◆

Expensive Nissan Xterra repairs by problem area

Engine (41%)

Transmission and Drivetrain (29%)

Brakes and Traction Control (7%)

Suspension and Steering (15%)

Electrical and Air Conditioning (4%)

Paint, Rust, Leaks, Rattles, and Trim (2%)

Other (2%)

Select a problem area

Show all problems

Need advice about a specific Nissan Xterra problem?

Chart based on 96 repairs.

See TSBs and recalls for the Nissan Xterra.

Nissan Xterra repair cost distribution

$2500+ (25%)

$1000 - $2499 (75%)

$500 - $999 (0%)

$100 - $499 (0%)

< $100 (0%)

Worried about potential repair costs? An extended warranty can provide peace of mind.

Chart based on 73 repair trips. The repair cost chart excludes repairs made under warranty, do-it-yourself repairs, and repair trips that include maintenance.

90000 mi

US $2200

Replaced transmission

43000 mi

US $2000

The clutch wore out at 44K miles. I'm a very careful and gentle driver and have driven manual transmission cars for over 50 years. I believe that this clutch is poorly designed and not rugged enough for a vehicle with as much mass as the Xterra has. Also discovered cracked exhaust manifold.

110980 mi C $1320	Replace both Air/Fuel Sensors.
111908 mi C $1327	Replaced front brake pads and rotors. Replaced rear brake pads and rotors. LF caliper seized. Replace LF brake hose and parts. Oil leak detection. Due to Krown underbody spray leak could not be detected. Dye added to engine oil. Have to drive 1-2000 km then return to dealer to find leak.

48360 mi ¤400	Internal AC Blower fan intermittently stops working, causing no air to be delivered inside the car.
57700 mi ¤4500	Parking brake simply didn't work anymore, I would pull it up all the way and the would still roll on any kind of incline.
86800 mi ¤6000	Steering started wobbling again, turns out one of the support rods was fractured and causing the wobbles. Whole steering subsystem was replaced. Car feels very sturdy now and no more wobbles.
120280 mi ¤3500	Car was making a clicking sound while driving, inspected rear differential and discovered bearing was cracked. Bearing replaced.

92000 mi US $100	CV boot on rear drive shaft tore and leaked grease. Drive shaft replaced under extended warranty.
105500 mi US $123	Fan clutch failed and engine was running a little hotter than normal. I replaced the fan clutch myself.
120000 mi US $200	Broken ABS wires on both front wheels.
138000 mi US $1100	Damage was caused by owner off roading vehicle. Rear pinion bearings went bad. Replaced all bearings, gears, and seals in rear axle.
154000 mi US $148	Cooling fan bracket bearing went bad and fan fell off, cracked blades of fan. Replaced fan bracket and fan.
163000 mi US $160	Code for a bad catalytic converter on passenger side came up. Replaced converter myself.

79300 mi US $350	Rear axle assembly (rear diff and axle shafts) failure. Nissan motor replaced the entire rear axle assembly. I had to pay for the labor to install and 2 days of a car rental. My truck was 18k outside of warranty. Repair normally cost 2300.00.
97000 mi US $800	Both front wheel bearings replaced.$800.00 for that and another 400.00 for transmission,radiator and brake fluid replacement
103300 mi US $1600	timing chain and guide/spark plugs were replaced during this trip as well.Timing chain and tensioner are common problems on the vq40 engine
119300 mi US $175	New drivers side tie rod end
165000 mi US $1200	all fluids replaced, transmission,front differential,transfer case and brake.repaired a small oil leak on the passenger side valve cover. Front end alignment and tire rotation
188000 mi US $500	New radiator
198700 mi US $2500	Both lower control arms New rear pinion seal and differential vent New main drive belt New front and rear sway bar links
202000 mi US $150	Bank 2 on sensors replaced
203000 mi US $135	Dead battery

179000 mi US $1500	Rear differential ring and pinion gears worn. Replaced rear axle with one I supplied.
180000 mi US $700	Replace rear shocks and springs

79000 mi US $925	Replaced secondary timing chain tensioners & secondary timing chain + associated seals.
133000 mi US $2300	Gas gauge would get stuck on empty and had trouble filling tank all the way (pump would occasionally shut off though not full). Had shop perform TSB related to EVAP canister and clear out possible blockage in evap lines related to poor breather placement (behind rear wheel where it accumulates dust on dirt roads). Shop also recommended replacing the fuel sending unit, so did that as well. After replacement, gauge no longer got stuck on empty, but would not show entirely full and would fall faster than usual. At the point the empty light was triggered, there were still 5-6 gallons of gas in the tank. Shop replaced with another fuel sending unit and same issue occurred. Problem has not resolved since.
135000 mi US $700	whining/grinding noise present; suspected wheel bearing issues. Shop replaced two bearings but did not fix the noise.

