2004 Nissan Xterra Steering Problems
- Complaints
- 20about this part
- Share
- 24%of 84 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 83,000miles
- Trend
- FallingComplaints filed in the last 3 full calendar years are at least 25% lower than in the 3 years before.
NHTSA recorded 20 complaints about the steering of the 2004 Nissan Xterra, 24% of the 84 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 83,000 miles. 1 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers. 1 recall campaign on record is filed under a similar system.
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“I took my vechicle to ace auto and he claim he fixed it gave me a list the second time but not the first time it sat there for a year than I got it out for 2 months back in again its goes real slow back fires now and sterring wheel locked one day now its acting like it dont have power to it.everytime you go sppeed limit the steering locks it shakes and not enough power to go barely go up the hill too.”
NHTSA complaint #10947220, filed 2017-01, 125,450 miles“After repairing steering column problem (recall id# 10v554000) less than one year, the gear box cracked and power steering fluid drained causing power steering lost function. I think gear box cracked problem is related to the steering column problem. I have contacted Nissan dealer and regional office but they denied the relationship of the problem.”
NHTSA complaint #10491671, filed 2013-01, 83,000 miles“I have replaced my starter 3 times. My brake lights have a short or faulty wiring I'm sure because we have replaced the bulbs several times. I have gotten tickets because of this as a result I have a expired brake tag I cant get a new one because the wiring will cost to much. My uv joint broke while I was driving on the high way. That part they tell me is not a common breaking part. Nissan charges over a thousand dollars to repair that. I'm told my wiring is bad after I replace my starter 2 months ago. …”
NHTSA complaint #10716718, filed 2015-05, 128,138 miles“Vehicle has tight steering. Barely able to turn wheel while not moving. Independent garage checked steering, found corrosion in steering linkage and notified me of recall. When contacted Nissan dealer claims that recall does not cover this vehicle. Called Nissan customer service number who also denied the recall. Vehicle is within the recall dates and was manufactured at smyrna, tn plant. Representative could not say why this vehicle was not included. Wanted me to take to dealer and pay to have repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #10535146, filed 2013-08, 60,000 milesRelated recalls
- 10V554000Nov 11, 2010Nissan is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 frontier vehicles manufactured from july 9, 2001 through october 20, 2004, and model year 2002-2004, xterra…Covers: Nissan Xterra 2002–2004, Frontier 2002–2004
Related service bulletins
- 10243708Sep 21, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10232652Feb 22, 2023DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10192217Jul 23, 2013If YOU CONFIRM: A vehicle needs to have the brake rotors resurfaced (front or rear). ACTION: Use the ProCut PFM Series on-car brake lathe to perform brake rotor resurfacing and…
- 10192216Jul 23, 2013SERVICE INFORMATION - This bulletin is to assist you in responding to customer questions about brake operation, and provides diagnostic and repair information for each item…
Steering: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2011 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 2 | 5% |
| 2007 | 6 | 1% |
| 2006 | 22 | 3% |
| 2005 | 10 | 1% |
| 2004 | 20 | 24% |
| 2003 | 12 | 17% |
| 2002 | 22 | 14% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 6 | 3% |
Other parts of the 2004 Nissan Xterra
12 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsEngine
8 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 30, 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