Summary
The Nissan Xterra has 19 recalls spanning the 2000–2010 production run, with the most serious recent issue affecting 2010 models where the fasteners securing the steering shaft bracket can loosen completely, causing the steering column to separate and leaving the driver without steering control.
The 2010 model year also has a recall covering a narrow production window where the front passenger airbag can deploy at an incorrect angle in a crash. On 2008 models, certain anti-lock brake actuators were assembled with an extra ball bearing in the valve, which can block brake fluid flow and reduce stopping power at one or both front wheels. A dealer-accessory Garmin GPS unit sold with some 2008 vehicles also has a lithium-ion battery that can overheat and catch fire. Going back to 2005, Nissan dealer-installed trailer hitches have weld joints that can fail and allow a towed trailer to separate without warning. The 2004 model year has a separate hitch issue where the attachment bolts may not have been torqued properly, again allowing the hitch to loosen or separate while towing.
On 2002–2004 models, corrosion can form in the lower steering column joint over time, causing the shaft to seize and eventually break during low-speed maneuvers, leading to total loss of steering. The 2002 model year also has a driver-side airbag clockspring connector that can come loose and disable the airbag, and a supercharged engine issue where cold, high-throttle conditions can push airflow past the meter's calibration limit and force the engine into a reduced-power failsafe mode.
The 2001 model year has two separate issues: the rear axle ABS sensor can allow water into the axle housing, corroding the wheel bearing until the wheel separates from the vehicle, and the fuel tank inlet shutter valve can fail its seal and spill fuel during filling at high temperatures or with winter-blend gasoline. Early 2000 production carries the most recalls in the run. Alloy wheels manufactured between October 1999 and February 2000 can develop spoke cracks that progress to full wheel separation from the hub. The automatic transmission shift cable locking plate can break, trapping the vehicle in park or causing a mismatch between the shift indicator and the actual gear the transmission is in. The fuel pump sending unit terminal can crack and corrode under certain conditions, eventually stopping the fuel pump entirely.
