Model year guide

2004 Nissan Frontier

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Nissan Frontier is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 58 on record.

2004 Nissan Frontier — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2004 Nissan Frontier at a glance

Safety recalls4
Owner complaints66
Combined17 mpg
Typical price$6,029

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2004 Nissan Frontier recalls 4

Steering:column NHTSA Campaign #10V554000 · 11/11/2010

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. …

Fix: 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.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #06E023000 · 13/03/2006

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E064000 · 17/07/2006

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Equipment NHTSA Campaign #07E046000 · 03/07/2007

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 RESULT…

Fix: 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.

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2004 Nissan Frontier common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Engine
Listen for knocks or ticking, check for leaks and blue/white exhaust smoke, and make sure it doesn't overheat. No check-engine light should be on.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Power Train
Drive through every gear: watch for slipping, hard or delayed shifts, and shudder. Check for transmission/driveline leaks and noises.
Fuel/propulsion System
Check for fuel or battery warnings, hard starts and stalling. On a hybrid/EV, confirm charging and range behave normally.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.

2004 Nissan Frontier MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,090

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2004 Nissan Frontier worth?

Low
$3,400
Typical price
$6,029
High
$8,250

From 58 comparable 2004 Nissan Frontier listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2004 Nissan Frontier costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,450
Depreciation (5 yrs)$3,650
Total$24,100
Per mile$0.32

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($6,029) with the same model 4 model-years older ($3,102), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2004 Nissan Frontier trims & engines on record

Trims
XE-V6 · XE · SVE-V6 · Standard
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl 155 hp

2004 Nissan Frontier vehicles on record

2004 Nissan Frontier 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED29X84C437414 2004 Nissan Frontier 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED26T34C472413 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED27T64C440229 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED29Y34C461211 2004 Nissan Frontier 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED29X04C401023 2004 Nissan Frontier XE1N6DD26T34C427712 2004 Nissan Frontier 2004 Nissan Frontier SVE-V61N6MD29Y44C410635 2004 Nissan Frontier 2004 Nissan Frontier XE1N6DD26T94C462903 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED26T14C472653 2004 Nissan Frontier 2004 Nissan Frontier XE1N6DD26T14C435694 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED27T84C421892 2004 Nissan Frontier 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED26T34C454011 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED27TX4C402051 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED27T34C410895 2004 Nissan Frontier 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED26Y64C427574 2004 Nissan Frontier 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED29X04C465126 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED27T84C414425 2004 Nissan Frontier 2004 Nissan Frontier XE1N6DD26T54C475583 2004 Nissan Frontier 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED29X84C483017 2004 Nissan Frontier 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED27T74C459338 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED27TX4C477736 2004 Nissan Frontier 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED29X54C444613 2004 Nissan Frontier 2004 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED27T54C433739 2004 Nissan Frontier 2004 Nissan Frontier XE1N6DD26T84C473178

Other Nissan Frontier model years

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2003 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

2004 Nissan Frontier — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Nissan Frontier have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 4 safety recalls for the 2004 Nissan Frontier. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Frontier?

Based on 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are engine, steering, structure.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Nissan Frontier get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2004 Nissan Frontier at about 17 mpg combined (15 city / 19 highway).

How much is a 2004 Nissan Frontier worth?

Comparable 2004 Nissan Frontier listings run roughly $3,400–$8,250, typically around $6,029 (from 58 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.