Used 2003 Nissan Xterra Consumer Reviews

One of the best SUVs

Exceent SUV, if you take a little care of it: First of all change to Bilsteins - it will change your driving experience 180 degrees. Second, if you over 100K change timing belt, all other belts; watter pump, termostat. Third, make sure your brakes are good. Now you have a fantastic car - you have to invest a bit - but then you have a true 4x4 that will go anywhere, will start any time, and will drive and feel like brand new. Or much better than many brand new cars, suvs in the $20K range. My wife wants me to change my car to twice more expensive and more cool - I love this SUV - I put some sweat to it and it is perfect now! Love it!

Loved my X!

Great mom car! Back doors a little small, HUGE trunk area, great style. Built tough, I hit a deer going 60 mpg and had absolutely nothing wrong with it. No complaints about the look or feel of the car. My only single complaint was gas mileage, 16 hwy, 11 or 12 city. Just recently sold it because I couldn't afford constantly putting gas in it, but mine was super-charged so that didn't help. If you don't care about the gas mileage, then I would say go for it! Only had to be in the shop here and there for minor problems. Some day when I have more money, I will be getting another one, and I can't wait until I do! :) Just sold it a few weeks ago, already miss it like crazy!

Best car for everything!!

In all honesty it is one of the best all around cars you can buy, and cheap too! The acceleration is not bad for what it is, the teams is fantastic!! I beat on mine all the time and if you do nessesitys to maintain it will hold up forever! Mine has 220,000 miles and runs strong, only repairs are on the clutch and breaks, very solid, pretty safe is you drive normally, surprisingly hard to flip! Reliable fun, relatively safe and 25+ mpg!!

Best vehicle I've ever owned

Last year, I got a job that required a long commute, and had to get rid of my 2003 Xterra. I really miss that SUV, by far the best vehicle I've ever owned. The only maintenance that was ever required was the scheduled maintenance, I never had a single problem with it that required fixing. It drove smooth, and was surprisingly quiet for an SUV. The V6 engine was very powerful, as we towed and carried many loads across the US without even straining it, there was always more power than we needed. By the time I traded it in after 7 years of driving, the paint was still perfect, the suspension was perfect, the engine was perfect, and the interior looked brand new. I really miss that Xterra. :(

Above average but very versatile

Xterrra is a SUV build on a truck base. Good parts of the car: Great room from the ground to the undercarraige which makes driving in the snow very easy. Huge difference in deivimg the Xterra XE in the snow versus a saller car. Excellent space in the car with 6 stereo speakers and multiple USB ports. I installed a JVC radio and it looks and sounds terrific. Kids can plug in cell phones or chargers anywhere. Also not a bad looking vehicle and used touch up paint very effectively. Overall paint has held up quite well. Bad parts: Timing belt at 105K is very expensive. Car can be shaky at times but you have to remember it is a truck you are driving not a car. Gas mileage is pretty tough. I am at 16/22 but can use regular 87 gas. Windshield gets foggy pretty quick and engine is not easy to work on. Well those are the facts. Its a safe car that can be used for a lot of things whether it be taking your kids and his or her friends somewhere to putting golf clubs or construction equipment in the back. It is very versatile.

Mountain Goat

I love this vehicle. Exterior silver w/brush guards, roof rack w/tray. Interior rare black leather interior w/heated seats. Kids love visibility from tiered second row. Rear compartment provides plenty of storage for baseball equipment, etc. Added Bilstein shocks to smooth ride. Adding catback & CAI to address substandard fuel economy & provide boost to slightly underpowered 3.3 liter engine. An issue, not a problem. Currently 20/17 mpg w/conservative use. Handles blizzards with confidence. Climbed NYC snowbank to create parking spot! Nissan should consider turbo diesel engine for this tree-climbing Billy Goat. Love it

My Girl Roxanne

I sincerely love this car, I have been driving her for many years and my parents bought her at 24000 miles. It's bare bones, manual locks, manual windows, four cylinder engine and five speed manual. My parents bought her after she had been bounced around from dealership to dealership around the US. The only repairs I have had to do is two new clutches and one total transmission rebuild, and wear and tear things on it and she now has 218000 and is still running strong. I learned to drive on this car and I now drive her every day for school in the harsh winters of Idaho (which I didn't have to do back home in WA). I don't look forward to the day it costs more to fix her than she is worth because it has been a great car for me and my parents. My mom drove her everyday to work and got awesome gas mileage in stop and go traffic and I continue to get the same. I have added a new stereo with Bluetooth and USB and AUX for ease of travel when going in between WA and ID but other wise she is still pretty stock in accessories. I have taken her scouting for deer and elk because I am a hunter and she has never skipped a beat, I have driven her in 8 inches of snow and boy does the manual transmission and BFG All Terrain KO2's do awesome. This is a hard car for me to beat it has been reliable every time I've needed it and will forever be my favorite car.

Will NOT let this one go!!

I've owned my 2003 Xterra since new in 2003 and I can't say enough good things about this vehicle. Eight years of ownership, driven every day, long trips, short trips, on light trails and pavement. Knock sensor went bad at 92,000 miles. That's it...........my only repair. Of course there is the standard replacements, like air filter, oil changes and brakes, but the knock sensor has been the only mechanical failure. Oh yeah, I got 74,000 out of the front pads and the rear pads still look great at 105,000 miles. My daughter is turning 16 in a few months and this will be her vehicle. I feel very confident that this vehicle will provide her with safe, reliable transportation for years to come.

Nissan is a name you can trust!

This is Xterra #2 for me. My first was a 2000 XE V6 which I thoroughly enjoyed. I had it around two years and put around 30,000 miles on it before I needed money for getting married and buying a house. Now a couple of years later I've replaced my lost treasure with a 2003 SE 4x4 V6. There's really no difference inside except for the gauges and radio package. The Fosgate sound system is awesome and the sub really hits nicely. The transfer case shifts nice and smooth with easy transistions between 2 and 4 wheel. This X has really lived up to the expectations and quality that I know to expect from Nissan.

Love Love Love this car!

I bought my x-terra three years ago. It has over 200k miles and I haven't had any problems! It is super reliable and runs great for how old It is. The ceiling lining is starting to unattach and the gas mileage is not too great, but other than that I love it!

Cant WAIT to get rid of it!

Nothing but trouble! For starters, the a/c sucks! I blow cooler air then my Xterra. We have had the a/c charged & it made the issue worse. It also doesnt blow hard enough for my kids in the back seat to even feel it at all. The sunroof leaks. Ive replaced the starter, battery, connector cables, timing belt, and radiator multiple times & we still get stranded. It doesnt crank 50% of time. Was told it has mechanical issues. Im waiting on it to catch fire!The front grey bumper fades & chips & looks awful! & the sad thing is, we just now hit 103,000 miles. The window motors are going out & the seal on windows leak and make lots of air noise when driving. I hate this thing! My kids hate it too!

Love our X!

This suv is fun to drive! It has lots of room for all your stuff, even when we had our first child. Infant and toddler car seats fit - but snugly. Unfortunatly the back doors do not open wide enough. It can be tricky getting an infant seat in and out. Has enough pick up and go to really move.

Xterra Rocks

I wanted tough style (didn't want people to confuse it with a family car), storage space (for weekend get- aways), dependability, and the feel of fun when driving anywhere. I got all four. My SE trim Super Black Xterra is still to me the best looking SUV around, with its brash and bold look and its shine when the Super black color is waxed, along with the tall charcoal wheels and rugged tires with the raised white letters. It drives like a Truck, which suits this TEXAN just fine.

Nissan Xterra

I Find the Xterra is fun to drive. It outclimbs most other cars on the hills and find the it is a very smooth ride on the freeways... I find one piece of equipment missing in the vehicle though and that would be an oil pressure gauge.. I would much prefer this to the standard idiot light that usually tells you when it is too late. The service through the dealer has been outstanding too. I would buy another one if I ever need too. But I feel that my xterra and I will be together for a long time...

Poor performance

MAJOR power steering problems. Not a smooth ride. Great sound system. I average 16.2 mpg between city & freeway. For optimal performance of supercharge, you need premium gas. The extra money you pay for supercharge is not worth it compared to the regular model.

03 Nissan Xterra SE S/C 4wd

I bought my Xterra 2 months ago and I absolutely love it. I just happened to find an atomic orange one, at first I wasn't so sure about the color but after a little while it grew on me and now I even love the color.

BAD MILAGE 10 MPG CITY- SUPER CHARGED

2002 6 cyl. Super Charged. Specs say 15/18 est. milage. I get 10 mpg and 7 mpg towing. The service department said everything is within specs. Did I get a lemon? I am under the 12/12000. Domestic v8's get better milage than this. This is the 4th Nissan I have owned, and the last if this isn't resolved. I love the Xterra, this is the second one I have owned, but the milage is KILLING ME!

Love my Xterra

I really love my Xterra. The only fault I see with this truck is gas mileage! I have had all of my service done on time, but gas mileage continues to diminish. We drove this vehicle on a 500 mile trip and got 11 miles to the gallon highway. I hate to get rid of my truck, but I'm gonna have to. It has been parked for 2 months because of the gas mileage. It's hard to pay for something you can't afford to drive. The major problem I am having is finding something that I like as much or better than my Xterra. There's not much out there.

Top Of The World

I traded my 04 FX35 with 59k on a 5 speed,03 Xterra with 103k miles in March 2010. Did a major service with timing belt and the works then put a set of beautifully aggressive and very quiet Goodyear Wrangler Dura Trac 265/75/16 tires on it, drove it from Los Angeles to Moab,Utah for the Easter Jeep Safari. I completed the "Top Of The World" and "Fins and things" trails which are rated difficult with this awesome show room stock vehicle. This vehicle is absolutely impressive and I do not impress easily having owned a few "built" off road rides. Now back in L.A. and drive it daily about 50 miles in total comfort. I love my Xterra more than anything I have owned. Nissan has created a gem.

nissan xterra

everyone knows the Nissan Xterra that its reliable, strong and vary roomy. i haven't had avy problems with the car even though gas intake could be better but that goes far any car....

fun to drive

We bought our xterra in june and drove it from Salt Lake City to Anchorage Alaska the very next week and had absolutly no problems. The day I bought it I immediately went to the shop and threw on a Magnaflow catback exhaust because I heard the gas mileage was bad. I also threw on a air intake for it and loaded the thing up for the trip. We averaged over 20 miles to the gallon on the trip and had no complaints. We didnt want the s/c because of the premium fuel. The horse power greatly increases also and it only costs around 300 bucks which was well spent. Overall no complaints here.

nissan x trail

nissan xtrail 2.5 litres petrol is a faultless machine and has given me no trouble. Ihave driven it non stop for 500 km on a very hot day 100 degrees and arrived home and the engine was purring like a pussy cat. An excellant small 4x4.

Great SUV!

I have owned my 2003 Xterra for 3months now. I haggled with the salesman and payed $24,600 for a Silver 4x4 SE, with floormats, and microcabin filter. The Xterra has adequate power, great features, and seems very durable. I have had no problems and have no complaints. The ride is very smooth in the Xterra as the wheels absorb any potholes or bumps you might hit rather well. Cabin noise is also very quiet.The instrument panel is well laid out an I especially like the radio controls on the steering wheel. The Xterra is a solid vehicle and provides a good view of the road. It also provides good acceleration and I'm able to merge and pass traffic easily.

Great small SUV

I bought it in Jan 2004, and have loved it ever since. The "stadium" seating in the back is great for passengers - it lets them see, plus it adds a cool exterior styling, which turned me on to the vehicle in the first place. The interior is pretty basic, but functional. I have had no major issues, with it, just a couple of things: I had a check engine light come on frequently, it ended up being my catalytic converter, which was replaced under warrantee. I also needed a front brake job at 35000 miles, which seemed a bit early. Other than that, the truck has been bulletproof. I only wish it had more power and better gas mileage.

awesome suv

Bought our Xterra at a public auto auction with no history know on it. After putting new tires and a battery in its been one of the best and most reliable vehicles we own. Haven't had to have any repairs or major problems since we bought it. A little rough but runs like a dream. The only thing I notice is the suv is narrower and has less distance between wheels and makes driving it a little bumpier, but not enough to bother me. Kids live the back seat..supee comfy and sits higher than from seats. Feels like a safati vehicle. Gets great gas mileage. Havent played with it in the snow yet, but looking forward to it. Will definitely buy a Nissan again.

Disappointed

I have just over 99,000 miles on my Xterra, and I have already had to replace a cracked exhaust manifold and the supercharger. Now I am being told that the head gasket is leaking. I love the styling and capability of the Xterra, but I have been very disappointed by the reliability. I don't know if the 3.3 liter engine was not properly designed for the stresses associated with the supercharger, but it has definitely not lived up to my expectations.

