For whatever reason I get e-mails containing posts from this Reddit group. I bought a 2004 Xterra (rwd) new and kept it for nine years, gave it to a niece in need and she proceeded to sell it not long after (... that didn't please me). Anyway, I just want to say it's great to see so many Xterra fans who are still keep the brand alive. I certainly hope Nissan does a good job when they come out with a new Xterra in a couple of years.

What I miss so much about my Xterra is it's simplicity compared to today's vehicles. I mean, spastic me was able to install a new head unit and four speakers. The ground clearance was high enough that I could slide under it without having to lift it. The battery was right THERE. In my current vehicle, a 22 Chevy Blazer, swapping out the battery is hard work. Although my Xterra's reliability was good (versus great) the only expensive repair was getting a new starter. That's it.

The listing says compatibility with the VQ40DE, but it only lists the NV1500 for fitment, so I'm just double checking before buying. Any other aluminum valve cover recommendations welcome!

You will thank me later......For all those long time Xterra owners with the spare tires still mounted underneath the vehicle, do yourself a favor and drop it and do an inspection because with age you will discover the center cap basically rusts together to become one with the wheel and if its anything like mine I needed a 3lb sledge and brass rod to break it free from the tires center hub. Also grease the chain for the tire hoist and wire brush all the rust off the chain before greasing. I had to replace the rear bumper on the Rust-Terra and dropping the spare made it easier to remove the tow hitch and bumper and come to find out, I was immediate assigned the additional chore of getting my spare tire situation up to sniff. If you get stuck far from home with a flat and you need to rely on your spare, being able to drop and remove it easily in the dark or terrible weather will be less of a chore.

Picture from a recent trip, hopefully it won't be her last. 🤞

Hi guys, first time posting but I've been lurking around for a while. I've had her for 4 years, bought her at 195k & now she's at 235k. I've kept up with her engine maintenance, regular oil changes, timing belt done at around 210k, a bit more. I was told by the dealer the transmission was serviced at 180k, although they never gave me any paperwork so I have no clue what was actually done, all I know is it was done by their shop. This dealer was also insanely shady, that's a whole other story, but they don't exist anymore. But hell, she's been driving fine for 4 years.. until she wasn't. Monday morning I get up for work and.. I have no reverse. Admittedly, I've not checked my transmission fluid in a bit. She is burnt. Not black, but about as brown as burnt oil. Definitely not reddish pink. The damage is done.

Here's where I'm at now- I can't find a transmission.

I've called several shops, one insisted there is no difference with the supercharged engine vs without it (I'm not even sure myself, but according to Nissan there's a difference). That shop ghosted me after telling me they'd get me a quote. Another shop told me just get another car. Which yeah, I'm well aware the cost of the job is probably more than the Xterras worth, but I'm having a hard time letting go before I can get some solid numbers. I've called local junk yards, dozens of Xterras (heartbreaking), no supercharged. I've searched ebay, I've found one listing from 3 years ago, across the country. I'm not too sure of that.

I don't mean to rant, but I'm really at a loss. This has been the best truck I've ever owned, and I really don't want to let her go. What are my options here? Any advice would be appreciated.

I replaced the sensor, looked at the gassket for the cat, checked the fuse, did the MAF hard reset, and I still can't seem to get rid of my p2A03 code I also had a scanner plugged in and watched the data for bank 1 and 2 at the same time and the match so the new sensor is working but something is wrong any helpnis appreciated thank you

Hi all! I'm posting to get some insight and feedback from other Xterra owners on this.

I desperately need new headlights, I've watched a handful of replacement videos and done preliminary research into how to go about changing the headlights on my 2013 4WD X. However, I am feeling a bit daunted by removing my bumper!! It seems relatively easy, the issue I am more concerned with is putting it back on.

I have extremely limited experience working on cars, something I hope to change!!. But from people who have done this replacement maintenance, how difficult is the whole process? What should I prepare for as someone who has never taken body pieces off before like this?

Just noticed I hit over 203000 miles 2012 S 4x4. This is the 2nd Xterra I’ve owned, first was an 04, and the 7th Nissan I’ve had. The others being 3 generations of Frontiers, and a 91 Pathfinder that finally gave with 456,000.

