2003 Nissan Xterra Overview, Reviews, Ratings & Specs

2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2003 2002
Crash Test Rating
Source   NHTSA
MPG (up to)
15 -16 City / 18 -20 HWY
Source FuelEconomy.gov
Horsepower
180 -210
Seats
5
Front angle view.

Positive Owner Reviews

accountCircle Angela T
It's comfortable and fun to drive. It fits my lifestyle and has plenty of room for road tripping.
I so thoroughly love my xTerra. I dred thinking about replacing it. It's 4 wheel drive and I live in the Northeast!! That says it all.
accountCircle Laura D
This thing is like the energizer bunny.
It is a great car with a long life and minimal issues. Very reliable car, very affordable car. It can transport large items and multiple people easily. Very versatile. It gets moderately good gas mileage and is easy to take care of. I am very happy with the performance of the vehicle.
accountCircle Sarah L
The Xterra is a very spacious vehicle.
Dependable. I have it for five years now and have only had one major issue other than normal maintenance. It is great on gas mileage and very spacious inside. The stock Rockford fosgate stereo in it is amazing. The hatchback door is a plus because it opens very easily and is not heavy.
accountCircle Kaitlyn S
Reliable and safe Nissan Xterra
This car has been extremely reliable. It has only broken down once after a regularly scheduled maintenance item failed.
accountCircle Mira O
It is sensitive to drive, has to be driven a bit carefully!
Likes: it is sturdy, it runs good, sound system is beautiful, it is comfy, accident proof! Dislikes: you cannot make it far with road trips out of town.
accountCircle Karen H
The side sliding doors make for easy access to enter the vehicle.
I love everything about my xterra. It is 4 wheel drive, manual transmission, sporty looking and driving, runs like a champ, everything is accessible to the driver, does not have all the nonsense technology in it. It is just all around the best vehicle I have ever owned.
accountCircle Mandy K
I like that it is an SUV that is actually rugged and not just luxury. I love the size and it's a supercharged, so I like that although it is an SUV, it will move. It's my favorite color, yellow. My complaint is they stopped making SUV's and only make luxury type utility vehicles.
The Nissan Xterra is reliable and a REAL sport utility vehicle.
accountCircle Tara S
It is a fun and practical SUV that can take you, and everything you need, anywhere you want to go.
Very reliable. Sporty, tough, and fun. Great in the snow and off roading. Hasn't rattled loose in 208k. Compact.

Negative Owner Reviews

accountCircle Ethan F
Nissan Xterra review on comfort
Alignments are often off. The air conditioning sometimes messes up, and I feel as if the seats could be more comfortable.
accountCircle Cory M
2003 Nissan xterra review.
Positives- the car has 4wd does well off roading and has lot of space. It also does well in the snow. It is comfortable to ride in. . Negatives-it is getting to be an older car and regularly requires repairs. The car has poor gas mileage and requires supreme gas.
accountCircle Emem A
I don't know. It's an old car, but it gets me from point a to point b
It is reliable. It's paid for. It's old and falling apart
accountCircle Carol S
A waste of money. Have spent too much money.
Major engine repairs. Water pump radiator, thermostat ignition security system, door locks, oil leak,
accountCircle Audra R
Old but works, good for hardworking people. Be aware of very very costly repairs
Doesn't pass emissions Costly repairs Good in snow Good with ice
accountCircle Ashley F
Great for traveling and taking road trips.
It has a lot of miles on it but it has done me good. Minor problems here and there but nothing major
accountCircle Alexander D
It is a bright yellow 2003 Nissan Xterra.
The right side of the front bumper is loose and squeaks when I drive and the drive is very bumpy. I also can't see my radio when its nighttime and sometimes the radio doesn't work at all. The gas is fairly good for a engine that has a v6, it costs about thirty-eight dollars to fill and lasts about a week and a half, to two weeks until I need to fill it up again.
accountCircle Joe K
The vehicle is old and outdated.
Battery issues are common. The a/c has been broken. Other than that the car gets me from a to b. I don't really like the style of it. The sound system and radio is awful. Overall the car is very outdated. Sometimes on the highway the engine even starts to make clicking noises.

