2004 Nissan Xterra Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 6about this part
- Share
- 7%of 84 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 6,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 6 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2004 Nissan Xterra, 7% of the 84 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 6,000 miles. 3 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
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.
“Coolant in transmission! Bought new in march of 2015. Was driving on I-10 in biloxi and it started smelling like a burnt rubber smell and it started smoking! Pulled over and got out of it! Left me and my daughter stranded on the side of the highway!”
NHTSA complaint #11323427, filed 2020-05, 168,000 miles“I own a Nissan Xterra 2004 it was in park and rolled by itself from flat to down a drive hitting a moving car then going down a cliff into a tree. No one at Nissan or allstate can explain why it rolled! Nissan blew me off saying it can happen what concerns me is that if it could just roll like that why did the air bags deploy? There explanation well--- it was in park! So how can if it is in park no keys can it roll forward then down????”
NHTSA complaint #10206674, filed 2007-10, 42,000 miles“Four wheel drive, when I put the lever into four wheel drive it take forever for it to come back out (the shifter moves but the light stays on) their are times the 4x4 light is dimly light? And other times it comes on for no reason, serviced twice was told they replaced a switch on the unit. Problem still exisits.”
NHTSA complaint #10112401, filed 2005-03, 700 miles“The automatic transmission shift is very wobbly, and there is a squeaky sound coming from the floor on the right side of the vehicle. It was taken to the dealer on six occasions, but nothing was resolved.”
NHTSA complaint #10111215, filed 2005-02, 6,000 miles“Vehicle was parked in driveway. There was a slight grade that went to the street. Consumer opened the driver's side door, put left foot on the clutch, turned the key, and vehicle rolled backward. Consumer expected the vehicle to jilt forward and stall when foot was removed from the clutch , but instead, it jilted, then surged forward at 25 MPH up the driveway, dragging the consumer. Consumer's hands were still on the steering wheel. The gas pedal was never depressed. Vehicle was in first gear. Vehicle crashed into the house , but the rear wheel continued to turn. …”
NHTSA complaint #10091754, filed 2004-09, 3,850 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10182353Oct 21, 2020VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN FRONT DIFFERENTIAL SIDE FLANGE MOUNTING BOLT Service Campaign ID # P4134 is no longer active. ï· Repair orders opened after this bulletinâs…
- 10043950Apr 10, 2012Nissan: ecm replacement procedures with consult iii plus. Applies to all 2004 and later (does not apply to leaf/ev) vehicles.
- 10024689Apr 28, 2008Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement. 2004 to current nissan vehicles.
- 10019151Dec 20, 2005No a/t upshift after hill with ascd (automatic speed control device) on.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 6 | 60% |
| 2014 | 1 | 10% |
| 2012 | 6 | 38% |
| 2011 | 1 | 4% |
| 2010 | 11 | 29% |
| 2009 | 6 | 32% |
| 2008 | 47 | 40% |
| 2007 | 231 | 41% |
| 2006 | 268 | 34% |
| 2005 | 412 | 49% |
| 2004 | 6 | 7% |
| 2003 | 2 | 3% |
| 2002 | 6 | 4% |
| 2001 | 6 | 4% |
| 2000 | 22 | 10% |
Other parts of the 2004 Nissan Xterra
20 complaintsFuel system
12 complaintsElectrical system
11 complaintsSuspension
11 complaintsEngine
8 complaintsBrakes
6 complaintsEngine cooling
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 31, 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