2004 Nissan XTERRA problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
84 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
59,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2004 model year. Data snapshot: . 66 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Steering is the most frequently named component, appearing in 17 of 84 complaints (20.2%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Steering behavior | 18 | 21.4% |
| Braking behavior | 12 | 14.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 12 | 14.3% |
| Engine operation | 3 | 3.6% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 3.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 2 | 2.4% |
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 | 17 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Electrical System | 7 |
| Suspension | 7 |
| Fuel System, Gasoline | 5 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 5 |
| Unknown Or Other | 5 |
| Air Bags | 4 |
Steering: 17; Engine: 8; Electrical System: 7; Suspension: 7; Fuel System, Gasoline: 5; Fuel/Propulsion System: 5; Unknown Or Other: 5; Air Bags: 4
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 18 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 9 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 11 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 8 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 10 |
| 150,000 and above | 10 |
Under 25,000: 18; 25,000 to 49,999: 9; 50,000 to 74,999: 11; 75,000 to 99,999: 8; 100,000 to 149,999: 10; 150,000 and above: 10
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (18). 18 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 | 4 |
| 2005 | 10 |
| 2006 | 3 |
| 2007 | 3 |
| 2008 | 5 |
| 2009 | 10 |
| 2010 | 3 |
| 2011 | 10 |
| 2013 | 3 |
| 2014 | 2 |
| 2015 | 8 |
| 2016 | 4 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2018 | 2 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 1 |
| 2024 | 1 |
| 2025 | 2 |
2004: 4; 2005: 10; 2006: 3; 2007: 3; 2008: 5; 2009: 10; 2010: 3; 2011: 10; 2013: 3; 2014: 2; 2015: 8; 2016: 4; 2017: 2; 2018: 2; 2019: 6; 2020: 3; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 1; 2024: 1; 2025: 2
Pattern summary
Steering leads the component reports. Steering behavior appears in 18 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 12 complaint narratives. Fuel system concerns appears in 12 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 10091754 · 2004-09-10 (September 10, 2004)
VEHICLE WAS PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. THERE WAS A SLIGHT GRADE THAT WENT TO THE STREET. CONSUMER OPENED THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR, PUT LEFT FOOT ON THE CLUTCH, TURNED THE KEY, AND VEHICLE ROLLED BACKWARD. CONSUMER EXPECTED THE VEHICLE TO JILT FORWARD AND STALL WHEN FOOT WAS REMOVED FROM THE CLUTCH , BUT INSTEAD, IT JILTED, THEN SURGED FORWARD AT 25 MPH UP THE DRIVEWAY, DRAGGING THE CONSUMER. CONSUMER'S HANDS WERE STILL ON THE STEERING WHEEL. THE GAS PEDAL WAS NEVER DEPRESSED. VEHICLE WAS IN FIRST GEAR. VEHICLE CRASHED INTO THE HOUSE , BUT THE REA…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,850 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091754 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10147291 · 2006-01-09 (January 9, 2006)
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 …
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10147291 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10093052 · 2004-09-22 (September 22, 2004)
