The vehicle disabled and the steering wheel locked on the highway once the speed hit 70mph. The wheel bearings are always rattling and if I go through a pothole the steering and tire feel really loose. The brake system doesn't feel right and has made a loud metal grind sound. The exhaust and or gasoline smell is way potent and not normal either it is strong smelling all the time. Potential recalls with fuel system, gasoline delivery, fuel pump and suspension, REAR , gasoline storage , tank assembly, filler pipe and cap. All are potential recalls also the exterior lighting
The worst 2001 Nissan Xterra problems
Ranked by number of owner complaints. Mileage and cost come from what owners wrote.
Problems by type
Tap a problem to see which part fails, at what mileage and in which other years.
- Visibility43
- Fuel system32
- Electrical17
- Engine17
- Wheels11
- Brakes9
- Airbags8
- Body6
- Suspension6
- Transmission6
- Lights5
- Steering5
- Tires4
- Seat belts3
- Acceleration2
Specific symptoms reported on the 2001 Nissan Xterra
Power windows 22Stalling 11Fuel gauge 10Fuel pump 9Grinding brakes 5
Recalls 3
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery: fuel pump
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 04V230000 · Recall details
Suspension: rear
- What is wrong
- 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.
- 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.
- Remedy
- 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.
Recall number 02V299000 · Recall details
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly: filler pipe and cap
- What is wrong
- On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, the fuel tank inlet shutter valve does not meet the sealing performance specification.
- Risk
- Under certain conditions such as high ambient temperature and when winter grade gasoline is being sold, fuel could spill from the filler inlet as the tank is being filled. In the presence of an ignition source, fuel leakage could result in a fire.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the fuel tank inlet shutter valve. Owner notification is expected to begin december 10, 2002. 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.
Recall number 02V300000 · Recall details
See all 3 recalls for the 2001 Nissan Xterra
Defect investigations
Brake rotor warpage
Mr. Kent jones of kernersville, nc, submitted a petition to the federal safety agency by e-mail dated july 1, 2003, requesting the federal safety agency to investigate the brake rotors on my 2002 nissan xterra vehicles.the petitioner alleged that the brake rotors in these vehicles were defective because the rotors overheat and warp from normal usage.a review of odi's database for complaints regarding my 2001 through my 2003 nissan xterra vehicles identified only two reports related to brake rotor warping; one for a my 2001 and one for a my 2002.the complaint for the my 2002 nissan xterra was reported by the petitioner.brake rotor warping can result in brake pulsation and shaking when the brake is applied.brake pulsation, tire or suspension vibration, and similar conditions are an obvious annoyance to the driver, but generally do not cause a driver to lose control of a vehicle.furthermore, even if left uncorrected, any potential increase in stopping distance will be negligible. Therefore, this condition does not normally constitute a safety defect, even if it occurs with far more often frequency. In view of the foregoing, it is unlikely that the federal safety agency would issue an order for the notification and remedy of an alleged safety-related defect as defined by the petitioner in the my 2002 nissan xterra vehicles at the conclusion of an investigation.therefore, in view of the need to allocate and prioritize the federal safety agency's limited resources to best accomplish the agency's safety mission, the petition is denied.
DP03005
Fuel spill during refueling
PE02052
Technical service bulletins for the 2001 Nissan Xterra 75
Bulletins tell dealers how to fix known problems. A warranty extension means the manufacturer pays for that repair for longer.
- Vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start
- Windshield cracking
- Removing foreign material from the window glass
- Window glass warranty information
- Diagnosis of vehicle pull (DRIFT) and/or steering wheel off-center
- 12 volt battery testing for in-service vehicles service information
- Silicone-based lubricant or grease CAN damage electrical components service information
- Intelligent key replacement or swapping between vehicles
- Wheel bearing collision damage
- Strut and shock absorber replacement guidelines
2001 Nissan Xterra fuel economy
Official EPA estimates in miles per gallon (MPGe for electric). Ranges cover trims that share the same engine.
| Engine | Drive | City | Highway | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4L 4‑cyl | RWD | 17 | 22 | 19 |
| 3.3L 6‑cyl | RWD | 14-15 | 17-18 | 16 |
| 3.3L 6‑cyl | 4WD | 14-15 | 17 | 15-16 |
What 2001 Nissan Xterra owners say
Most recent owner complaints, unedited.
The xterra started missing and hesitating (engine) eventually dying and not restarting. The missing and hesitation occurred while underway on a busy 4 lane divided highway, but thankfully made it home before dying and not restarting. Missing and hesitation occurred while traveling straight on and while stopped at red lights.
