Model year guide

2004 Nissan Xterra

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2004 Nissan Xterra is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 124 on record.

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

2004 Nissan Xterra at a glance

Safety recalls3
Owner complaints84
Combined16 mpg
Typical price$3,628

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

2004 Nissan Xterra recalls 3

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.

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.

Trailer Hitches NHTSA Campaign #04V581000 · 15/12/2004

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

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

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 Xterra common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 84 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
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.
Electrical System
Test every electrical feature: windows, locks, infotainment, charging and all lights. Watch for flickering, dead accessories or warning lights.
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.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.

2004 Nissan Xterra MPG & running costs

Combined16 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,036

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

What's a 2004 Nissan Xterra worth?

Low
$2,000
Typical price
$3,628
High
$5,600

From 124 comparable 2004 Nissan Xterra listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

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

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,180
Depreciation (5 yrs)$2,500
Total$22,680
Per mile$0.30

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 ($3,628) with the same model 4 model-years older ($1,624), 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 Xterra trims & engines on record

Trims
XE · SE · SE S/C
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl 155 hp

2004 Nissan Xterra vehicles on record

2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra SE5N1ED28Y34C653471 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra SE5N1ED28T54C626308 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra XE5N1ED28T74C630117 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra XE5N1ED28T24C624337 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra XE5N1ED28T14C634227 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra SE5N1ED28Y44C624075 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra SE5N1ED28T84C634645 2004 Nissan Xterra SE5N1ED28Y64C632789 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra XE5N1ED28T44C604347 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra XE5N1ED28T94C632631 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra XE5N1ED28T14C666384 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra SE5N1ED28Y14C614829 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra XE5N1ED28T74C626942 2004 Nissan Xterra XE5N1ED28Y14C636524 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra SE S/C5N1MD28Y24C605018 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra XE5N1ED28T64C677736 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra XE5N1ED28T84C632541 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra SE5N1ED28T34C662448 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra XE5N1ED28T84C682291 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra SE5N1ED28Y04C626860 2004 Nissan Xterra SE5N1ED28Y64C657806 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra XE5N1ED28T64C668678 2004 Nissan Xterra 2004 Nissan Xterra XE5N1ED28T04C616673 2004 Nissan Xterra XE5N1ED28T44C658313

Other Nissan Xterra model years

2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2003 2002 2001 2000

2004 Nissan Xterra — frequently asked questions

Does the 2004 Nissan Xterra have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 3 safety recalls for the 2004 Nissan Xterra. 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 Xterra?

Based on 84 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are steering, engine, electrical system.

What gas mileage does the 2004 Nissan Xterra get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2004 Nissan Xterra at about 16 mpg combined (15 city / 19 highway).

How much is a 2004 Nissan Xterra worth?

Comparable 2004 Nissan Xterra listings run roughly $2,000–$5,600, typically around $3,628 (from 124 vehicles).

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