95000 mi US $108	Heater core plugged up. Mechanic flushed system and now heater is working great.
105000 mi US $1700	Timing chain
147795 mi US $611	Clock spring

109300 mi US $750	Noisy strut, had to change both out. Also had to replace wiper nozzles as they got clogged.
88000 mi US $14000	timing chain started to whine, replace at dealer, 1200 rear struts for hatch replaced, 100 dollars to fix rear hatch wiper system would not spray water for cleaning. had to replace part. 35 dollars

51300 mi US $1400	Timing chain and secondary chains and noisy guides
67000 mi US $450	Fuel level sensor failed
75350 mi US $125	Lower control arm driver side. Bushings and ball joint included Valve cover gasket leak
83000 mi US $510	Passenger side lower control arm and bushings
97000 mi US $420	Airbag steering column clockspring steering angle sensor

73040 mi C $1200	Replaced driver and passenger hubs after significant noise was heard from driver side
89280 mi C $618	Fuel level sender replaced

40124 mi US $250	Replaced fuel level sensor
66000 mi US $3300	Progressive failure of transmission synchros. Replaced with factory new transmission. Attempted "good faith" repair from Nissan - abandoned effort after Nissan demanded owner pay to replicate two months of troubleshooting.

100700 mi US $300	Driver's power window motor failed.
104000 mi US $204	Door mechanism failed, right rear door. Door would not open. Mechanism module replaced. Driver's side rear door mechanism started to fail; became difficult to open from the outside, would not open from the inside. Door latch mechanism replaced.
109500 mi US $400	Ball joints on both lower control arms worn, replaced with upgraded aftermarket LCAs. Lower control arm mounting bolts seized, penetrating oil and torch failed - had to be sawed off. Right rear axle seal failed, grease leaking into parking brake drum. Replaced axle seal, replaced bearing must be destroyed to access seal), replaced parking brake shoes, adjust parking brake, clean brake drum
122800 mi US $800	Lower control arm ball joints failed. Replaced both lower control arms with aftermarket.
136000 mi US $200	U-joints worn and required replacing due to off road use.
137000 mi US $315	Front left wheel bearing failed. Replaced hub assembly.
159000 mi US $180	Random misfire detected, Check engine light came on. Code cleared, Misfire detected cyl #1. Ignition coil moved from cyl #1 to cyl #6, code cleared. Misfire detected cyl #6. Replaced ignition coil.
169000 mi US $1200	Clutch replacement - wear items. Flywheel was in good shape and re-used. Replaced transfer case fluid and topped up transmission fluid. Repair took longer due to parts delays, staff shortage, and cleaning of connectors of off road dirt and debris.
200444 mi US $750	Both front lower control arms - remove and replace with new parts. Front shock leaking, remove both, sent for rebuilding at RadFlo, reinstall Passenger front bearing shows excessive play and grinding, remove and replace. Perform alignment.
196000 mi US $300	Replaced tie rod end
196000 mi US $300	New ball joints on aftermarket UCAs, alignment

44400 mi US $550	Fuel Sending Unit Failure, a Known Problem w/X-Terra's
76000 mi US $1200	Rear Axle Bearings/Seals, Rotors, Backing Plates, Pads, New Breather in Diff/Fluid Service.
87000 mi US $800	New Struts/Shocks

124000 mi US $1200	Oil leaking out of several gaskets
161000 mi US $250	Front right wheel bearing was going bad, got it replaced before it failed. All other suspension components were checked out and were cleared for continued operation.

83000 mi US $300	Replaced both front u-joints and the forward rear u-joint, the rear of the rear u-joint is non replaceable.
97000 mi US $1100	Replace leaking axle seal on passenger side. The repair would have been less but I had them replace both sides since they had the differential open.
118000 mi US $1200	Replace passenger front cat.
175000 mi US $1200	Cracked and flat rear leaf springs, replace all suspension and bushings.
180000 mi US $8000	Lost oil pressure and vvt system ran dry and self destructed. I opted for a replacement engine with warranty instead of just replacing the broken parts.