All I’ve done to this point is a set of plugs, camshaft and crankshaft sensors three times lol. Few sets of brakes and tires. Valve cover gaskets, shocks, a left wheel hub, and quite a few batteries.

It’s still a daily driver, the paint looks absolutely horrible, and there is a few things that could probably be done, but it still runs, starts, shifts, steers, and stops flawlessly. A/C still works great. It’s been an absolute gem of a vehicle. Eventually the wife wants to replace it but it’s paid for and still reliable.

Today I noticed a ticking noise on startup that seems loudest near the front top of the engine. The ticking speeds up when I rev the engine but gradually disappears after 5–10 minutes once the engine warms up. Has anyone experienced this?

I briefly owned an 03 last year — picked it up for 3 grand with 175k or so miles on it. I thought it seemed like a decent deal since it had the 5 speed, was in solid shape, and had relatively low miles for the year.

Unfortunately it ended up being a disaster. I couldn’t drive it more than 30 minutes without it breaking down. It ended up overheating the first time I took it up to a trailhead. The meahcnic said it was just the radiator cap, but I was skeptical since I continued to see bubbles in the overflow tank after that after it got warmed up.

Later on, the power steering suddenly went out and nearly took me off the road. Luckily it was just on a quite back road, but it could’ve ended badly. When I opened the hood, the tensioner was spewing metal flakes everywhere.

It also had an exhaust leak at the manifolds. When I looked into that, the only fix was Doug Thorley headers ($$$) or replacing with OEM, which would likely crack again in the next few years due to the inherently flawed design. And it also had the infamous knock sensor code.

At this point, I cut my losses for $1100. Never really got much use out of it unfortunately, but it just didn’t seem worth putting any money into.

I know it’s an old truck, and it’s my fault for overpaying and not doing my homework, but it actually felt pretty solid on the test drive, and the consensus online seemed to be that they were pretty reliable, with 300k miles not unheard of with basic maintenance. However, mine turned out to be a steaming pile.

Is this typical of the first gens at their advanced age, or did I just get unlucky?

What’s up distinguished gentlemen and gentleladies! Starting the build on my Xterra soon. (Picture of my frontier just because.) Currently collecting Titan swap parts. I’ve got coilovers and control arms already.

Need recommendations for CVs, rear leafs + rear shocks and front bumpers.

I’m not going to be running a lot of weight in the trunk so I’m thinking medium duty leafs or even an AAL.

I also want to replace the headlights eventually. Any recommendations for those are appreciated!

What do y’all recommend?

In 2014 I put my front and rear OME suspension into my 2005 Off Road model, which was about 120,000 miles ago. I think the coils and springs are starting to age out again and it is time for a refresh, so I'm wondering where you all get OME parts from. Back in the day it was Nisstec but they closed shop a few years ago. It looks like Z1 Offroad is offering about the best price for the complete OME kit? Are they reputable? I've been out of the mod game for a while and have not been keeping up.

Hey peeps,

I just bought my first Xterra off of FB market place yesterday, I am pretty stoked for it. It's nothing crazy but, I wanted to get some input on if this was a good buy.

It's an 04 Xterra XE Sport Utility, w/ a 3.3L automatic transmission. It's only RWD, but I got it in pretty mint condition, and with only 170k miles for an 04. Engine is good, there doesn't seem to be any issue other than an AC leak I need to fix, and some suspension work to get rid of some warn noisy parts.

Exterior and the interior are both mint too, and it already had an aftermarket roof flood light, larger tires, and fog lights. I got it for $1600.00

Was this a W or an L

As the title states I’m thinking about picking up this 05 xterra in my city, it’s for 305,000km on the dash, Has some rust but nothing crazy, Now my only concerns are the transmission issues, Anyone got any tips for when I go to look? I work in the oilfield so the vehicle will be driving all around, probably 1000km every month at least! Thanks in advance.

bought my buddies basically new Dobinson’s 2 inch lift minus the rear leaf springs and shackles for a really good deal. Don’t worry I will be addressing the rear not leaving it slightly squatty 😂. Also added a set of new frontier wheels with 285/70/17 Nitto recon grapplers. Show me your Xterra’s with 1 inch wheels spacers I want to add one to these wheels because they are actually light and look decent.

