Car Defect Radar
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Built from NHTSA complaints and recalls collected for this model, generated October 26, 2026. Totals reflect what has been collected, not every complaint ever filed.
Confirm 2 recalls before you buy.

Ask the seller for proof the repair was completed, or run the free VIN check. Recall repairs are done at no cost by a dealer.

Recalls

2 total · 2 to confirm

Safety issues the manufacturer must repair for free. A recall means confirm the fix was done, not walk away.

Airbags recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 23V067000 · Feb 2023

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Engine recall

Confirm it was repairedRecall 11V592000 · Dec 2011

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.
Status
Remedy available. Confirm by VIN that this repair was completed.
What to do
Enter the VIN on NHTSA's recall lookup to confirm this car was repaired.

Owner complaints by system

24 total

Unverified reports owners filed with NHTSA, grouped by the part of the car. Useful for spotting patterns. Open a group to read recent examples.

Engine & powertrain

Minor
6

Most reports here involve fluid leaks.

fluid leaks 2sudden stalling 1
A recent report: The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, an engine oil leak was present. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local…
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The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked, an engine oil leak was present. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to a local independent mechanic where it was diagnosed that the oil connector bolt and O-ring seal needed to be replaced. The local dealer was contacted, but the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was not replaced. The contact was aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 11V592000 (Engine and Engine Cooling); however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 140,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11605423 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Electrical & infotainment

Minor
2

Most reports here involve corrosion.

corrosion 1software faults 1
A recent report: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE HANDS FREE BLUETOOTH SYSTEM FAILED. WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE SOUND QUALITY WOULD BE IMPAIRED AND PREVENTED…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE HANDS FREE BLUETOOTH SYSTEM FAILED. WHEN DRIVING AT HIGH SPEEDS, THE SOUND QUALITY WOULD BE IMPAIRED AND PREVENTED THE CONTACT FROM USING THE HANDS FREE OPTION. THE FAILURE OCCURRED ON MULTIPLE OCCASIONS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 19,000.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #10651054 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Steering, suspension & tires

Minor
4

Most reports here involve premature wear.

premature wear 2sudden stalling 1
A recent report: WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK AND ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11353433 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Airbags & seat belts

Minor
9

Most reports here involve software faults.

software faults 3airbags not deploying 2
A recent report: The airbag warning light started flashing. I took the car to Valley Nissan in Longmont, Colorado where I was told that they need to replace the AirBag Diagnosis Sensor and the RH side Airbag Module…
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The airbag warning light started flashing. I took the car to Valley Nissan in Longmont, Colorado where I was told that they need to replace the AirBag Diagnosis Sensor and the RH side Airbag Module. Valley Nissan said that these parts were no longer being produced, so they could not complete this repair. The airbag system is not functioning which puts me and my passengers at risk if there is an accident that should activate the airbags.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11684563 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Other systems

Minor
3

Most reports here involve other issues.

other issues 3
A recent report: Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a…
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Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle's mileage was approximately 129,000, and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was approximately 188,000 in 2022.

Source: NHTSA complaint ODI #11677288 · view all complaints for this vehicle at nhtsa.gov

Is 24 complaints a lot? They were filed between 2011 and 2025, roughly 2 a year, which is fewer than the typical model in this dataset. We do not have sales figures for this model, so treat this as a rough volume, not a rate per car on the road. Popular, high-volume models naturally collect more complaints over time.

How does it compare with other years? The 2011 has 24 complaints on file, fewer than the 2010 (38) and more than the 2012 (16). Of the 5 model years of the Nissan Xterra we cover, the 2010 has the most (38). Older model years have had longer to collect complaints.