this model yearOf 66 owner complaints for this model year, around 12% describe 5 injuries and 3 fires. These are unverified owner accounts, but the pattern is worth reading before buying.
this model year4 further recall campaigns cover this model year. Ask a dealer which remain outstanding on this car.
Almost all of this describes the model year, not the individual car. Nothing here can tell you about this vehicle’s mileage, accidents or ownership — no identifier encodes those.
Recalls for this model year
4 recalls on record
10V554000
STEERING:COLUMN
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.
Remedy: 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.
07E046000
EQUIPMENT
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.
Remedy: 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.
06E064000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING
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.
Remedy: 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.
06E023000
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS
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."
Remedy: 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.
Published by model year, not by VIN — may not apply to this vehicle, or may already have been done. Confirm with a dealer.
Owner complaints for this model year
66Complaints
8Involved a crash
3Involved a fire
5Injuries
Most reported components
power train13
steering7
fuel system7
gasoline7
structure7
engine6
Read 15 of the most serious reports
air bags,service brakes1 injurycrash
NHTSA #10578822
TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 35MPH, VEHICLES IN FRONT CAME TO AN ABRUPT STOP. NISSAN FRONTIER FAILED TO STOP IN A TIMELY MANNER, RESULTING IN CRASH. BRAKE PEDAL WENT TO FLOOR WITHOUT THE TRUCK STOPPING. RESULTING CRASH DID NOT DEPLOY AIRBAGS. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. DRIVER WAS HOSPITALIZED. *TR
air bags1 injurycrash
NHTSA #10265371
I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER 4X2, CREW CAB XE 4 DOOR LONG. MY TRUCK WAS IN AN ACCIDENT AND IT IS CONSIDERED A TOTAL LOSS. THE TRUCK WAS HIT ON THE LEFT SIDE AND THE AIR BAG DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ONLY AIR BAG THAT DEPLOYED WAS THE PASSENGERS SIDE. *TR
power train1 injurycrash
NHTSA #10158270
GEAR SHIFTER IN AUTOMATIC 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER TRUCK CAN SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR WITH OUT THE TRUCK RUNNING OR WITHOUT KEYS. *JB
seats1 injurycrash
NHTSA #10149340
I BOUGHT A NEW NISSAN FRONTIER IN NOVEMBER 2004, I WAS REAR ENDED ON 1-19-2005. I HAVE HAD 32 NEEDLES STUCK IN ME SINCE THAT TIME INCLUDING AND IDET FOR AN INTERNALLY DISRUPTED DISC. I FEEL THAT THIS ALL COULD HAVE BEEN PREVENTED IF THE LUMBAR SUPPORT WAS EITHER NOT IN THE VEHICLE, OR THAT IT WAS NOT FAULTY. I HAVE BEEN TOLD THAT THEY SHOULD DEFLATE ON IMPACT (IN GENERAL), HOWEVER MINE IS HARD AS A ROCK. *NM
electrical system,structure,wheels,enginefire
NHTSA #10560434
AFTER DRIVING MY VEHICLE TO WORK (AROUND 15 MILES), THE LIGHTS BEGAN TO DIM AND THE RADIO TURNED ON AND OFF SEVERAL TIMES. I PARKED IN THE GARAGE WHERE I WORK, AND WENT TO MY OFFICE TO GET IN TOUCH WITH A MECHANIC. ABOUT 1/2 HOUR LATER, A POLICE OFFICER CALLED BECAUSE MY TRUCK CAUGHT FIRE. IT CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PARKING STRUCTURE, AND OBVIOUSLY TO THE VEHICLE, INCLUDING MELTING MANY OF THE COMPONENTS UNDER THE HOOD, AS WELL AS SMOKE DAMAGE TO THE INSIDE OF THE TRUCK. IT WAS TOTALED. *TR
