2004 Nissan Xterra Recalls, Complaints & Specs
2 safety recalls list the 2004 Nissan Xterra, and owners have filed 84 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
2 safety recalls for the 2004 Nissan Xterra
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Column (steering)
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…
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.
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Trailer hitches
On certain sport utility vehicles, the accessory tow hitch attachment bolts may not have been tightened to the proper specification.
Remedy: Dealers will tighten the tow hitch. The recall began on january 3, 2005. Owners should contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
84 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2004 Nissan Xterra have filed 84 complaints with NHTSA; 10 describe a crash and 3 describe a fire. Reports cite 7 injuries and 0 deaths. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 73,664 miles. Complaints peaked in 2005 with 10 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“I have been in three accidents, of decent speed, and my airbags never deployed. I was told to report that.”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, August 9, 2025 · Air bags
“Water pump went out replace water pump motor blown”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, June 5, 2025 · Engine
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2004 Nissan Xterra (Xterra 2WD, Xterra V6 2WD, Xterra V6 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 15–19 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 13–17 / 17–23 |
| Fuel | Premium, Regular |
| EPA class | Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.4/3.3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Nissan Xterra model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Nissan Xterra model year in NHTSA's database.
| Model year | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 214 |
| 2001 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 150 |
| 2002 Nissan Xterra | 5 | 157 |
| 2003 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 72 |
| 2004 Nissan Xterra | 2 | 84 |
| 2005 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 845 |
| 2006 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 780 |
| 2007 Nissan Xterra | 1 | 557 |
| 2008 Nissan Xterra | 6 | 119 |
| 2009 Nissan Xterra | 3 | 19 |
| 2010 Nissan Xterra | 4 | 38 |
| 2011 Nissan Xterra | 2 | 24 |
| 2012 Nissan Xterra | 2 | 16 |
| 2013 Nissan Xterra | 0 | 4 |
| 2014 Nissan Xterra | 0 | 10 |
| 2015 Nissan Xterra | 0 | 10 |
Checking a specific 2004 Nissan Xterra
How do I know if my 2004 Nissan Xterra has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 2 campaigns currently list the 2004 Nissan Xterra; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Nissan dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 04V581000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Nissan models
- Altima15,472 complaints
- Pathfinder7,355 complaints
- Rogue7,322 complaints
- Maxima6,955 complaints
- Murano5,958 complaints
- Sentra5,954 complaints
- Frontier3,357 complaints
- Versa3,325 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.