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2004 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Nissan Frontier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 64.

About this comparison →
66Owner complaints

Model-year median: 64

1Recall campaigns

View recall details →

0Investigations

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

Other model years Selected year
134
2001124
200277
200366
2004532
2005617
2006520
2007
Compare all Frontier years →

Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

Power Train
13Fuel System, Gasoline
7Steering
7Structure
7Air Bags
6
All reported categories
Engine
6Tires
6Electrical System
5Equipment
4Suspension
4Engine And Engine Cooling
3Vehicle Speed Control
3Visibility
3Wheels
3Fuel/propulsion System
2Parking Brake
2Service Brakes
2Service Brakes, Hydraulic
2Seat Belts
1Seats
1Unknown Or Other
1

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

47 reports with mileage · 19 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports3 fire reports5 injury reports

Parking Brake complaints

2 reports
Clear category filter
209,000 miles · Feb 27, 2023
Parking Brake

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while parked, the contact pulled the cable release for the parking brake and the bracket under the parking brake detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer stated that the manufacturer no longer manufactured the part for the repair. The manu…

Read full complaint

The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while parked, the contact pulled the cable release for the parking brake and the bracket under the parking brake detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer stated that the manufacturer no longer manufactured the part for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 209,000.

NHTSA ODI #11509358

450 miles · Jul 19, 2004
Parking Brake

WHILE THE VEHICLE WAS OFF AND PARKED IT ROLLED DOWN A SLIGHT INCLINE OF 50-60 FEET AND ROLLED INTO A RAVINE. DEALER AND THE MANUFACTURER WERE NOTIFIED. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10083211

Official recalls

1

10V554000 · Steering:column

Nov 11, 2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 FRONTIER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001 THROUGH OCTOBER 20, 2004, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2004, XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001, THROUGH JANUARY 6, 2005. OVER TIME CORROSION MAY FORM IN THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN JOINT AND LIMIT MOVEMENT OF THE JOINT. THE LIMITED MOVEMENT OF THIS JOINT MAY CREATE EXCESSIVE LOAD ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE SHAFT DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS THAT REQUIRE LARGE STEERING INPUTS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND JOINT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHAFT OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.