VehicleVerdict

2011 Nissan Xterra problems

Verdict · NHTSA data

Limited data — recalls on file

NHTSA has just 27 complaints on file for the 2011 Nissan Xterra — too few to judge reliability from owner reports alone — but 2 recall campaigns apply to this year, so any used example should have its VIN checked for completed recall work.

27

NHTSA complaints

2

Recalls

0

Investigations

0

Crash-involved

0

Fires reported

0

Injuries

0

Deaths

—

NCAP overall

How does 2011 compare to other Xterra years?

Xterra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted1,175 complaints1999: 0 complaints2000: 258 complaints2001: 197 complaints2002: 214 complaints2003: 97 complaints2004: 110 complaints2005: 1,175 complaints2006: 1,034 complaints2007: 770 complaints2008: 174 complaints2009: 26 complaints2010: 58 complaints2011: 27 complaints2012: 17 complaints2013: 7 complaints2014: 14 complaints2015: 15 complaints
Xterra NHTSA complaints by model year, 2011 highlighted. Red bars are years to avoid.

See all Xterra years to avoid →

What are the most common 2011 Nissan Xterra problems?

ComponentComplaintsShare
Airbags933%
Engine622%
Electrical System519%
Tires & Wheels27%
Suspension14%
Transmission14%
Fuel System14%
Steering14%
Body & Structure14%

Does the 2011 Nissan Xterra have recalls?

2 NHTSA recall campaigns on file. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.

23V067000AirbagsFebruary 10, 2023 · 404,690 units

Defect

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

Consequence

A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

Remedy

Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

11V592000EngineDecember 19, 2011 · 14,718 units

Defect

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 INFINITI FX, MODEL YEAR 2012 INFINITI M, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN FRONTIER, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN XTERRA, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES. SOME OF THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER TO THE ENGINE IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO BELOW SPECIFICATION STRENGTH. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY BREAK AT THE OIL FILTER ATTACHMENT POINT AND CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE OIL LEAK.

Consequence

IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONNECTOR BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Consumer complaints filed with NHTSA

Representative excerpts, cleaned of personal information. These are consumer statements, not verified defects.

“PURCHASED VEHICLE IN MARCH 2018 WITH THE PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG ALERT FLASHING ON THE INSTRUMENT PANEL. EVERYTHING I TRIED WOULD NOT EXTINGUISH IT, CONNECTING RELEASING AND RECONNECTING THE PASSENGER SEATBELT, TURNING THE PASSENGER SIDE AIRBAG OFF AND ON A COUPLE OF TIMES. SO I DECIDED TO CHECK ON…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Airbags · March 3, 2018

“DRIVER'S SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BROKE WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY ON BUMPY ROAD. FLANGE THAT ATTACHED TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER SEPARATED FROM STAINLESS STEEL PIPING. NOW HEAT AND CARBON MONOXIDE IS PUMPING OUT UNDER DRIVER'S FEET. VERY LOUD. NISSAN SAYS "TOUGH LUCK" - WE ARE NOT PAYING. 54,000 MILES, 7 YEARS…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Engine · October 21, 2017

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY LEAKED AND THE POSITIVE ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEM WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE BATTERY CLAMP BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Electrical System · July 1, 2013

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS B.F. GOODRICH, TIRE LINE, RADIAL LONG TRAIL, DOT NUMBER AP72FB313610 AND THE SIZE WAS P265/70/R16 11PMCS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Tires & Wheels · January 13, 2011

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE DID NOT ACCELERATE OVER 5 MPH. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT WHILE STOPPED AT A STOP LIGHT, THE VEHICLE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A DEALER FOR DIAGNOSTICS. THE TEST RESULTS SHOWED A FAULTY CLUTCH WHICH NEEDED TO…”

Complaint filed with NHTSA · Transmission · December 15, 2012

2011 Nissan Xterra — common questions

Is the 2011 Nissan Xterra reliable?

The record is thin — 27 NHTSA complaints — so owner-report data can't strongly confirm reliability either way, though 2 recalls should be verified as completed.

What are the most common 2011 Xterra problems?

According to NHTSA complaint data, the leading problem areas are airbags (9 complaints), engine (6 complaints), electrical system (5 complaints).

Does the 2011 Nissan Xterra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns affecting the 2011 Nissan Xterra. Recall repairs are free at franchised dealers; check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to confirm the work was done.

Which Nissan Xterra years should you avoid?

Based on complaint rates and open investigations, the Xterra years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2000, 2002, 2001, 2008. The cleanest record among Xterra years belongs to 1999.

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.