Luv my Xterra !

I am past the "soccer mom" stage and wanted something FUN to drive. My entire family drives, or has previously driven, Nissans so the choice was easy. I would only trade my 2003 Xterra for a new one. It is the perfect weekend and/or tailgate vehicle. The seats are a bit uncomfortable but the Rockford Fosgate stereo ROCKS ! You don't buy an Xterra for the mileage but it is as good or better than most SUV's. I highly recommend the Nissan Xterra !

Good SUV if you like'm

All my ratings we're based off of the several SUV's and trucks that I've driven from an Explorer, Expedition, Tahoe, Denali XL, Jimmy, Ranger, F150, C1500, and CRV. The Xterra is its own vehicle and that's why it shines. The mileage and highway driving are not fun. I fear merging with this car b/c of the lack of power. But the sheer massive truck presence of the Xterra makes up for it. The hard engine sounds and road noise from crusing at 65mph sometimes does bother me especially when I see my gas tank meter drop. Going w/o a LSD was a big mistake. Interior is shabby but its a truck what do you expect. Overall a good performing truck however, I'm starting to realize I like small cars.

Great Reliable Truck

I bought brand new - still driving it 16 years later. Had the usual wear and tear breakdowns but overall happy with my truck and hope it can last me a few more years

The Xterra style

The Xterra is great, its like the design of a Lexus meets the versatility of a 4 Runner. Yet it is kinda small, it alows for a very fast, fun driving experence. I have the SE supercharged model, and let me tell you, I am never disapointed by the get-go power it has to offer. I live on a ranch and it has done good in traction and 4x4ing when it comes to the rainy season. The on the fly 4 wheel drive is a great addition when it comes to going up hill and not being able to stop to put your rig in gear.

X

I love driving this vehical. It stands out in a crowd. This vehical stands taller than most cars and trucks on the road. I like the feel of the Xterra.

Nice car

Great handling car. very good in tight spots. easy to park. gas mileage leaves a lot to be desired for a Nissan.

XXX Xterra Xceptional

I'm writing about my 3 year old SE. I bought it about a month after they came out in '99. Mine is a 2000, and I got all the B&W to hold resale value up. I LOVE this car! I've driven it everywhere my old CJ (Jeep that I drove for 14 years!) used to go, and it handles just as well. The on road ride is acceptable for a truck chassis. I've only ever had one minor problem with it, and that was a cable that was not connected to the A/C when I bought it. I get up to about 22MPG on the highway, about 17MPG around town. I _wish_ I had the Supercharged version for better takeoffs, but heck, it is a truck, and it's geared pretty low. I've recommended it to many folks.

No Regrets!

I bought my SE 4X4 new and no complaints. Yeah, some people complain about the gas mileage, well, it's no Corolla but guess what no true SUV is. If you want great gas mileage, don't buy an SUV. But, I cannot say enough good things about this truck. It is good in city driving as well as perfectly capable in off roading situations. I get decent mileage about 19 in city, 25 on highway but I don't drive like a race car driver either. The interior is spare because that's part of the look. If you want luxury and 4X4 buy something else. Overall, I LOVE my Xterra and cannot seriously criticize it!

Not impressed

My main complaint is the engine and transmission. Reliability is good, only replacing the exhaust manifold in 85,000 miles. But the engine is extremely weak (I have SC model), and the 4 speed auto transmission shifts very rough. Engine takes 15 minutes to "warm up" before the engine and trans are even acceptable for use. The supercharged engine only performs well in dry 60-70 degree weather. I live in Michigan, and we rarely have dry 60-70 degree weather. If I ride alone and temp is optimal, the car is fun to drive, but if i carry passengers, its sluggish at best. Gas mileage is unacceptable for a V6! I rarely get over 13mpg in city driving even when i baby it! Highway mileage is no better!

Nissan's Edsel

Great looks and is fun to drive, But... TOTAL Gas pig 11-13mpg. Interior falls apart while you look at it. Door panels have fallen off twice, the carpet pills up into little fuzzy balls as you step on it. The micro thin seat padding condenses after short rides leaving your backside to bump metal. The sunroof tilts open about 2" in the back, but that's it - for all the extra bux why bother to pay for a veiw of a plastic basket! The AC system has to be on in 55 degree weather, 'cause the heating system pumps out hot moist air all the timne, even in the "cold" position. It's been in the shop 3 times already for stupid stuff. This thing is a mess.