78000 mi US $1200	New battery, faulty brake pressure sensor which caused ABS and traction control lights to come on
85000 mi US $500	Fuel sending unit was replaced. Nissan has a TSB out for it, and it is known to be an issue with 2005-2008 Xterras.
122000 mi US $224	U joints on front drive shaft were replaced
127000 mi US $2000	New clutch, new flywheel, throwout bearing, and main seal
159000 mi US $2000	Catalytic converter replacement Rear half-axles were replaced because differential fluid was leaking out past the seals, as per Nissan TSB.
163800 mi US $2000	New flywheel, clutch, and bearing
210000 mi US $400	New front rotors and pads

64000 mi US $106	The positive terminal had failed and required replacement.
69000 mi US $870	The dealer diagnosed the drive belts and associated gearing to have worn to the point that they will fail if not replaced prior to the end of the year. The rear axle is leaking fluid at the driver side seal. The dealer recommended replacing the axle shaft and associated seal.
72000 mi US $450	The fuel sending unit failed and required replacement.
74500 mi US $500	The camshaft timing sensor failed.
81000 mi US $3000	The rear differential bearing failed and created a noticeable vibration. The rear differential was replaced.

253000 mi US $1100	Driver side power window motor replaced. e-valve kit replaced, removed stones from wheel cap that caused squealing.
258000 mi US $600	wheel bearing replacement
275000 mi US $1000	All gauges went dead. Shop can't figure out what's wrong with the Xterra. Still at the shop. Will likely just donate to charity since repair is not yet successful

50000 mi US $500	Front hubs.
54000 mi US $1200	Right front wheel bearing.
56000 mi US $1700	Secondary timing chain needed replacement Unrepaired frame rust.

83000 mi US $316	Starter was failing. Replaced starter.
83200 mi US $200	ECU Module replaced. Covered under emissions warranty. Had to pay to have keys re-programmed.
84200 mi US $200	Broken sway link - both replaced.
85000 mi US $1100	BCU replaced, keys re-programmed

48510 mi US $1000	Both rear axle bearing seals leaking. Replaced seals, bearings. Leakage also ruined parking brake shoes; replaced. Nissan parts very costly, and laborious to replace (thus the high repair cost.) This problem is chronic on these vehicles.
48000 mi US $250	Noticed manual trans shifter moving more than normal on bumpy roads, also clutch engagement was getting jumpy. Shop discovered both front motor mounts seperating. Replaced w/aftermarket brand. Symptoms now gone.

135200 mi US $1400	New upper and lower ball joints
150000 mi US $800	Alternator bearings failed. Pins holding interior liftgate cover failed causing squeaking.
160000 mi US $2000	Rear differential bearings needed to be replaced. Repair took a long time because the independent shop would not listen to directions and they left the differential in the locked position.
155000 mi US $1500	Left front wheel bearing failed New front pads and rotors
165000 mi US $3000	New clutch and flywheel. The lining wore out and the flywheel warped.
175000 mi US $800	Bad wheel bearing New pads and rotors
175000 mi US $2000	Clutch replaced
190000 mi US $1100	Rear differential rebuilt

106000 mi US $200	Heater blower motor and switch were replaced
116000 mi US $400	Front wheelbearings replaced as pair. Sparkplugs and filters replaced.
120000 mi US $400	Both front u-joints replaced because of significant vibration between 40-60 mph.
133500 mi US $300	Front wheel bearing and link replaced due to Front end shake
140000 mi US $2500	Transmission solenoid replaced. Vehicle would not shift into any gears other than 4 or 5
140800 mi US $800	U joint and drive shaft replaced
142500 mi US $500	Another driveshaft replaced
159300 mi US $550	Fuel pump replaced.

48000 mi US $750	Stock rear leaf springs too weak and collapsed
48000 mi US $2000	Rear Differential exploded. 4 spider gear M205 differential design flaw. Warranty first refused until Nissan threatened with legal action. Successful repair using a non-Nissan replacement carrier.

