RoadVitals

2004 Nissan Xterra

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
84
Latest Aug 9, 2025
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
3
Latest Nov 11, 2010
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
13
7 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 84 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2004 Nissan Xterra, most frequently naming the steering, engine and electrical categories. 3 safety recalls have been issued covering this model year; and 48 manufacturer communications are on file.

Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.

Safety recalls

3 campaigns cover this model year

Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.

Check a VIN on NHTSA.gov
10V554000

STEERING:COLUMN

Nov 11, 2010
500,552 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
The 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.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number R1037View on NHTSA.gov
07E046000

EQUIPMENT

Jul 3, 2007
3,500 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE TOWING VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS BEING ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE TRAILER BRAKE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED ABILITY TO STOP AND CONTRIBUTE TO A POSSIBLE CRASH.
The remedy: 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.
HOPKINS MANUFACTURING CORP.View on NHTSA.gov
04V581000

TRAILER HITCHES

Dec 15, 2004
131 units potentially affected
The defect: ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCESSORY TOW HITCH ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
The risk: THIS COULD CAUSE THE TOW HITCH TO LOOSEN OR SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
The remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TOW HITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 3, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.Manufacturer number PB124View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 84
Airbags
Filed Aug 9, 2025
Crash reported

I have been in three accidents, of decent speed, and my airbags never deployed. I was told to report that.

NHTSA ID
11679591
Incident
Jan 1, 2019
Engine
Filed Jun 5, 2025

Water pump went out replace water pump motor blown

NHTSA ID
11665169
Incident
Jun 1, 2025
Steering
Filed Dec 27, 2024

I took my xterra to get inspected 12/27/2024. I was informed I have a recall on this vehicle.

NHTSA ID
11632657
Incident
Dec 27, 2024
Airbags
Filed Jun 9, 2023
Crash reported

My vehicle has been in 3 accidents. Being rear-ended at 70MPH, again six months later at 60MPH, then the forward vehicle slammed their brakes, and I hit them at around 30MPH. In any of these accidents, NONE of my airbags deployed.

NHTSA ID
11526140
Incident
Jan 6, 2019
Filed Apr 1, 2022

UNKNOWN. Wanting to make a recall appointment that was reported on my SMOG check.

NHTSA ID
11459273
Incident
Jan 24, 2022
Steering
Filed Jan 1, 2021

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 CORNER AND IT JUST BECAME HARD TO STEER THE STEERING WEAL.

NHTSA ID
11385979
Incident
Sep 10, 2020
Other / unspecifiedSteeringSuspension
Filed Oct 17, 2020

SPEEDS OVER 60 HITS A BUMP AND STARTS ROCKING AND BOUNCING

NHTSA ID
11364867
Incident
Oct 17, 2020
Mileage
150,000 mi
ElectricalEngineSteering
Filed Aug 4, 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 OFF ON ME. ALL DASHBOARD SYSTEMS STOP COMPLETELY WHEN IT HAPPENS. I HAVE NO CONTROL OVER THE CAR WHEN IT HAPPENS.

NHTSA ID
11343229
Incident
Aug 3, 2020
Mileage
220,715 mi

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

NTB09-131C

STRUCTURE:BODY

CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).

NTB09-131C

STRUCTURE:BODY

CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).

NTB13-107G

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB09-081K

VISIBILITY/WIPER

WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB13-028I

VISIBILITY/WIPER

REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

NTB17-019H

VISIBILITY/WIPER

WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.

Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.

Compare model years

Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model

Nissan Xterra by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2016000—
2015100027.6
2014100035.4
2013400—
2012162045.0
2011242043.2
2010386155.7
2009195152.8
20081198156.5
20075572147.8
20067805151.9
20058456151.9
2004Viewing843052.2
2003723159.5
20021576364.0
20011505260.7
20002145054.6
1999010—

Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.