The Lemon Index
201320152nd generation
Complaints only. Too few sold to score: 16,505 in the U.S. in 2014 (sales source), under the 20,000 a fair per-car score needs. Owners filed 5 complaints in its first 3 years.
5 owner complaints, first 3 years 17–18 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2014 Jeep Wrangler 1072014 Toyota 4Runner 252014 Toyota FJ Cruiser
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
When problems show up
Only 5 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Is the stability-control light off on a test drive?
- Do the brakes feel even, with no ABS or brake warning light? When were the pads and brake fluid last done?
- Any oil burning, leaks or check-engine lights? Ask for oil-change records.
- Nissan sent dealers 96 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “ALL MODEL YEAR 2012 AND NEWER NISSAN VEHICLES; EVAP LEAK DTC P0442, P0455, P0456 INFORMATION…”?
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 5 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 24K to 82K miles (39K to 132K km) on the car (5 of all 5 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.
In owners' words
When accelerating in a straight line, vehicle starts to buck, abs light goes on, engine shuts off. Speed was ~ 30mph. Mileage is 147.
2014 Nissan Xterra owner · NHTSA complaint 10616710
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 96 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- ALL MODEL YEAR 2012 AND NEWER NISSAN VEHICLES; EVAP LEAK DTC P0442, P0455, P0456 INFORMATION…
- NISSAN; DTC P0456 CAUSED BY EVAP LEAK AT VENT CONTROL VALVE O-RING This bulletin does NOT…
- Squeal/Squeak noise from the front brakes: While moving forward or reverse, with very light
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 0
No safety recalls on record.
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 RWD | not rated | not rated | not rated | ★★★☆☆ |
| Nissan Xterra SUV 4WD | 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. 2014 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 2014 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-xterra/?y=2014" 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/2014/">Lemon Index</a> (2014 Nissan Xterra reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2014 Nissan Xterra reliable?
We can't score it: only 16,505 were sold in the U.S. in 2014 (calendar-year sales), under the 20,000 we need for a fair per-car score. Owners filed 5 complaints with NHTSA in its first 3 years.
What are the most common 2014 Nissan Xterra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are stability control (20%), brakes (20%) and engine (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2014 Nissan Xterra have?
None: NHTSA has no safety recalls on record for it.
What gas mileage does the 2014 Nissan Xterra get?
17 to 18 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2014 Nissan Xterra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues aren't among its top 5 complaint areas.
How much does the 2014 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 2014 Nissan Xterra have?
4.0L 6-cyl.
What Nissan Xterra year is better than the 2014?
No year within 3 model years of it drew fewer complaints. Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest (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