CarComplaints.com Notes: The 2003 Nissan Xterra doesn't seem to have any problem trends. The only thing prospective owners should be aware of are the less-than-perfect (but acceptable) crash test ratings.

There are a very few transmission complaints, but nothing like the huge defect that shows up starting in with the 2005 model year.

10.0

really awful
Crashes / Fires:
1 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
140,009 miles

About These NHTSA Complaints:

This data is from the NHTSA — the US gov't agency tasked with vehicle safety. Complaints are spread across multiple & redundant categories, & are not organized by problem.

So how do you find out what problems are occurring? For this NHTSA complaint data, the only way is to read through the comments below. Any duplicates or errors? It's not us.

2003 Nissan Xterra fuel system problems

fuel system problem

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2003 Nissan Xterra Owner Comments

problem #6

Jun 282014

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 108,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

We were driving on vacation and the car stopped. It started back up and then after a couple of miles stopped again. We were stranded and didn't get home for three days.I have take codes off the engine and it showed a 0462 code. Went back to get Xterra with a car dolly and dolly broke and car came undone. This unfortunate incident was a direct result of a bad sending unit.

- Del Rio , TX, USA

problem #5

Jan 092012

Xterra

  • miles
Nissan put out a recall on the 2003 fuel systems in regards to corrison that could occur to the fuel system. Our vehicle was not part of the recall. The fuel system did corrode, causing us to pay out of pocket for a new tank, new fuel pump. This recall was for salt areas, that would be in MA. What was done to fix this problem did not.

- Charlton, MA, USA

problem #4

Sep 022011

Xterra 6-cyl

  • 500,000 miles
The car doesn't seem to be accelerating properly due to something wrong with the fuel system or gasoline delivery there is a vibrating sound and vibration coming from the gas pedal. And the gasoline smell is terrible. The gas pedal is very loose and I don't feel safe driving my car at this time.

- Chicago, IL, USA

problem #3

Dec 222010

Xterra

  • 70,000 miles

A D V E R T I S E M E N T S

The contact owns a 2003 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that the vehicle suddenly stalled. It was towed to the contact's residence; the contact was informed that there was corrosion on the fuel pump connector and the sending unit caused the failure. The contact referenced recall 04V230000 (fuel system, gasoline: Delivery: Fuel pump) but was informed by the manufacturer that the vehicle was not included. The current and failure mileages were approximately 70,000.

- Hignland, UT, USA

problem #2

Jun 012010

Xterra

  • 146,000 miles
When fueling my 2003 Nissan Xterra gas unexpected back washes out of the fuel filler. I was covered in gas along with the vehicle and surrounding ground. A recall was for the 2001 Nissan Xterra for the identical problem. I would like the recall to cover the 2003 Nissan Xterra. The problem and part failure is identical in both cases. The failing part is the fuel tank inlet shutter valve.

- Berryville, VA, USA

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problem #1

Sep 222004

Xterra

  • Automatic transmission
  • 16,053 miles
The consumer smelled gas and took it back to the dealer, who kept the vehicle for two days, they replaced the fuel pump. The consumer smelled gas again, made contact with the dealer again who told the consumer to air the vehicle.

- Ooltewah, TN, USA

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