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Nissan Xterra 2004

The 2004 Nissan Xterra came with 3 engines: 2.4 L 4-cylinder, 3.3 L 6-cylinder turbo, 3.3 L 6-cylinder. It gets 15 to 19 MPG combined depending on the engine, per the EPA. 3 recall campaigns and 40 owner complaints are on record.

Sport Utility Vehicle - 2WD AWD
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Nissan Xterra
Representative photo of the Xterra. It may show a different year or version. Photo: OWS Photography · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized and cropped

Specs

Engine
3,300 cc
6
Cylinders6
TransmissionAutomatic · 4 speeds
DrivetrainAWD
Dimensions (L × W × H)4,520 × 1,790 × 1,890 mm (178.0 × 70.5 × 74.4 in)
Wheelbase2,650 mm (104.3 in)
Curb weight1,912 kg (4,215 lb)
Body styleSport Utility Vehicle - 2WD

Dimensions and weight: median of the 3 versions in Canada's official specifications (NHTSA vPIC). Each version differs slightly.

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Safety

Crash-test results across markets. They can vary by version and equipment.

NHTSA NCAP
Results · 2004 Nissan Xterra 4-DR.
🇺🇸 Local data

Fuel economy (MPG)

🇺🇸 Local data
City
14 MPG
Highway
19 MPG
Combined
16 MPG
Emissions
345 g/km
COâ‚‚

By version

EngineTransmissionDrivetrainCityHighwayCombined
2.4 L 4-cylinder Manual · 5 speeds Rear-wheel (RWD) 17 MPG 23 MPG 19 MPG
3.3 L 6-cylinder turbo Automatic · 4 speeds AWD 13 MPG 17 MPG 15 MPG
3.3 L 6-cylinder Automatic · 4 speeds AWD 14 MPG 19 MPG 16 MPG
3.3 L 6-cylinder turbo Automatic · 4 speeds Rear-wheel (RWD) 14 MPG 18 MPG 15 MPG
3.3 L 6-cylinder Automatic · 4 speeds Rear-wheel (RWD) 15 MPG 20 MPG 17 MPG
3.3 L 6-cylinder Manual · 5 speeds AWD 15 MPG 19 MPG 16 MPG
3.3 L 6-cylinder Manual · 5 speeds Rear-wheel (RWD) 15 MPG 19 MPG 17 MPG

EPA figures for each version sold in the U.S.

Recalls

3 campaigns🇺🇸 Local dataNHTSA
STEERING:COLUMN 10V554000 · 2010-11-11 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

EQUIPMENT 07E046000 · 2007-07-03 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

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.

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.

TRAILER HITCHES 04V581000 · 2004-12-15 · NHTSA
Consequence · Remedy

THIS COULD CAUSE THE TOW HITCH TO LOOSEN OR SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TOW HITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 3, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

2 campaigns🇨🇦 CA dataTransport Canada

It may not apply to vehicles sold in your country. Check with your VIN at the source.

Steering 2010402 · 2010-11-12 · Transport Canada
Details

On certain vehicles, corrosion may form in the lower steering column joint and limit the movement of the joint. Limited movement of this joint may create excessive load on the lower steering column shaft and, if the vehicle continues to be driven in this condition, may lead to cracking of the shaft during low speed manoeuvres that require large steering inputs. In an extreme case, the shaft may break which would result in loss of steering control and could result in a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the affected column shafts and joints.

Engine 2010373 · 2010-10-28 · Transport Canada
Details

On certain vehicles the Intelligent Power Distribution Module (IPDM) assembly contains an Engine Control Module (ECM) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction. The ECM relay may allow silicon vapor to form and over time the silicon evaporates from the diode molding which causes silicon oxide to develop on the ECM relay contact due to arcing. In certain instances, this oxidation could cause engine performance issues (hesitation, rough engine idle, slow start/no-start condition), and engine stalling at low engine speeds which may result in a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the Engine Control Module (ECM) relay.

Common problems

40 reports🇺🇸 Local data

Reported by owners to the source below. It is not a verdict on this car: it is what people wrote.

AIR BAGS Crash 2025-08-09 · NHTSA

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

ENGINE 2025-06-05 · NHTSA

Water pump went out replace water pump motor blown

STEERING 2024-12-27 · NHTSA

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

AIR BAGS Crash 2023-06-09 · NHTSA

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.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER 2022-04-01 · NHTSA

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

STEERING 2021-01-01 · NHTSA

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…

STEERING,SUSPENSION,WHEELS 2020-10-17 · NHTSA

SPEEDS OVER 60 HITS A BUMP AND STARTS ROCKING AND BOUNCING

STEERING,ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,ENGINE 2020-08-04 · NHTSA

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 …

POWER TRAIN 2020-05-05 · NHTSA

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

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM,FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 2019-10-07 · NHTSA

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.

EXTERIOR LIGHTING 2019-09-23 · NHTSA

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 B…

STEERING 2019-09-16 · NHTSA

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 …

All 40 reports, grouped by component

Questions

What engine does the 2004 Nissan Xterra have?
The 2004 Nissan Xterra came with 3 engines: 2.4 L 4-cylinder, 3.3 L 6-cylinder turbo, 3.3 L 6-cylinder.
What is the fuel economy of the 2004 Nissan Xterra?
It gets 15 to 19 MPG combined depending on the engine, per the EPA.
Does the 2004 Nissan Xterra have recalls?
3 recall campaigns are on record. The latest concerns Steering (2010-11-11).
What are the common problems of the 2004 Nissan Xterra?
40 owners have filed complaints, most often about Steering.

Other years

Which Nissan Xterra year to buy? Recalls and complaints by year

Other models by Nissan

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