NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
84 reports130,000 miles · Sep 23, 2019
Exterior Lighting
WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY LIT AS IF YOU WERE PRESSING THE BRAKE EVEN WHEN ENGINE IS OFF, CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT SET EITHER SO YOU CAN TURN IT ON BUT WILL NOT ENGAGE. IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH LOCATED BY THE BRAKE PEDAL. I'VE FASHIONED A SPACER TO SLIDE IN BETWEEN THE …
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WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY LIT AS IF YOU WERE PRESSING THE BRAKE EVEN WHEN ENGINE IS OFF, CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT SET EITHER SO YOU CAN TURN IT ON BUT WILL NOT ENGAGE. IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH LOCATED BY THE BRAKE PEDAL. I'VE FASHIONED A SPACER TO SLIDE IN BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND SWITCH SO THEY'LL GO OFF WHEN I'M NOT DRIVING. I WAS JUST CURIOUS AS IF THERE IS A RECALL TO THIS OR IF I HAVE TO ACTUALLY REPLACE THE PART MY SELF.
NHTSA ODI #11257372
212,000 miles · Sep 16, 2019
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COURTESY NISSAN (1777 N CENTRAL EXPY, RICHARDSON, TX 75080) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V554000 (STEERING). AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE CONTACT STA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COURTESY NISSAN (1777 N CENTRAL EXPY, RICHARDSON, TX 75080) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V554000 (STEERING). AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ABLE TO TURN THREE INCHES TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT, BUT THE WHEELS FAILED TO MOVE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER BECAUSE COURTESY NISSAN HAD LOST THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.*PM CONSUMER STATED DEALER WANTED THE VEHICLE TO BE LEFT A THE DEALER FOR 2 WEEKS BUT CONSUMER COULD NOT, WITHOUT A LOANER, DUE TO WORK.*JB
NHTSA ODI #11255563
50,000 miles · Mar 12, 2019
Unknown Or Other
I HAVE CHANGED MY FUEL PUMP 11 TIMES IN TWO YEARS SOMETHING AIN'T RIGHT
NHTSA ODI #11186037
Mileage unknown · Feb 18, 2019
Electrical SystemUnknown Or Other
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.
NHTSA ODI #11180721
145,000 miles · Jan 8, 2019
Engine
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 55 MPH, THE ENGINE STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER TO BE DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 145,000.
NHTSA ODI #11165126
155,000 miles · Dec 21, 2018
Steering
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTRA STRENGTH JUST TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLA…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTRA STRENGTH JUST TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.
NHTSA ODI #11162963
116,000 miles · May 24, 2018
Electrical SystemElectronic Stability Control (esc)Engine
2004 XTERRA HAD BEEN LOW ON RADIATOR FLUID AND NEEDED TOPPING UP EACH WEEK, THEN EACH DAY. AFTER FILLING WITH WATER AND COOLANT NIGHT BEFORE CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT ON HWY. CAR SAT IN SUN ALL DAY, THEN OVERHEATED IN TRAFFIC. HAD TOWED TO WORK ON IT. REPLACED SPLIT RADIATOR HOSE WHERE DRIPPING OCCURS AND REFILLED CAR RADIATO…
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2004 XTERRA HAD BEEN LOW ON RADIATOR FLUID AND NEEDED TOPPING UP EACH WEEK, THEN EACH DAY. AFTER FILLING WITH WATER AND COOLANT NIGHT BEFORE CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT ON HWY. CAR SAT IN SUN ALL DAY, THEN OVERHEATED IN TRAFFIC. HAD TOWED TO WORK ON IT. REPLACED SPLIT RADIATOR HOSE WHERE DRIPPING OCCURS AND REFILLED CAR RADIATOR, NO LEAKING APPARENT. NEXT DAY, DROVE ON HWY TO WORK. AT 65-75 MPH CAR BEGAN MAKING CLICKING/TAPPING NOISES FROM ENGINE. WENT UPHILL TOWARDS INTERCHANGE AND CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY, STEAM (OR SMOKE) CAME FROM UNDER HOOD AS I CAREFULLY CROSSED FREEWAY TO EXIT, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON ON DASH AND SMOKE OR STEAM POURED INTO THE CAR THROUGH AIR VENTS. I HAD LOST ALL POWER AND POWER STEERING, BUT I STEERED IT SAFELY TO HWY SERVICE ROAD STREET WITH PARKING LOT. CAR WAS SMOKING UNDER HOOD, STEAM OR SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF VENTS AND ALL LIGHTS REMAINED ON ON THE DASH. UNDER THE HOOD, THE A/C CONDENSER OR RADIATOR HAS A 5" BREAK ON TOP OF IT. WHEN I PUT WATER IN THE RADIATOR IT POURS THROUGH SEVERAL PLACES WHERE HOSES CONNECT (GASKETS AND SEALS, I PRESUME). HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT EVER AGAIN, BUT NOW I CAN'T GET TO WORK OR PICK MY KIDS UP FROM SCHOOL ANYMORE AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT OR PAY FOR REPAIRS SINCE I CAN'T GET TO WORK.
