Nissan Xterra Problems — All Years, Common Issues & Reliability Report
Year-by-year breakdown of safety recalls, NHTSA owner complaints, reported injuries, and worst problem areas. Data sourced from federal safety databases and updated daily.
Own a Nissan Xterra? Check your specific VIN for a full history report.
Nissan Xterra — Year-by-Year Problem Comparison
| Year | Recalls | Complaints | Injuries | Worst Component | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 0 | 10 | 0 | POWER TRAIN | Full report → |
| 2014Best | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | Full report → |
| 2013 | 0 | 4 | 1 | SUSPENSION | Full report → |
| 2012 | 2 | 15 | 0 | POWER TRAIN | Full report → |
| 2011 | 2 | 24 | 0 | AIR BAGS | Full report → |
| 2010Worst | 0 | 38 | 3 | AIR BAGS | Full report → |
Most Common Xterra Problems
Based on 91 owner complaints filed with NHTSA across recent model years.
Xterra Years to Avoid
Best Xterra Years to Buy
Nissan Xterra Problems by Year
Frequently Asked Questions — Nissan Xterra Reliability
What year Xterra has the most problems?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2010 Nissan Xterra had the highest combined complaint and recall count among recent model years — 38 complaints and 0 safety recalls. See the full 2010 report for details on specific defects.
Is the Nissan Xterra reliable?
The Nissan Xterra has accumulated 91 owner-filed complaints and 4 safety recalls across recent model years in NHTSA's national database. The 2014 model year stands out as having the fewest reported issues in recent data. Reliability varies significantly by year and individual vehicle history — always run a VIN check before purchasing any used Xterra.
What are the most common Xterra problems?
The most frequently cited problem areas for the Nissan Xterra across recent model years are: AIR BAGS (21 reports), POWER TRAIN (16 reports), ENGINE (8 reports), ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (7 reports). These are based on NHTSA complaints submitted directly by vehicle owners.
How do I check if my Xterra has an open recall?
You can check for open recalls on any Nissan Xterra using the vehicle's 17-character VIN at VinCheckEngine.com. Our free VIN report pulls the latest NHTSA recall data along with accident history, odometer records, and other key information. Recalls on this page are model-level — a VIN check will confirm whether your specific vehicle's recall was remedied.
Check a Specific Nissan Xterra VIN
Model-level data shows what can go wrong. A VIN-specific report shows what has gone wrong with a particular vehicle — including auction history, odometer discrepancies, lien status, open recalls, accident records, and 30+ intelligence signals.
Run a Free Nissan Xterra VIN Report →No account required · Instant results · Updated daily