Nissan Xterra Models

Models also known as Trim Levels, are used to identify a vehicle's level of equipment or special features.

car
XE
180 HP 18-18 MPG 5 Seats
car
SE
210 HP 17-17 MPG 5 Seats
Photos may not match model

2003 Nissan Xterra Owner Reviews

4.10
62 Reviews
close Write Review
5 stars 45%
4 stars 27%
3 stars 21%
2 stars 5%
1 star 2%
accountCircle Ashley F on June 6, 2021
Great for traveling and taking road trips.
It has a lot of miles on it but it has done me good. Minor problems here and there but nothing major
accountCircle Mandy K on April 4, 2021
I like that it is an SUV that is actually rugged and not just luxury. I love the size and it's a supercharged, so I like that although it is an SUV, it will move. It's my favorite color, yellow. My complaint is they stopped making SUV's and only make luxury type utility vehicles.
The Nissan Xterra is reliable and a REAL sport utility vehicle.
View All Reviews (62) chevronRightAlternative

Ranks #7 Midsize SUV by Owners

The 2003 Nissan Xterra has an average owner rating of 4.10 out of 5 which ranks it #7 of 16 other Midsize SUVs.

1
car
2003 Isuzu Ascender
4.67
2
car
2003 Toyota 4Runner
4.56
7
car
2003 Nissan Xterra
4.1

Ranks #5 Midsize SUV by Fuel Economy

The 2003 Nissan Xterra has a combined MPG of 22 which ranks it #5 of 16 other Midsize SUVs.

1
car
2003 Hyundai Santa Fe
27 MPG
2
Tie
car
2003 Nissan Murano
24 MPG
5
Tie
car
2003 Nissan Xterra
20 MPG

Is The 2003 Nissan Xterra A Good Car?

Yes the Nissan Xterra year 2003 is a excellent vehicle for many drivers. They run well and drive excellent
Kate B.

How Reliable Is The 2003 Nissan Xterra?

The 2003 Nissan Xterra is like any other vehicle it will have some problems along the way but it will get you around
Nancy W.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the 2003 Nissan Xterra transmission fluid capacity?

Answer: The 2003 Nissan Xterra uses Dexron VI Transmission Fluid. It has a capacity of 11 quarts. Transmission fluid, similar to oil, is a lubricant and its purpose is to make sure that the various working parts of the...

What's the 2003 Nissan Xterra power steering fluid type?

Answer: The type of power steering fluid that should be used in the 2003 Nissan Xterra is DEXRON-III/MERCON or equivalent ATF. The capacity for the vehicle is 1 liter or 1.05 US quarts. Power steering fluid is...

What's the 2003 Nissan Xterra engine oil type?

Answer: The 2004 Nissan Xterra uses SAE 5W-30 oil in the engine. Nissan recommends using synthetic oil whenever You need to change it. There are two main types of oil that are on the market today, synthetic and...

What's the 2003 Nissan Xterra 3.3 Engine oil capacity?

Answer: The 2003 Nissan Xterra with a 3.3 L engine will have an oil capacity of 3.49 quarts. The recommended oil type according to the manual is SAE 5W-30 full synthetic motor oil. You can still use a conventional oil...

What is the 2003 Nissan Xterra knock sensor location?

Answer: The 2003 Nissan Xterra knock sensor location can be found by watching: https://www.Youtube.com/watch?v=IGc1CPtCdvg You will come into many issues with an engine. A gasket may be loose and that needs to be...
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Answers are provided by third parties. We do not guarantee accuracy of responses

Safety & Reliability

NHTSA Logo
NHTSA Crash Test

Overall

Front

Rollover

Side

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
IIHS Logo
IIHS Crash Test

Moderate Overlap Front

Side

Not Rated

Roof Strength

Not Rated

Driver-side Overlap Front

Not Rated
*Insurance Institute for Highway Safety