power trainfire
NHTSA #10244813
2004 NISSAN FRONTIER. DRIVER WAS PULLING A PICKUP TRUCK ON A TOW DOLLY. ANOTHER MOTORIST POINTED AT THE TOWED VEHICLE THEN THE DRIVER PULLED ON THE BERM AND DISCOVERED THE TOWED PICKUP WAS BURNING FROM THE UNDERSIDE, FIRE WAS PUT OUT. *NJ THE VEHICLE HAD AN AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION AND THE DRIVESHAFT WAS NOT DISCONNECTED WHICH APPEARED TO HAVE OVERHEATED THE TRANSMISSION, WHICH CAUSED THE FIRE. OHIO TRAFFIC CRASH REPORT 10-0598-90. *JB
electrical systemfire
NHTSA #10143786
DT: THE CONTACT STATED VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY WITH THE IGNITION TURNED OFF. HE ATTEMPTED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE WITH A WATER HOSE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED AND PUT OUT THE FIRE. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT DETERMINED THIS WAS AN ELECTRICAL FIRE THAT ORIGINATED FROM THE DASHBOARD PANEL AREA. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGE TO THE INTERIOR DASHBOARD PANEL AND FRONT SEATS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DEEMED A TOTAL LOSS BY THE INSURANCE COMPANY. THE VEHICLE IS CURRENTLY AT A BODY SHOP FOR REPAIRS. *AK UPDATED 12/27/05. *JB UPDATED 03/09/06.
air bags,seat beltscrash
NHTSA #10811919
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, A DEER RAN OUT OF THE BUSH AND CRASHED INTO THE FRONT PASSENGER'S SIDE OF THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE AIR BAG POPPED OUT BUT FAILED TO DEPLOY. THE SEAT BELT AND COOLANT WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT DID NOT SUSTAIN AN INJURY AND WAS ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 120,000. THE VIN WAS NOT AVAILABLE.
air bagscrash
NHTSA #10392568
I HAVE A 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB, LONG BED (6') AND THE AIR BAGS (BOTH DRIVER & PASSENGER) DID NOT DEPLOY. THE ENTIRE FRONT END OF THE TRUCK SUFFERED DAMAGE. THE DAMAGE IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH THAT THE HOOD FOLDED UPWARDS. MY DAUGHTER HIT AN IMPALA WITHOUT SIDE IMPACT AIR BAGS ON THE DRIVER'S SIDE DOOR HARD ENOUGH TO SNAP THE IMPALA'S FRONT AXLE. THIS SEVERE OF AN ACCIDENT SHOULD HAVE CAUSED THE AIR BAGS TO DEPLOY BUT, THEY DIDN'T. I JUST SAW THIS HAS OCCURRED WITH OTHERS AND IT APPEARS TO BE A FAIRLY COMMON PROBLEM AS I FOUND MULTIPLE WEBSITES SPEAKING ABOUT THIS FAILURE TO DEPLOY. *TR
service brakes, hydraulic,equipmentcrash
NHTSA #10383185
NISSAN 2004 FRONTIER XE BRAKES FAILED WITHOUT WARNING CAUSING A COLLISION INTO AN APARTMENT COMPLEX ENTRY SIGN MADE OUT OF CEMENT BLOCKS. THE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE RESULTED IN A TOTAL LOSS. IF THE VEHICLE HAD BEEN REPAIRABLE, A SERIOUS CONCERN FOR DRIVER AND PASSENGER SAFETY DUE TO THE HIGH PROBABILITY OF REPEATED BRAKE FAILURE. A TOTAL BRAKE SYSTEM REPAIR HAD BEEN DONE BY A REPUTABLE REPAIR SHOP APPROXIMATELY ONE AND ONE-HALF YEARS PRIOR TO THIS INCIDENT. *LN
steering
NHTSA #11511547
ROBBINS Nissan in Humble, KD service advisor - REFUSED RECALL SERVICE - saying he needs a customer phone number! No phone no service. Is there a law in this country requiring every citizen to have a phone, by force? Is this China already?
