The Lemon Index
201020122nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 18,221 in the U.S. in 2011 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 8 complaints in its first 3 years.
8 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2011 Jeep Wrangler 842011 Toyota 4Runner 432011 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 8 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 23V067000 (airbags) and 11V592000 (engine) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Is the airbag light off, and were any airbag recalls done?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Nissan sent dealers 99 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)…”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Nissan's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 8 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 19K to 65K miles (31K to 105K km) on the car (8 of all 8 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 99 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- SERVICE INFORMATION Information necessary to service the Supplemental Restraint System (SRS)…
- SERVICE INFORMATION Design and process changes have been made to improve battery voltage at…
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 2
- Airbags · recall issued 2023
The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
- Engine · recall issued 2011
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 INFINITI FX, MODEL YEAR 2012 INFINITI M, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN FRONTIER, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN XTERRA, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 N…
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash test details
| Version | Overall | Front | Side | Rollover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Xterra SUV 4WD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Nissan Xterra SUV RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,350–$3,550 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 4.0L 6-cyl.
Every Nissan Xterra year. 2011 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2011 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-xterra/?y=2011" title="Nissan Xterra reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/nissan-xterra/2011/">Lemon Index</a> (2011 Nissan Xterra reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2011 Nissan Xterra reliable?
We can't score it: only 18,221 were sold in the U.S. in 2011 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 8 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2011 Nissan Xterra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are tires (25%), airbags (25%) and electrical (25%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2011 Nissan Xterra have?
2 safety recalls (latest: airbags). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2011 Nissan Xterra get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2011 Nissan Xterra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 12% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2011 Nissan Xterra cost in fuel a year?
About $3,350 to $3,550 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2011 Nissan Xterra have?
4.0L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Xterra year is better than the 2011?
Nearby, the 2010 drew fewer owner complaints per car sold (about a third as many complaints as the average car).
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works