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2004 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2004 Nissan Frontier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 64.

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How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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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

47 reports with mileage · 19 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.

  • Power Train. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 7 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

8 crash reports3 fire reports5 injury reports

Engine complaints

6 reports
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Mileage unknown · Sep 23, 2021
EngineVehicle Speed Control

This vehicle suddenly starts to accelerate on its own like it's in cruise control only it's not and I'm not pressing the gas pedal. It would go well only a 100 if I let it and applying the brakes does nothing. The only way of stopping the vehicle is to put it in neutral and one time that didn't stop it and I had to put it in p…

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This vehicle suddenly starts to accelerate on its own like it's in cruise control only it's not and I'm not pressing the gas pedal. It would go well only a 100 if I let it and applying the brakes does nothing. The only way of stopping the vehicle is to put it in neutral and one time that didn't stop it and I had to put it in park and turn off the key. I've taken the vehicle to 3 different garages and they are not able to figure out what the issue is. I've contacted Nissan and they have no recalls of this. I finally looked online and saw that other people have been in accidents because of the same problem. This vehicle is deadly to drive and I'm a professional driver so luckily I knew what to do when this happens. I am not able to drive truck safely and I'm not able to sell it or even give this to anyon because I would be responsible when they kill someone from the mechanical failures. I bought the truck for my teenage son and obviously he can't drive it

NHTSA ODI #11434032

78,900 miles · Apr 6, 2021
EngineSteeringStructure

DEALER SOLD A VEHICLE AS A FLORIDA 2 OWNER VEHICLE. I DID ANOTHER CARFAX ON IT AFTER I MADE THE PURCHASE TO DISCOVER DEALER SOLD IT TO SOMEONE IN TN AND THEY TITLED IT. THEN THEY RETURNED IT. DEALER SOLD IT TO ME WITHOUT HAVING TITLE ON HAND. VEHICLE WAS SHIPPED AND DROPPED OFF AT MY HOUSE WITHOUT ME BEING THERE TO LOOK IT OVER.…

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DEALER SOLD A VEHICLE AS A FLORIDA 2 OWNER VEHICLE. I DID ANOTHER CARFAX ON IT AFTER I MADE THE PURCHASE TO DISCOVER DEALER SOLD IT TO SOMEONE IN TN AND THEY TITLED IT. THEN THEY RETURNED IT. DEALER SOLD IT TO ME WITHOUT HAVING TITLE ON HAND. VEHICLE WAS SHIPPED AND DROPPED OFF AT MY HOUSE WITHOUT ME BEING THERE TO LOOK IT OVER. THEY NEVER TOLD ME WHEN IT WOULD BE SHIPPED. WHEN MY MECHANIC INSPECTED IT HE SEEN MANY ISSUES. ONE WAS THERE WERE PARTS ON THE TRUCKS STEERING THAT DID NOT BELONG. IT HAD THE WRONG SWAY BAR LINKS INSTALLED. WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO TURN STEERING HITS THE SWAY BAR AND IT LITERALLY BENDS THE BODY OF THE TRUCK. THERE ARE MANY POWER STEERING ISSUES. THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX IS LEAKING AS WELL AS POWER STEERING LINES. DEFINITELY NOT A SAFE VEHICLE TO BE ON THE ROAD. THIS WAS NEVER DISCLOSED WHEN MAKING THE PURCHASE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. COOLANT SENSOR AS WELL AS ENGINE KNOCK SENSORS. WHEN UNDER THE VEHICLE YOU CAN HEAR LOUD BANGING. MECHANIC SUSPECTS CONNECTOR RODS AND/OR MAIN BEARINGS MEANING MOTOR IS ON ITS LAST LEG. LASTLY, DEALERSHIP HAS NOT SENT TITLE NOR ANY PAPERWORK ON IT. ALL I GOT WAS A BROKEN DOWN TRUCK LEAKING FLUIDS LEFT IN MY DRIVEWAY.

NHTSA ODI #11406666

Mileage unknown · Jun 14, 2017
Engine

OK RATTLING AROUND THE FRONT OF THE MOTOR .THEN IT JUST STOPPED THEN MILKY SUBSTANCE STARTS RUNNING OUT. I REPORTED IT TO NORTH AMERICA NISSAN AND THEY TOLD ME TO TAKE MY TRUCK TO THE NEAREST NISSAN DEALER AND THEY WOULD TAKE CARE OF THE PROBLEM.THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER GUIDE WAS ON A SERVICE BULLETIN (NTBO9- 128)

NHTSA ODI #10995225

42,000 miles · May 10, 2017
Engine

THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER GUIDE FAILED, CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO RUB A HOLE INTO THE BLOCK. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, CERANTI OAKES NISSAN, IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AS WELL AS THE TIMING TENSIONER RECALL SUBMITTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, AND INITIALLY SUGGESTED THAT I HAUL THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AT MY OWN EXPENSE, FOR REPAIRS…

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THE TIMING CHAIN TENSIONER GUIDE FAILED, CAUSING THE TIMING CHAIN TO RUB A HOLE INTO THE BLOCK. THE LOCAL DEALERSHIP, CERANTI OAKES NISSAN, IS AWARE OF THE PROBLEM, AS WELL AS THE TIMING TENSIONER RECALL SUBMITTED BY THE MANUFACTURER, AND INITIALLY SUGGESTED THAT I HAUL THE TRUCK TO THE DEALERSHIP, AT MY OWN EXPENSE, FOR REPAIRS. AFTER HAVING THE TRUCK ABOUR A WEEK, THE DEALERSHIP FINALLY RETURNED CALLS CLAIMING THAT THEY CAN NOT MAKE REPAIRS UNDER THE MANUFACTURERS RECALL BC IT'S NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. I HAVE MADE NUMEROUS PHONE CALLS RESULTING IN NO ASSISTANCE FROM CUSTOMER SERVICE TO RESOLVE THE ISSUE. THIS PROBLEMS HAS BEEN A GREAT INCONVENIENCE AND CAUSED OUR FAMILY ISSUES GETTING BACK AND FORTH TO WORK, WHICH INEVITABLY HAS COST MY FAMILY A GREAT DEAL IN LOSE OF THE ONLY SOURCE OF INCOME.