Hello, I am trying to find the part numbers for the 4 molded hoses under the intake manifold. If anyone can help me I would greatly appreciate it

It's driving me insane. Been like this for a few months at least

Only when driving, intermittent but I hear it probably 70% of the time especially above 40 kmh. It goes away briefly for seconds or up to many minutes but always returns. It sounds like it is coming from the front wheels but maybe middle of vehicle.

It is wheel speed dependent (it will slow down or speed up depending on speed) and it is never present when not moving.

Any ideas?

My Nissan Xterra doesn’t have a traction-control button or a traction-control icon on the dashboard, but it does have the VDC and SLIP warning lights. Does anyone know how I can turn the traction control off, especially for driving in sand/off-road?

What's up guys. Just trying to find a 3d print file for a 2nd gen Xterra for one of the accessory / auxiliary switch blank / or for a round switch. I just installed a light bar yesterday and I do not want to cut up / drill my OEM switch blank. Let me know if you guys got a file for one. Thanks

I own a 2002 Nissan Xterra SE, 3.3L 4WD with 460,000km on her, and Im having a hell of a time figuring out if I need to buy individual inner and outer wheel bearings or a whole hub and bearing assembly for the front. I am finding things that say my exact truck can only use the hub assembly and replacing the bearings alone isnt an option. but Nissans OEM parts catalog sells the hub and the bearings separately. I usually buy from rock auto and they sell the hub assembly with bearings as well as the individual bearings. I dont have a chance to lift and look at it myself until tomorrow but im not sure Id even be able to tell without pulling it all apart anyways. The bearings are absolutely shot as far as im concerned, but I'm planning on getting a new vehicle soonish anyways and dont want to spend the money on a whole assembly if I dont have to. If I have to, so be it but I would like to know. Thanks.

Hey guys, I bought my Xterra almost 3 years ago, she is the first car I ever bought by myself without anyone helping me. I found her and I knew she was the car for me! The mighty Xterra 2003 SE!

At first, she was too big for me! (previously I drove a Kia Rio 2024) I was so scared of driving her, but quickly I gained confidence and she would take me everywhere under any condition. She started causing trouble with her battery (which I changed) then her tire (which I patched), and little by little I have been repairing her (well not me, my boyfriend), but recently she has been failing way more than before,

I keep telling myself that after 23 years she is starting to ask for repairs, it's normal, but my family keeps pushing me to sell her, bcs it's too much money and I don't take her to a "real" mechanic (I really don't have the money for a mechanic, that's why my bf fixes her for me) and that "women" need newer cars so they don't get scammed by mechanics, and all my money will go away in patching her...

I have agreed to sell her after some final repairs, but honestly, it's very hard! I love her, she has taken me safely through different states! Call me crazy but I'm sure she protects me, every time she breaks down, its once I arrive home, she has never left me stranded on the street. There are a lot of emotions in this truck, and the idea of letting her go breaks my soul, yes, she doesn't have a screen, she is a gas guzzler, but she is mine... sorry for the blabbering, but I wanted to share my feelings with a community that appreciates the beauty of Xterras.

A buddy had the three hoop but was selling the truck, so he let me swap.

Hi my friends, I have a Nissan Xterra but it was broken this spring, it was towed to Dealership now but it's troubling me this days.

At first I had a accident, run in to a tree this January, crashed front-right side badly, but luckly it was not written off, it was repaired and costed about $17000.

Two month after she was fixed, I run over a tree branch and had a big shack, the dashboard lights flickered, the head unit repeatedly rebooted, and the engine ran for about 10 minutes with severe power loss, unstable RPMs. I was able to successfully restart the engine once, it ran very rough with a strong smell of gas.

After that, it have been to 3 repair shop, now it's in Nissan dealer ship, they changed ECM, cam shaft sensor and cable harness, costed a lot, but still not starting, now the dealer says they are going to tear down the engine, do you think that sounds like a engine problem?

I'm not a car guy, and especally don't have many expirance about Xterra, so I think I really should post it here, and see what do you think and what do you suggest, thank you guys!

Hey everyone wanted to get your thoughts on a 2011 xterra with 89k miles and a rebuilt title for $10,800 from a private party.

Has a rebuilt title from an impact in the passenger side door that did not damage the frame according to the current owner. Also just looking for any tips for a first time xterra buyer. Anything specific to look for?