2004 Nissan Xterra Steering Problems

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

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

SPEEDS OVER 60 HITS A BUMP AND STARTS ROCKING AND BOUNCING

NHTSA ID

11364867

Incident

Oct 17, 2020

Mileage

150,000 mi

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

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO COURTESY NISSAN (1777 N CENTRAL EXPY, RICHARDSON, TX 75080) TO BE REPAIRED PER NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V554000 (STEERING). AFTER RETRIEVING THE VEHICLE FROM THE DEALER, IT WAS DISCOVERED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS LOOSE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL WAS ABLE TO TURN THREE INCHES TO THE RIGHT OR LEFT, BUT THE WHEELS FAILED TO MOVE. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT A LOUD NOISE WAS HEARD COMING FROM THE FRONT DRIVER'S SIDE TIRE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND INFORMED THE CONTACT TO TAKE THE VEHICLE TO ANOTHER DEALER BECAUSE COURTESY NISSAN HAD LOST THE VEHICLE FOR SEVERAL DAYS. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 212,000.*PM CONSUMER STATED DEALER WANTED THE VEHICLE TO BE LEFT A THE DEALER FOR 2 WEEKS BUT CONSUMER COULD NOT, WITHOUT A LOANER, DUE TO WORK.*JB

NHTSA ID

11255563

Incident

Sep 6, 2019

Mileage

212,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE STEERING WHEEL SEIZED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT HAD TO USE EXTRA STRENGTH JUST TO TURN THE STEERING WHEEL. IN ADDITION, THE ABS AND CHECK ENGINE WARNING INDICATORS ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE CATALYTIC CONVERTER WAS REPLACED, BUT THE FAILURE RECURRED. THE MANUFACTURER AND DEALER WERE NOT NOTIFIED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 155,000.

NHTSA ID

11162963

Incident

Nov 24, 2017

Mileage

155,000 mi

STEERING IS SLOPPY. STEERING WHEEL HAS EXCESSIVE PLAY. THERE IS A LOT ON THIS TOPIC ACROSS THE INTERNET FORUMS.

NHTSA ID

11039972

Incident

Jul 7, 2017

Mileage

60,000 mi

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.

NHTSA ID

10947220

Incident

Sep 9, 2016

Mileage

125,450 mi

STEERING BINDS WHEN COMING TO COMPLETE LEFT TURN, WILL NOT RETURN WHEN MOVING FORWRD UNLESS MANUALLY ASSISTED, NOW STEERING GEAR STARTING TO LEAK.

NHTSA ID

10812057

Incident

Jun 1, 2015

Mileage

94,000 mi

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 STEERING AND I HAD IT REPAIRED BUT IT STILL IS A SLIGHT HASSLE TO CHANGE GEARS. I HAVE RECEIVED A LETTER TELLING ME THEY ARE BUYING 2004 NISSAN XTERRA'S BUT WHEN I CALLED THE SALES MAN SAYS IT'S NOTHING WRONG WITH THE XTERRA'S THAT'S JUST A SALES STUNT. I THINK ITS A BUNCH OF BULL NISSAN KNOWS THEY DIDN'T DO A GOOD JOB WITH THESE 2004"S.

NHTSA ID

10716718

Incident

Oct 14, 2011

Mileage

128,138 mi

VEHICLE HAS TIGHT STEERING. BARELY ABLE TO TURN WHEEL WHILE NOT MOVING. INDEPENDENT GARAGE CHECKED STEERING, FOUND CORROSION IN STEERING LINKAGE AND NOTIFIED ME OF RECALL. WHEN CONTACTED NISSAN DEALER CLAIMS THAT RECALL DOES NOT COVER THIS VEHICLE. CALLED NISSAN CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER WHO ALSO DENIED THE RECALL. VEHICLE IS WITHIN THE RECALL DATES AND WAS MANUFACTURED AT SMYRNA, TN PLANT. REPRESENTATIVE COULD NOT SAY WHY THIS VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED. WANTED ME TO TAKE TO DEALER AND PAY TO HAVE REPAIRED. EITHER NISSAN IS NOT HONORING THE COMMITMENT TO THE RECALL OR THE RECALL NEEDS TO BE EXPANDED TO INCLUDE ALL OF THE EFFECTED VEHICLES. *TR

NHTSA ID

10535146

Incident

Jul 17, 2013

Mileage

60,000 mi

AFTER REPAIRING STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM (RECALL ID# 10V554000) LESS THAN ONE YEAR, THE GEAR BOX CRACKED AND POWER STEERING FLUID DRAINED CAUSING POWER STEERING LOST FUNCTION. I THINK GEAR BOX CRACKED PROBLEM IS RELATED TO THE STEERING COLUMN PROBLEM. I HAVE CONTACTED NISSAN DEALER AND REGIONAL OFFICE BUT THEY DENIED THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE PROBLEM. *TR

NHTSA ID

10491671

Incident

Dec 22, 2012

Mileage

83,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING AT VARIOUS SPEEDS ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A TURN WHEN THE STEERING WHEEL BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULTY TO MANEUVER. RECENTLY, THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER WHO REPAIRED THE VEHICLE UNDER NHTSA RECALL CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER 0V554000 (STEERING:COLUMN). THE REMEDY FAILED TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM AND THE FAILURE CONTINUED AFTER THE REPAIR. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE AND THEY WERE UNABLE TO PROVIDE FURTHER ASSISTANCE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 20,000. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE.

