no report yet
Steering: column
Risk. THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
2004 Nissan XterraProblems, recalls & complaints
NHTSA has logged 84 owner complaints about the 2004 Nissan Xterra, most often about the steering. It is covered by 2 safety recalls.
Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through August 9, 2025. Updated daily. Photo: Ethan Llamas, CC BY-SA 4.0.
Complaints by system
Where the 2004 Nissan Xterra has problems
84 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.
20Steering1 crash/fire/injury
11Electrical system2 crash/fire/injury
11Suspension
8Engine1 crash/fire/injury
6Power train
6Fuel system, gasoline
6Engine and engine cooling
5Visibility
5Service brakes, hydraulic
2411 other systems8 crash/fire/injury
| System | Complaints | Crash, fire or injury |
|---|---|---|
| Steering | 20 | 1 |
| Electrical system | 11 | 2 |
| Suspension | 11 | 0 |
| Engine | 8 | 1 |
| Power train | 6 | 3 |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 6 | 0 |
| Engine and engine cooling | 6 | 2 |
| Visibility | 5 | 0 |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 5 | 1 |
| 11 other systems | 24 | 8 |
Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.
2 recalls
2004 Nissan Xterra recalls and how many were fixed
Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
no report yet
Trailer hitches
Risk. THIS COULD CAUSE THE TOW HITCH TO LOOSEN OR SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.
Best & worst years
2004 vs. every other Xterra year
Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Xterra median. How we score
'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15
- Avoid
- Caution
- Solid
- Best
- Not rated
NHTSA crash tests
2004 Nissan Xterra safety ratings
2004 Nissan Xterra 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.
Frontal crashNot rated
Side barrierNot rated
- Stability control: Optional
- Forward collision warning: No
- Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words
What Xterra owners report
Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.
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…
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…
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…
Own a 2004 Xterra?
Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.