Nissan · Xterra · 2004
2004 Nissan Xterra
3
Recalls
84
Complaints
N/A
NCAP overall
The 2004 Nissan Xterra has 3 recalls and 84 owner-reported complaints on file with NHTSA. Most frequent stored component label: steering (16 reports).
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2004 Nissan Xterra 4-DR. NCAP Vehicle ID: 1244
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
Source: NHTSA Public Records
NHTSA source checks for this vehicle year
- Complaints
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Recalls
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Safety ratings
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Investigations
- Separate successful check not recorded.
- Manufacturer communications
- Separate successful check not recorded.
Checks are recorded separately for each dataset, not for the whole page. Dates use UTC. A missing check date does not mean no records exist.
Vehicle import recorded: Apr 28, 2026. This is the stored import date, not confirmation that every source was successfully refreshed.
Research Context
The 2004 Nissan Xterra page works best as a research starting point. Complaint totals show how much owner-reported activity exists, while recalls and investigations help show whether any of that activity turned into formal safety action.
Because this is a newer-era vehicle page, it usually helps to compare this year against nearby model years before deciding whether a complaint pattern looks isolated or persistent. On this page, the most frequent complete stored component label is steering with 16 reported complaints.
Best Research Moves
- Use the complaint log to understand what owners were actually reporting instead of relying only on the raw complaint total.
- Review the recall section even if the total is smaller, because a limited number of recalls can still point to meaningful safety actions.
- This page is primarily a complaints-and-recalls research surface, so compare nearby model years before treating the complaint total as a standalone verdict.
Key Takeaways
- The 2004 Nissan Xterra currently shows 3 NHTSA recalls listed on this page and 84 owner-reported complaints.
- This page currently shows no linked NHTSA investigations.
- This page reflects complaint volume, recall history, and NHTSA test data, but it does not diagnose causes or rank reliability by itself.
- Safety data currently shows no overall NHTSA safety rating in our current dataset.
- The most frequent complete stored component labels on this page are steering (16), suspension (6), power train (5).
- Vehicle
- 2004 Nissan Xterra
- Recalls
- 3
- Complaints
- 84
- Stored Configuration Overall Rating
- Not available in this dataset
How to Interpret This Page
This page combines three types of NHTSA data: recall campaigns (official manufacturer or government actions), owner complaints (unverified consumer reports), and crash test ratings (where available). A vehicle with many complaints is not necessarily less reliable — complaint volume correlates with sales volume and vehicle age. Recalls indicate identified defects, not overall quality. To compare this model year with others, use the year navigation in the sidebar or return to the model overview page.
If you are researching a used vehicle, start with the complaint categories, compare them against the recall list, and then check nearby model years to see whether the same issue profile repeats. That usually produces a better buying or research signal than treating the raw complaint total as a standalone safety ranking.
NHTSA Configuration Test Results
Stored NHTSA configuration: 2004 Nissan Xterra 4-DR. NCAP Vehicle ID: 1244
Ratings describe one stored NHTSA configuration, not every trim, body style or drivetrain for this model year. How this configuration is selected
No overall score is available in our current dataset. The individual results below are not a combined safety rating; compare vehicles within the same test program and model year.
Frontal Crash Test
Side Crash Test
Overall Frontal Rating
Driver and Passenger Assessment
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Overall Side Rating
Side Barrier and Side Pole Tests
Driver Side
Passenger Side
Rollover Resistance
No rollover risk estimate available in this dataset
Safety Features
ESC: OptionalForward Collision Warning: NoLane Departure Warning: No
Recall Notices
NHTSANHTSA ID: 10V554000November 11, 2010
STEERING:COLUMN
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.
Remedy Status
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.
NHTSA ID: 07E046000July 03, 2007
EQUIPMENT
CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE. THE INTERNAL PART NUMBERS WITHIN HOPKINS ARE: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035, AND 1290376035. A WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN AN INCORRECT POSITION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING. THIS RESULTS IN AN INCORRECT ROUTING OF WIRES BETWEEN THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND THE TOWING VEHICLE WIRING SYSTEM.
Remedy Status
HOPKINS WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE ORIGINAL HARNESS WITH A REVISED HARNESS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN AUGUST 17, 2007. OWNERS CAN CONTACT HOPKINS AT 800-835-0129.
