Years
The Nissan Xterra was a body-on-frame compact SUV sold from 1999 to 2015, positioned as a more rugged and affordable alternative to the Pathfinder in Nissan's lineup. It was offered across two generations, with the first based on the Nissan Frontier pickup platform and the second sharing the F-Alpha platform with the Frontier and Pathfinder. The model was typically noted for its off-road capability, durable construction, and straightforward, utilitarian design.
Manufacturer: Nissan
Nissan Motor Company was founded in Yokohama, Japan, in 1933 and became one of the world's largest automakers, forming a long-standing alliance with Renault beginning in 1999. The company released the Leaf in 2010 as one of the first mass-market electric cars and is also known for the GT-R performance car and its pioneering work with continuously variable transmissions. Nissan's reputation has been mixed in recent years, with its CVTs drawing reliability complaints and the company experiencing financial difficulties and leadership turmoil following the arrest of former chairman Carlos Ghosn in 2018.
Model: xterra
The Nissan Xterra was a body-on-frame compact SUV sold from 1999 to 2015, positioned as a more rugged and affordable alternative to the Pathfinder in Nissan's lineup. It was offered across two generations, with the first based on the Nissan Frontier pickup platform and the second sharing the F-Alpha platform with the Frontier and Pathfinder. The model was typically noted for its off-road capability, durable construction, and straightforward, utilitarian design.
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2001_XterraThe 2001 Nissan Xterra was the model's second year on sale, with changes limited largely to minor equipment and trim updates. It continued to offer a 3.3-liter V6, with a supercharged version available in the SE trim. Common service considerations include timing belt replacement at the recommended interval, inspection for frame and body rust, and checking for rear main seal and radiator leaks. Four-wheel-drive system fluids and suspension components also warrant regular inspection.
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2003_XterraThe 2003 Nissan Xterra continued with the 3.3L V6 engine, with a supercharged version offered on the SE trim, and received minor exterior updates including revised front-end styling and new wheel designs. Common service considerations include timing belt replacement at the recommended interval, inspection for frame and body rust, and monitoring of rear axle bearings. The automatic transmission and exhaust manifolds are also known wear items on higher-mileage examples.
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2007_XterraThe 2007 Nissan Xterra continued the second-generation design with minor updates, including the addition of a tire pressure monitoring system to meet federal requirements. It retained the 4.0-liter V6 engine paired with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission. Common service items for this model year include timing chain tensioner wear, radiator end-tank cracking, and automatic transmission failures. Suspension components such as ball joints and tie rod ends, along with oxygen sensors and water pumps, are also frequent maintenance concerns.
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2005_XterraThe 2005 Xterra was fully redesigned for its second generation, moving to a body-on-frame platform shared with the Frontier pickup and receiving a new 4.0-liter V6 engine rated at 265 horsepower. Trim levels included the X, SE, and off-road-oriented PRO-4X, the latter adding features such as an electronic locking rear differential and skid plates. Common service items reported for this model year include rear main seal leaks, oxygen sensor failures, and radiator deterioration that can contaminate automatic transmission fluid through the integrated cooler. Routine attention to spark plugs, suspension wear, and rust prevention in corrosion-prone areas is also commonly recommended.
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2004_XterraThe 2004 Xterra was the final year of the first generation, offering a 3.3-liter V6 with an available supercharged version on the SE trim. Common service items include timing belt replacement, since the engine is an interference design, along with inspection for frame and body rust. Rear axle bearings, automatic transmission condition, and suspension wear are also worth checking on higher-mileage examples.
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2000The 2000 Nissan Xterra debuted as an all-new compact SUV, built on the Nissan Frontier pickup platform and offered in XE and SE trims with a 3.3-liter V6 engine. It was available with either rear-wheel drive or part-time four-wheel drive, and its two-door body featured a raised roofline with a roof rack. Common service items include timing belt replacement, rust inspection on the frame and body, and attention to the rear main seal and cooling system. Regular maintenance of the transfer case and differential fluids is also recommended for four-wheel-drive examples.
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2002_XterraThe 2002 Nissan Xterra received a revised front grille and updated exterior styling, along with minor interior trim changes. It was offered with a 3.3-liter V6 engine, with a supercharged version available in the SE trim, paired with either a five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmission. Common service items include timing belt replacement, inspection for frame rust, and attention to rear main seal and oxygen sensor failures. The supercharged models also require periodic supercharger oil service.
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2009_XterraThe 2009 Nissan Xterra continued with the 4.0-liter V6 engine and received minor updates to exterior styling and interior features. A common service consideration is the radiator, since internal leaks can allow coolant to mix with automatic transmission fluid and lead to transmission damage. Owners also frequently address rear differential seal leaks, suspension component wear, and frame corrosion inspections, particularly in regions that use road salt.