2004 Nissan Xterra Problems
Owner-reported complaints filed with NHTSA, grouped by component
Data refreshed
What this page shows
Everything below is an owner-reported complaint submitted to NHTSA about the 2004 Nissan Xterra, grouped by the component NHTSA recorded on the report. These are not confirmed defects, and they are not recalls. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a category with more reports in it is not evidence that a part is defective.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Reports by component
Ranked by how many owner reports name each component category
- Steering2019.6%
- Engine1413.7%
- Electrical1211.8%
- Fuel system1211.8%
- Suspension1110.8%
- Brakes65.9%
- Visibility54.9%
- Airbags43.9%
- Driver assistance43.9%
- Transmission43.9%
- Other / unspecified32.9%
- Tires & wheels22.0%
- Body & structure22.0%
- Powertrain (other)11.0%
- Exterior lighting11.0%
- Heating & air conditioning11.0%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Each component in detail
What the reports in each category say, in the owners' own words
Steering
Reports naming the steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage.
From owner reports, verbatim
I took my xterra to get inspected 12/27/2024. I was informed I have a recall on this vehicle.
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.
Engine
Reports naming the engine itself — including stalling, misfires, oil consumption, cooling and internal engine components.
From owner reports, verbatim
Water pump went out replace water pump motor blown
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.
Electrical
Reports naming the electrical system — wiring, battery, charging, control modules, infotainment and electrical accessories.
From owner reports, verbatim
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.
FUEL GAUGE REGISTERING IMPROPERLY. ONLY SHOWS 3/4 TANK UPON FILLING TANK FULL AND WILL NOT DROP UPON USAGE OF FUEL. GAUGE HAS ONLY DROPPED ONCE SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE.
Fuel system
Reports naming fuel storage or delivery — tanks, pumps, lines, injectors and fuel leaks.
From owner reports, verbatim
FUEL GAUGE REGISTERING IMPROPERLY. ONLY SHOWS 3/4 TANK UPON FILLING TANK FULL AND WILL NOT DROP UPON USAGE OF FUEL. GAUGE HAS ONLY DROPPED ONCE SINCE I HAVE OWNED THE VEHICLE.
JUNE 12 2016 AT THE TRI-PAR IN SLINGER, WI I WAS FILLING UP THE GAS TANK, WHEN GAS BEGAN SPILLING OUT OF THE VEHICLE'S WHEEL WELL. I IMMEDIATELY STOPPED IT AFTER I NOTICED IT. THE STATION ALONG WITH THE SLINGER FIRE DEPARTMENT ESTIMATED A GALLON WAS SPILT. IT APPEARS THE GAS TANK NECK HAS RUSTED OUT, CAUSING THE SPILL. THEY DEEMED THE VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE AND RECOMMEND WE HAVE IT TOWED HOME, WHICH WE DID.
Suspension
Reports naming suspension components — springs, struts, shocks, control arms and related hardware.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPEEDS OVER 60 HITS A BUMP AND STARTS ROCKING AND BOUNCING
I TOOK MY VECHICLE TO ACE AUTO AND HE CLAIM HE FIXED IT GAVE ME A LIST THE SECOND TIME BUT NOT THE FIRST TIME IT SAT THERE FOR A YEAR THAN I GOT IT OUT FOR 2 MONTHS BACK IN AGAIN ITS GOES REAL SLOW BACK FIRES NOW AND STERRING WHEEL LOCKED ONE DAY NOW ITS ACTING LIKE IT DONT HAVE POWER TO IT.EVERYTIME YOU GO SPPEED LIMIT THE STEERING LOCKS IT SHAKES AND NOT ENOUGH POWER TO GO BARELY GO UP THE HILL TOO.
Brakes
Reports naming service brakes, the antilock braking system, brake hoses, master cylinders or the parking brake.
From owner reports, verbatim
ON 9/11/2016, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK MY 2004 NISSAN XTERRA, THERE WAS A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I PULLED IN FRONT OF A MAECHANICS BAY AT FIRESTONE IN NEWPORT NEWS, VA. WHILE PARKING MY SUV, WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE, THE SUV RAPIDLY ACCELATRED AND DROVE THROUGH THE BUILDING AND BADLY INJURED A MECHANIC STANDING IN THE BAY. I WAS BRAKING AS HARD AS I COULD, AND THE SUV KEPT ACCELARTING AND WOULD NOT STOP. I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDNET, THE SUV WAS AT A TOTAL STOP WHILE SHIFITNG IT INTO PARK. IT WAS LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT OF FIRESTONE ON WARWICK BLVD. IN NEWPORT NEWS, VA. THIS VECHILE WAS IN AS NEW CONDITION WITH ONLY A LITTE OVER 12,000 MILES. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING, ANTOTHER VECHILE IN THE BAY, THE DRIVER OF THE SUV, AND SEVERE INURIES TO THE MECHANIC STANDING ON THE FLOOR OF THE BAY. AGAIN, AT NO POINT , WAS THE DRIVERS FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE DRIVER WAS BRAKING THROUGHOUT THIS INCIDENT AND COUD NOT STOP THE VECHILE. WHAT IS LEFT OF THIS VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LOCATED IN THE GEICO LOT ON PRODUCTION DRIVE IN YORKTOWN, VIRGINIA.
