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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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

What owners actually said

84 reports
20 miles · Sep 14, 2016
Wheels

I WAS DRIVE MY NISSAN XTERRA IN IN HIGHWAY AND MY CAR START TO SHAKE AND WITH IN 15 MINUTE 3 LUG NUT OUT OF 6 CAME OUT AND OTHER THREE ABOUT TO LOOSE. IT WAS SCARY. I ANYHOW APPROACHED TO CAR REPAIR SHOP AND LEARNED THAT MY FRONT WHEEL BEARING GONE BAD. I JUST FOUND THAT NISSAN XTERRA 2012 HAS RECALL FOR SIMILAR BEARING ISSU…

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I WAS DRIVE MY NISSAN XTERRA IN IN HIGHWAY AND MY CAR START TO SHAKE AND WITH IN 15 MINUTE 3 LUG NUT OUT OF 6 CAME OUT AND OTHER THREE ABOUT TO LOOSE. IT WAS SCARY. I ANYHOW APPROACHED TO CAR REPAIR SHOP AND LEARNED THAT MY FRONT WHEEL BEARING GONE BAD. I JUST FOUND THAT NISSAN XTERRA 2012 HAS RECALL FOR SIMILAR BEARING ISSUE. THIS IS VERY DISTURBING WHILE SUCH INCIDENCE ON HIGHWAY AND I KEEP LOSING FAITH ON SUCH MOST RELIABLE NISSAN BRAND NAME THEREFORE, I WOULD SINCERE REQUEST TO PLEASE INCLUDE XTERRA 2004 MODEL FOR THIS RECALL TOO. THANKS

NHTSA ODI #10906346

131,000 miles · Jun 14, 2016
Fuel/propulsion System

JUNE 12 2016 AT THE TRI-PAR IN SLINGER, WI I WAS FILLING UP THE GAS TANK, WHEN GAS BEGAN SPILLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL WELL. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED IT AFTER I NOTICED IT. THE STATION ALONG WITH THE SLINGER FIRE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATED A GALLON WAS SPILT. IT APPEARS THE GAS TANK NECK HAS RUSTED OUT, CAUSING THE SPILL. THEY DEEM…

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JUNE 12 2016 AT THE TRI-PAR IN SLINGER, WI I WAS FILLING UP THE GAS TANK, WHEN GAS BEGAN SPILLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL WELL. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED IT AFTER I NOTICED IT. THE STATION ALONG WITH THE SLINGER FIRE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATED A GALLON WAS SPILT. IT APPEARS THE GAS TANK NECK HAS RUSTED OUT, CAUSING THE SPILL. THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND RECOMMEND WE HAVE IT TOWED HOME, WHICH WE DID.

NHTSA ODI #10874269

Mileage unknown · Jun 12, 2016
Engine

JUNE 12 2016 AT THE TRI-PAR IN SLINGER, WI I WAS FILLING UP THE GAS TANK, WHEN GAS BEGAN SPILLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL WELL. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED IT AFTER I NOTICED IT. THE STATION ALONG WITH THE SLINGER FIRE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATED A GALLON WAS SPILT. IT APPEARS THE GAS TANK NECK HAS RUSTED OUT, CAUSING THE SPILL. T…

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JUNE 12 2016 AT THE TRI-PAR IN SLINGER, WI I WAS FILLING UP THE GAS TANK, WHEN GAS BEGAN SPILLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL WELL. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED IT AFTER I NOTICED IT. THE STATION ALONG WITH THE SLINGER FIRE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATED A GALLON WAS SPILT. IT APPEARS THE GAS TANK NECK HAS RUSTED OUT, CAUSING THE SPILL. THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND RECOMMEND WE HAVE IT TOWED HOME, WHICH WE DID.

NHTSA ODI #10873777

94,000 miles · Dec 24, 2015
Steering

STEERING BINDS WHEN COMING TO COMPLETE LEFT TURN, WILL NOT RETURN WHEN MOVING FORWRD UNLESS MANUALLY ASSISTED, NOW STEERING GEAR STARTING TO LEAK.

NHTSA ODI #10812057

128,000 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Fuel/propulsion System

I SMELL GAS INSIDE THE CAR, I TOOK IT TO A SHOP AND THEY TOLD ME THE GAS TANK IS ALL RUSTED ON TOP, CAUSING THE GAS TO SPILL OUT. SPEAKING WITH NISSAN THEY SAID THIS IS PART OF WEAR AND TEAR OF THE VEHICLE, WHICH I DO NOT AGREE WITH.

NHTSA ODI #10806577

80,000 miles · Nov 24, 2015
Engine

THE LOWER RADIATOR SUPPORT BAR FOR MY NISSAN XTERRA HAS RUSTED OUT. THIS CAUSES THE MAIN RADIATOR TO SINK WHICH HAS SINCE HIT THE MAIN FAN. ONLY REPLACEMENT IS TO REPLACE THE ENTIRE RADIATOR BRACE. AS A MAIN STRUCTURE COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE THIS SHOULD NOT BE RUSTING OUT.

NHTSA ODI #10806572

160,000 miles · Jun 20, 2015
Suspension

PASSENGER SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, ALMOST PUNCTURING GAS TANK ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. I WAS ADVISED BY MY MECHANIC THAT THIS WAS DEFINITELY AN ITEM THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AND IT IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO DEFECTIVE PART, A…

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PASSENGER SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON THE FREEWAY, ALMOST PUNCTURING GAS TANK ACCORDING TO THE MECHANIC. THE DRIVER'S SIDE REAR LEAF SPRING BROKE WHILE DRIVING ON CITY STREETS. I WAS ADVISED BY MY MECHANIC THAT THIS WAS DEFINITELY AN ITEM THAT SHOULD NOT HAVE FAILED AND IT IS MOST LIKELY DUE TO DEFECTIVE PART, AS THE METAL LAYERED LEAF SPRING SHOULD NOT BREAK. THE MECHANIC ADVISED THAT SINCE THE VEHICLE IS NOT ONE THAT IS DRIVEN IN A MANNER OF OFF ROADING, THAT THE FAILED LEAF SPRING WAS DEFECTIVE AND SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED BY THE AUTHORITIES PERHAPS, AS A RECALL ITEM. HE ADVISED THAT I SHOULD FILE A COMPLAINT AND I HAVE REVIEWED THIS SITE TO DETERMINE THAT MANY OTHERS HAVE HAD ISSUE WITH THE LEAF SPRINGS BREAKING. PLEASE INVESTIGATE. THANK YOU.

NHTSA ODI #10726364

Mileage unknown · May 20, 2015
Electrical SystemEngineInjury

I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY STARTER 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. I HAVE ALL OF THE RECEIPTS TO SHOW ALSO. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY RADIATOR BECAUSE OF A CRACK NEAR THE CAP. I HAD A HOSE THAT GOES THROUGH MY DASH WITH THE HOT WATER EXPLODE ON ME AND BURN MY HAND PRETTY BAD. MY RADIATOR SEEMS TO EVAPORATE COOLING FLUID ON A REGULAR BASIS…

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I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY STARTER 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. I HAVE ALL OF THE RECEIPTS TO SHOW ALSO. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY RADIATOR BECAUSE OF A CRACK NEAR THE CAP. I HAD A HOSE THAT GOES THROUGH MY DASH WITH THE HOT WATER EXPLODE ON ME AND BURN MY HAND PRETTY BAD. MY RADIATOR SEEMS TO EVAPORATE COOLING FLUID ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAVE HAD A PRESSURE TEST IT IS HOLDING PRESSURE. AND NOW MY WARNING BELL IS NO LONGER WORKING. MY BATTERY HAS GONE DEAD 5 TIMES BECAUSE NO WARNING SOUND TO TELL ME I LEFT MY LIGHTS ON.

NHTSA ODI #10717539

128,138 miles · May 15, 2015
Electrical SystemSteeringSuspension

I HAVE REPLACED MY STARTER 3 TIMES. MY BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE A SHORT OR FAULTY WIRING I'M SURE BECAUSE WE HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE GOTTEN TICKETS BECAUSE OF THIS AS A RESULT I HAVE A EXPIRED BRAKE TAG I CANT GET A NEW ONE BECAUSE THE WIRING WILL COST TO MUCH. MY UV JOINT BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY…

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I HAVE REPLACED MY STARTER 3 TIMES. MY BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE A SHORT OR FAULTY WIRING I'M SURE BECAUSE WE HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE GOTTEN TICKETS BECAUSE OF THIS AS A RESULT I HAVE A EXPIRED BRAKE TAG I CANT GET A NEW ONE BECAUSE THE WIRING WILL COST TO MUCH. MY UV JOINT BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY. THAT PART THEY TELL ME IS NOT A COMMON BREAKING PART. NISSAN CHARGES OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR THAT. I'M TOLD MY WIRING IS BAD AFTER I REPLACE MY STARTER 2 MONTHS AGO. THEY SENT ME A RECALL FOR MY COLUMN STEERING AND I HAD IT REPAIRED BUT IT STILL IS A SLIGHT HASSLE TO CHANGE GEARS. I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER TELLING ME THEY ARE BUYING 2004 NISSAN XTERRA'S BUT WHEN I CALLED THE SALES MAN SAYS IT'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE XTERRA'S THAT'S JUST A SALES STUNT. I THINK ITS A BUNCH OF BULL NISSAN KNOWS THEY DIDN'T DO A GOOD JOB WITH THESE 2004"S.

NHTSA ODI #10716718

134,000 miles · Feb 25, 2015
EngineUnknown Or Other

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.

NHTSA ODI #10690533

Official recalls

2

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.