NHTSA ID: 04V581000December 15, 2004
TRAILER HITCHES
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCESSORY TOW HITCH ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
Remedy Status
DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TOW HITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 3, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Owner Complaints
84 totalENGINE
Jun 1, 2025
Water pump went out replace water pump motor blown
STEERING
Dec 27, 2024
I took my xterra to get inspected 12/27/2024. I was informed I have a recall on this vehicle.
UNKNOWN OR OTHER
Jan 24, 2022
UNKNOWN. Wanting to make a recall appointment that was reported on my SMOG check.
STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS
Oct 17, 2020
SPEEDS OVER 60 HITS A BUMP AND STARTS ROCKING AND BOUNCING
STEERING
Sep 10, 2020
THE STEERING WEAL IT'S BECOMING STIFF AND IS BECOMING HARD TO MANEUVER AROUND AND IT MIGHT AFFECT MY DRIVING AND I'M SCARED I MIGHT CRASH AND THIS IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I HAVE AND OWN AND HAVE NO OTHER MEANS TO PURCHASE ANOTHER CAR. I WAS HEADING TO WORK AND I TRIED TURNING ON THE ...
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STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE
Aug 3, 2020
WHEN DRIVING MY XTERRA, IT LOSES POWER AND CUTS OUT ON ME. THIS IS VERY DANGEROUS AND CUTS COMPLETELY OFF WHEN I'M ACCELERATING. THERE IS A DECLARATION AND THEN THE VEHICLE WON'T CRANK OR START LEAVING ME STRANDED. THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME OVER YEARS THAT THE XTERRA HAS CUT ...
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POWER TRAIN
Dec 12, 2019
COOLANT IN TRANSMISSION! BOUGHT NEW IN MARCH OF 2015. WAS DRIVING ON I-10 IN BILOXI AND IT STARTED SMELLING LIKE A BURNT RUBBER SMELL AND IT STARTED SMOKING! PULLED OVER AND GOT OUT OF IT! LEFT ME AND MY DAUGHTER STRANDED ON THE SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY! *TR
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
Sep 19, 2019
FUEL GAUGE REGISTERING IMPROPERLY. ONLY SHOWS 3/4 TANK UPON FILLING TANK FULL AND WILL NOT DROP UPON USAGE OF FUEL. GAUGE HAS ONLY DROPPED ONCE SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE.
STEERING
Sep 6, 2019
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COURTESY NISSAN (1777 N CENTRAL EXPY, RICHARDSON, TX 75080) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V554000 (STEERING). AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, IT WAS DISCOVERED ...
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EXTERIOR LIGHTING
Aug 22, 2019
WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY LIT AS IF YOU WERE PRESSING THE BRAKE EVEN WHEN ENGINE IS OFF, CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT SET EITHER SO YOU CAN TURN IT ON BUT WILL NOT ENGAGE. IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH LOCATED BY THE BRAKE PEDAL...
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Showing 10 recent complaints from 84 total
View Full Complaint LogCompare Related Vehicles
Why Compare These Pages
The strongest comparison flow is usually: exact vehicle-year page, then nearby years of the same model, then other 2004 Nissan models. That sequence helps separate one-off year spikes from broader make-wide patterns.
More Nissan Xterra Years
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Xterra have?
The 2004 Nissan Xterra has 3 recalls recorded by NHTSA.
How many complaints have been filed for the 2004 Nissan Xterra?
NHTSA has received 84 owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Nissan Xterra.
What is the NHTSA safety rating for the 2004 Nissan Xterra?
An overall NHTSA safety rating is not available in our current dataset for the 2004 Nissan Xterra. Individual crash-test results may still be available.
What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Xterra?
The most frequent complete stored component labels for the 2004 Nissan Xterra are steering (16 reports), suspension (6 reports), power train (5 reports). These are exact-label counts, not broader component-group totals or confirmed defects.
Does the 2004 Nissan Xterra have any recalls?
Yes. NHTSA has 3 recalls on record for the 2004 Nissan Xterra. Scroll up to review the published recall summaries, consequences, and remedies. To check for unrepaired recalls on your specific vehicle, use your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
Check Another Vehicle
Look up recalls and complaints for any year, make, and model.
This page summarizes publicly available data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaint counts reflect reports submitted to NHTSA by vehicle owners and do not by themselves prove defect severity or vehicle safety. Safety ratings may not be available for all vehicle-years. This site is not affiliated with NHTSA or any vehicle manufacturer. For official information, visit the official NHTSA page for this vehicle.