THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC REPLACED THE RADIATOR AND FLUSHED THE TRANSMISSION. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT…

Xterra model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2000	3	214	25	4
2001	3	149	15	5
2002	5	157	21	7
2003	3	72	16	2
2004	2	84	10	3
2005	3	845	7	6
2006	3	780	12	3

Across all years, the 2005 Xterra has the most complaints (845). All Nissan Xterra years →

Questions

Does the 2003 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 3 recalls for the 2003 Nissan Xterra, the most recent reported on November 11, 2010 (Steering: column). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Xterra?: Owners have filed 72 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is steering (12 complaints), followed by air bags (10).
How many 2003 Nissan Xterra complaints mention a crash or fire?: 16 of 72 complaints report a crash and 2 a fire; 10 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

Source: NHTSA recall and complaint data, updated October 27, 2026. Latest complaint received September 26, 2022.