The Lemon Index
2003
20051st generation
One of the most reliable · most complaints: transmission & drivetrain
Better years to buy
20 owner complaints, first 3 years 15–19 mpg combined, EPA
Similar cars, same year
2004 Jeep Wrangler 1062004 Toyota 4Runner 822004 Jeep Grand Cherokee 243
Lemon Index: 100 = the average car, lower is better.
What breaks most on the 2004 Nissan Xterra
- Rust / frame corrosion12 complaintsmostly at 60,000–140,000 miles (97,000–225,000 km)
Specific parts named in the 84 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Nissan Xterra (all dates). Miles = the odometer owners typed in (middle half); cost = the repair bills owners wrote in those same complaints, in U.S. dollars. Owners' reports, not confirmed defects.
When problems show up
Only 16 complaints listed a mileage: too few to say when problems show up.
Questions to ask the seller
- Were recalls 10V554000 (steering), 07E046000 (equipment) and 04V581000 (trailer hitches) done? Ask for the dealer printout, or check the VIN.
- Any slipping, hard or late shifts, or a transmission warning light? Ask for transmission fluid service records.
- Do the wipers, washers, defrost and mirrors all work?
- Do all the lights, screens and power features work? Has the battery, alternator or any wiring been replaced?
- Nissan sent dealers 48 repair notes for this car. Was this one done: “No a/t upshift after hill with ascd (automatic speed control device)”?
From this year's own recalls, top problems, top repair bills and Nissan's repair notes. Recall repairs are free at any dealer.
How serious. Out of all 20 owner complaints filed so far (every year since it was sold, not just the first 3), owners reported:
“Average car” = what the same number of complaints would include at the rate across every model year we track. Owners report these themselves; NHTSA doesn't confirm the cause.
What owners complain about most. From owner complaints to the government.
Share of this year's owner complaints filed with NHTSA, not the share of cars that break. One complaint can name more than one area.
Check engine light on? Look up any code →
When owners reported problems. From owner complaints to the government.
Most owners who filed a complaint with NHTSA had 0K to 13K miles (1K to 22K km) on the car (16 of all 20 complaints filed so far listed the miles). This shows when people who had a problem reported it, not the odds that your car will have it.
In owners' words
2004 Xterra has been in the shop for various reason. When the vehicle was taken to the dealer for one problem the vehicle was returned to the consumer with a defective right door. The radio also does not work.
2004 Nissan Xterra owner · NHTSA complaint 10138839
More owner reports
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
On may 9,2007 I shifted the 2004 Nissan Xterra from p ark to reverse and the vehicle accelerated forward 10 feet. I had my foot on the brake pedal, but the vehicle did not stop until it hit a retaining wall. Ak
NHTSA complaint 10190337
Problems Nissan told dealers about
Nissan sent dealers 48 repair notes for this car. The ones about its biggest problems:
- No a/t upshift after hill with ascd (automatic speed control device)
- Nissan; special automatic transmission fluid requirement
- The 12 volt battery is an important part of the vehicle electrical system and is required to stay
Ask a seller or mechanic if these were done. Some are free under warranty or a special program.
Recalls 3
- Steering · recall issued 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, 200…
- Equipment · recall issued 2007
CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE.
- Trailer hitches · recall issued 2004
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCESSORY TOW HITCH ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
Recall repairs are free at any dealer. A recall only matters if it's still open on that exact car, so check its VIN.
Canada? See recalls at Transport Canada
Safety
Crash stars (older test): front ★★★★☆ · side ★★★★☆ · rollover —
Fuel cost and engines
About $3,150–$5,000 (USD) a year in fuel (EPA estimate at U.S. prices, 15,000 miles or 24,000 km a year). Engines: 2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
Every Nissan Xterra year. 2004 is highlighted. Lower is better.
Newest year first. Red = worse than average, gray = about average or too few complaints to score.
Embed this chart
Put this chart on your site, blog or forum. Free, with the credit line built in; the 2004 bar is highlighted.
<iframe src="https://lemonindex.com/embed/cars/nissan-xterra/?y=2004" title="Nissan Xterra reliability by model year (The Lemon Index)" width="100%" height="399" style="border:0;max-width:720px" loading="lazy"></iframe><p style="font-size:13px;margin:4px 0 0">Data: <a href="https://lemonindex.com/cars/nissan-xterra/2004/">Lemon Index</a> (2004 Nissan Xterra reliability)</p>Quick answers
Is the 2004 Nissan Xterra reliable?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable by government complaints. It drew about a third as many complaints as the average car filed with NHTSA in its first 3 years, per car sold (Lemon Index 35; 100 is average, lower is better). The Nissan Xterra year with the fewest complaints per car sold since 2010 is 2010.
What are the most common 2004 Nissan Xterra problems?
In owner complaints to the government, the parts named most are transmission & drivetrain (25%), visibility (20%) and electrical (20%). That is the share of complaints, not the share of cars that break.
How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Xterra have?
3 safety recalls (latest: steering). Recall repairs are free at any dealer; check a specific car's VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
What gas mileage does the 2004 Nissan Xterra get?
15 to 19 mpg combined, depending on the engine (EPA estimate).
Does the 2004 Nissan Xterra have transmission problems?
Transmission and drivetrain issues make up 25% of its owner complaints.
How much does the 2004 Nissan Xterra cost in fuel a year?
About $3,150 to $5,000 a year, by the EPA's current estimate.
What engines does the 2004 Nissan Xterra have?
2.4L 4-cyl, 3.3L 6-cyl.
Is there a better Nissan Xterra year than the 2004?
Not nearby: the 2004 drew the fewest complaints per car sold of the Nissan Xterra years within 3 model years of it. Across every year, 2010 drew the fewest.
The Lemon Index counts owner complaints filed with the U.S. government (NHTSA) in a car's first 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model years (100 = average, lower is better). It measures complaints, not crash safety. A complaint is an owner's report, not a confirmed defect. How it works