The Nissan Xterra was a popular compact SUV, which was sold between 1999 and 2015. With two generations of the vehicle, the SUV offered affordability to families looking for additional space for personal and/or business use. Today, we’re going to head back in time to learn about the history of the vehicle, and why it was eventually discontinued. We’ll also discover ways in which you can extend the life of your current Nissan Xterra by maintaining and replacing the cylinder heads.
History of the Nissan Xterra
The Nissan Xterra was first welcomed to the compact SUV market by Nissan in 1999. The first generation of the vehicle was produced until 2004, when it was replaced by the second generation that remained in production until its discontinuation in 2015. The first generation of the vehicle shared a lot of similar parts and front doors with the Nissan (D22) Frontier pickup, whereas the second generation used the Nissan F-Alpha platform that was also shared with the Pathfinder and Frontier. While there were some small changes between these two generations, the main thing they continued to prioritize was offering a reliable drive at an affordable price.
The name Xterra was licensed by the company from the XTERRA off-road triathlon races, using the marketing campaign for the vehicle to showcase it as a reliable car that would be ideal for use in a variety of outdoor adventures. Both of the Xterra’s generations had a two-box design with asymmetrical rear windows and a two-tiered roof which could offer stadium seating in the second row of the vehicle. A Chinese version of the vehicle was also offered for that market, which was called the Oting.
Why was the Nissan Xterra Discontinued?
The Nissan Xterra was discontinued following the 2015 model year. There were many reasons for the end of its production, including the declining sales and poor fuel economy of the vehicle. There were also new regulations for safety and emissions which the vehicle was unlikely to meet in the near future.
North America Sales History for the Nissan Xterra
Recorded sales show strong US sales around the 2002 – 2006 time, where the vehicle typically sold between 60,000 and 70,000 units each year. This figure started to drop the following year, with 51,000 units sold in 2007 and 33,000 units sold in 2008. By 2009, we saw the sales drop to under 20,000, with no real improvement until its discontinuation.
What are the Engine Specs for a Nissan Xterra? What is the Towing Capacity of an Xterra?
The Nissan Xterra had a 4.0 L V6 engine, which offered a powerful drive with an excellent towing capacity of 5,000 pounds. This engine strength allows drivers to add various attachments to the back, but of course, this towing can slow down the vehicle when used to its full capacity.
Driver Reviews Nissan Xterra
The Nissan Xterra was a popular vehicle during the first 10 years or so of its life, with few issues and complaints from drivers. Most owners were able to get a minimum of 100,000 miles from the vehicle, with many reaching over 200,000 miles. It’s an easy vehicle to maintain and fairly cheap to keep on the road for an extended period of time. In the compact SUV category, this used vehicle is considered to be an affordable SUV that still offers a reliable and comfortable drive for personal or business use.
Common Problems with the Nissan Xterra – What Model Years Should You Avoid?
While many people loved the Nissan Xterra, the vehicle wasn’t without its fair share of issues. Common complaints include radiator leaks, which can easily go undetected for a long period of time. Failed transmission, a defective fuel level sensor(s), and timing chain failure are other common issues. As far as which year of the vehicle to purchase, the most reliable models were from 2003-2004, 2009-2010, and 2012-2014. On the other hand, you want to avoid the 2001-2002, 2005-2008, and 2011 models, which are consistently rated lower for their reliability and cost of ownership. By choosing a more reliable vehicle when purchasing a used model, you’ll still have the chance of enjoying years of use from your Nissan Xterra.
Replacing Nissan Xterra Cylinder Heads
Should you find that your cylinder heads fail on your Nissan Xterra, the good news is that you can replace this part in order to extend the life of the car. Check out this video for a demonstration of how to replace the cylinder heads, which you can attempt to do yourself or with the help of your local mechanic. It’s not uncommon for heads to become cracked or damaged later on in the vehicle’s life. By proactively replacing your Xterra heads, you avoid damaging the engine further or having to take the car off the road.
Don’t Buy a New Car – Extend the life of your Nissan Xterra with New or Refurbished Cylinder Heads
While buying a new car might be a consideration as your Nissan Xterra starts to age, with the discontinuation of the vehicle, finding an exact replacement is no longer an option. For that reason, we recommend that you consider replacing your cylinder heads if you want to keep driving this vehicle for years to come. You have the option of trying to DIY this task alone or opting to use a mechanic to replace the cylinder heads. Even with professional help, the $2,000 – $3,000 you’ll spend replacing the cylinder heads will be much cheaper than buying a new car.
The Nissan Xterra offered an affordable SUV for drivers who may previously have avoided this category of cars due to the typically higher cost of vehicles. As you can see, there are many great features of the Nissan Xterra, but the low sales eventually led to the discontinuation of the vehicle. If you are looking to extend the life of your current Nissan Xterra, then it’s well worth considering replacing the cylinder heads. This investment can help to keep the vehicle running for years to come and allow you to enjoy all of the benefits of this reliable compact SUV.
Buy Xterra Cylinder Heads from Clearwater Cylinder
If you are the owner of a Nissan Xterra seeking to extend the life of your beloved SUV, then you have found the right company. Clearwater Cylinder Head offers both new or refurbished Xterra cylinder heads for sale. Locating the casting number on your Xterra engine or existing cylinder head will help us to identify the correct cylinder head(s) for your specific Xterra.
Online Purchase Links
- Model Years 1995-2004 Nissan Xterra | Brand New Cylinder Head | Casting # F45