FOLLOW UP TO ODI COMPLAINT NUMBER 10289404. NISSAN COMPLETED REPLACING BREAK LINE ON 10/25/09. THERE WERE NO EVENTS LEADING TO FIRST FAILURE, NOR EVENTS LEADING TO 2ND FAILURE. VEHICLE PICKED UP DRIVEN SHORT DISTANCE HOME FROM DEALER; PARKED, NOT USED. ON 10/26, STARTED VEHICLE FOR TRIP TO WORK, BRAKE PEDAL SUNK AGAIN, BRAKE LIGHT ON STEADY RED. BRAKES FAILED AGAIN. BRAKE FLUID AGAIN LEAKING, TOOK PICTURES. CALLED NISSAN-1-800 # AGAIN. CALLED CORPORATE OFFICE AT AREA CODE 615 NUMBER. CALLED DEALER, LEFT MESSAGES WITH MANAGER, MIKE KEENAN. NO ANSWER BACK. RECEPTIONIST SAID MANAGER "TOO BUSY". VEHICLE NOT SAFE TO DRIVE, PARKED IN DRIVEWAY. AS OF THIS WRITING NEITHER NISSAN NOR NISSAN GARAGE HAVE CALLED. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Visibility
Reports naming windshields, glass, wipers, defrosters and mirrors.
From owner reports, verbatim
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 45 MPH THE FRONT WINDSHIELD HEADER SEPARATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER FOR INSPECTION. NO REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 62,000. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 80,000. THE VEHICLE IDENTIFICATION NUMBER WAS UNAVAILABLE.
REAR WINDOW BUSTED OUT ON IT'S OWN. THERE WAS NO ONE TOUCHING IT OR ANYTHING. MY WIFE WAS GETTING OUT NEPHEW OUT OF THE BACK SEAT AND THE WINDOW BUSTED OUT,SPREADING PIECES OF GLASS ALL OVER THE BACK INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF THE VEHICLE. I WANT THE GLASS REPLACED FREE OF CHARGE AND SOMEONE NEEDS TO CHECK AND SEE WHAT CAUSED THE WINDOW TO BUST OUT SO NO ONE GET HURT OR HAS A WRECK WHILE DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD AND THE WINDOW BUST OUT. *JB
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Airbags
Reports naming the air-bag system — deployment behaviour, inflators, sensors and warning lights.
From owner reports, verbatim
I have been in three accidents, of decent speed, and my airbags never deployed. I was told to report that.
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.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Driver assistance
Reports naming forward-collision avoidance, lane keeping, back-over prevention, cruise control and related electronic driver-assistance systems.
From owner reports, verbatim
2004 XTERRA HAD BEEN LOW ON RADIATOR FLUID AND NEEDED TOPPING UP EACH WEEK, THEN EACH DAY. AFTER FILLING WITH WATER AND COOLANT NIGHT BEFORE CAR BEGAN TO OVERHEAT ON HWY. CAR SAT IN SUN ALL DAY, THEN OVERHEATED IN TRAFFIC. HAD TOWED TO WORK ON IT. REPLACED SPLIT RADIATOR HOSE WHERE DRIPPING OCCURS AND REFILLED CAR RADIATOR, NO LEAKING APPARENT. NEXT DAY, DROVE ON HWY TO WORK. AT 65-75 MPH CAR BEGAN MAKING CLICKING/TAPPING NOISES FROM ENGINE. WENT UPHILL TOWARDS INTERCHANGE AND CAR SHOOK VIOLENTLY, STEAM (OR SMOKE) CAME FROM UNDER HOOD AS I CAREFULLY CROSSED FREEWAY TO EXIT, ALL LIGHTS CAME ON ON DASH AND SMOKE OR STEAM POURED INTO THE CAR THROUGH AIR VENTS. I HAD LOST ALL POWER AND POWER STEERING, BUT I STEERED IT SAFELY TO HWY SERVICE ROAD STREET WITH PARKING LOT. CAR WAS SMOKING UNDER HOOD, STEAM OR SMOKE WAS COMING OUT OF VENTS AND ALL LIGHTS REMAINED ON ON THE DASH. UNDER THE HOOD, THE A/C CONDENSER OR RADIATOR HAS A 5" BREAK ON TOP OF IT. WHEN I PUT WATER IN THE RADIATOR IT POURS THROUGH SEVERAL PLACES WHERE HOSES CONNECT (GASKETS AND SEALS, I PRESUME). HAD THE CAR TOWED HOME AND I'M AFRAID TO DRIVE IT EVER AGAIN, BUT NOW I CAN'T GET TO WORK OR PICK MY KIDS UP FROM SCHOOL ANYMORE AND I CAN'T AFFORD TO FIX IT OR PAY FOR REPAIRS SINCE I CAN'T GET TO WORK.