parking brake
NHTSA #11509358
The contact owns a 2004 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while parked, the contact pulled the cable release for the parking brake and the bracket under the parking brake detached. The vehicle was taken to the dealer; however, the dealer stated that the manufacturer no longer manufactured the part for the repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 209,000.
fuel system, gasoline
NHTSA #11497513
This is the first major safety incident with a stuck and wide-open throttle. I just started from a left hand turned at a stop light. I noticed the 2004 Nissan Frontier pickup truck began to increase its speed without any extra pressure applied to the gas pedal. I applied the brakes to slow down the truck's speed while the engine continued to increase speed. I turned on the flashers to warn traffic. I put the truck into neutral while braking and the engine immediately revved to high and loud rpms. I heard the engine making a shift in its high rpm revving noise, and I turned off the engine. I was now fully stopped near the curb. Next, my husband started the engine after a few minutes of being stopped. The engine immediately started revving to the high rpms. Since the truck was parked, he tapped the gas pedal a few times which seemed to reset the engine's wide-open throttle. Safety Issue: The engine revved to very high rpms and speeded up on its own; brakes were not fully stopping the truck. Failed Component: The engine's "throttle"
vehicle speed control,engine
NHTSA #11434032
This vehicle suddenly starts to accelerate on its own like it's in cruise control only it's not and I'm not pressing the gas pedal. It would go well only a 100 if I let it and applying the brakes does nothing. The only way of stopping the vehicle is to put it in neutral and one time that didn't stop it and I had to put it in park and turn off the key. I've taken the vehicle to 3 different garages and they are not able to figure out what the issue is. I've contacted Nissan and they have no recalls of this. I finally looked online and saw that other people have been in accidents because of the same problem. This vehicle is deadly to drive and I'm a professional driver so luckily I knew what to do when this happens. I am not able to drive truck safely and I'm not able to sell it or even give this to anyon because I would be responsible when they kill someone from the mechanical failures. I bought the truck for my teenage son and obviously he can't drive it
steering,structure,engine
NHTSA #11406666
DEALER SOLD A VEHICLE AS A FLORIDA 2 OWNER VEHICLE. I DID ANOTHER CARFAX ON IT AFTER I MADE THE PURCHASE TO DISCOVER DEALER SOLD IT TO SOMEONE IN TN AND THEY TITLED IT. THEN THEY RETURNED IT. DEALER SOLD IT TO ME WITHOUT HAVING TITLE ON HAND. VEHICLE WAS SHIPPED AND DROPPED OFF AT MY HOUSE WITHOUT ME BEING THERE TO LOOK IT OVER. THEY NEVER TOLD ME WHEN IT WOULD BE SHIPPED. WHEN MY MECHANIC INSPECTED IT HE SEEN MANY ISSUES. ONE WAS THERE WERE PARTS ON THE TRUCKS STEERING THAT DID NOT BELONG. IT HAD THE WRONG SWAY BAR LINKS INSTALLED. WHEN YOU ATTEMPT TO TURN STEERING HITS THE SWAY BAR AND IT LITERALLY BENDS THE BODY OF THE TRUCK. THERE ARE MANY POWER STEERING ISSUES. THE POWER STEERING GEAR BOX IS LEAKING AS WELL AS POWER STEERING LINES. DEFINITELY NOT A SAFE VEHICLE TO BE ON THE ROAD. THIS WAS NEVER DISCLOSED WHEN MAKING THE PURCHASE. CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON. COOLANT SENSOR AS WELL AS ENGINE KNOCK SENSORS. WHEN UNDER THE VEHICLE YOU CAN HEAR LOUD BANGING. MECHANIC SUSPECTS CONNECTOR RODS AND/OR MAIN BEARINGS MEANING MOTOR IS ON ITS LAST LEG. LASTLY, DEALERSHIP HAS NOT SENT TITLE NOR ANY PAPERWORK ON IT. ALL I GOT WAS A BROKEN DOWN TRUCK LEAKING FLUIDS LEFT IN MY DRIVEWAY.
Filed by owners of this model year and unverified by NHTSA — one person’s account, not an established fact.