2003 Nissan Xterra SE SC 2WD 4AT
All photo credits
- Photo: 2001 Nissan XTerra, Front Left, 07-13-2020 by SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2002-2004 Nissan Xterra SE 4WD V6 in Obsidian Black, front left by Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: '00-'01 Nissan X-Terra by Bull-Doser, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
- Photo: 2004 Nissan Xterra, rear left, 05-23-2026 by BuickCentury04, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
The 2003 Nissan Xterra SE SC 2WD 4AT is a 210-hp 3.3-liter supercharged V6 with a 4-speed automatic and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $25,999 MSRP and is rated at 15 mpg combined.
It makes 210 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 246 lb-ft of torque at 2800 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 14 mpg city and 17 mpg highway (15 mpg combined).
The Xterra measures 178.0 inches long on a 104.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 4,156 lb.
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Vehicle | |
| Body Type | SUV |
| Powertrain | Gas |
| Price | |
| MSRP | $25,999 ($45,922 *) |
| Engine | |
| Engine Type | 3.3L SOHC 12-valve supercharged V6 (VG33ER) |
| Displacement | 3.3 L |
| Horsepower | 210 hp @ 4,800 rpm |
| Torque | 246 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm |
| Compression Ratio | 8.9:1 |
| Drivetrain | |
| Drive Type | Rear-Wheel Drive |
| Transmission | |
| Transmission | 4-Speed Automatic |
| Fuel Economy | |
| City | 14 MPG |
| Highway | 17 MPG |
| Combined | 15 MPG |
| Tank Capacity | 19.4 gal |
| Suspension | |
| Front Suspension | Double-wishbone independent front suspension |
| Rear Suspension | Rigid rear axle with leaf springs and stabilizer bars |
| Turning Diameter | 35.4 ft |
| Brakes | |
| Front Brake Disc | Power-assisted front disc brakes, 4-wheel ABS standard |
| Rear Brake Disc | Rear drum brakes, 4-wheel ABS standard |
| Tires & Wheels | |
| Wheels Front | 16-in. aluminum wheels |
| Wheels Rear | 16-in. aluminum wheels |
| Tires Front | P265/70R16 |
| Tires Rear | P265/70R16 |
| Dimensions & Weight | |
| Length | 178 in |
| Width | 70.4 in |
| Wheelbase | 104.3 in |
| Cargo Volume | 65.6 ft³ |
| Curb Weight | 4,156 lbs |
| Interior | |
| Headroom Front | 38.6 in |
| Headroom Rear | 37.8 in |
| Legroom Front | 41.4 in |
| Legroom Rear | 32.8 in |
| Shoulder Room Front | 54.5 in |
| Shoulder Room Rear | 54.4 in |
| Hip Room Front | 52 in |
| Hip Room Rear | 51.9 in |
Similar cars
Rivals to the 2003 Nissan Xterra SE SC 2WD 4AT with similar size, power and price from around the same years.
Safety & Recalls
NCAP safety ratings
| Overall | Not rated |
| Frontal crash | Not rated |
| Frontal – driver | ★★★★★ |
| Frontal – passenger | ★★★★★ |
| Side crash | Not rated |
| Rollover | ★★★★★ |
Recalls
3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2003 Nissan XTERRA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Nov 11, 2010 · STEERING:COLUMN
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 FRONTIER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001 THROUGH OCTOBER 20, 2004, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2004, XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001, THROUGH JANUARY 6, 2005. OVER TIME CORROSION MAY FORM IN THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN JOINT AND LIMIT MOVEMENT OF THE JOINT. THE LIMITED MOVEMENT OF THIS JOINT MAY CREATE EXCESSIVE LOAD ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE SHAFT DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS THAT REQUIRE LARGE STEERING INPUTS.
Consequence: THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND JOINT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHAFT OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign 10V554000
May 24, 2004 · FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR OR SIX CYLINDER ENGINES, THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT CAN DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC MOLDING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TERMINAL STRIP TO CORRODE UNDER SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.
Consequence: IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION. THIS WILL RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: IN THE FOLLOWING STATES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT. THESE STATES ARE CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THE OTHER STATES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE SENDING UNIT FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE UNIT. IF THERE IS NOT CORROSION, THE DEALER WILL APPLY SEALANT TO THE TERMINAL HOUSING TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION IN THE FUTURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign 04V230000
Nov 12, 2002 · SUSPENSION:REAR
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER MAY ENTER THE REAR AXLE HOUSING DUE TO INADEQUATE SEALING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR.
Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE WHEEL BEARING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE FOR WATER INTRUSION AND ANY AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. THE ABS SENSOR WILL BE RESEALED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA campaign 02V299000
72 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2003 Nissan XTERRA
Owner Complaints
72 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2003 Nissan XTERRA (16 mention a crash, 2 a fire, 10 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov
| Steering | 12 |
| Fuel System | 11 |
| Service Brakes | 11 |
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Gasoline | 10 |
| Hydraulic | 9 |
Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.
Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.