Does the 2011 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?

Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 Nissan Xterra, the most recent reported on February 10, 2023 (Air bags: frontal). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

What are the most common problems with the 2011 Nissan Xterra?

Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (9 complaints), followed by engine (5).

How many 2011 Nissan Xterra complaints mention a crash or fire?

0 of 24 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 injuries were reported in total. Complaints are unverified reports from owners.

2011 Nissan Xterra recalls and problems

2 recalls and 24 owner complaints on file with NHTSA for the 2011 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.

2011 Nissan Xterra recalls

Air bags: frontal

NHTSA campaign 23V067000 · reported February 10, 2023 · Nissan North America, Inc. · 404,690 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: 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.
The risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
The fix: Dealers will replace the drivers airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

Engine and engine cooling

NHTSA campaign 11V592000 · reported December 19, 2011 · NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC. · 14,718 vehicles potentially affected

The problem: Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011 infiniti fx, model year 2012 infiniti m, model year 2011-2012 nissan frontier, model year 2011-2012 nissan xterra, model year 2011-2012 nissan pathfinder, and model year 2012 nissan nv vehicles. Some of the bolts that connect the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine in these vehicles may have been manufactured to below specification strength. As a result, the bolt may break at the oil filter attachment point and can cause an engine oil leak.
The risk: If there is an engine oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.
The fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. The safety recall began on january 30, 2012. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Most reported problems

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

Air bags9
Engine5
Electrical system4
Tires2
Electronic stability control (ESC)1
Engine and engine cooling1
Fuel/propulsion system1
Power train1
Steering1
Structure1

What owners report

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

Sep 2, 2025 · Air bags
The airbag warning light started flashing. I took the car to Valley Nissan in Longmont, Colorado where I was told that they need to replace the AirBag Diagnosis Sensor and the RH side Airbag Module. Valley Nissan said that these parts were no longer being produced, so they could not complete this repair. The airbag…

Jul 30, 2025 · Electrical system
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…

Jul 30, 2024 · Engine and engine cooling · 140,000 miles
The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, an engine oil leak was present. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the oil connector bolt and O-ring seal needed to be replaced. The local…

Jun 17, 2024 · Engine
The vehicle was driving just fine, then about a month later the heat gauge started to fluctuate, i replaced the radiator caps, thermostat...it ran good for another month, started to overheat....i made sure water was in radiator and overflow...about a month went by the gauge started to fluctuate again, now there is…

Aug 27, 2023 · Structure
Hole in exhaust system due to weld failure in support clamp The problem is reoccurring every year over a 3 1/2 year period

Xterra model years compared

Year	Recalls	Complaints	Crashes	Fires
2008	6	119	9	3
2009	3	19	0	0
2010	4	38	4	0
2011	2	24	0	0
2012	2	16	0	0
2013	0	4	1	0
2014	0	10	0	0

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

Questions

Does the 2011 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?: Yes. NHTSA lists 2 recalls for the 2011 Nissan Xterra, the most recent reported on February 10, 2023 (Air bags: frontal). Check a specific car by its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Nissan Xterra?: Owners have filed 24 complaints with NHTSA. The most frequently reported area is air bags (9 complaints), followed by engine (5).
How many 2011 Nissan Xterra complaints mention a crash or fire?: 0 of 24 complaints report a crash and 0 a fire; 0 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 2, 2025.