Nissan X-TRAIL 2002 Problems

Are you having problems with your 2002 Nissan X-TRAIL? Let our team of motoring experts keep you up to date with all of the latest 2002 Nissan X-TRAIL issues & faults. We have gathered all of the most frequently asked questions and problems relating to the 2002 Nissan X-TRAIL in one spot to help you decide if it's a smart buy.

Used Nissan X-Trail review: 2001-2007
By Graham Smith · 03 Nov 2017
The X-Trail was a compact SUV designed to appeal to those looking for a vehicle that blended bush with the ’burbs.
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Used Nissan X-Trail review: 2001-2003
By Graham Smith · 03 Jul 2009
The SUV phenomenon started back in the 1970s with intoxicating images of peaceful places far way from the hustle and bustle of the city and has since become a tidal wave that has flooded our every day lives.The weekend getaways to the beach or bush have given way to the trek of a lifetime for baby boomers who have taken to the open road in huge numbers, but the SUV has also set down roots in our towns as more and more families turn to it for day-to-day family transport.SUVs, or Sports Utility Vehicles, like the Nissan X-Trail have become the enduring phenomenon of modern day motoring and there’s no sign they’re going to lose favour with car buyers any time soon.MODEL WATCH With the evolution of the SUV have come a number of variations on the theme as carmakers have striven to meet the expectations of a wide variety of buyers.What was once a rough, tough four-wheel drive designed to do the hard yards in the bush is now a jacked-up wagon with town manners that struggles for survival once the black top stops.Most carmakers give their SUVs the look of an offroader, but it’s what’s underneath that separates them from the real bush bashers. Nissan attempted to give the X-Trail, the compact soft-roader SUV it launched in 2001, a degree of off-road credibility with its smart drive selection system.A dial on the dash allows the driver to select their desired drive for the conditions. Select ‘2WD’ and all the drive is directed to the front wheels for regular driving when the rear wheels are just there to keep the back bumper off the bitumen.When the road was wet and slippery there was the ‘Auto’ setting, which engaged the centre viscous coupling and drive was electronically distributed front and rear as needed. For more tricky going the drive could be locked, which set the torque split at 53 per cent to the front and the rest to the rear. It was effective up to 30 km/h. It was a pretty good compromise that delivered decent smooth-road manners and reasonable capability off the road.The X-Trail’s four-cylinder engine was on the money when it came to output, which ensured it had plenty of performance available under the right foot when desired. The double overhead camshaft engine delivered 132 kW at 6000 revs along with 245 Nm at 4000 revs, which was enough to have it doing 100 km/h around 11 seconds after launch.X-Trail buyers had the choice of a five-speed manual gearbox or four-speed auto, the latter being the choice of most townies. Manual gearboxes are normally preferred for control when driving off-road, but even in auto form there was good control of the gears.Inside there were comfortable seats and roomy accommodation for five, although the centre rear seat passenger had to make do with a lap belt only. The dash was rather unusual with the dials located in a centre cluster, and there was a second glove box located ahead of the driver. The rest of the controls were housed in the centre console along with a couple of drink holders and other switches, including the drive mode control.IN THE SHOP As with all SUVs a check underneath is mandatory. Any time an SUV is driven off-road it’s susceptible to damage from sand blasting or flying rocks, so check for damage to the underbody, suspension, drive shafts, and exhaust system etc. If you find no damage it’s a good bet it hasn’t gone off the black top. Few SUVs actually do, the most severe use they are usually subjected to is the school run.The X-Trail is generally robust and reliable if serviced according to Nissan’s recommendations, so check for a service record to make sure it has actually seen the inside of a workshop. Servicing is even more crucial if a vehicle is used off-road, even if it appears undamaged from the experience.IN A CRASH Dual front airbags provide protection for the driver and front seat passenger, while standard ABS antiskid brakes and EBD electronic Brakeforce Distribution kick in when things are looking like going pear shaped on the road.AT THE PUMP While its performance is impressive for an SUV it’s fuel economy isn’t bad either. Average drivers should be able to achieve 11.0-11.5 L/100 km around town, and better on the open road, which is quite good for an SUV. There are owners, however, who are unhappy with the economy, but the X-Trail is in line with the average SUV. LPG systems have been developed to meet the demand from some owners who want to save on fuel expenses, and these work well.OWNERS SAY Neil Ricketts reckons the X-Trail’s engine is powerful, but also economical. A keeper of fastidious fuel consumption records, Ricketts gets around 11 L/100 km around town and 8.5 L/100 km on a trip. He particularly likes the X-Trail’s versatility, as on a trip it can go places a normal car can’t. He’s had it on the Bloomfield track north of Cape Tribulation, which involved creek and dry riverbed crossings and last winter being exempt from carrying chains he was able to drive on snow and ice in the NSW snowfields without any problem. The extra traction also comes in handy in wet weather driving in the city.LOOK FOR • User-friendly drive mode system• All-wheel drive security• Good performance• Reasonable fuel economy• LPG systems availableTHE BOTTOM LINE A good blend of town manners and bush capability makes the X-Trail a good family all-rounder.RATING 80/100
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Used Nissan X-Trail review: 2001-2013
By Ewan Kennedy · 22 Sep 2014
Though often used only as an on-road station wagon, Nissan's X-Trail is pretty competent as an SUV. While not intended to be used in extreme 4WD conditions, it can handle most recreational off-road driving with little trouble. Providing enjoyment to adventurous families while doing so.  Nissan X-Trail uses a complex
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Fixing hail damage on cars
Answered by CarsGuide team · 22 May 2008