ALB LIGHT CAME ON SEVERAL TIMES THEN STAYED ON . DEALER HAD TO REPLACE ITEM THAT MAKES ANTI BRAKES WORK. I DO NOT FEEL SAFE IN VEHICLE. NOW WHEN I STOP SUDDENLY MY BRAKES LOCK AND I LEAVE TIRE MARKS. ALSO WHEN STOPPED AT LIGHT PEDAL WILL HOLD FOR A COUPLE OF SECONDS THEN GOES TO FLOOR. I NEED A VEHICLE I CAN TRUST BOTH ME AND MY HUSBAND ARE DISABLED VETERANS. ALSO I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE SUGGESTION: THE DRIVERS SEAT AFTER A PERSON ADJUSTS IT. THE LEVER ON SEAT RUBS ON CENTER CONSOLE WILL WEAR HOLE IN CONSUL. I BELIEVE THIS MAY BE A EASY FIX. JU…
Owner-reported narrative. 3,916 miles reported. Look up ODI 10093052 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10161398 · 2006-07-04 (July 4, 2006)
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…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10161398 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10362705 · 2010-10-27 (October 27, 2010)
MY 2004 NISSAN XTERRA HAS A RUSTED FUEL TANK. I ALWAYS SMELL GAS. NISSAN CORPORATE TOLD ME TO BRING IT TO A DEALER.I BROUGHT IT IN TO NISSAN TO CONFIRM THIS AND THEY SAID" ITS RUSTED AND DANGEROUS TO DRIVE" I CALLED CORPORATE AND THEY SAID THE WILL GET IN TOUCH WITH ME IN 3 DAYS, ITS BEEN 2 WEEKS. A GAS TANK SHOULD NOT ROT IN 5 YEARS(BOUGHT IN 05) WITH 58,000. IF THE TECH SAID I SHOULD NOT DRIVE THIS TRUCK THEN WHY IS NISSAN CORP. NOT GETTING BACK TO ME IN A TIMELY MANNER? *TR
Owner-reported narrative. 58,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10362705 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10091148 · 2004-09-16 (September 16, 2004)
CRUISE CONTROL ERRATIC BEHAVIOR, STALLING, EXCESSIVE FUEL CONSUMPTION UNDER STAGGERED AMOUNTS, SLUGGISHNESS. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 175 miles reported. Look up ODI 10091148 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10716718 · 2015-05-15 (May 15, 2015)
I HAVE REPLACED MY STARTER 3 TIMES. MY BRAKE LIGHTS HAVE A SHORT OR FAULTY WIRING I'M SURE BECAUSE WE HAVE REPLACED THE BULBS SEVERAL TIMES. I HAVE GOTTEN TICKETS BECAUSE OF THIS AS A RESULT I HAVE A EXPIRED BRAKE TAG I CANT GET A NEW ONE BECAUSE THE WIRING WILL COST TO MUCH. MY UV JOINT BROKE WHILE I WAS DRIVING ON THE HIGH WAY. THAT PART THEY TELL ME IS NOT A COMMON BREAKING PART. NISSAN CHARGES OVER A THOUSAND DOLLARS TO REPAIR THAT. I'M TOLD MY WIRING IS BAD AFTER I REPLACE MY STARTER 2 MONTHS AGO. THEY SENT ME A RECALL FOR MY COLUMN STEERI…
Owner-reported narrative. 128,138 miles reported. Look up ODI 10716718 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10717539 · 2015-05-20 (May 20, 2015)
I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE MY STARTER 3 TIMES IN 4 YEARS. I HAVE ALL OF THE RECEIPTS TO SHOW ALSO. I HAVE ALSO HAD TO REPLACE MY RADIATOR BECAUSE OF A CRACK NEAR THE CAP. I HAD A HOSE THAT GOES THROUGH MY DASH WITH THE HOT WATER EXPLODE ON ME AND BURN MY HAND PRETTY BAD. MY RADIATOR SEEMS TO EVAPORATE COOLING FLUID ON A REGULAR BASIS. I HAVE HAD A PRESSURE TEST IT IS HOLDING PRESSURE. AND NOW MY WARNING BELL IS NO LONGER WORKING. MY BATTERY HAS GONE DEAD 5 TIMES BECAUSE NO WARNING SOUND TO TELL ME I LEFT MY LIGHTS ON.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10717539 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10111215 · 2005-02-09 (February 9, 2005)
THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION SHIFT IS VERY WOBBLY, AND THERE IS A SQUEAKY SOUND COMING FROM THE FLOOR ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. IT WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER ON SIX OCCASIONS, BUT NOTHING WAS RESOLVED. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 6,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10111215 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11323427 · 2020-05-05 (May 5, 2020)
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
Owner-reported narrative. 168,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11323427 at NHTSA ↗