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
What owners actually said
84 reports
100 miles · Dec 25, 2005
Engine And Engine Cooling
FROM THE ONSET OF THE PURCHASE I HAVE BEEN HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE THE MECHANICS AT THE NISSAN REPAIR SHOPS STATES THAT NOTHING IS WRONG , HOWEVER THE NOISE GETS WORST WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR , FOR LONGER PERIODS , I HAVE HAD NISSAN SERVICE THE CAR BUT ALL THEY DO IS TIGHTEN THE FAN, THE TIMING TENSIONER PULLEY , Y…
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FROM THE ONSET OF THE PURCHASE I HAVE BEEN HEARING A KNOCKING NOISE IN THE ENGINE THE MECHANICS AT THE NISSAN REPAIR SHOPS STATES THAT NOTHING IS WRONG , HOWEVER THE NOISE GETS WORST WHEN YOU DRIVE THE CAR , FOR LONGER PERIODS , I HAVE HAD NISSAN SERVICE THE CAR BUT ALL THEY DO IS TIGHTEN THE FAN, THE TIMING TENSIONER PULLEY , YET THE NOISE IS STILL THERE, NISSAN NORTH AMERICA HAS BEEN CONTACTED AND SO HAS THE DEALER TO THIS DAY THEY CANNOT FIND THE PROBLEM , NOR ARE HAVE THEY BEEN ABLE TO IDENTIFY THE SOURCE. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10146051
10,000 miles · Nov 8, 2005
Electrical SystemFire
THERE WAS A BREAK-IN OF MY CAR AND THE DOME LIGHT WAS LEFT ON. THE DOME LIGHT APPARENTLY SHORT-CIRCUITED AND BURNED OFF. THE HOT LIGHT FELL ON MY DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT AND BURNED A HOLE IN THE SEAT. THE TRUCK IS NOW TOTALED BY MY INSURANCE. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10142216
13,971 miles · Sep 28, 2005
EquipmentVisibility
2004 XTERRA HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR VARIOUS REASON. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ONE PROBLEM THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER WITH A DEFECTIVE RIGHT DOOR. THE RADIO ALSO DOES NOT WORK. *TS WHEN THE POWER WINDOW WAS ROLLED DOWN THE CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WINDOW REGULA…
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2004 XTERRA HAS BEEN IN THE SHOP FOR VARIOUS REASON. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR ONE PROBLEM THE VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO THE CONSUMER WITH A DEFECTIVE RIGHT DOOR. THE RADIO ALSO DOES NOT WORK. *TS WHEN THE POWER WINDOW WAS ROLLED DOWN THE CONSUMER HEARD A GRINDING NOISE. THE LEFT AND RIGHT FRONT WINDOW REGULATOR HAVE BEEN REPLACED FIVE TIMES. BOTH FRONT WINDOW RUN CHANNELS WARPED TWICE AND CAUSED THE WINDOWS TO JUMP WHEN THEY WERE ROLLED DOWN. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10138839
6,761 miles · Aug 26, 2005
Electrical System
PROBLEMS WITH INSTRUMENT CLUSTER. TACHOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, AND 4-WHEEL DRIVE LIGHT DO NOT FUNCTION PROPERTLY. THE VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN FOR REPAIR 5 TIMES TO REPLACE INSTRUMENT CLUSTER AND ECM. THE VEHICLE STILL DOES NOT OPERATE PROPERLY. *NM
NHTSA ODI #10129042
23,000 miles · Aug 16, 2005
Electrical System
ALTERNATOR. *JB
NHTSA ODI #10133116
Mileage unknown · Mar 10, 2005
Engine And Engine CoolingFuel System, OtherFire
WHILE DRIVING THERE WAS AN ENGINE FIRE. CONSUMER INDICATED THAT A FAULTY FUEL CLAMP WAS USED WHICH DISENGAGED, CAUSING FUEL TO SPILL. THE VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONTACTED THE DEALER. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10114883
700 miles · Mar 2, 2005
Power Train
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, WHEN I PUT THE LEVER INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IT TAKE FOREVER FOR IT TO COME BACK OUT (THE SHIFTER MOVES BUT THE LIGHT STAYS ON) THEIR ARE TIMES THE 4X4 LIGHT IS DIMLY LIGHT? AND OTHER TIMES IT COMES ON FOR NO REASON, SERVICED TWICE WAS TOLD THEY REPLACED A SWITCH ON THE UNIT. PROBLEM STILL EXISITS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10112401
1,000 miles · Feb 19, 2005
Vehicle Speed Control
CRUISE CONTROL: WHEN ACTUATING THE ACCELERATE BUTTON THE VEHICLE SURGES EXCESSIVELY AS IF ONE WAS PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS IS A CONSISTANT PROBLEM THAT APPEARS TO HAVE NO RESOLUTION WITH THE DELER OR MANUFACTURER.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10110779
6,000 miles · Feb 9, 2005
Power Train
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT IS VERY WOBBLY, AND THERE IS A SQUEAKY SOUND COMING FROM THE FLOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SIX OCCASIONS, BUT NOTHING WAS RESOLVED. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10111215
900 miles · Jan 4, 2005
Electrical System
THE FUSES WERE BURNING. WHEN REMOVING THE FUSE ONE COULD SEE SPARKS. DEALER REPLACED THE FUSES, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *AK
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.
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