2004 Nissan FRONTIER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
66 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
61,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 47 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 7 of 66 complaints (10.6%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 9 | 13.6% |
| Braking behavior | 8 | 12.1% |
| Steering behavior | 6 | 9.1% |
| Fuel system concerns | 6 | 9.1% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 4.5% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 3.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Steering | 7 |
| Engine | 6 |
| Electrical System | 5 |
| Power Train | 5 |
| Tires | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 4 |
| Power Train:Automatic Transmission | 3 |
Steering: 7; Engine: 6; Electrical System: 5; Power Train: 5; Tires: 5; Air Bags: 4; Fuel System, Gasoline: 4; Power Train:Automatic Transmission: 3
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 9 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 12 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 6 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 7 |
| 150,000 and above | 5 |
Under 25,000: 9; 25,000 to 49,999: 12; 50,000 to 74,999: 6; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 7; 150,000 and above: 5
25,000 to 49,999 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (12). 19 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2004 | 8 |
| 2005 | 5 |
| 2006 | 6 |
| 2007 | 1 |
| 2008 | 8 |
| 2009 | 5 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 7 |
| 2012 | 2 |
| 2013 | 2 |
| 2014 | 6 |
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 2 |
| 2017 | 3 |
| 2018 | 1 |
| 2020 | 1 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 2 |
2004: 8; 2005: 5; 2006: 6; 2007: 1; 2008: 8; 2009: 5; 2010: 3; 2011: 7; 2012: 2; 2013: 2; 2014: 6; 2015: 1; 2016: 2; 2017: 3; 2018: 1; 2020: 1; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 2
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 9 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 8 complaint narratives. Steering behavior appears in 6 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10072193 · 2004-05-05 (May 5, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SHOOK UNCONTROLLABLY. ALSO, WHEN SHIFTING A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD FROM THE FRONT. CONSUMER DROVE THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC REPLACED A TRANSMISSION SWITCH DUE TO A WORN OUT PART. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10072193 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10073647 · 2004-07-26 (July 26, 2004)
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH VEHICLE VIBRATED UNCONTROLLABLY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE, AND DROVE IT TO THE DEALER. MECHANIC REPLACED BOTH FRONT UPPER AND LOWER BALL JOINTS DUE TO CORROSION. *AK DEALER REALIGNED FRONT END DUE TO INCORRECT ALIGNMENT. FRONT TIRES WERE REPLACED BY A TIRE DEALER BECAUSE THEY'RE OUT OF BALANCE. ALSO, CONSUMER NOTICED THAT OIL IS LEAKING FROM TRANSMISSION, VEHICLE HAS MANUAL TRANSMISSION. *LA
Owner-reported narrative. 1,656 miles reported. Look up ODI 10073647 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10116826 · 2005-04-12 (April 12, 2005)
I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB. THE NORMAL CRUSING RPM IS AROUND 2300 ON THE HIGHWAY. ON THE INITIAL DATE OF 6/25/2004, I BEGAN TO NOTE THAT WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS OPERATING ON CRUISE CONTROL, DURING A DOWNSHIFT INTO A PASSING GEAR, SUCH AS CLIMBING A GRADE, THE MOTOR INCREASES TO 3500 RPMS. UPON LEVELING OFF, THE CRUISE CONTROL DOES NOT ALLOW THE MOTOR TO REDUCE THE RPM'S BACK DOWN TO CRUSIING LEVEL OF 23-2500 RPM. I FIND MYSELF HAVING TO BRAKE OR CUT OFF THE CRUISE CONTROL TO REDUCE THE RPM BACK TO NORMAL. THE NISSAN DEALER IN A…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10116826 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10383185 · 2011-02-18 (February 18, 2011)
NISSAN 2004 FRONTIER XE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING A COLLISION INTO AN APARTMENT COMPLEX ENTRY SIGN MADE OUT OF CEMENT BLOCKS. THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS. IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRABLE, A SERIOUS CONCERN FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SAFETY DUE TO THE HIGH PROBABILITY OF REPEATED BRAKE FAILURE. A TOTAL BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIR HAD BEEN DONE BY A REPUTABLE REPAIR SHOP APPROXIMATELY ONE AND ONE-HALF YEARS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. *LN
Owner-reported narrative. 109,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10383185 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10302372 · 2010-01-26 (January 26, 2010)
