Problems with 2002 Nissan Xterra TIRES

Tires are developing a series of cracks extending from the tap into the sidewalls

2002 nissan xterra: the spare tire holder winch mechanism in ne regions rusts (from what i gather in on line research the problem is rampant) and freezes not allowing you to lower the tire to replace a flat. i had a flat on a very busy road. i could not lower the spare and bent the rod. called aaa. had to have flat tire taken off and repaired before i could move again. very dangerous to not be able to repair flat. after i went to tire store. they were not able to release winch and indicated they see the issue very often in nissan suvs. they said my only option was to cut off winch mechanism and keep spare in back of vehicle. after declining, i did research and found that this problem is very common. there has been no recalls that i could find on line and i still have not found a reasonable fix. *tr

My brakes were losing power with the brake pedal feeling 'mushy' and brake light on. the dealer, maita nissan, advised me that the spare tire, had rubbed a hole in the brake lining going to the rear brake drums. nissan did not feel that they were responsible, because the spare tire was oversized, compared to the recommended tire size (sears had installed a wrangler p26570s17 to spare tire compartment on 9/21/2004). per nissan, the recommended tire was p266565,17. fortunately, the loss of hydraulic fluid and loss of braking fluid did not lead to a crash or injury. as you might imagine, as the owner, i did not authorize sears to install the wrong size tire to my vehicle and am certain that they have no idea that the consequence of this error could lead to rubbing a hole in the braking system 4 years later. i requested that the dealer notify nissan of the incident, and was told that this was not a warranty issue and have no knowledge that other nissan xterra se owners will benefit from my experience (the se series came from the factory with a 17 inch custom tire and rim which is a set-up for this type of error and sentinel event). *tr

Have complained to dealership (east tn nissan, knoxville) on several occasions that there is significant vibration all over vehicle. hear intermittent whistling noise--cannot tell if coming from front or rear. i suggested to them it might be a wheel bearing. dealership insists not. they had me take vehicle to local tire dealer (tires plus, 4901 clinton hwy., knoxville, tn 37912) after telling me the tires were out-of-round (service rep. said "vibration due to high road force."). however, local tire dealer claimed east tn nissan doesn't know how to balance a tire and said tires were not out of round. they balanced tires and sent me on my way--did say they would "sell me a different tire at a prorated price." this is "bunk" after paying nearly $30,000 for this vehicle! vibration continues and is worsening!!! dealership offers nothing toward helping me get replacement tires on this vehicle! i am afraid they either did not really do the recall on the rear housing and are jerking me around or else that tires (or possibly wheels!) are out-of-round, and they refuse to accept responsibility!

All 4 original tires cracked prematurely where the tread met the outside tire wall and within the tread itself. *jb

While driving vehicle pulls to the right or left. also, when braking it tends to pull on either side making it hard to control. *jb

I have been complaining to bankston nissan of irving about the passenger side front seat shaking badly when driven. there first answer on 5/29/02 was there is nothing we can do. the next time i complained the answer was there might be something wrong with the tires or they might be of balance. the last time i took it to them they told me that all xterra seats shake like that. i took it to urban nissan for a second opinion they told me within 1 hour that the seat back needs to be replaced. this tells me that the service tech at bankston don't know what they are doing or they are being racist against some races. dp