Model year record

2004 Nissan Frontier recalls & problems

The 2004 Nissan Frontier has 4 safety recalls and 66 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (13 complaints).

Recalls4safety recalls

Complaints66filed by owners

Crashes · fires8 · 3reported in complaints

Injuries · deaths5 · 0reported in complaints

2004 Nissan Frontier in an NHTSA crash test — NHTSA crash test

Safety recalls

SteeringNov 11, 2010

Column

Recall 10V554000500,552 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.

EquipmentJul 3, 2007

Equipment

Recall 07E0460003,500 vehicles

Problem: 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.
Risk: THIS HARNESS WOULD RESULT IN POWER FROM THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER GOING TO THE TOWING VEHICLE DASH LIGHT CIRCUIT RATHER THAN THE TRAILER BRAKES. THIS RESULT WOULD BE THE LACK OF TRAILER BRAKING WHEN THE TOWING VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. IT WOULD ALSO RESULT IN THE TOWING VEHICLES DASH LIGHTS BEING ACTIVATED WHEN THE VEHICLE BRAKES WERE APPLIED. THE FAILURE OF THE APPLICATION OF THE TRAILER BRAKE COULD RESULT IN REDUCED ABILITY TO STOP AND CONTRIBUTE TO A POSSIBLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingJul 17, 2006

Exterior lighting

Recall 06E0640004,029 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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.
Risk: LACK OF AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS IN THE LAMPS WILL DECREASE LIGHTING VISIBILITY TO OTHER DRIVERS AND MAY POSSIBLY RESULT IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Exterior lightingMar 13, 2006

Headlights

Recall 06E023000292,000 vehiclesopened after NHTSA action (OVSC)

Problem: 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."
Risk: WITHOUT THE AMBER REFLECTORS, THE VEHICLE WILL BE POORLY ILLUMINATED, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Fix: 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.

Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.

Crash test ratings

2004 Nissan Frontier 4-DR.

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2004 Nissan Frontier Extended Cab

OverallNot Rated

Frontal crash	Not Rated
Side crash	Not Rated
Rollover	Not Rated

2004 Nissan Frontier NHTSA side crash test — NHTSA side barrier crash test

2004 Nissan Frontier NHTSA side pole crash test — NHTSA side pole crash test

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.

Fuel economy

Frontier 2WD

22mpg combined

City / highway	20 / 24 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,050/year to fuel

Frontier 2WD

19mpg combined

City / highway	17 / 22 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

2.4 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel

Frontier V6 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 20 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Frontier V6 2WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Frontier V6 4WD

17mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel

Frontier V6 4WD

16mpg combined

City / highway	15 / 19 mpg
Fuel	Regular Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel

Frontier V6 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 18 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,500/year to fuel

Frontier V6 2WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	14 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $5,500/year to fuel

Frontier V6 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 4-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,500/year to fuel

Frontier V6 4WD

15mpg combined

City / highway	13 / 17 mpg
Fuel	Premium Gasoline

3.3 L · 6 cyl · Manual 5-spd · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive · about $5,500/year to fuel

EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.

What owners report

Problem area	Complaints	Crashes	Fires	Injuries	Typical mileage*
Power trainAutomatic transmission; Driveline	13	1	1	1	72,500 mi
StructureBody; Body › Bumpers	7	0	1	0	115,000 mi
Fuel system, gasolineStorage › Tank assembly; Fuel injection system › Throttlebody/manifold	7	0	0	0	70,000 mi
Steering	7	0	0	0	65,000 mi
TiresValve	6	0	0	0	29,000 mi
Air bagsFrontal	6	5	0	3	115,000 mi
Engine	6	0	1	0	63,950 mi
SuspensionFront › Control arm › Lower ball joint; Front › Control arm › Upper ball joint	5	0	0	0	23,675 mi
Electrical system	5	0	2	0	78,450 mi
EquipmentElectrical › Radio/tape deck/cd etc.; Appliance › Air conditioner	4	0	0	0	—
Engine and engine coolingExhaust system	3	0	0	0	39,000 mi
VisibilityDefroster/defogger/hvac system › Heater core; Defroster/defogger/hvac system	3	0	0	0	—

*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.

Recent owner complaints

Steering
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?
Mar 10, 2023
Parking brake
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.
Feb 24, 2023 · 209,000 miles
Fuel system, gasoline › Fuel injection system › Throttlebody/manifold
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…
Dec 14, 2022
Vehicle speed control
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…
May 20, 2021
Structure › Body
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…
Mar 2, 2021 · 78,900 miles
Structure › Body
THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN WORKED ON MULTIPLE TIMES FOR RUST, CORROSION, GAS TANK LEAKS, BEARINGS AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL. IT CONTINUES TO RUST AND CORRODE. THE MOTOR RUNS WELL BUT THE VEHICLE HAS RUSTED EVEN WITH EXCELLENT CARE. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED. THE GAS TANK HAS BEEN FIXED MULTIPLE TIMES AND CONTINUES TO CORRODE AND LEAK. I THINK THAT ALL OF THESE ISSUES NEED TO BE CHECKED ON. THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL HAS CORRODED AND ALL OF THESE ISSUES ARE VERY EXPENSIVE EVERY TIME THAT IT HAS TO BE FIXED. I WOULD APPRECIATE YOUR HELP WITH THESE PROBLEMS.
Mar 12, 2008 · 90,000 miles
Air bags
THE AIR BAGS WARNING LIGHT STARTED TO BLINK, AND NEVER GOES OF, CHECKEED ABOUT THE SITUATION, TURN ON THE IGNITION KEY AND WAITING FOR THE LIGHT TO GO OFF, BUT IT DOES NOT, WHILE DRIVING, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHTS STILL BLINKS CONSTANTLY, DOES NOT GOES OFF. DOESN'T MATTER IF DRIVING SLOWLY ON STREET OR FASTER ON HIGHWAY OR FREEWAY..EVEN WHEN NOT DRIVING.. IF I TURN THE IGNITION ON AND OFF, STILL BLINKS... MAYBE THE AIRBAG MALFUCTION?
Jan 12, 2018
Power train
MY TRUCK SUDDENLY HAD ISSUES SHIFTING. I WENT ONLINE AND SAW THERE WAS A LAWSUIT AND COMMON ISSUES WITH THE RADIATOR AND TRANSMISSION. I WAS NOT NOTIFIED ABOUT THE LAWSUIT OR THE ISSUE FROM NISSAN. I ALSO CALLED A MECHANIC AND THEY SAID IT IS A COMMON ISSUES AND IT WOULD BE ABOUT $6,000 TO REPLACE THE TRANSMISSION AND RADIATOR. THIS IS UNACCEPTABLE AS NISSAN SHOULD HAVE NOTIFIED CUSTOMERS SO THAT WE COULD HAVE HAD IT FIXED BEFORE IT TURNED INTO A MAJOR ISSUE.
Jan 18, 2017 · 102,000 miles

Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.