NHTSA ID

10399327

Incident

Jan 8, 2006

Mileage

20,000 mi

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH AROUND A BEND WHEN HE LOST CONTROL OF THE STEERING. THE VEHICLE WAS THEN SUDDENLY FLIPPED DRIVER SIDE UP. THE CONTACT AND ALL THE PASSENGERS IN THE VEHICLE WERE TRANSPORTED TO THE HOSPITAL VIA AMBULANCE. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED A CONTUSION TO THE BRAIN AND THE REAR SEAT PASSENGER SUSTAINED INJURIES TO THE LEG. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VEHICLE WAS DESTROYED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT CONTACTED IN REGARDS TO THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN.

NHTSA ID

10381145

Incident

Oct 14, 2010

FIRST -MY STEERING WAS GETTING HARD - I ASKED A TECH AT NISSAN WHAT POSSIBLY COULD BE THE PROBLEM. THEY SUGGESTED CHANGE THE STEERING FLUID FIRST. I DID AND THEN I LEARNED THERE WAS A RECALL - I WOULD LIKE A REIMBURSEMENT OF $96.25 FOR THE STEERING POWER FLUID FLUSH THAT I DID NOT NEED. I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED AND FOUND OUT BY CALLING NISSAN BECAUSE THE PROBLEM WAS STILL HAPPENING. I TOOK THE SUV INTO NISSAN SERVICE TO DO THE RECALL REPAIR - IT WAS DONE HOWEVER, I STILL HAD A HARD STEERING PROBLEM. THEY LOOKED AT IT AGAIN AND THEY NOW SAID I NEEDED A GEAR BOX WHICH I RECORDED EARILIER WITH YOU IN A PREVIOUS COMPLAINT . IF I DO IN FACT NEED A GEAR BOX I FEEL THAT IT GOT DEFECTIVE DUE TO THE RECALL - THIS IS OVER A $2,000 REPAIR. A VERY SHORT TIME AFTER MY CAR LEFT THE SERVICE DEPARTMENT (AFTER THEY SAID I MAY NEED A GEAR BOX) I ALMOST HAD A VERY BAD CAR ACCIDENT - MY FRONT TIRES AND STEERING WHEEL BEGAN TO SHAKE AND THE WHEEL FELT LIKE IT WAS COMING OFF - I TOWED THE SUV TO NISSAN SERVICE AND I AM NOW TOLD THAT THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED AT A COST OF OVER $700.00. WHY DID THEY NOT SEE THE PROBLEM THE WEEK BEFORE? I WANT TO BE REIMBURSED FOR $96.25 STEERING POWER FLUSH, TOWING CHARGE OF $120.00 AND THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY REPLACEMENT APPROX. $800.00 AND I WANT THIS INVESTIGATED. DO I REALLY NEED A GEAR BOX? I COULD HAVE GOTTEN INTO A VERY BAD ACCIDENT IF THAT WHEEL TO FLY OFF. PLEASE LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU - NISSAN XTERRA 2004 YOUR DEPARTMENT AND NISSAN NEEDS TO LOOK INTO THIS PROBLEM - I COULD HAVE DIED. DOES IT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE? *TR

NHTSA ID

10378345

Incident

Jan 21, 2011

Mileage

79,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. THE CONTACT RECEIVED RECALL CAMPAIGN 10V554000, STEERING COLUMN. ACCORDING TO THE RECALL THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND JOINT WERE TO BE REPLACED WITH A SHAFT OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN. THE DEALER REPLACED THE LOWER SHAFT AND JOINT, BUT THE VEHICLE IS STILL NOT STEERING PROPERLY. THE CONTACT TOOK THE VEHICLE BACK TO THE DEALER AND WAS TOLD THAT THE GEAR BOX NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THIS SHOULD HAVE BEEN REPLACED WITH THE RECALL OR THE FAILURE WAS A RESULT OF THE RECALL. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES ON THE VEHICLE WERE 78,000. UPDATED 03/08/11*JB

NHTSA ID

10376537

Incident

Jan 8, 2011

Mileage

78,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA WHICH WAS PURCHASED BRAND NEW IN 2004. HE NOTICED A LEAK SIMILAR TO OIL IN THE FRONT END OF THE VEHICLE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING SYSTEM NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THEY ALSO ADVISED THE CONTACT THAT THE LEAK WAS IN THE STEERING SYSTEM AND WOULD BECOME PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. THERE WERE NO RECALLS ON HIS VEHICLE AND THE REPAIRS WOULD BE AT THE OWNER'S EXPENSE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE UNDER 49,000.

