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2003 Nissan Xterra XE V6 2WD 5MT

The 2003 Nissan Xterra XE V6 2WD 5MT is a 180-hp 3.3-liter V6 with a 5-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $20,399 MSRP and is rated at 17 mpg combined.

It makes 180 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 202 lb-ft of torque at 2800 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway (17 mpg combined).

The Xterra measures 178.0 inches long on a 104.3-inch wheelbase and has a curb weight of 3,760 lb.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$20,399 ($36,031 *)
Engine
Engine Type3.3L SOHC 12-valve V6 (VG33E)
Displacement3.3 L
Horsepower180 hp @ 4,800 rpm
Torque202 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
Compression Ratio8.9:1
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRear-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-Speed Manual
Fuel Economy
City15 MPG
Highway19 MPG
Combined17 MPG
Tank Capacity19.4 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionDouble-wishbone independent front suspension
Rear SuspensionRigid rear axle with leaf springs and stabilizer bars
Turning Diameter35.4 ft
Brakes
Front Brake DiscPower-assisted front disc brakes, 4-wheel ABS standard
Rear Brake DiscRear drum brakes, 4-wheel ABS standard
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front15/16-in. wheels
Wheels Rear15/16-in. wheels
Tires FrontP265/70R15
Tires RearP265/70R15
Dimensions & Weight
Length178 in
Width70.4 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Cargo Volume65.6 ft³
Curb Weight3,760 lbs
Interior
Headroom Front38.6 in
Headroom Rear37.8 in
Legroom Front41.4 in
Legroom Rear32.8 in
Shoulder Room Front54.5 in
Shoulder Room Rear54.4 in
Hip Room Front52 in
Hip Room Rear51.9 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover ★★★★★
Tested variant: 2003 Nissan Xterra 4-DR.

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

Most-cited areas
Steering12
Fuel System11
Service Brakes11
Air Bags10
Gasoline10
Hydraulic9
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Sep 26, 2022 · Air Bags Crash
“My son missed a sharp turn going approx 40 mph. Went up an embankment, off a 4 ft retaining wall and struck a guard rail with the front passenger side of the xterra. Airbags failed to deploy.”
Aug 7, 2021 · Steering, Engine, Fuel/Propulsion System
“Fuel pump power steering abs O2 sensors yes it's available for inspection upon requests car shut off while driving at 70 miles an hour on a highway due to fuel pump because my VIN number is not with…”
Oct 10, 2020 · Engine
“ENGINE OVERHEATING ALL COOLING PARTS HAVE BEEN REPLACED STILL OVERHEATING WITH NO KNOWN ISSUE FOUND VERY COMMON IN THE 2000 TO 2004 MODELS AND YET NO RECALLS TO FIX THE ISSUE AND KEEPS BLOWING…”
Jan 24, 2019 · Fuel/Propulsion System
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS FILLED WITH FUEL, IT WOULD NOT RESTART. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHO STATED THERE WAS A CRACK IN THE FUEL…”
Jan 31, 2018 · Engine
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A PREMATURE FAILURE OF COOLANT LEAKING INTO THE RADIATOR, WHICH IMPACTED THE TRANSMISSION. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY…”

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.

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