2004 Nissan Xterra recalls and problems

The 2004 Nissan Xterra has 2 recalls and 84 owner complaints on file with NHTSA; the most reported problem area is steering.

How the 2004 compares

Average

Fewest complaintsMost complaints

Average complaint count among 16 Xterra model years — 8th most.

2recalls

84complaints

10crashes

3fires

7injuries

60,000median miles

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not verified and not adjusted for sales. Ranking compares this model's own years only.

Does your car have an open recall?
Recalls apply to specific vehicles. Only a VIN lookup on NHTSA's official site shows whether yours is affected and still unrepaired.

Check your VIN →

2 recalls

Steering

Nov 11, 2010 · NHTSA campaign 10V554000 · 500,552 vehicles

Problem: 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.

Original NHTSA wording

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.

Risk: The shaft May break which could result in loss of steering control during these low speed maneuvers increasing the risk of a crash.

Original NHTSA wording

THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy & notes

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.

Nissan safety recal no. R1037.owners May also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's vehicle safety hotline at 1-888-327-4236 (tty 1-800-424-9153), or go to <a href=http://www.safercar.gov>http://www.safercar.gov</a> .

Trailer Hitches

Dec 15, 2004 · NHTSA campaign 04V581000 · 131 vehicles

Problem: On certain sport utility vehicles, the accessory tow hitch attachment bolts May not have been tightened to the proper specification.

Original NHTSA wording

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCESSORY TOW HITCH ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.

Risk: This could cause the tow hitch to loosen or separate from the vehicle which could result in a crash without warning.

Original NHTSA wording

THIS COULD CAUSE THE TOW HITCH TO LOOSEN OR SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy & notes

Dealers will tighten the tow hitch. The recall began on January 3, 2005. Owners should contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

Nissan recall no. Pb124.customers can also contact the national highway traffic safety administration's auto safety hotline at 1-888-DASH-2-DOT (1-888-327-4236).

Recall text as published by NHTSA and the manufacturer.

What owners complain about

Engine14

Unknown or other5

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA; one complaint can name several areas. Not verified by NHTSA.

Complaints by year filed

2004 vs. other Nissan Xterra years

Owner complaints by model year; the darker bar is the 2004. Click a bar to switch year.

Questions

Does the 2004 Nissan Xterra have recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns covering the 2004 Nissan Xterra, the latest from Nov 11, 2010 (steering). A recall applies to specific vehicles: enter your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see whether yours is affected and still open.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Xterra?

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA most often mention steering (20), engine (14), fuel system (12). Complaints are consumer reports and are not verified by NHTSA.