2014 Nissan Xterra problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 10 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
The 2014 Nissan Xterra has 10 NHTSA owner complaints on file (U.S. federal records, as of August 2026). Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation.
| Model year | Owner complaints | Recalls |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 Xterra | 24 | 2 |
| 2012 Xterra | 16 | 2 |
| 2013 Xterra | 4 | 0 |
| 2014 Xterra (this page) | 10 | 0 |
| 2015 Xterra | 10 | 0 |
Above-average reliability for the segment. Few systemic issues on file.
Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.
- No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record
- Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
NHTSA crash-test safety ratings
Driver-assist features on the tested model: Electronic stability control: Standard · Forward collision warning: No · Lane departure warning: No
Source: NHTSA New Car Assessment Program — tested configuration: 2014 Nissan Xterra SUV RWD. Stars rate crash protection in NHTSA's tests, not overall reliability — see the owner-complaint data below for what actually goes wrong.
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
My vehicle will randomly buck and lose drive power. Mostly noticed at slow speeds, but also does it on the highway as well. The description of the problem is exactly like people reported in the 2014 class action suit against Nissan for several of the 2014 Nissan models…
Passenger airbag sensor intermittently stuck on headlamps not turning off when on 'auto' setting
My truck has a suspension issue for squeaky noises coming from the front wheel. There was a recall on them but my VIN number isn't included. The truck is sitting down at the local Nissan dealer now to have both fixed. How can this stuff that was previously recalled and now…
The Nissan dealership has looked at my xterra and found that a nut welded to the frame from the inside has broken free of the frame. This is causing my suspension noise/issue. The problem I am having is Nissan does not want to fix my problem. The dealership is waiting on Nissan…
Common questions
Is the 2014 Nissan Xterra reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.8 out of 10 based on 10 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2014 Nissan Xterra is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2014 Nissan Xterra?
On the NHTSA data, the 2014 Nissan Xterra does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.8/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What should I check before buying a used 2014 Nissan Xterra?
There isn't enough NHTSA complaint data on the 2014 Nissan Xterra to flag a standout failure pattern. Run the VIN for open recalls — those are free to fix regardless of warranty — get a standard pre-purchase inspection, and ask the seller for service records.
Is the 2014 Nissan Xterra a good used car to buy?
It scores 8.8 out of 10 on our NHTSA-based read of 10 owner complaints. Priced fairly and clean on inspection, it's a reasonable used buy. Our data covers what this model is known for — pair it with a vehicle-history report on the VIN to see what that specific car has been through.
What's the most common problem on the 2014 Nissan Xterra?
No problem area has crossed our reporting threshold yet, which is a good sign for this vehicle.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
Major repair items haven't been flagged often enough on this vehicle to single one out.
How do I check if my Nissan Xterra has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2014 Nissan Xterra?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 10 complaints on file, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.