2004 Nissan XTERRA: complaints, problems and recalls
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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
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 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 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 10104104 · 2004-12-19 (December 19, 2004)
THE SIDE MIRRORS OF MY 2004 NISSAN X-TERRA SHOW MARKEDLY DISTORTION OF IMAGES. THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE CONVECTION OF THE RIGHT MIRROR. IT IS MOST PROBABLY RELATED TO FAULTY GLASS MANUFACTURING. SPECIALLY THE LEFT MIRROR IS NOT OPTICALLY FLAT. *JB
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10104104 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10106736 · 2005-01-04 (January 4, 2005)
THE FUSES WERE BURNING. WHEN REMOVING THE FUSE ONE COULD SEE SPARKS. DEALER REPLACED THE FUSES, AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. *AK
Owner-reported narrative. 900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10106736 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10110779 · 2005-02-19 (February 19, 2005)
CRUISE CONTROL: WHEN ACTUATING THE ACCELERATE BUTTON THE VEHICLE SURGES EXCESSIVELY AS IF ONE WAS PUSHING THE GAS PEDAL ALL THE WAY TO THE FLOOR CAUSING A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. THIS IS A CONSISTANT PROBLEM THAT APPEARS TO HAVE NO RESOLUTION WITH THE DELER OR MANUFACTURER.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 1,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 10110779 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 10112401 · 2005-03-02 (March 2, 2005)
FOUR WHEEL DRIVE, WHEN I PUT THE LEVER INTO FOUR WHEEL DRIVE IT TAKE FOREVER FOR IT TO COME BACK OUT (THE SHIFTER MOVES BUT THE LIGHT STAYS ON) THEIR ARE TIMES THE 4X4 LIGHT IS DIMLY LIGHT? AND OTHER TIMES IT COMES ON FOR NO REASON, SERVICED TWICE WAS TOLD THEY REPLACED A SWITCH ON THE UNIT. PROBLEM STILL EXISITS.*AK
Owner-reported narrative. 700 miles reported. Look up ODI 10112401 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
04V581000 · Trailer Hitches
Reported: 2004-12-15 (December 15, 2004)
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCESSORY TOW HITCH ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗10V554000 · Steering:Column
Reported: 2010-11-11 (November 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: 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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