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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

What owners actually said

66 reports
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

180,000 miles · May 27, 2016
TiresWheels

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DEFLATED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND ALL THE VALVE STEMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 70 MPH, THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE DEFLATED. UPON FURTHER INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE VALVE STEM WAS LEAKING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A DEALER WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THE FRONT PASSENGER SIDE TIRE AND ALL THE VALVE STEMS NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 180,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10871183

120,000 miles · Dec 23, 2015
Air BagsSeat BeltsCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A DEER RAN OUT OF THE BUSH AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG POPPED OUT BUT FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT AND COOLANT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN A…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A DEER RAN OUT OF THE BUSH AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG POPPED OUT BUT FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT AND COOLANT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN AN INJURY AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.

NHTSA ODI #10811919

45,694 miles · Oct 6, 2014
SteeringSuspension

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED VIOLENTLY AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WANDER OUT OF ITS LANE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A SAFE LOCATION AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS POSITI…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 45 MPH, THE STEERING WHEEL JERKED VIOLENTLY AND THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO WANDER OUT OF ITS LANE. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO REGAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS DRIVEN TO A SAFE LOCATION AND THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT THE FRONT DRIVER SIDE WHEEL WAS POSITIONED INWARDLY. IN ADDITION, THE INNER AND OUTER WHEEL BEARINGS AND RELATED PARTS WERE FRACTURED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER. THE FAILURE OCCURRED IMMEDIATELY AFTER BEING SERVICED ACCORDING TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V554000 (STEERING); HOWEVER, THE REMEDY WAS INSUFFICIENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 45,694. UPDATED 1/7/14*CN AFTER COMPLAINT DIFFERNT ENGINE AND TRANSMISSION REPLACED WITHOUT HIM KNOWING. UPDATED 08/30/2017*CT

NHTSA ODI #10641681

Mileage unknown · Sep 2, 2014
Electrical System

WE REPLACED THE STARTER 2X IN THE LAST YEAR AND RECENTLY JUST 3 MONTHS AGO. MY SON WENT TO START THE TRUCK ON SATURDAY AND THE STARTER BURNED COMPLETELY UP. WE HAVE REPLACED THE STARTER ON THIS TRUCK A TOTAL OF 3X IN THE LAST 2 YEARS. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10630024

123,000 miles · Jul 27, 2014
Power TrainStructure

I NOTICED SMALL OIL STAINS UNDER THE NISSAN WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, AT WORK, AND ANYWHERE I WOULD STOP. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I NOTICED THE OIL PAN IS RUSTING THROUGH. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM IF THE MOTOR WOULD LOCK UP AT A…

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I NOTICED SMALL OIL STAINS UNDER THE NISSAN WHILE PARKED IN MY DRIVEWAY, AT WORK, AND ANYWHERE I WOULD STOP. UPON FURTHER INVESTIGATION, I NOTICED THE OIL PAN IS RUSTING THROUGH. I HAVE DONE RESEARCH AND NOTICED I AM NOT THE ONLY PERSON EXPERIENCING THIS PROBLEM. THIS COULD BE A MAJOR PROBLEM IF THE MOTOR WOULD LOCK UP AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED DUE TO LACK OF LUBRICATION. GOT A QUOTE OF $1500 TO REPLACE THE OIL PAN. SEEMS KIND OF STEEP CONSIDERING I AM NOT THE ONE WHO PUT THE, IN MY OPINION, SUB PAR OIL PAN ON THESE VEHICLES. UPDATED 4/8/2015 *JS

NHTSA ODI #10616626

230,000 miles · Apr 10, 2014
Air BagsService BrakesCrashInjury

TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, VEHICLES IN FRONT CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. NISSAN FRONTIER FAILED TO STOP IN A TIMELY MANNER, RESULTING IN CRASH. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WITHOUT THE TRUCK STOPPING. RESULTING CRASH DID NOT DEPLOY AIRBAGS. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DRIVER WAS HOSPITALIZED. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10578822

90,000 miles · Feb 5, 2014
Power Train

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND TRAVELING UPHILL, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AFTER THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS ALSO PRESENT WHEN DRIVING DOWNHILL. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH AND TRAVELING UPHILL, THE TRANSMISSION SLIPPED AFTER THE CONTACT DEPRESSED THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFECT WAS ALSO PRESENT WHEN DRIVING DOWNHILL. THE CONTACT HAD TO SHIFT TO NEUTRAL AND BACK TO DRIVE BEFORE THE VEHICLE WOULD RESPOND. THE FAILURE WAS RECURRING ONLY WHEN THE ENGINE BECAME HOT. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THE FAILURE COULD NOT BE DUPLICATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

NHTSA ODI #10563102

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

105,000 miles · Nov 7, 2013
Steering

THIS VEHICLE HAS A STEERING COLUMN RECALL THAT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT UNTIL I PURCHASED IT IN 2012. I CONTACTED NISSAN TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR BUT THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE 250 MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. I EXPLAINED THAT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO THAT SINCE I LIVE ON AN ISLAND IN A REMOTE PART…

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THIS VEHICLE HAS A STEERING COLUMN RECALL THAT I WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT UNTIL I PURCHASED IT IN 2012. I CONTACTED NISSAN TO SCHEDULE THE REPAIR BUT THEY INFORMED ME THAT I WOULD HAVE TO TAKE THE VEHICLE 250 MILES TO THE NEAREST DEALERSHIP. I EXPLAINED THAT WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DO THAT SINCE I LIVE ON AN ISLAND IN A REMOTE PART OF ALASKA. I ASKED IF A LOCAL CERTIFIED MECHANIC WOULD BE ABLE TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AND THEY TOLD ME NO, IT ONLY CAN BE DONE BY A CERTIFIED NISSAN DEALERSHIP. FAILURE TO MAKE THIS REPAIR CAN CAUSE THE STEERING COLUMN TO CORRODE AND BREAK AT SLOW SPEEDS INCREASING THE RISK OF LOSS OF CONTROL AND AN ACCIDENT. I AM NOW UNABLE TO DRIVE THIS VEHICLE SAFELY WITHOUT THE RISK OF DAMAGE OR INJURY. MY ONLY OPTION IS TO PAY OUT OF POCKET TO MAKE THE REPAIRS AND HOPE NISSAN WILL REFUND ME THE EXPENSE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10551397

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.