2004 Nissan Xterra Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 8about this part
- Share
- 10%of 84 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 134,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 8 complaints about the engine of the 2004 Nissan Xterra, 10% of the 84 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 134,000 miles.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“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 completely when it happens. I have no control over the car when it happens.”
NHTSA complaint #11343229, filed 2020-08, 220,715 miles“2004 Xterra had been low on radiator fluid and needed topping up each week, then each day. After filling with water and coolant night before car began to overheat on hwy. Car sat in sun all day, then overheated in traffic. Had towed to work on it. Replaced split radiator hose where dripping occurs and refilled car radiator, no leaking apparent. Next day, drove on hwy to work. At 65-75 MPH car began making clicking/tapping noises from engine. …”
NHTSA complaint #11097726, filed 2018-05, 116,000 miles“The lower radiator support bar for my Nissan Xterra has rusted out. This causes the main radiator to sink which has since hit the main fan. Only replacement is to replace the entire radiator brace. As a main structure component of the vehicle this should not be rusting out.”
NHTSA complaint #10806572, filed 2015-11, 80,000 miles“Vehicle overheated while driving down the highway. Upon inspection, an approximately 4in crack was noticed on the top of the radiator, passenger side, near the thermostat. Replacement of the radiator was required.”
NHTSA complaint #10690533, filed 2015-02, 134,000 miles“June 12 2016 at the tri-par in slinger, wi I was filling up the gas tank, when gas began spilling out of the vehicle's wheel well. I immediately stopped it after I noticed it. The station along with the slinger fire department estimated a gallon was spilt. It appears the gas tank neck has rusted out, causing the spill. They deemed the vehicle not safe to drive and recommend we have it towed home, which we did.”
NHTSA complaint #10873777, filed 2016-06Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2012 | 4 | 25% |
| 2011 | 5 | 21% |
| 2010 | 4 | 11% |
| 2009 | 3 | 16% |
| 2008 | 23 | 19% |
| 2007 | 85 | 15% |
| 2006 | 104 | 13% |
| 2005 | 114 | 13% |
| 2004 | 8 | 10% |
| 2003 | 6 | 8% |
| 2002 | 8 | 5% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2004 Nissan Xterra
20 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsEngine cooling
6 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsVisibility (wipers, defrost, mirrors)
5 complaintsAir bags
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2004 Nissan Xterra
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology