NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
What owners actually said
84 reportsMileage unknown · Sep 23, 2011
Fuel System, Gasoline
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. I CALLED JUNK YARDS AND ALL THERE TANKS FOR THE NISSAN ARE ALSO CORRODED. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THEY SAID IT IS FROM LIVING IN A SALT AREA. HOWEVER NO OTHER MAKES OR MO…
Read full complaint
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. I CALLED JUNK YARDS AND ALL THERE TANKS FOR THE NISSAN ARE ALSO CORRODED. I CALLED NISSAN AND THEY SAID THERE WERE NO RECALLS. THEY SAID IT IS FROM LIVING IN A SALT AREA. HOWEVER NO OTHER MAKES OR MODELS THAT I HAVE HAD EVER DID THIS. I WAS TOLD TO TAKE IT TO A NISSAN DEALER FOR EVALUATION. WHICH I DID BUT FELT UNSAFE DRIVING THE CAR. I FEEL THIS SHOULD BE A RECALL, PLEASE HELP. THANKS *TR
NHTSA ODI #10426890
54,900 miles · Jun 19, 2011
WheelsCrash
WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 NISSAN XTERRA THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE ROTOR AND MY VEHICLE SUNK DOWN AND CONTINUED TO SKID FOR APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE DETACHED TIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING I OBSERVED THAT TWO LUG NUTS HAD BEEN SHEARED OFF. THE VEHICLE'S TIR…
Read full complaint
WHILE DRIVING MY 2004 NISSAN XTERRA THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE DETACHED FROM THE ROTOR AND MY VEHICLE SUNK DOWN AND CONTINUED TO SKID FOR APPROXIMATELY 200 FEET BEFORE COMING TO A STOP. THE DETACHED TIRE CAUSED DAMAGE TO AN ONCOMING VEHICLE. AFTER STOPPING I OBSERVED THAT TWO LUG NUTS HAD BEEN SHEARED OFF. THE VEHICLE'S TIRES HAD NOT HAD ANY SERVICE DONE TO THEM RECENTLY AND IT IS STILL A MYSTERY AS TO WHY THE WHEEL DETACHED. IT IS STILL UNKNOWN AS TO WHAT THE EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE IS AND THERE IS NO WAY TO INSPECT THE DETACHED TIRE AS IT WENT INTO A MARSHLAND AND WAS LOST. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10407415
20,000 miles · May 6, 2011
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULTY TO MANEUVER. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 0V554000 (STEERING:COLUMN). THE REM…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULTY TO MANEUVER. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 0V554000 (STEERING:COLUMN). THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.
NHTSA ODI #10399327
Mileage unknown · Feb 8, 2011
SteeringCrashInjury
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AROUND A BEND WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SUDDENLY FLIPPED DRIVER SIDE UP. THE CONTACT AND ALL THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONTUSION TO T…
Read full complaint
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AROUND A BEND WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SUDDENLY FLIPPED DRIVER SIDE UP. THE CONTACT AND ALL THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONTUSION TO THE BRAIN AND THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.
NHTSA ODI #10381145
79,000 miles · Jan 23, 2011
Steering
FIRST -MY STEERING WAS GETTING HARD - I ASKED A TECH AT NISSAN WHAT POSSIBLY COULD BE THE PROBLEM. THEY SUGGESTED CHANGE THE STEERING FLUID FIRST. I DID AND THEN I LEARNED THERE WAS A RECALL - I WOULD LIKE A REIMBURSEMENT OF $96.25 FOR THE STEERING POWER FLUID FLUSH THAT I DID NOT NEED. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND FOUND OUT BY …
Read full complaint
FIRST -MY STEERING WAS GETTING HARD - I ASKED A TECH AT NISSAN WHAT POSSIBLY COULD BE THE PROBLEM. THEY SUGGESTED CHANGE THE STEERING FLUID FIRST. I DID AND THEN I LEARNED THERE WAS A RECALL - I WOULD LIKE A REIMBURSEMENT OF $96.25 FOR THE STEERING POWER FLUID FLUSH THAT I DID NOT NEED. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND FOUND OUT BY CALLING NISSAN BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WAS STILL HAPPENING. I TOOK THE SUV INTO NISSAN SERVICE TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR - IT WAS DONE HOWEVER, I STILL HAD A HARD STEERING PROBLEM. THEY LOOKED AT IT AGAIN AND THEY NOW SAID I NEEDED A GEAR BOX WHICH I RECORDED EARILIER WITH YOU IN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT . IF I DO IN FACT NEED A GEAR BOX I FEEL THAT IT GOT DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE RECALL - THIS IS OVER A $2,000 REPAIR. A VERY SHORT TIME AFTER MY CAR LEFT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT (AFTER THEY SAID I MAY NEED A GEAR BOX) I ALMOST HAD A VERY BAD CAR ACCIDENT - MY FRONT TIRES AND STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE WHEEL FELT LIKE IT WAS COMING OFF - I TOWED THE SUV TO NISSAN SERVICE AND I AM NOW TOLD THAT THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $700.00. WHY DID THEY NOT SEE THE PROBLEM THE WEEK BEFORE? I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR $96.25 STEERING POWER FLUSH, TOWING CHARGE OF $120.00 AND THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT APPROX. $800.00 AND I WANT THIS INVESTIGATED. DO I REALLY NEED A GEAR BOX? I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A VERY BAD ACCIDENT IF THAT WHEEL TO FLY OFF. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU - NISSAN XTERRA 2004 YOUR DEPARTMENT AND NISSAN NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM - I COULD HAVE DIED. DOES IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10378345
