IllustrationUNKNOWN. Wanting to make a recall appointment that was reported on my SMOG check.
2004 Nissan Xterra
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2004 Nissan Xterra do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 78.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
180–25K
925–50K
1150–75K
875–100K
10100–150K
10150K+
66 reports with mileage · 18 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.
- Steering. Review the 20 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Electrical System. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 11 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
10 crash reports3 fire reports5 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
5 reportsI HAVE CHANGED MY FUEL PUMP 11 TIMES IN TWO YEARS SOMETHING AIN'T RIGHT
GOT INTO MY CAR ONE DAY AND UPON TRYING TO CRANK IT , WHEN TURNING THE KEY IT HESITATED TO CRANK AND FINALLY DID SO. WHEN I REACHED MY DESTINATION, WHEN I LEFT MY CAR WOULD JUST NOT CRANK. NO CLICKS. LIGHTS WORK FINE. NOTHING IS WRONG WITH SECURITY, BATTERY. JUST REPLACED THE STARTER AROUND OCT OF LAST YEAR.
VEHICLE OVERHEATED WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE HIGHWAY. UPON INSPECTION, AN APPROXIMATELY 4IN CRACK WAS NOTICED ON THE TOP OF THE RADIATOR, PASSENGER SIDE, NEAR THE THERMOSTAT. REPLACEMENT OF THE RADIATOR WAS REQUIRED.
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE HUD DRUMS, LOCATED IN THE GEARS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATES, SHIMMIES, AND MAKES A LOT OF NOISE IN THE REAR. THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE FEELS AS IF IT WILL FALL OFF OR DROP AT ANY …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE IS CONSTANTLY EXPERIENCING ISSUES WITH THE HUD DRUMS, LOCATED IN THE GEARS. WHILE DRIVING VARIOUS SPEEDS, THE VEHICLE HESITATES, SHIMMIES, AND MAKES A LOT OF NOISE IN THE REAR. THE REAR END OF THE VEHICLE FEELS AS IF IT WILL FALL OFF OR DROP AT ANY MOMENT. THE CONTACT IS NOT ALLOWED TO TAKE HER VEHICLE TO A NISSAN DEALER FOR INSPECTION BECAUSE IT WAS PURCHASED FROM A PRIVATE DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 69,000.
Official recalls
210V554000 · 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.
04V581000 · Trailer Hitches
Dec 15, 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCESSORY TOW HITCH ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE TOW HITCH TO LOOSEN OR SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TOW HITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 3, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.