NHTSA ID

10303863

Incident

Jan 30, 2010

Mileage

49,000 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE DRIVING 5 MPH THE PASSENGER SIDE TIE ROD FAILED DUE TO EXCESSIVE CORROSION. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO THE DEALER AND THEY REPLACED THE COMPONENT. 5 MONTHS LATER, THE DRIVER'S SIDE TIE ROD FAILED AND WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER DID NOT ASSIST. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 142,070 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 152,150. UPDATED 06/17/09 *BF THE THREADS ON THE OUTER END OF THE TIE ROD ADJUSTING BAR AND THE INTERNAL THREADS OF THE OUTER TIE ROD ASSEMBLY CORRODED TO THE POINT THAT THERE WAS NO THREAD ENGAGEMENT AND THE ADJUSTING BAR SIMPLY PULLED OUT OF THE TIE ROD ASSEMBLY. THE CONSUMER STATED 5 MONTHS LATER THE DRIVERS SIDE DID THE EXACT SAME THING. UPDATED 06/17/09*JB

NHTSA ID

10268822

Incident

Dec 22, 2008

Mileage

142,070 mi

APRIL 9,2009 THANKS FOR TALKING WITH ME ABOUT MY ISSUE. RE: MAINE'S EXPRESS AND IMPLIED WARRANTY LAWS: AS WE DISCUSSED PLEASE FIND ENCLOSED MAINE LAW THAT BASICALLY EXTENDED ANY EXPRESS WARRANTY FROM A CAR DEALER BASED ON THE ENCLOSED CRITERIA. SINCE THE NISSAN XTERRA HAS A 6 YEAR POWER TRAIN WARRANTY I HAVE THE RIGHT TO ASSERT THAT THE DEFECTIVE PART, WHICH IS A SAFETY HAZARD FOR ME AND FAMILY, SHOULD HAVE LASTED WELL BEYOND 4 1/2 YEARS OR 46,000 MILES ON THE CAR. I AM REQUESTING THAT YOU AUTHORIZED BERLIN CITY NISSAN TO REPAIR THIS PART (NUMBER: 497109Z400) WHICH CAN ONLY BE PURCHASED THROUGH THE DEALER. THIS PART SIMPLY WAS DEFECTIVE AND FAULTY AND WAS NOT IN ANY WAY ABUSED PURSUANT TO MAINE LAW. THE PART CLEARLY DID NOT MEET THE MAINE WARRANTY LAW OF FIT FOR ORDINARY PURPOSES IN FACT THE DEALER TOLD MY WIFE AND ME THEY VERY RARELY IF EVER SEE THIS PART COME IN FOR REPAIR. IN SUMMARY, I REQUEST THAT NISSAN DOE THE RIGHT THING AND AUTHORIZED A FULL PAYMENT OF THE ABOVE MENTION PART ALONG WITH THE $96.50 CENTS WHICH I HAVE ALREADY PAID BERLIN CITY TO DIAGNOSE OF THE PROBLEM WITH PART NUMBER: 497109Z400. THANKS FOR YOUR ASSISTANCE TAKING CARE OF THIS MATTER TO AVOID A FORMAL COMPLIANT TO MAINE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE. HTTP://WWW.MAINE.GOV/AG/DYNLD/DOCUMENTS/CLG4.PDF HTTP://WWW.MAINE.GOV/TOOLS/WHATSNEW/ATTACH.PHP?ID=27919&AN=1. *TR

NHTSA ID

10266502

Incident

Apr 1, 2009

Mileage

46,010 mi

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MAKE A RIGHT TURN AT APPROXIMATELY 40 MPH, THE STEERING COLUMN BECAME EXTREMELY DIFFICULT TO STEER. AFTER CLOSE INSPECTION, THE CONTACT NOTICED THAT ALL OF THE POWER STEERING FLUID EXITED THE VEHICLE. HE TOOK HIS VEHICLE TO A LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRACKET ON THE HOSE, BETWEEN THE PUMP AND THE STEERING UNIT, WAS RUSTED. THE MECHANIC FURTHER STATED THAT THE HIGH PRESSURE TUBE AND THE RETURN UNIT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED. THE DEALER INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT HE WOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REPAIR COSTS SINCE HIS VEHICLE WAS OUT OF WARRANTY. HE FILED A FORMAL COMPLAINT WITH THE MANUFACTURER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 26,000 AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 27,500.

NHTSA ID

10216519

Incident

Oct 20, 2007

Mileage

26,000 mi