78,000 miles · Jan 13, 2011
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL CAMPAIGN 10V554000, STEERING COLUMN. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND JOINT WERE TO BE REPLACED WITH A SHAFT OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER SHAFT AND JOINT, BUT THE VEHICLE IS STILL NOT STEERING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT …
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL CAMPAIGN 10V554000, STEERING COLUMN. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND JOINT WERE TO BE REPLACED WITH A SHAFT OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER SHAFT AND JOINT, BUT THE VEHICLE IS STILL NOT STEERING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH THE RECALL OR THE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE VEHICLE WERE 78,000. UPDATED 03/08/11*JB
NHTSA ODI #10376537
58,000 miles · Oct 27, 2010
Fuel System, Gasoline
MY 2004 NISSAN XTERRA HAS A RUSTED FUEL TANK. I ALWAYS SMELL GAS. NISSAN CORPORATE TOLD ME TO BRING IT TO A DEALER.I BROUGHT IT IN TO NISSAN TO CONFIRM THIS AND THEY SAID" ITS RUSTED AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE" I CALLED CORPORATE AND THEY SAID THE WILL GET IN TOUCH WITH ME IN 3 DAYS, ITS BEEN 2 WEEKS. A GAS TANK SHOULD NOT ROT IN 5 …
Read full complaint
MY 2004 NISSAN XTERRA HAS A RUSTED FUEL TANK. I ALWAYS SMELL GAS. NISSAN CORPORATE TOLD ME TO BRING IT TO A DEALER.I BROUGHT IT IN TO NISSAN TO CONFIRM THIS AND THEY SAID" ITS RUSTED AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE" I CALLED CORPORATE AND THEY SAID THE WILL GET IN TOUCH WITH ME IN 3 DAYS, ITS BEEN 2 WEEKS. A GAS TANK SHOULD NOT ROT IN 5 YEARS(BOUGHT IN 05) WITH 58,000. IF THE TECH SAID I SHOULD NOT DRIVE THIS TRUCK THEN WHY IS NISSAN CORP. NOT GETTING BACK TO ME IN A TIMELY MANNER? *TR
NHTSA ODI #10362705
39,657 miles · Mar 10, 2010
Suspension
AT 39,000 MILES, RIGHT REAR LEAF SPRING SNAPPED DURING NORMAL DRIVING CONDITIONS. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10318447
49,000 miles · Feb 2, 2010
Steering
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2004. HE NOTICED A LEAK SIMILAR TO OIL IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE LEAK WAS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND WOULD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THERE WER…
Read full complaint
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2004. HE NOTICED A LEAK SIMILAR TO OIL IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE LEAK WAS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND WOULD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE AND THE REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 49,000.
NHTSA ODI #10303863
55,000 miles · Oct 26, 2009
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
FOLLOW UP TO ODI COMPLAINT NUMBER 10289404. NISSAN COMPLETED REPLACING BREAK LINE ON 10/25/09. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO FIRST FAILURE, NOR EVENTS LEADING TO 2ND FAILURE. VEHICLE PICKED UP DRIVEN SHORT DISTANCE HOME FROM DEALER; PARKED, NOT USED. ON 10/26, STARTED VEHICLE FOR TRIP TO WORK, BRAKE PEDAL SUNK AGAIN, BRAKE …
Read full complaint
FOLLOW UP TO ODI COMPLAINT NUMBER 10289404. NISSAN COMPLETED REPLACING BREAK LINE ON 10/25/09. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO FIRST FAILURE, NOR EVENTS LEADING TO 2ND FAILURE. VEHICLE PICKED UP DRIVEN SHORT DISTANCE HOME FROM DEALER; PARKED, NOT USED. ON 10/26, STARTED VEHICLE FOR TRIP TO WORK, BRAKE PEDAL SUNK AGAIN, BRAKE LIGHT ON STEADY RED. BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. BRAKE FLUID AGAIN LEAKING, TOOK PICTURES. CALLED NISSAN-1-800 # AGAIN. CALLED CORPORATE OFFICE AT AREA CODE 615 NUMBER. CALLED DEALER, LEFT MESSAGES WITH MANAGER, MIKE KEENAN. NO ANSWER BACK. RECEPTIONIST SAID MANAGER "TOO BUSY". VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. AS OF THIS WRITING NEITHER NISSAN NOR NISSAN GARAGE HAVE CALLED. *TR
NHTSA ODI #10289918
Official recalls
2Nov 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.
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 ↗