Car failed to start after being parked overnight. Would crank but not start. Had it diagnosed and the fuel sending unit replaced. The dead unit had a hole through it's plastic which showed a corroded electrical tab. It doesn't look like corrosion from a crack in the plastic as stated in campaign# 04v230000, but more like the electrical connection melted through the plastic, which then allowed corrosion. Nissan hotline told me that the previous owner had the recall taken care of already, but couldn't say if the unit was repaired or replaced.
While driving, engine goes to idle mode and can't accelerate. I have to shift to neutral and back to drive to again drive normally, then problem happens again and have to do the same continuously every few miles while driving.
Major intrusion on front end after a motor vehicle accident without air bag deployment. This occurred on the highway after sliding on ice and being hit head on by a ford f150.
The terminal strip are corrode and can't be replaced because the pump got damage by the corrosion of the terminal, now nissan do not want to replace the pump. Is not my fault that they using parts that causing those type of problem. I can't affort to pay for the pump plus labor.
Tl* the contact owns a 2001 nissan xterra. The contact received notification of the federal safety agency campaign numbers: 04v230000 (fuel system, gasoline) and 02v299000 (suspension). The manufacturer stated that the part to do the repair was available; however, when the contact took the vehicle to the dealer for the recall repair, the dealer stated that the part to do the recall repair was not available. The contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time to provide the part to do the recall repair. The manufacturer was notified. The vehicle experienced the failure listed in the recall. The approximate failure mileage was 108,000.
I just purchased this car about 3 months ago and paid 4000 dollars for it. The vehicle stopped working and the fuel pump wasn't coming on. After searching for the power issue I discovered the fuel tank sending unit which is the top to the gas tank itself. Meaning the service hole of the tank access is the top part of the sending unit. The sending unit has 4 fuel line connections and 4 electrical connections. Two fuel conections and 2 electrical connections plug into the top side of the sending unit and they route through the plastic molded sending unit and connections are made in the bottom side. Basically fuel and electricity route through this unit into the tank. The power wire to the fuel pump burned and melted the conection inside the mold and burned the plastic all around the connection plug where the power goes to the gas tank. From what I understand the 00' and 02' sending units were recalled but not my 01'. This is the equivalent to riding down the road with a ticking time bomb under my children's seats. I have contacted nissan but I have gotten nowhere with them so I am reaching out to the transportation saftey authorities.
After the car warms up it will stall while driving and when coming to a stop to idle.sometimes it will not start immediately after stalling. This is a safety hazard and could cause an accident. We have also had multiple problems with the alignment due to the wheel bearings.
While driving on the mass turnpike, the front wheel came off the car. This is the second time. First time, in 2013, in school parking lot, different side but also a front wheel. We bought the car used from a nissan dealership in august 2012 for my 19 year old son. The car is hardly driven as he is away in college. This car has been serviced several times for various other things and two different front wheels just coming off can not be a matter of loose lug nuts and incompetence on the part of the repair shop. I feel that something must be fundamentally wrong or faulty. I see that there were recalls years ago having to do with ball joints in this model, I can not tell from carfax reports whether this VIN was ever serviced for that, and that nissan never should have resold this car without checking to see - despite the fact that this is an older car. A wheel coming off is dangerous, especially while driving at highway speeds. My son could have been killed (luckily no one was hurt). I am trying to find out whether this car was ever checked for the recall on ball joints in 2003 or ever. Doesn't the dealership have any obligation to check safety recalls before reselling cars that could be dangerous to drive? I feel that we were sold a used car that was fundamentally not safe. Two different wheels fall off within 2 years of purchase - something doesn't seem legitimate here.
Compare the 2001 Nissan Xterra
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Questions about the 2001 Nissan Xterra
Is the 2001 Nissan Xterra reliable?
Owners have filed 149 complaints about the 2001 Nissan Xterra, 2.1 times a typical Xterra model year. It is one of the years we flag to avoid.
What is the 2001 Nissan Xterra year score?
The 2001 Nissan Xterra scores 42 out of 100 (below average). The score compares it with the other model years of the Nissan Xterra: 75 is a typical year, 50 means twice the usual complaints, and serious complaints and recalls lower it.
What is the most common problem with the 2001 Nissan Xterra?
Windows, wipers and visibility, with 43 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles. Next is fuel system (32).
How many recalls does the 2001 Nissan Xterra have?
3 recalls, covering fuel system, gasoline and suspension.
What gas mileage does the 2001 Nissan Xterra get?
Official estimates for the 2001 Nissan Xterra range from 15 to 19 mpg combined. The most efficient version (2.4L 4-cyl, RWD) gets 17 city and 22 highway.
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