Is the 2011 Nissan XTERRA reliable?

The 2011 Nissan XTERRA has 27 complaints filed with NHTSA (1.6x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2011 Nissan XTERRA?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (9 complaints, avg repair $500); ENGINE (6 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRICAL (4 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2011 Nissan XTERRA?

Yes, there are 2 recall(s): ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL. Contact any Nissan dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to fuel a 2011 Nissan XTERRA?

The 2011 Nissan XTERRA gets 18 MPG combined. At current US average gas prices, driving 12,000 miles per year costs roughly $2667. See the interactive fuel cost calculator on this page for state-specific pricing.

How much does it cost to insure a 2011 Nissan XTERRA?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2011 Nissan XTERRA is approximately $1,494/year (suv-midsize class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2011 Nissan XTERRA

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2011 Nissan XTERRA has 27 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 1.6x the segment average of 17. The most common issue is air bags problems (33% of all complaints), specifically: while driving on a dirt road in my 2011 nissan xterra pro 4x my side curtain airbags deployed and both front seat belts locked as if in an accident. i have driven that same part at least one dozen times before without issue. i have also taken the vehicle in areas that are very rocky without issue. t. There are 2 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

1.6x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

9 complaints

33%

• WHILE DRIVING ON A DIRT ROAD IN MY 2011 NISSAN XTERRA PRO 4X MY SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS LOCKED AS IF IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE DRIVEN THAT SAME PART AT LEAST ONE DOZEN TIMES BEFORE WITHOUT ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN AREAS THAT ARE VERY ROCKY WITHOUT ISSUE. T
• ON MARCH 3 WE STARTED OUR CAR AND THE PASSENGER'S AIRBAG WARNING LIGHT CAME ON SHOWING THERE WAS A PROBLEM. THE NEXT DAY WHEN WE TOOK OUR VEHICLE INTO THE NISSAN DEALER FOR SERVICE, WE WERE TOLD THAT THE AIRBAG CONTROL MODULE WAS MALFUNCTIONING AND THEY WOULD HAVE TO ORDER ONE SINCE NONE WERE IN STO
• PURCHASED THE VEHICLE 4/25/11 IN MD - MOVED TO AZ IN JUNE2012. THE VEHICLE HAS JUST OVER 42,000 MILES - ONE WK AGO THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON, BLINKS CONTINUOUSLY. TOOK TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALER - 92 MILES AWAY- WAS TOLD IT WAS THE SENSOR, THEY HAD NO PART, WOULD COST $2,000 TO REPLACE AN

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“WHILE DRIVING ON A DIRT ROAD IN MY 2011 NISSAN XTERRA PRO 4X MY SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS LOCKED AS IF IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE DRIVEN THAT SAME PART AT LEAST ONE DOZEN TIMES BEFORE WITHOUT ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN AREAS THAT ARE VERY ROCKY WITHOUT ISSUE. T”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2011 Nissan XTERRA

Based on 15 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 54K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 30-60K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

AIR BAGS

In line with typicalmedian 42K mi · 5 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (2)

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING19/12/2011

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 NISSAN NV VEHICLES. SOME OF THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER TO THE ENGINE IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO BELOW SPECIFICATION STRENGTH. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY BREAK AT THE OIL FILTER ATTACHMENT POINT AND CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE OIL LEAK.

Risk: IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Fix: NISSAN WILL NOTIFY OWNERS, AND DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE CONNECTOR BOLTS FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 30, 2012. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Fuel Cost Calculator for 2011 Nissan XTERRA

Live EIA prices

Annual miles driven: 12,000

Your state (affects local gasoline price)

Per year

$2,667

Per month

$222

Per mile

22.2¢

MPG

City driving (worst-case MPG)

$3,001/yr

Highway driving (best-case MPG)

$2,182/yr

Based on EPA fuel-economy ratings and EIA weekly retail prices (2026-07-20). Real-world cost varies with driving style, trim/engine, terrain, and traffic.

5-Year Gas Price History

EIA weekly retail data · 2021 → today

Show:

Current

$4.00

5-year low

$2.78

5-year high

$5.01

Since 2021

+27%

Source: US Energy Information Administration weekly retail gasoline prices.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2011 Nissan XTERRA

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,494

Full coverage / month

$125

Liability only / year

$639

vs US avg

-11%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (suv-midsize)1.05x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.85x

= Full coverage estimate$1494

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Nissan XTERRA Service Intervals

Oil change

5K mi / 6 mo

Tire rotation

5K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

60K mi

Engine coolant

105K mi

Spark plugs

105K mi

Cabin air filter

15K mi

Engine air filter

30K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

60K mi

CVT-equipped models (Altima, Sentra, Rogue, Pathfinder) MUST use Nissan NS-3 CVT fluid, not conventional ATF. Frequent CVT service extends life significantly.

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Nissan New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

3 yr / 36K mi

Powertrain

5 yr / 60K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

8 yr / 100K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

5 yr / unlimited mi

Roadside assistance

3 yr / 36K mi

These are the terms for a new Nissan. If you're buying a used 2011 XTERRA, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Nissan dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

ENGINE(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRICAL(~50K mi)

$500

TIRES(~50K mi)

$500

SUSPENSION(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 27 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: WHILE DRIVING ON A DIRT ROAD IN MY 2011 NISSAN XTERRA PRO 4X MY SIDE CURTAIN AIRBAGS DEPLOYED AND BOTH FRONT SEAT BELTS LOCKED AS IF IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE DRIVEN THAT SAME PART AT LEAST ONE DOZEN TIMES BEFORE WITHOUT ISSUE. I HAVE ALSO TAKEN THE VEHICLE IN AREAS THAT ARE VERY ROCKY WITHOUT ISSUE. T
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ENGINE: DRIVER'S SIDE EXHAUST MANIFOLD BROKE WHILE DRIVING SLOWLY ON BUMPY ROAD. FLANGE THAT ATTACHED TO CATALYTIC CONVERTER SEPARATED FROM STAINLESS STEEL PIPING. NOW HEAT AND CARBON MONOXIDE IS PUMPING OUT UNDER DRIVER'S FEET. VERY LOUD. NISSAN SAYS "TOUGH LUCK" - WE ARE NOT PAYING. 54,000 MILES, 7 Y
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRICAL: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BATTERY LEAKED AND THE POSITIVE ELECTRICAL WIRING SYSTEM WAS CORRODED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER, WHO REPLACED THE BATTERY CLAMP BUT THE FAILURE WAS NOT CORRECTED. THE CONTACT MENTIONED THAT THE BATTERY CONTINUED TO LEAK.
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
TIRES: TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 60 MPH THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR TIRE BLEW OUT. THE TIRE MANUFACTURER WAS B.F. GOODRICH, TIRE LINE, RADIAL LONG TRAIL, DOT NUMBER AP72FB313610 AND THE SIZE WAS P265/70/R16 11PMCS. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHO
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 2 recalls have been completed — free at any Nissan dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)