Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/12/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Steering (11.5% of complaints) — is covered by 1 NHTSA recall campaign.
Steering complaints here are 1.9× the median for that category across the 1655 model-years tracked on this site.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steering | 18 · 11.5% | Recalled | Recall 10V554000 |
| Air Bags | 12 · 7.6% | Recalled | Recall 03V061000 |
| Vehicle Speed Control | 10 · 6.4% | Recalled | Recall 02V298000 |
| Service Brakes | 8 · 5.1% | not available | — |
| Engine | 8 · 5.1% | not available | — |
| Engine And Engine Cooling:engine:gasoline | 7 · 4.5% | not available | — |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 157 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 10V554000 · 2010 · reported 11/11/2010
THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 06E026000 · 2006 · reported 03/23/2006
WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 04V230000 · 2004 · reported 05/24/2004
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 03V061000 · 2003 · reported 02/27/2003
THE DRIVER SIDE AIR BAG WILL NOT DEPLOY IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 02V299000 · 2002 · reported 11/12/2002
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. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 02V298000 · 2002 · reported 11/12/2002
THIS WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM TO GO INTO THE FAILSAFE MODE. UNDER THIS CONDITION, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND ENGINE SPEED WILL NOT EXCEED 2400 RPM REGARDLESS OF THE THROTTLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT AFTER HAVING RECALL REPAIRS PERFORMED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V554000 (STEERING:COLUMN), THE VEHICLE…”NHTSA complaint 10407608 — filed 06/20/2011 · STEERING
“NISSAN IS SAYING I HAVE TO GET RECALL WORK DONE AT DEALER. JUNEAU, ALASKA DOES NOT HAVE A NISSAN DEALER AND THERE ARE NO ROADS…”NHTSA complaint 10399612 — filed 05/09/2011 · STEERING
“THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT SHE RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE IN REGARDS TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER (10V554000-STEERING:COLUMN). AFTER…”NHTSA complaint 10377086 — filed 01/18/2011 · STEERING
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Steering issues are the most-reported category, cited in 18 of 157 NHTSA complaints (11.5%), followed by air bags (12), unspecified/other issues (11), vehicle speed control (10). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
157 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/12/2026. Of those, 21 involved a crash, 7 involved a fire, and 28 reported injuries. 17 deaths were reported.
Yes — 6 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 10V554000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Recall or investigation data is partly unavailable for this vehicle right now — check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls for the authoritative answer.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
