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Research · Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

2004 Nissan XterraRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls and 84 owner complaints for the 2004 Nissan Xterra. Most complaints involve steering (20) and suspension (11). The EPA rates it 15–19 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–19mpg
EPA · 7 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
3campaigns
Latest Nov 2010
Owner complaints
84
Top: steering
Fuel cost / yr
$3,300est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

3 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: column

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Nov 11, 2010NHTSA 10V554000

Equipment

Free remedy

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.

EquipmentReported Jul 3, 2007NHTSA 07E046000

Trailer hitches

Free remedy

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCESSORY TOW HITCH ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.

Trailer hitchesReported Dec 15, 2004NHTSA 04V581000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

84 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2004 – Aug 2025
  1. Steering20
  2. Suspension11
  3. Electrical system11
  4. Engine8
  5. Power train6
  6. Fuel system, gasoline6
  7. Engine and engine cooling6
  8. Fuel/propulsion system5
  9. Service brakes, hydraulic5

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Xterra model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
2000230
2001159
2002172
200372
200484
2005845
2006780
2007557
2008119
200919
201038
201124
201216
20134
201410
201510
Crashes reported
10
Fires reported
3
Injuries reported
7
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Steering

20 reports1 crash
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 1, 2021SteeringODI 11385979

Suspension

11 reports
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 23, 2017Steering, Suspension, Electrical systemODI 10947220

Electrical system

11 reports1 fire
“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.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 4, 2020Steering, Electrical system, EngineODI 11343229
All 2004 Xterra problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 8, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

7 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD, Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.3L 6-cyl · 3.3L 6-cyl turbo supercharged
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Xterra 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300468
Xterra V6 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
152017$3,650523
Xterra V6 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151917$3,650523
Xterra V6 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141916$3,900555
Xterra V6 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151916$3,900555
Xterra V6 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Turbo, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
141815$5,150592
Xterra V6 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Turbo, Sup Charg · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131715$5,150592
  • Xterra 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    15 city · 20 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    14 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    15 city · 19 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Turbo, Sup Charg
    14 city · 18 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Xterra V6 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Turbo, Sup Charg
    13 city · 17 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 8, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

1 tested variant
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Nissan Xterra as of Nov 8, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 8, 2026Vehicle 1244
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2004 Xterra questions

How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Xterra have?

3 safety recalls as of Nov 8, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2004 Nissan Xterra problems?

Owners filed 84 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are steering (20), suspension (11), electrical system (11). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2004 Nissan Xterra get?

The EPA rates the 2004 Nissan Xterra at 15–19 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (7 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 8, 2026