If it's an accredited repair shop, it will have the experience and skill to do the work. Body repair shops remove and replace panels all the time. It's not a concern as such, and done as a matter of course these days rather than panelbeat the roof to rid it of the dents as might have been done in the past. If the work is done correctly the structure of the vehicle won't be affected, and I would certainly have it done. I assume it's covered by insurance, so you have comeback on the insurance company if the work isn't done well. And resale value will be much better without dents in the roof.

Nissan X-Trail 2002: Wheel bearing replacements at 40,000km
Answered by Graham Smith · 24 Jun 2010

I reckon you would have good reason to ask Nissan to supply new hub assemblies free of charge, leaving you to pay for the labour. The best place to start is with your dealer, and you should show him the failed parts and a report from your mechanic.

 

Nissan X-Trail 2002: Problem with gauges
Answered by Graham Smith · 29 Sep 2017

It needs closer inspection by an auto electrician or Nissan specialist. It could be something as simple as a bad connection in the wiring loom.

My 2002 Nissan X-Trail 2002 is struggling to change gears
Answered by David Morley · 08 Feb 2021

You could be right in presuming that the clutch is not fully disengaging as this will definitely cause gear-selection problems. If the clutch is worn or has broken components inside, then it can be impossible to make it fully disengage, and choosing gears – particularly from a standing start – can be difficult if not impossible. At that point, presuming the clutch is adjusted properly (and your car uses hydraulic clutch actuation, so there’s not really any adjustment in it) a replacement clutch is the only real fix.

But don’t rule out a problem with the mechanism that actually selects the gears and links the gear-shifter to the gearbox proper. In some cars this is a cable, in others it’s a set of linkages, but either set-up can become maladjusted and cause shifting problems.

Nissan X-Trail: What to look for in a used car
Answered by Graham Smith · 02 Mar 2018

You’re looking at the T30 X-Trail, which was a sound model, but it’s now an old car and needs to be assessed as that. On average a 2002/2003 model will have done 200,000 to 300,000 km, so you should expect it to showing some wear and tear. The body should be free of bumps and scrapes, the interior should be clean with no tears in the trim, the engine should be clean and with no oil leaks, and there should be no indications of off-road use. It should have a record of regular service. Expect to pay $2000-$5000.

2002 Nissan X-Trail shuddering when accelerating
Answered by Graham Smith · 02 Jun 2017

It's odd that it only does it under acceleration. That makes me think it's not tyres or alignment; have the driveline checked, particularly the CV joints.

Disclaimer: You acknowledge and agree that all answers are provided as a general guide only and should not be relied upon as bespoke advice. Carsguide is not liable for the accuracy of any information provided in the answers.
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