Is your car affected?
Check by VIN to confirm the
exact model and see every recall for it.
Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (1)
Steering: column
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 and remedy
Risk: THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: 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.
Canadian recalls (3)
Show 3 Canadian recalls
Steering
2010-11-12 · campaign 2010-402
On certain vehicles, corrosion may form in the lower steering column joint and limit the movement of the joint. Limited movement of this joint may create excessive load on the lower steering column shaft and, if the vehicle continues to be driven in this condition, may lead to cracking of the shaft during low speed manoeuvres that require large steering inputs. In an extreme case, the shaft may break which would result in loss of steering control and could result in a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the affected column shafts and joints.
Engine
2010-10-28 · campaign 2010-373
On certain vehicles the Intelligent Power Distribution Module (IPDM) assembly contains an Engine Control Module (ECM) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction. The ECM relay may allow silicon vapor to form and over time the silicon evaporates from the diode molding which causes silicon oxide to develop on the ECM relay contact due to arcing. In certain instances, this oxidation could cause engine performance issues (hesitation, rough engine idle, slow start/no-start condition), and engine stalling at low engine speeds which may result in a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the Engine Control Module (ECM) relay.
Other
2004-08-05 · campaign 2004-280 · 738 vehicles
Certain Hidden Hitch brand accessory trailer hitches P/N 64-3528 installed by Nissan dealers on 2002 to 2004 Frontier vehicles. With continued use, load forces may cause a side bracket of the trailer hitch to fatigue and eventually break, possibly allowing the towed unit to separate from the towing vehicle. Correction: Dealers will replace all suspect Hidden Hitch brand hitches originally installed by Nissan dealers in Canada.
Owner complaints (66)
Owners filed 66 complaints with NHTSA about the 2004 Nissan Frontier (8 crashes, 3 fires, 5 injuries reported). Among 29 model years of this model, it ranks #13 for the most complaints (median 64).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Power train | 13 | |
| Structure | 7 | |
| Fuel system, gasoline | 7 | |
| Steering | 7 | |
| Tires | 6 | |
| Air bags | 6 | |
| Engine | 6 | |
| Electrical system | 5 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2004 Nissan Frontier.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2004 Nissan Frontier Extended Cab | – | – | – | – |
| 2004 Nissan Frontier 4-DR. | – | – | – | – |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2004 Nissan Frontier version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Frontier 2WD 2.4 L Automatic 4-spd | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Frontier 2WD 2.4 L Manual 5-spd | 20 | 24 | 22 | $3,050 |
| Frontier V6 2WD 3.3 L Automatic 4-spd | 14 | 18 | 15 | $5,500 |
| Frontier V6 2WD 3.3 L Automatic 4-spd | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Frontier V6 2WD 3.3 L Manual 5-spd | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,500 |
| Frontier V6 2WD 3.3 L Manual 5-spd | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Frontier V6 4WD 3.3 L Automatic 4-spd | 13 | 17 | 15 | $5,500 |
| Frontier V6 4WD 3.3 L Automatic 4-spd | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Frontier V6 4WD 3.3 L Manual 5-spd | 13 | 17 | 15 | $5,500 |
| Frontier V6 4WD 3.3 L Manual 5-spd | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.