Built from official NHTSA complaint and recall data · data through 07/14/2026
Source: U.S. NHTSA complaint & recall data. Complaints are unverified reports from vehicle owners — a complaint is not a confirmed defect.
The most-reported problem — Power Train (30.8% of complaints) — was examined in a now-closed NHTSA investigation that did not result in a recall.
Power Train complaints here are 3.6× the median for that category across the 2391 model-years tracked on this site.
5 of the 6 most-reported categories on this page are backed by a recall or open investigation; the other 1 rests on owner reports alone.
| Complaint category | Reports | Official status | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 240 · 30.8% | Investigation closed | DP12004 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 204 · 26.2% | Recalled | Recall 10V075000 |
| Engine | 104 · 13.3% | Recalled | Recall 10V517000 |
| Fuel/propulsion System | 94 · 12.1% | Recalled | Recall 10V075000 |
| Engine And Engine Cooling | 78 · 10% | Recalled | Recall 10V517000 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline:storage:auxillary Tank | 38 · 4.9% | Recalled | Recall 10V075000 |
Recalled = an NHTSA safety recall covers this category, so a free repair exists. Under investigation = NHTSA has an open probe but no recall yet. Investigation closed = NHTSA examined it and closed the probe — this is not a defect finding; where a closed probe led to a recall we name the campaign. Not available = recall or investigation data could not be confirmed for this vehicle — it is not a “no”. Categories are matched by NHTSA's top-level component. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Percentages are the share of the 780 complaints citing each component; one complaint can cite several components. “Unspecified / other” is NHTSA’s own catch-all category — we show it rather than hide it.
NHTSA campaign 10E019000 · 2010 · reported 05/20/2010
IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V517000 · 2010 · reported 10/28/2010
THIS COULD CAUSE ENGINE STALLING INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 10V075000 · 2010 · reported 03/03/2010
THIS COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO RUN OUT OF GAS AND STALL IN TRAFFIC, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 08V690000 · 2008 · reported 12/29/2008
THIS ISSUE COULD RESULT IN THE NON-DEPLOYMENT OF THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER FRONT AIR BAGS IN A CRASH, INCREASING THE RISK OF PERSONAL INJURY. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
NHTSA campaign 07E046000 · 2007 · reported 07/03/2007
THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED.… Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
PARK-IT: NO · PARK-OUTSIDE: NO · OVER-THE-AIR FIX: NO
Park it Park outside Specimen badges — shown on a recall card only when NHTSA sets the flag. None of the campaigns above carries either flag. Always check your own vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
“I PURCHASED THIS XTERRA IN MAY OF 2006. IN THE PAST 8 WEEKS I HAVE HAD TO HAVE MY 06 NISSAN XTERRA TOWED TO THE…”NHTSA complaint 10252143 — filed 12/17/2008 · POWER TRAIN
“I OWN AN 06 XTERRA WITH A SIX SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION WHEN THE VEHICLE HAD 24000 KM I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY WHEN I…”NHTSA complaint 10243359 — filed 09/24/2008 · POWER TRAIN
“COMPLETE FAILURE OF THE FRONT DIFFERENTIAL UNDER NON-ABUSE CONDITIONS.”NHTSA complaint 10228934 — filed 05/27/2008 · POWER TRAIN
Excerpts are shortened and scrubbed of personal details; they are individual, unverified reports.
Power train issues are the most-reported category, cited in 240 of 780 NHTSA complaints (30.8%), followed by fuel system, gasoline (204), engine (104), fuel/propulsion system (94). Complaints are unverified owner reports.
780 complaints were on file with NHTSA as of 07/14/2026. Of those, 12 involved a crash, 3 involved a fire, and 19 reported injuries. 1 deaths were reported.
Yes — 5 NHTSA safety recall campaigns, including campaign 10E019000. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers. Check your specific vehicle by VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
5 of the 6 most-reported complaint categories on this page are backed by an NHTSA safety recall or open investigation; the rest are unverified owner reports. A recall means a free repair is available at authorized dealers.
No. Complaints are reports submitted by consumers to NHTSA. NHTSA does not verify individual complaints, and a complaint is not proof that a defect exists.
