The 2011 Nissan Xterra has 2 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 419,408 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 27 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the air bags. Last updated July 5, 2026.
Recall campaigns
AIR BAGS23V0670002023-02-10404,690 affected
Defect
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Consequence
A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Remedy
Dealers will replace the driverÂ’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING11V5920002011-12-1914,718 affected
Defect
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…
Consequence
IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy
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.
Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal
information removed.
“The airbag warning light started flashing. I took the car to valley nissan in longmont, colorado where I was told that they need to replace the airbag diagnosis sensor and the rh side airbag module. Valley nissan said that these parts were no longer being produced, so they could not complete this…”
“Odometer fraud. The contact purchased a 2011 nissan xterra. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle's mileage was approximately 129,000, and at the…”
“The vehicle was driving just fine, then about a month later the heat gauge started to fluctuate, I replaced the radiator caps, thermostat...it ran good for another month, started to overheat....I made sure water was in radiator and overflow...about a month went by the gauge started to fluctuate…”
“Hole in exhaust system due to weld failure in support clamp the problem is reoccurring every year over a 3 1/2 year period”
“Hole in exhaust system due to weld failure in support clamp the problem is reoccurring every year over a 3 1/2 year period”
“Nissan consumer affairs case #48955822 manufacturer recall numberpc948 nhtsa recall number23e-012 recall statusrecall incomplete, remedy not yet available summary the resin emblem on the driver s airbag module cover in affected vehicles may have reduced durability due to potential supplier…”
“The contact owns a 2011 nissan xterra. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 23e012000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time…”
“The contact owns a 2011 nissan xterra. The contact received notification of the nhtsa campaign number: 23e012000 (air bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that an unknown dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not available for the…”
Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL,
FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2011 Nissan Xterra as of
July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page
contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.