Xterra - Rough but ready

The vehicle is reliable but needs improvement on gas mileage and smoother riding. It is not comfortable on a long trip, nor is it gas stingy. It is, however, a good vehicle in which to haul goods, passengers. The high step to it often bothers shorter people.

Driven into the Ground

I bought my Canteen 4x2 Xterra with all options (fosgate stereo rocks!) without thinking that i would want 4wd or Supercharged. Buyers remorse settled in. i an thinking about selling mine and trading up. I am 16, so trust me, the X has great handling. i would have rolled half the other SUV's already, and the turning radius is amazing.

2003 nissan extera

best ride I have ever owned,,,,269000 and going strong,,,regular repairs over time,,,but nothing major.

Go Out & Getchu One

I had originally planned on purchasing an XE/SE model but opted for the S/C for all of it's upgrades (fat tires/charcoal rims/black&blue interior/and oh yeah, the supercharger. For those of you looking for an SUV that has the off-road capability of a Wrangler; go for the Xterra. It's a blast to drive. I didn't get the same excitement from the VUE, or the CRV. I reccommend these for the grocery getters out there. But if you're the type to strap some kayaks, or mountain bikes to the roof, the Xterra will get you anywhere you want to go.

Nice SUV

opinion

car performance good.excellent for snow driving. turns easily. compares to others cars. poor gas mileage.

nissan x-terra xe 2003

the nissan x-terra was the best car that i have bought so far. its depedable fun to drive. i love making long trips with my nissan. what i specially love its that its high, and let's me see how the traffic is infront of me. i recommend everybody that is looking to buy an s.u.v. to really take under cosideration the nissan x-terra.

2003 Nissan Xterra is a winner

This was the first time I bought an SUV.My first choice was a Hummer but the price was too high for me. My second choice was an Xterra. I bought this vehicle because I believe it delivers what it claims to. I enjoy driving it a lot but the front seats are too small and not comfortable as comfortable as they should be. The fron seats leg rooms are not sufficient. The engine could have used much more HP. 189 HP is too weak for the weight of this SUV. Fuel consumption is very high for a vehicle of this size. So far I have had one recall and two minor service works done. I am told that 2005 model is a much improved vehicle. Will I buy another one? Yes,I will.

Great Vehicle! Fun to Drive

I have owned my 2003 Xterra for a month and love it. I would highly recommend this vehicle for both on-off road conditions. It's a very comfortable ride. My wife was also impressed with the lack of blind-spots and ability to see on-coming traffic. The stereo system is fantastic and the interior is well designed. Overall, solid performance and comfortable. Have fun!

GREAT SUV

Great SUV. Good looks, ride and acceleration. Not a bank buster at the gas station.

The Best SUV for the bucks

Before I bought the Xterra I did a lot of research. I needed an SUV with 4wd that was under $30,000 that was big enough for a family of 4. The gas mileage for the V-6 is not the best, but if you want better mileage then you're stuck with a 4 cyl micro SUV with little cargo space.Cargo space kicks butt in the Xterra compared to other SUVs below $30k & the roof rack is SOLID TUBE METAL not flimsy plastic.I strapped lumber, doors, & other big stuff with no problems(Max weight is 20lb) You do have to remove the rear seat bottoms to have the seats fold flat,which is good and bad.The Xterra drives like a 4x4 truck,it is no where as bad as a jeep. But like a jeep you will never get stuck in snow & mud.

Fun and Dependable!

I never owned a vehicle more than 1 yr prior to the x-terra. The X-terra has lasted me more than 5 years & it's been a fun ride. I recently got in a car accident and totaled my x-terra. I was barely scratched & it kept me safe during the ordeal. My next car... an 2009 x-terra!

Could not ask for more

I have driven my Xterra for 35,000 miles and have not had a single problem as of yet. I would recomend this suv to anyone, it is fun to drive, rugged, and very reliable so far. The only detractor is the fact that an suv drinks so much gas. Although, the gaas is fine for a typical suv.

Better then suggested

We looked at every mid-sized SUV on the market before deciding on the Xterra SE (loaded). My wife drives it daily (with two small children) and she could not be happier. Reviews said after the newness wore off people would not like it. WRONG!! We love the ride, the security, the quality, etc. We would recommend this to anyone looking for a practical SUV.