NHTSA ODI #11097726
60,000 miles · Oct 26, 2017
Steering
STEERING IS SLOPPY. STEERING WHEEL HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY. THERE IS A LOT ON THIS TOPIC ACROSS THE INTERNET FORUMS.
NHTSA ODI #11039972
125,450 miles · Jan 23, 2017
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension
I TOOK MY VECHICLE TO ACE AUTO AND HE CLAIM HE FIXED IT GAVE ME A LIST THE SECOND TIME BUT NOT THE FIRST TIME IT SAT THERE FOR A YEAR THAN I GOT IT OUT FOR 2 MONTHS BACK IN AGAIN ITS GOES REAL SLOW BACK FIRES NOW AND STERRING WHEEL LOCKED ONE DAY NOW ITS ACTING LIKE IT DONT HAVE POWER TO IT.EVERYTIME YOU GO SPPEED LIMIT THE STEE…
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I TOOK MY VECHICLE TO ACE AUTO AND HE CLAIM HE FIXED IT GAVE ME A LIST THE SECOND TIME BUT NOT THE FIRST TIME IT SAT THERE FOR A YEAR THAN I GOT IT OUT FOR 2 MONTHS BACK IN AGAIN ITS GOES REAL SLOW BACK FIRES NOW AND STERRING WHEEL LOCKED ONE DAY NOW ITS ACTING LIKE IT DONT HAVE POWER TO IT.EVERYTIME YOU GO SPPEED LIMIT THE STEERING LOCKS IT SHAKES AND NOT ENOUGH POWER TO GO BARELY GO UP THE HILL TOO.
NHTSA ODI #10947220
12,256 miles · Sep 19, 2016
Service BrakesVehicle Speed ControlCrashInjury
ON 9/11/2016, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK MY 2004 NISSAN XTERRA, THERE WAS A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I PULLED IN FRONT OF A MAECHANICS BAY AT FIRESTONE IN NEWPORT NEWS, VA. WHILE PARKING MY SUV, WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE, THE SUV RAPIDLY ACCELATRED AND DROVE THROUGH THE BUILDING AND BADLY INJURED A MECHANIC STANDING IN THE BAY.…
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ON 9/11/2016, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK MY 2004 NISSAN XTERRA, THERE WAS A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I PULLED IN FRONT OF A MAECHANICS BAY AT FIRESTONE IN NEWPORT NEWS, VA. WHILE PARKING MY SUV, WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE, THE SUV RAPIDLY ACCELATRED AND DROVE THROUGH THE BUILDING AND BADLY INJURED A MECHANIC STANDING IN THE BAY. I WAS BRAKING AS HARD AS I COULD, AND THE SUV KEPT ACCELARTING AND WOULD NOT STOP. I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDNET, THE SUV WAS AT A TOTAL STOP WHILE SHIFITNG IT INTO PARK. IT WAS LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT OF FIRESTONE ON WARWICK BLVD. IN NEWPORT NEWS, VA. THIS VECHILE WAS IN AS NEW CONDITION WITH ONLY A LITTE OVER 12,000 MILES. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING, ANTOTHER VECHILE IN THE BAY, THE DRIVER OF THE SUV, AND SEVERE INURIES TO THE MECHANIC STANDING ON THE FLOOR OF THE BAY. AGAIN, AT NO POINT , WAS THE DRIVERS FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE DRIVER WAS BRAKING THROUGHOUT THIS INCIDENT AND COUD NOT STOP THE VECHILE. WHAT IS LEFT OF THIS VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LOCATED IN THE GEICO LOT ON PRODUCTION DRIVE IN YORKTOWN, VIRGINIA.
NHTSA ODI #10907542