Expensive Nissan Xterra repairs by problem area

Nissan Xterra repair cost distribution

2012 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2012 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2010 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2008 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2008 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2007 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2007 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2007 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2006 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2006 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2006 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2005 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2005 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2005 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2003 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2003 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2002 Nissan Xterra

2002 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2002 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2002 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2002 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2001 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2000 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2000 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

2000 Nissan Xterra 4dr SUV

Nissan Xterra Expensive Problems

63000 mi US $5500	Radiator had internal failure causing ATF and anti freeze to mix. Destroyed transmission. Had at dealer at 59k and they said all was fine. Now out of warranty, they said Too Bad.
84000 mi US $1100	Fuel sending unit failed Front propeller shaft replaced Bad u joints and spline
112000 mi US $1903	Front differential was replaced.
126000 mi US $1000	Bad cat
126000 mi US $1300	Broken motor mounts

56000 mi US $950	Replaced evaporator can & sensor Along with some required maintenance
62000 mi US $189	VDC OFF AND SLIP LIGHT ARE ON - DIAGNOSTICS WERE RUN & THEY FOUND "ST ANG SEN/CIRC C1143 CODE STORED DUE TO STEERING WHEEL'S POSITION. PERFORMED STEERING ANGLE ADJUSTMENT." THIS ALSO REQUIRED A 4 WHEEL ALIGNMENT.
65000 mi US $761	2 camshaft sensors failed and caused the engine to shut off and turned off my hill incline, Slip but turned on my 4WD light. slight leak around the valve cover.
67000 mi US $1657	replaced front drive shaft u-joint Replaced Left & Right Side Engine mounts Replaced Oil Cooler O-Ring

48980 mi C $300	Driver's side front wheel bearing had to be replaced.
53940 mi C $300	I brought the vehicle in for its annual safety inspection, during the inspection they discovered my driver side lower ball joint would failn the next while.
61380 mi C $250	Idler puller bearing had to be replaced. Also had the serpentine belt replaced at the same time.
67260 mi C $380	Passenger side front wheel bearing had to be replaced.
68820 mi C $200	The check engine light came on, the code was P0455. It turned out to be the evaporative cannister solenoid.
73160 mi C $280	Rear driveshaft front ujoint replaced.
74400 mi C $420	The evap canister control valve quit working, and was causing the CEL to light. Had the inner tie rods replaced at the same time.
76880 mi C $400	The air fuel mixture sensor on the passenger side caused codes, and had to be replaced.
78740 mi C $800	Replaced all four rotors and pads, fixed sticking calipers.
83080 mi C $955	Front coil spring broke, replaced. OEM exhaust system replaced.
89280 mi C $1600	One front strut and both rear shocks had to be replaced. One lower ball joint had to be replaced. Rad was leaking near the bottom, above the transmission oil portion of the rad. Rad replaced.
91760 mi C $185	Front right brake line corroded and leaked.

175212 mi US $200	Crack in air intake. Part replaced.
178000 mi US $1300	Roof rust mitigation
186000 mi US $2000	Replaced ball joints, lower A-arms, rear leaf springs and re-indexed torsion bars. First alignment ever done.

180000 mi US $1200	Fixed leak at oil pan. Passenger manifold exhaust leak. Fixed differential leak.
181000 mi US $655	Knock sensor replacement

140000 mi US $1000	Timing belt broke
147000 mi US $30000	Engine kept idling out, sometimes while driving sometimes while parked. Google problem, found common solution. Replaced throttle by and some sensor. Problem resolved.

85000 mi US $3300	Engine burning oil very badly, black exhaust, adding a quart every couple of days. Told engine swap would be $2500 but a rebuild would be cheaper, so opted for rebuild. Weeks later after it was done we were billed $3300.
86000 mi US $900	A few months went by when the next thing to go was the radiator and one other thing i cant think of to save my life at the moment but it was $900. Different mechanic shop much better all around.

89200 mi US $260	Muffler needed to be replaced
95300 mi US $130	Battery died
96000 mi US $1100	Distributor melted, needed plugs and wires, diagnostic etc.
94700 mi US $887	Muffler, center tube, gasket exhaust. Four wheel alignment.
98000 mi US $852	Starter and negative battery cable

133000 mi US $127	Front Sway bar links replaced.
138000 mi US $650	Problem with soft brake pedal Replace leaking wheel cylinders and then replaced brake calipers. Still have issue - will be replacing power brake booster and master cylinder.
134000 mi US $425	Replaced the power brake booster as well as the master cylinder.
150000 mi US $125	Replace pads
153000 mi US $1600	Lower ball joints, upper control arm Rear pads and drums replaced

220345 mi US $345	Replaced water pump, all water related hoses, and radiator
257190 mi US $1354	Rebuilt Head, due to blown head gasket.
238000 mi US $1500	Cracked block due to bad head gasket. Engine overheated and was driven until engine seized. Driver error.