ON 9/11/2016, WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PARK MY 2004 NISSAN XTERRA, THERE WAS A TERRIBLE ACCIDENT. I PULLED IN FRONT OF A MAECHANICS BAY AT FIRESTONE IN NEWPORT NEWS, VA. WHILE PARKING MY SUV, WITH MY FOOT FIRMLY ON THE BRAKE, THE SUV RAPIDLY ACCELATRED AND DROVE THROUGH THE BUILDING AND BADLY INJURED A MECHANIC STANDING IN THE BAY. I WAS BRAKING AS HARD AS I COULD, AND THE SUV KEPT ACCELARTING AND WOULD NOT STOP. I DID NOT HAVE MY FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. AT THE TIME OF THIS ACCIDNET, THE SUV WAS AT A TOTAL STOP WHILE SHIFITNG IT INTO PARK. IT WAS LOCATED IN THE PARKING LOT OF FIRESTONE ON WARWICK BLVD. IN NEWPORT NEWS, VA. THIS VECHILE WAS IN AS NEW CONDITION WITH ONLY A LITTE OVER 12,000 MILES. IT WAS A TOTAL LOSS. THERE WAS DAMAGE TO THE BUILDING, ANTOTHER VECHILE IN THE BAY, THE DRIVER OF THE SUV, AND SEVERE INURIES TO THE MECHANIC STANDING ON THE FLOOR OF THE BAY. AGAIN, AT NO POINT , WAS THE DRIVERS FOOT ON THE GAS PEDAL. THE DRIVER WAS BRAKING THROUGHOUT THIS INCIDENT AND COUD NOT STOP THE VECHILE. WHAT IS LEFT OF THIS VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY LOCATED IN THE GEICO LOT ON PRODUCTION DRIVE IN YORKTOWN, VIRGINIA.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Transmission
Reports naming the automatic or manual transmission, including shifting behaviour, shudder, slipping and transmission control modules.
From owner reports, verbatim
I OWN A NISSAN XTERRA 2004 IT WAS IN PARK AND ROLLED BY ITSELF FROM FLAT TO DOWN A DRIVE HITTING A MOVING CAR THEN GOING DOWN A CLIFF INTO A TREE. NO ONE AT NISSAN OR ALLSTATE CAN EXPLAIN WHY IT ROLLED! NISSAN BLEW ME OFF SAYING IT CAN HAPPEN WHAT CONCERNS ME IS THAT IF IT COULD JUST ROLL LIKE THAT WHY DID THE AIR BAGS DEPLOY? THERE EXPLANATION WELL--- IT WAS IN PARK! SO HOW CAN IF IT IS IN PARK NO KEYS CAN IT ROLL FORWARD THEN DOWN???? *JB
ON MAY 9,2007 I SHIFTED THE 2004 NISSAN XTERRA FROM P ARK TO REVERSE AND THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED FORWARD 10 FEET. I HAD MY FOOT ON THE BRAKE PEDAL, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT STOP UNTIL IT HIT A RETAINING WALL. AK
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Other / unspecified
Reports whose component NHTSA recorded as unknown, or that do not map to one of the categories above.
From owner reports, verbatim
SPEEDS OVER 60 HITS A BUMP AND STARTS ROCKING AND BOUNCING
I WAS DRIVE MY NISSAN XTERRA IN IN HIGHWAY AND MY CAR START TO SHAKE AND WITH IN 15 MINUTE 3 LUG NUT OUT OF 6 CAME OUT AND OTHER THREE ABOUT TO LOOSE. IT WAS SCARY. I ANYHOW APPROACHED TO CAR REPAIR SHOP AND LEARNED THAT MY FRONT WHEEL BEARING GONE BAD. I JUST FOUND THAT NISSAN XTERRA 2012 HAS RECALL FOR SIMILAR BEARING ISSUE. THIS IS VERY DISTURBING WHILE SUCH INCIDENCE ON HIGHWAY AND I KEEP LOSING FAITH ON SUCH MOST RELIABLE NISSAN BRAND NAME THEREFORE, I WOULD SINCERE REQUEST TO PLEASE INCLUDE XTERRA 2004 MODEL FOR THIS RECALL TOO. THANKS
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Tires & wheels
Reports naming tires, wheels, hubs, or the tire-pressure monitoring system.
