Just got the new auto issue of Consumer Reports. It contains data collected from thousands of drivers in order to compare different vehicles' reliability. This reliabilty data is NOT based on the opinion of reviewers but instead is real-world data collected from drivers.

Not enough data yet on the 05-06 Xterra yet but the 00-04 models are either average to slightly above average reliability.

The new Frontier rates as having average reliability.

The Titan and Armada are a disappointment. Both had reliability far below average. Maybe after a couple more years on the market, Nissan can work out the bugs on these newer vehicles.

i've read info related to that in a couple places...

i think the armada and titan come from the canton plant? i've read in a couple places that vehicles from that plant have had a rough time of it, while ones from the smyrna plant have had a much better record

Right, the Mississippi plant that built the Titan, Armada, and Quest got off to a bad start and smudged Nissan's overall reliability.
New plant, new workers, and new vehicles, not the best scenario.

as a former import mechanic, I can tell you that specific models are lemons, rarely the whole product line.

took a leap of faith on the new X, but I have seen some pretty good long lasting nissans before.

Not a big fan of Consumer Report when it comes to the X. I reseached their auto books before I purchased my '03 X. CR didn't like the X due in part to the fact that it was a body on frame and "only available in part time 4WD." I believe they also called it "based on the dated Frontier design." Reliability was called average. Well after 36k the only thing I have replaced from the dealership is the oil filter. If that is average, I wish that my Ford Truck would be average also.

I expected a post like this. It's always difficult to make people understand the way statistics work. Reliability statistics are based on averages of thousands of drivers NOT specific vehicles.

Think about it ... isn't it possible to drive the most unreliable model of a car ever built and you still get lucky and have no problems at all with your particular car?

As to Consumer Reports' opinion of the Xterra, this post was only referring to the reliability data of Consumer Reports. I was not referring to the opinions of Consumer Reports as to how good of a truck the Xterra was. They are two entirely different parts of Consumer Reports.

For myself, I tend to prefer vehicles that the "testers" at Consumer Reports don't like. Their opinions on certain cars provide little value to me however the reliability data they collect I find useful.

as far as consumer reports go, I have read that the working stiff blue collar type is the most usual respodent to those reports, but the rich folks just toss that stuff in the trash. --Now that's how it is for consumer electronics and such (so the reports per brand don't weigh in the high end stuff accurately).
I don't know the whole deal on the auto survey. I'd hope they are basing it on dealer service and manufacturer info and not just what some people say.

Friend, just adding a post, not trying to call you out.

As far as I know, it is only based on what each vehicle owner says on the survey that they fill out. I fill out the Consumer Reports survey every year myself. Why would dealer service and manufacturer info be more accurate than what the consumer says? Dealers and manufacturers could lie about the vehicle reliability in order to sell more cars off their lot. The consumer has less of a reason to lie.

Sorry, I was not trying to attack you personally. I was just adding a post myself. Please feel free to respond if you disagree.

Consumer Reports means well, but some of their methods are flawed.

The survey's of owners experiences are probably one of their more reliable statistical resources though.

Its graded on a curve, so every year, it requires fewer and fewer problems to maintain a good rating, as overall, reliability has been steadily climbing across the board.

The remaining weaknesses are of course the less than random demographics of those filling out the survey, comprised, surprize, surprize, of CU subscribers....who as a subgroup, elect to fill out the survey at all, and, furthermore, as a subgroup, accurately reflect their car's problems.

So, its not perfect, but really, from what I can tell, its not that off either.

Of course, you can have a Yugo that goes 1,000,000 miles w/o a problem, and a Lexus that dies pulling out of the Stealership...and it doesn't change the rating for the car, the Yugo's are more likely to have trouble, and the Lexus's are more likely to be reliable, regardless of any one person's experience's with them.

Another issue, is makes that are offroaded...parts that tend to last on pavement pounders get pounded by offroaders...so there is a dip in reliability for some models that see dirt...and the overlap with that, and brand loyalty that prevents those with broken parts from reporting it...a

...and, those who are going to SELL their lemon...and don't want to downgrade its reliability and ruin its resale value.

Okay, I'll be in the minority here. I don't like their reports. Period. I look at them to see their viewpoint, but more often than not, at least for the cars I've owned (about 10 so far), they've been wrong on most of them. Am I lucky and have gotten "good" examples of all the cars I've owned? I doubt I'm that lucky. Do I take care of my cars? Probably not any better than the next guy. But, out of all the reports I've seen from them, most, at least for me and IMO are not reliable in themselves. I've had too many cars they rated as "poor" or "below average" that were good, reliable, and trouble-free.

My .02.

-G-

Gonzo, so what you are saying, is that all we really need is to call you, and your experiences should represent those of owners of that model and year across the country?

Cool.

As a former Xterra lemon owner, I can attest to the above. My X was an utter piece of garbage, but I know at lesat thirty Xterra owners that have had great reliability with their Xterras, most of those seeing lots of trail time. I do believe, however, that Nissan QC has gone a tad downhill from the days of the hardbody pickup truck. And the statistics back that up.

I have seen plenty of horrors on the Gen I X. I expect that the Gen II will evolve into top ratings, as it is completely different. And judging from my Titan, QC and strength is tops along with design now

SCREW CONSUMER REPORTS, Motor trend named the Xterra its SUV of the YEAR!!!

-- TJ, I think that you know by know that I respect your OPINION on ANYTHING, untill your retort to GONZO, come on wasn't that just a bit SARCASTIC???? ANTIPRODUCTIVE/HIPOCRITICAL/DEFACING-- there I've said it (I still respect your knowledge) --JIMBO

YUP!!! We love the reliability of Nissans. The X is our 3rd! My Pulsar lasted over 100,000 miles with minimal repairs and Hubby's '92 pick-up (Frontier style) is still going.

They also rated it second overall to the Toyota FJ in the latest issue. It fell to third after the H3 and the FJ in trailability...at least it beat the Liberty.

Motor Trend is really bad for plugging the flavor of the week, and the next new thing. Not downplaying the X at all, still thinking hard about getting another one real soon.

That's ok,Car and Driver rated the X #1 over the Toyota FJ,H3 and the Jeep Grand Cherokee...