2002 Nissan Xterra: check engine light

8 of the 157 complaints about the 2002 Nissan Xterra describe check engine light.

owner complaints: 8
of this car's complaints: 5%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 6 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

2013
1
2010
2
2008
5
2007
107
2006
162
2005
143
2004
3
2003
4
2002
8
2001
2
2000
2

What owners say

Filed Jul 28, 2011 · Brakes · KY

Purchased in november of 2006 and in may 2008 as I was attempting to stop at a traffic light in the city only doing about 10 MPH. The wheel jerked really funny and there was a noise coming from the brakes. Upon attempting to go my car wouldn't pick up speed and was making a rubbing noise. Limped into garage where they showed me my calipers were locked up. Had both calipers, brakes and rotors replaced. October 2009, driving at 55 MPH, started smelling burnt rubber smell, check engine light came on so I pulled over to have it towed. Thought it was overheating even though gauge did not indicate that. Garage stated I needed a new brake line so had it replaced and on the way home I began smelling that horrible smell again so I decided to take to another garage where they showed me my caliper was locked up just enough to heat the rotor up. Had caliper and brakes replaced. April 2010, just from past experiences I knew what the rubbing noise and loss of power meant. Sure enough driver's side caliper was locked up. Had caliper, brakes and new brake hose put on. July 2011, yet again my caliper is locked up. So as I am typing this its back in for the usual. In almost every instance there were no warning signs of failure until it became extreme. I contacted nissan but they stated its the usual wear and tear. I have never heard of replacing calipers every year under normal driving conditions.

Filed Jul 21, 2011 · Electrical, Engine · 90,000 miles · KY

My 2002 xterra engine stalls when at idle speed, it starts back but will stall almost everytime I stop at a light,stop sign or in traffic. Engine light does not come on and there is no codes. I spoke to a nissan dealership and when I asked them about a recall on the 2004 model for this problem that has to do with the ipdm relay, they said that is probably what is wrong with mine. The dealership also said there is an ongoing campaign for this issue with the 2002 model. I have already had it in the shop for this problem had spark plugs,distributor,plug wires,fuel filter ,maf sensor and the throttle body replaced $1300.00 later I still have the same problem.

Filed Apr 6, 2010 · Fuel system · 109,000 miles · NH

Check engine light is on and a there is an obvious smell of gasoline on the drivers side in the back of the vehicle. Dealer tells me that the fuel tank needs to be replaced and this is a common issue with them as they rust around the top of the tank. This is a separate issue from the fuel sending unit recall that has been done to these vehicles.

Filed Apr 11, 2007 · Acceleration · 26,563 miles · CA

Tl*- while driving the 2002 nissan xterra with a failure mileage of 26,000 miles. The contact noticed that the engine light intermittently turned on. Also, the vehicle would not accelerate properly, and made noises. The vehicle was taken to a dealer, who stated that the super charger was failing. The vehicle still had not been repaired. The current mileage was 30,000.*ak a recall was issued regarding the supercharger. Updated 05/02/07

Filed Oct 31, 2006 · Engine · 29,000 miles · NY

Had the check engine light come on had xterra for only 26 days find out it is emissions problem no help from dealer.

Filed Apr 10, 2002 · Brakes, Engine · OK

While driving vehicle pulls to right and left. Also when braking it has a pulling effect. In addition, had problem with tires. *ak the vehicle has temperature control problems. Also the windshield cracked. The cd player makes noise and the radio malfunctioned. The A/C shorted out. The right rear power window made noise when rolling up and down. Check the engine light came on.

Filed Feb 12, 2002 · Engine · WV

Engine light has been coming on since the last of january 2002. Consumer has taken vehicle to dealership 4 times, and was told they did not know what was wrong with truck. Engine shut off while going about 60 MPH.

Filed Dec 5, 2001 · Engine · NJ

Engine check light kept coming on. Everytime vehicle has to be reprogrammed. Contacted dealer, and dealer stated that parts had to be replaced to keep engine light from coming on.