POWERING STEERING BOX FAILURE ON A 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER. MY VEHICLE HAS ONLY 49,000 MILES ON IT AND WAS PURCHASED NEW. TWO MECHANICS, ONE NISSAN AND ONE AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, IDENTIFIED THE STEERING BOX AS THE CULPRIT FOR THE DIFFICULT STEERING IN THE VEHICLE. BOTH SAID IT SHOULD NOT FAIL. THE NISSAN MECHANIC WENT ON TO SAY THAT HE HAD ONLY SEEN ONE FAIL IN HIS TEN YEARS AS A MECHANIC, AND THAT INVOLVED A VEHICLE THAT WAS IN A SEVERE ACCIDENT. THE FAILURE PREVENTS ME FROM STEERING AND AT TIMES TAKES TWO HANDS TO STEER. THE MECHANICS STATE TH…
Owner-reported narrative. 49,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10302372 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10366459 · 2010-11-16 (November 16, 2010)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME VERY STIFF. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO HIS RESIDENCE. THE FAILURE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED BY A DEALER. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND STATED THAT HER VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL ASSOCIATED WITH NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 10V554000, STEERING, COLUMN. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 65,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 65,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10366459 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10239435 · 2008-08-23 (August 23, 2008)
THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT TURNED ON IN MAY VEHICLE. I HAD IT CHECKED AND IT TURNS OUT THE GAS TANK/ HOSE CONNECTION TO THE TANK IS RUSTED CAUSING A FUME LEAK. THIS LEAK CAN BE SMELLED INSIDE THE VEHICLE AND IS VERY STRONG OUTSIDE THE VEHICLE AND IS A POTENTIAL FIRE HAZARD. THIS OCCURRED IN AUGUST 2006. I HAD TO ORDER A REPLACEMENT TANK WHICH IS ON BACKORDER UNTIL SOMETIME IN SEPTEMBER. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 70,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10239435 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10243180 · 2008-09-23 (September 23, 2008)
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE VEHICLE FAILED INSPECTION BECAUSE THE FUEL TANK WAS LEAKING VAPORS. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A REPAIR SHOP. THE REPLACEMENT FUEL TANK HAS BEEN ON BACK ORDER FOR OVER THREE MONTHS. THE MANUFACTURER TOOK A REPORT AND STATED THAT THE FAILURE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN A RECALL. IN ADDITION, THE VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. THE CONTACT FEELS THAT THE MANUFACTURER SHOULD MAKE THE FUEL TANK AVAILABLE TO THE DEALERS. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 61,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 62,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 61,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10243180 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10252606 · 2008-12-23 (December 23, 2008)
AROUND 80,000 MILES, FAULTY WIRING IN THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM CAUSED THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE AND DECELERATE ERRATICALLY WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD, WHILE PRESSING DOWN THE ACCELERATOR. AFTER TAKING THE TRUCK TO A NISSAN SERVICE CENTER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THERE WAS A WIRING PROBLEM IN THE VEHICLE CAUSING THIS. THIS POTENTIALLY COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL OUT DURING A TURN, OR WHILE DRIVING DOWN A FREEWAY, WHICH MAY POSSIBLY CAUSE AN ACCIDENT RESULTING IN INJURY OR DEATH. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 83,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10252606 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10365360 · 2010-11-11 (November 11, 2010)
VEHICLE STARTS STALLING AFTER DRIVING FOR 10 TO 40 MILES. VARIOUS DASH LIGHTS START TO COME ON, LIGHTS START TO DIM, VEHICLES STARTS BUCKING FROM ENGINE MISSING. VERY DANGEROUS IN HEAVY TRAFFIC. ONCE STOPPED, VEHICLE HORN GOES OFF WHEN RESTARTING ATTEMPTED. ENGINE WON'T TURN OVER WHEN ATTEMPTING TO RESTART. AFTER SEVERAL HOURS VEHICLE WILL RESTART. BROUGHT TO NISSAN SERVICE DEPT. TWICE AND COULD NOT GET THE VEHICLE TO REPEAT INCIDENT. *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 73,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10365360 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10143786 · 2005-11-28 (November 28, 2005)
DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE IGNITION TURNED OFF. HE ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A WATER HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT ORIGINATED FROM THE DASHBOARD PANEL AREA. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR DASHBOARD PANEL AND FRONT SEATS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB UPD…
Owner-reported narrative. 8,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10143786 at NHTSA ↗