NHTSA ODI #10984794

49,000 miles · Aug 26, 2016
EngineFuel/propulsion SystemService Brakes

TRUCK TOTAL MILEAGE IS ONLY 55,000 AS IT IS NOT USED VERY MUCH. 3 ISSUES OCCURRED APPROX. AT 49,000MILES. 1) ENGINE STARTED TO MISS. UPON CHECKING SPARK PLUGS IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PLUG CAVITIES IN THE HEAD WERE FULL OF OIL. THE VALVE COVER GASKET SEALS HAD LEAKED AND THE OIL FILLED SPARK PLUG HOLES CAUSED IT TO MISS. THIS…

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TRUCK TOTAL MILEAGE IS ONLY 55,000 AS IT IS NOT USED VERY MUCH. 3 ISSUES OCCURRED APPROX. AT 49,000MILES. 1) ENGINE STARTED TO MISS. UPON CHECKING SPARK PLUGS IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE PLUG CAVITIES IN THE HEAD WERE FULL OF OIL. THE VALVE COVER GASKET SEALS HAD LEAKED AND THE OIL FILLED SPARK PLUG HOLES CAUSED IT TO MISS. THIS IS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY SO REPAIRS WERE DONE AT MY COST. HAD TO REPLACE ALL OF THE TOP END VALVE COVER GASKET AND SPARK PLUG HOLE SEALS AS WELL AS THE CAM END SEALS. 2) ONE DAY I GOT INTO THE TRUCK AND WHEN I STARTED IT UP AND PRESSED THE BRAKES THE PEDAL WENT TO THE FLOOR. UPON CHECKING THE BRAKE MASTER CYLINDER RESERVOIR IT WAS EMPTY. FOUND THAT THE REAR AXLE BRAKE LINE HAD RUSTED THROUGH AND HAD BURST SPRAYING BRAKE FLUID ALL OVER THE SPARE TIRE. I HAVE NEVER SEEN A BRAKE LINE DEVELOP A HOLE LIKE THIS. NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY AND A NEW BRAKE LINE AND MASTER CYLINDER WAS REPLACED AT MY OWN COST .THE SYSTEM HAD TO BE BLED OUT AND FLUSHED AT ALL 4 WHEELS. I WAS VERY LUCKY THAT THIS DID NOT OCCUR WHILE DRIVING AS A CRASH WOULD HAVE RESULTED. 3) CURRENTLY HAVING AN ISSUE WITH THE "CHECK ENGINE LIGHT" COMING ON. THE CODE SAYS THAT IT IS A EMISSION ISSUE. WITH THE COMPUTER CODE READER I AM ABLE TO CANCEL THE CODE AND IT STAYS OFF FOR A WHILE BUT COMES BACK ON DAYS LATER. THE CODE IS A LEAKING GAS CAP BUT I CAN DETECT NO LEAKS AND HAVE CHANGED OUT THE CAP WITH AN OEM CAP WITH SAME RESULTS. TRUCK RUNS OKAY SO I HAVE NOT DUG ANY DEEPER ON THIS AND IT IS STILL OCCURRING. 4) WHILE UNDER THE TRUCK FIXING THE BRAKE LINE ISSUE I DISCOVERED THAT THE DRIVE SHAFT WAS COMPLETELY COVERED WITH RUST. IT WAS NEVER PAINTED FROM THE FACTORY. I HAD TO REMOVE IT TO KILL THE RUST AND PAINT IT WITH A GOOD COAT OF BLACK HEAT PROOF PAINT. CORROSION SEEMS TO BE AN ISSUE WITH THESE NISSAN VEHICLES.

NHTSA ODI #10899041

115,000 miles · Jan 17, 2014
Electrical SystemEngineStructureFire

AFTER DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO WORK (AROUND 15 MILES), THE LIGHTS BEGAN TO DIM AND THE RADIO TURNED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES. I PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHERE I WORK, AND WENT TO MY OFFICE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH A MECHANIC. ABOUT 1/2 HOUR LATER, A POLICE OFFICER CALLED BECAUSE MY TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE. IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PARKING STRUCTU…

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AFTER DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO WORK (AROUND 15 MILES), THE LIGHTS BEGAN TO DIM AND THE RADIO TURNED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES. I PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHERE I WORK, AND WENT TO MY OFFICE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH A MECHANIC. ABOUT 1/2 HOUR LATER, A POLICE OFFICER CALLED BECAUSE MY TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE. IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PARKING STRUCTURE, AND OBVIOUSLY TO THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING MELTING MANY OF THE COMPONENTS UNDER THE HOOD, AS WELL AS SMOKE DAMAGE TO THE INSIDE OF THE TRUCK. IT WAS TOTALED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10560434

Official recalls

1

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.

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.