IllustrationI have been in three accidents, of decent speed, and my airbags never deployed. I was told to report that.
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 →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Xterra years →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
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
Air Bags complaints
4 reportsMy vehicle has been in 3 accidents. Being rear-ended at 70MPH, again six months later at 60MPH, then the forward vehicle slammed their brakes, and I hit them at around 30MPH. In any of these accidents, NONE of my airbags deployed.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK AND A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FROM THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE …
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, SHE CRASHED INTO A CONCRETE WALL. THE AIR BAGS FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE NECK, BACK AND A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT WAS TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL FROM THE SCENE AND A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS RULED AS DESTROYED AND WAS TOWED TO AN IMPOUND LOT. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED TO DETERMINE THE CAUSE OF THE AIR BAG FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 89,000. *TR
I OWN A NISSAN XTERRA 2004 IT WAS IN PARK AND ROLLED BY ITSELF FROM FLAT TO DOWN A DRIVE HITTING A MOVING CAR THEN GOING DOWN A CLIFF INTO A TREE. NO ONE AT NISSAN OR ALLSTATE CAN EXPLAIN WHY IT ROLLED! NISSAN BLEW ME OFF SAYING IT CAN HAPPEN WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT IF IT COULD JUST ROLL LIKE THAT WHY DID THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY? T…
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I OWN A NISSAN XTERRA 2004 IT WAS IN PARK AND ROLLED BY ITSELF FROM FLAT TO DOWN A DRIVE HITTING A MOVING CAR THEN GOING DOWN A CLIFF INTO A TREE. NO ONE AT NISSAN OR ALLSTATE CAN EXPLAIN WHY IT ROLLED! NISSAN BLEW ME OFF SAYING IT CAN HAPPEN WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT IF IT COULD JUST ROLL LIKE THAT WHY DID THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY? THERE EXPLANATION WELL--- IT WAS IN PARK! SO HOW CAN IF IT IS IN PARK NO KEYS CAN IT ROLL FORWARD THEN DOWN???? *JB
Official recalls
210V554000 · 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
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.