VehicleVerdict

2001 Nissan Xterra fuel system problems

The 2001 Nissan Xterra has 33 fuel system complaints filed with NHTSA — 17% of the year's total, and down from the prior model year.

33

Fuel System complaints

17%

Share of year

0

Crash-involved

2

Related recalls

Fuel System complaints by year

Xterra fuel system complaints by model year377 complaints2000: 67 complaints2001: 33 complaints2002: 13 complaints2003: 16 complaints2004: 12 complaints2005: 325 complaints2006: 377 complaints2007: 236 complaints2008: 19 complaints2010: 5 complaints2011: 1 complaints2012: 1 complaints2013: 1 complaints
Xterra fuel system complaints by model year. Red bars are years to avoid.

Related recalls

04V230000Fuel SystemMay 24, 2004 · 586,196 units

Defect

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.

Consequence

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.

02V300000Fuel SystemNovember 12, 2002 · 44,000 units

Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE FUEL TANK INLET SHUTTER VALVE DOES NOT MEET THE SEALING PERFORMANCE SPECIFICATION.

Consequence

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.

What owners report

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…

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Fuel System · March 19, 2021

Common questions

How many fuel system complaints does the 2001 Nissan Xterra have?

NHTSA has 33 complaints about the 2001 Nissan Xterra fuel system — 17% of all complaints filed for that model year.

Are there recalls for the 2001 Nissan Xterra fuel system?

Yes — 2 NHTSA recall campaigns for this model year are tied to the fuel system: 02V300000, 04V230000.

Related

Based on NHTSA ODI data through June 2026. Complaints are consumer-reported and unverified. Updated July 5, 2026.

Compiled by Sharon Ben-Moshe, Founder.