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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 →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

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
43,117 miles · Jul 1, 2008
Suspension

VEHICLE HAS 40K MILES ON IT (7K MILES PAST 36M/3Y WARRANTY). LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY ON PASSENGER'S SIDE REAR BROKE - PART SHOULD NOT BREAK AT 40K MILES. LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY DEFECTIVE PER ALL THE MECHANICS I HAVE SPOKEN TO. PART SHOULD LAST 100K MILES OR MORE. VEHICLE NEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10232806

30,300 miles · Jun 19, 2008
StructureSuspensionTires

ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE CRACKS ALONG THE SIDES OF THE TIRES. ALSO , WHEN I GOT NEW TIRES, A BIG O TIRES SHOP FOUND THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS BAD ON THE PERMANENT STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE THAT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED DUE TO IT WAS THE __ TOE - SAI - INCLUDED ANGLE - AND THE TOTAL TOE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10231631

57,000 miles · Mar 24, 2008
Suspension

REAR LEAF SPRINGS BROKE ON VEHICLE. VEHICLE NEVER DRIVEN OFF ROAD. FIRST ONE CRACKED AT 57,000 AND 2ND ONE BROKE AT 64,000 MILES. MECHANIC THOUGHT THAT FAILURE OF THESE WAS PREMATURE AND A SAFETY HAZARD TO DRIVE. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10222220

26,000 miles · Jan 30, 2008
Steering

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. AFTER CLOSE INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID EXITED THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT TH…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. AFTER CLOSE INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID EXITED THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRACKET ON THE HOSE, BETWEEN THE PUMP AND THE STEERING UNIT, WAS RUSTED. THE MECHANIC FURTHER STATED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE TUBE AND THE RETURN UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS SINCE HIS VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,500.

NHTSA ODI #10216519

42,000 miles · Oct 23, 2007
Air BagsPower TrainCrashInjury

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

NHTSA ODI #10206674

Mileage unknown · May 9, 2007
Power TrainCrash

ON MAY 9,2007 I SHIFTED THE 2004 NISSAN XTERRA FROM P ARK TO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD 10 FEET. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT A RETAINING WALL. AK

NHTSA ODI #10190337

45,000 miles · Apr 1, 2007
Visibility

REAR WINDOW BUSTED OUT ON IT'S OWN. THERE WAS NO ONE TOUCHING IT OR ANYTHING. MY WIFE WAS GETTING OUT NEPHEW OUT OF THE BACK SEAT AND THE WINDOW BUSTED OUT,SPREADING PIECES OF GLASS ALL OVER THE BACK INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WANT THE GLASS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK AND SEE WHAT CAUSED THE WI…

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REAR WINDOW BUSTED OUT ON IT'S OWN. THERE WAS NO ONE TOUCHING IT OR ANYTHING. MY WIFE WAS GETTING OUT NEPHEW OUT OF THE BACK SEAT AND THE WINDOW BUSTED OUT,SPREADING PIECES OF GLASS ALL OVER THE BACK INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WANT THE GLASS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK AND SEE WHAT CAUSED THE WINDOW TO BUST OUT SO NO ONE GET HURT OR HAS A WRECK WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE WINDOW BUST OUT. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10186662

500 miles · Jul 4, 2006
Engine And Engine Cooling

SINCE WEEK I BOUGHT THIS SUV I HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS ABOUT IN PARK AND IN DRIVE YOU HEAR A LIFTER TYPE TICKING NOISE AT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THIS XTERRA. I FOR SURE THINK IT IS A LIFTER TICK BUT THE DEALER HAS ALWAYS SAID IT IS NOTHING AND NO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT. IT HAS NOT GOTTEN LOADER BUT INSIDE BY THE WHEEL WELL AND ALSO INSI…

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SINCE WEEK I BOUGHT THIS SUV I HAVE MADE COMPLAINTS ABOUT IN PARK AND IN DRIVE YOU HEAR A LIFTER TYPE TICKING NOISE AT THE PASSENGER SIDE OF THIS XTERRA. I FOR SURE THINK IT IS A LIFTER TICK BUT THE DEALER HAS ALWAYS SAID IT IS NOTHING AND NO NOT WORRY ABOUT IT. IT HAS NOT GOTTEN LOADER BUT INSIDE BY THE WHEEL WELL AND ALSO INSIDE RIGHT ENGINE SIDE YOU CAN HEAR IT. AS I DRIVE YOU CAN ALSO HEAR IT WITH THE WINDOWS UP. THEY AGREE THEY HEAR IT BUT THEY STATE ALL OTHER XTERRA MAKE THE SAME. THEY CLAM IT IS THE NORMAL INJECTOR. I THINK IT IS LIFTERS OR LOSE VALVE THAT THE V6 IS NOTED FOR. I STILL SAY A ENGINE OF THIS PRICE SHOULD BE VERY QUIET AND NOT SOUND LIKE LIFTER NOISE. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10161398

Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2006
Visibility

VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER WITH DRIVER-SIDE WINDOW SLOW TO RISE. DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, AFTER 3RD VISIT, DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY HAVE RE-GREASED ROTORS INSIDE DOOR AND NOTHING MORE TO DO. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DIFFERENT DEALER AND HAD RAISING ARM REPLACED IN BOTH FRONT WINDOWS. PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT WITH 02, 03…

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VEHICLE WAS RETURNED TO DEALER WITH DRIVER-SIDE WINDOW SLOW TO RISE. DEALER ADVISED THERE WAS NO PROBLEM, AFTER 3RD VISIT, DEALER ADVISED THAT THEY HAVE RE-GREASED ROTORS INSIDE DOOR AND NOTHING MORE TO DO. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DIFFERENT DEALER AND HAD RAISING ARM REPLACED IN BOTH FRONT WINDOWS. PROBLEM IS CONSISTENT WITH 02, 03 AND SOME 04 XTERRAS AS PER NISSAN SERVICE SHOPS. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10149978

Mileage unknown · Jan 9, 2006
Suspension

1. AFTER TWO MONTHS (4000 MILES), I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THEY GAVE AN ALIGNMENT, WHICH TOOK TWO DAYS BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS SO FAR OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE CAR STILL PULLED TO THE RIGHT, SO I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THEY ALWAYS STATED THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON 11/1…

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1. AFTER TWO MONTHS (4000 MILES), I BROUGHT IT INTO THE DEALER FOR SERVICE. THEY GAVE AN ALIGNMENT, WHICH TOOK TWO DAYS BECAUSE THEY SAID IT WAS SO FAR OUT OF ALIGNMENT. THE CAR STILL PULLED TO THE RIGHT, SO I BROUGHT IT IN FOR SERVICE MULTIPLE TIMES, AND THEY ALWAYS STATED THAT THEY COULDN'T DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. ON 11/17/05, A NON-DEALERSHIP MECHANIC GIVE AN ALIGNMENT. AGAIN, THEY REQUIRED THAT THEY KEEP MY CAR FOR TWO DAYS BECAUSE THE ALIGNMENT WAS SO MESSED UP, AND ULTIMATELY THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT ALIGN IT. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, WHO CLAIMED HE ALIGNED IT, ON 11/23/05. IT STILL WASN'T DRIVING PROPERLY SO I CALLED THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS, WHO TOLD ME TO TAKE IT TO A DEALER. I PAID FOR AN ALIGNMENT THERE ON 12/1/05. HOWEVER, THE SPEC SHEET THEY GAVE ME SHOWED THAT THE SAI WAS STILL OUT OF SPEC. I TOOK IT TO ANOTHER DEALER FOR SERVICE, AND PAID FOR YET ANOTHER ALIGNMENT ON 12/13/05. HOWEVER, THE SPEC SHEET THEY GAVE ME SHOWED THAT THE CASTER AND SAI WERE OUT OF SPEC. THE SERVICE MANAGER DISCOVERED THE FRONT END WAS RAISED TOO HIGH, SO THEY LOWERED IT AND GAVE ANOTHER ALIGNMENT, AND THE SAI IS STILL OUT OF SPEC. THE SPEC FOR SAI RANGES FROM 10.3 TO 11.3 DEGREES, AND MY MOST RECENT ALIGNMENT SHOWS 9.64 ON THE LEFT AND 10.24 ON THE RIGHT. WHEN I DROVE THE VEHICLE BRAND NEW OFF THE LOT, IT WASN'T DRIVING PROPERLY. AT THE TIME, I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE EASILY FIXABLE AND NO BIG DEAL. BUT THE PROBLEM HASN'T BEEN RESOLVED YET. THE FIRST ALIGNMENT TOOK TWO DAYS, AND IT CONTINUED TO PULL AFTER THE ALIGNMENT. IT HAS ALWAYS PULLED, AND THE STEERING WHEEL TWISTS WHEN DRIVING OVER BUMPS OR WHEN BRAKING (EVEN ON FLAT SURFACES.) 2. AFTER THREE ALIGNMENTS IN THE PAST TWO MONTHS, MY VEHICLE IS STILL OUT OF SPEC. NO ONE IS ABLE TO ALIGN IT WITHIN SPEC. IT IS DANGEROUS FOR A VEHICLE TO BE OUT OF ALIGNMENT BECAUSE IT DOES NOT ALLOW THE DRIVER FULL CONTROL. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10147291

Official recalls

2

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.

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

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.