From owner reports, verbatim
ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE CRACKS ALONG THE SIDES OF THE TIRES. ALSO , WHEN I GOT NEW TIRES, A BIG O TIRES SHOP FOUND THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS BAD ON THE PERMANENT STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE THAT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED DUE TO IT WAS THE __ TOE - SAI - INCLUDED ANGLE - AND THE TOTAL TOE. *TR
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Body & structure
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim.
From owner reports, verbatim
I CURRENTLY OWN A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA AND IT IS LEAKING WATER IN THE REAR. I HAD THE BACK GLASS AND ROOF RACK CHECKED OUT BY A PROFESSIONAL. TO THE PROFESSIONALS FINDING THE WINDOW AND ROOF RACK WERE NOT LEAKING BUT THE WELDED SEAM OF MY VEHICLE IS LEAKING ON THE REAR PASSENGER SIDE. THE SEAM WAS NEVER WELDED RIGHT AND OVER THE COURSE OF TIME IT HAS CAUSED A HAIR LINE CRACK ON THE ROOF. THE PROFESSIONAL LOOKED ON THE REAR DRIVER SIDE AND NOTICED THE WELDED SEAM IS STARTED TO GIVE AWAY TOO. DUE TO THE CRACK MY VEHICLE IS LEAKING WATER EVERYTIME IT RAINS OR SNOWS. MY BACK CARPET HAS BEEN REMOVED SO NO FURTHER DAMAGE CAN BE DONE TO THE BACK INTERIOR. *KB
ALL FOUR TIRES HAVE CRACKS ALONG THE SIDES OF THE TIRES. ALSO , WHEN I GOT NEW TIRES, A BIG O TIRES SHOP FOUND THAT THE ALIGNMENT WAS BAD ON THE PERMANENT STRUCTURE OF THE VEHICLE THAT CAN NOT BE ADJUSTED DUE TO IT WAS THE __ TOE - SAI - INCLUDED ANGLE - AND THE TOTAL TOE. *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Powertrain (other)
Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials.
From owner reports, verbatim
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
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Exterior lighting
Reports naming headlights, tail lights, turn signals and other exterior lighting.
From owner reports, verbatim
WHEN VEHICLE IS STARTED, THE BRAKE LIGHTS WILL STAY LIT AS IF YOU WERE PRESSING THE BRAKE EVEN WHEN ENGINE IS OFF, CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT SET EITHER SO YOU CAN TURN IT ON BUT WILL NOT ENGAGE. IT MAY HAVE SOMETHING TO DO WITH THE CRUISE CONTROL SWITCH LOCATED BY THE BRAKE PEDAL. I'VE FASHIONED A SPACER TO SLIDE IN BETWEEN THE BRAKE AND SWITCH SO THEY'LL GO OFF WHEN I'M NOT DRIVING. I WAS JUST CURIOUS AS IF THERE IS A RECALL TO THIS OR IF I HAVE TO ACTUALLY REPLACE THE PART MY SELF.
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
Heating & air conditioning
Reports naming the heating, ventilation and air-conditioning system.
From owner reports, verbatim
NISSAN USES FAULTY EQUIPMENT IN THEIR VEHICLES AND ASHLY AT THEIR CONSUMER AFFAIRS DEPT ACTUALLY TOLD ME THAT NISSAN ONLY EXPECTS THEIR VEHICLES TO LAST THE 3 YRS OR 36K MILES!! SINCE I PURCHASED THIS VEHICLE I HAVE HAD THE A/C COMPRESSOR REPLACES, ALL HEATER HOSSES REPLACED, OIL LEAKS, COOLANT LEAKS, DRIVE BELTS REPLACED AND THE ALTERNATOR REPLACED. MY CAR LITERALLY BROKE DOWN IN MY DRIVEWAY. I WAS RETURNING FROM VACATION WITH MY SON, MY DOG AND MY CAT-IF MY TRIP WOULD HAVE 15 MINS. LONGER I WOULD HAVE BROKE DOWN ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. NISSAN DOES NOT STAND BEHIND THEIR PRODUCTS AT ALL AND DOES NOT CARE ABOUT THE CONSUMER OR THEIR SAFETY!! *TR
Too few reports in this category for a page of its own — they appear in the full complaint list.
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.
Elsewhere on this vehicle
Data sources
- NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation — owner-reported complaints and the components recorded on them
Data on this page last refreshed .