2011 NISSAN Xterra Problems

Complaints Reported

Complaints by Component

AIR BAGS

9 complaints

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.

Sep 02, 2025

Nissan consumer affairs Case #48955822 Manufacturer Recall NumberPC948 NHTSA Recall Number23E-012 Recall StatusRecall Incomplete, remedy not yet available Summary THE RESIN EMBLEM ON THE DRIVER S AIRBAG MODULE COVER IN AFFECTED VEHICLES MAY HAVE REDUCED DURABILITY DUE TO POTENTIAL SUPPLIER PRODUCTION PROCESS VARIATION. IN THIS CONDITION, OVER TIME THE POSTS OF THE EMBLEM MAY DEVELOP CRACKS, AND THE EMBLEM AND RETAINER COMPONENTS COULD DETACH IN THE EVENT OF AN AIRBAG DEPLOYMENT. I attempted to reach a buy back agreement with Nissan consumer affairs and the request was denied with no reason given. I have requested a remedy to this recall with no response. I refuse to drive a vehicle that is deemed too unsafe to sell. I demand Nissan to buy this vehicle back.

May 31, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of the NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that an unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available for the recall repair. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue and offered to buy back the vehicle however, the offer was declined. The contact was provided a case number but no further assistance. VIN tool confirms parts not available

May 31, 2023

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Xterra. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

Apr 17, 2023

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 RECALLS AND FOUND THREE OF THE FOUR COMPLAINTS FOR THIS MAKE/MODEL ARE FOR THIS SAME PROBLEM.

Mar 22, 2018

+ 4 more complaints for this component

ENGINE

5 complaints

The vehicle was driving just fine, then about a month later the heat gauge started to fluctuate, i replaced the radiator caps, thermostat...it ran good for another month, started to overheat....i made sure water was in radiator and overflow...about a month went by the gauge started to fluctuate again, now there is water in my oil, meaning a cracked head gasket...this is the 2nd vehicle ive purchased that the same thing has hapoened to.

Jun 17, 2024

ENGINE FAILED

Apr 06, 2021

EXHAUST MANIFOLD FAILED. DEFECTIVE WELD DURING MANUFACTURING PROCESS. ALLOWED HEAT AND EXHAUST GASES EMISSION. SUPERSEDES COMPLAINT NUMBER: 11035945 & COMPLAINT NUMBER: 11035942. NOW I HAVE THE MANIFOLD OFF THE VEHICLE I CAN CLEARLY SEE THE DEFECTIVE WELD.

Feb 26, 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 OLD.

Oct 23, 2017

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

3 complaints

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.

Jul 30, 2025

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.

Oct 29, 2014

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 LEAK. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 65,000.

Sep 05, 2014

TIRES

2 complaints

BF GOODRICH TIRES ON NEW NISSAN XTERRA ONLY LASTED 32000 MILES ARE THEY KIDDING. *TR

Apr 19, 2014

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 REPLACED THE TIRES BUT THEY WERE UNABLE TO DIAGNOSE THE REASON THE TIRE BLEW OUT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 1,200.

Jan 21, 2011

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

1 complaint

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.

Jul 30, 2024

STRUCTURE,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

1 complaint

Hole in exhaust system due to weld failure in support clamp The problem is reoccurring every year over a 3 1/2 year period

Aug 27, 2023

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)

1 complaint

WHEN TURNING THE STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK AND ENGINE WILL SHUT DOWN

Sep 06, 2020

POWER TRAIN

1 complaint

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 BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE 22,000.

Feb 08, 2013

SUSPENSION

1 complaint

PASSENGER SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING FOUND TO BE BROKEN AT INSPECTION AND HAD TO BE REPLACED. OFF WARRANTY AT 57,000 MILES AND A WEEK LATER DRIVER SIDE LEAF SPRING COMPLETELY BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON 65MPH ON HIGHWAY NEARLY CAUSING A SERIOUS CRASH,. HAD TO HAVE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP- WRIGHT NISSAN IN WEXFORD PA OPENLY ADMITS ITS A DEFECTIVE PART ISSUE AND THERE IS NO WAY I COULD HAVE DONE THIS AS THE VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN OFF-ROAD AND ITS THE PRO-4 OFFROAD VERSION OF THE VEHICLE. THEY TOLD ME THIS SHOULD NEVER HAPPEN, YET I WAS OFF 36K WARRANTY AND STILL HAD TO PAY FOR IT. I AM REQUESTING A RECALL ON THOSE PARTS. IT IS A BIG SAFETY HAZARD. *TR

Dec 07, 2012

⭐

4.6/5.0

49 reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

How many problems does the 2011 NISSAN Xterra have?

The 2011 NISSAN Xterra currently has 24 owner-reported complaints according to NHTSA database. These complaints are organized by component to help identify common issues.

What are the most common problems with 2011 NISSAN Xterra?

The most common problems reported for the 2011 NISSAN Xterra are organized by component above. Each component section shows owner-reported issues, crash reports, and fire incidents to help identify patterns and problem areas.

Where does this 2011 NISSAN Xterra problem data come from?

All problem and complaint data for the 2011 NISSAN Xterra comes directly from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) database. These are real complaints submitted by actual vehicle owners.