2004 Nissan Frontier: problems, recalls and reliability
4 recalls and 66 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is power train (15% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · latest recall Nov 2010
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 66 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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?”Owner report · Steering · Mar 2023
“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.”Owner report · Parking Brake · Feb 2023
“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?”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2018
Show 7 more owner reports
“Ok rattling around the front of the motor .then it just stopped then milky substance starts running out. I reported it to north america nissan and they told me to take my truck to the nearest nissan dealer and they would take care of the problem.the timing chain tensioner guide was on a service bulletin (ntbo9- 128)”Owner report · Engine · Feb 2017
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Jan 2017
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan frontier. While driving 70 mph, the front passenger side tire deflated. Upon further inspection, the contact noticed that the valve stem was leaking. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed that the front passenger side tire and all the valve stems needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 180,000. The VIN was unavailable.”Owner report · Wheels · May 2016
“Tl* the contact owns a 2004 nissan frontier. The contact stated that while driving 40 mph, a deer ran out of the bush and crashed into the front passenger's side of the vehicle. The contact stated that the air bag popped out but failed to deploy. The seat belt and coolant warning lights illuminated. The contact did not sustain an injury and was able to drive the vehicle. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 120,000. The VIN was not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2015
“Traveling approximately 35mph, vehicles in front came to an abrupt stop. Nissan frontier failed to stop in a timely manner, resulting in crash. Brake pedal went to floor without the truck stopping. Resulting crash did not deploy airbags. Vehicle was totaled. Driver was hospitalized. *tr”Owner report · Air Bags · Apr 2014
“I noticed small oil stains under the nissan while parked in my driveway, at work, and anywhere I would stop. Upon further investigation, I noticed the oil pan is rusting through. I have done research and noticed I am not the only person experiencing this problem. This could be a major problem if the motor would lock up at a high rate of speed due to lack of lubrication. Got a quote of $1500 to replace the oil pan. Seems kind of steep considering I am not the one who put the, in my opinion, sub par oil pan on these vehicles. Updated 4/8/2015 *js”Owner report · Structure · Mar 2014
“After driving my vehicle to work (around 15 miles), the lights began to dim and the radio turned on and off several times. I parked in the garage where I work, and went to my office to get in touch with a mechanic. About 1/2 hour later, a police officer called because my truck caught fire. It caused damage to the parking structure, and obviously to the vehicle, including melting many of the components under the hood, as well as smoke damage to the inside of the truck. It was totaled. *tr”Owner report · Structure · Jan 2014
When filing, owners marked a crash in 8 of these complaints and injuries in 5 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 4 campaigns
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.
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.
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."
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
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.
Remedy: 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.
How other years compare
Check your exact Frontier by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2004 Nissan Frontier reliable?
NHTSA has 66 owner complaints and 4 recall campaigns on record for the 2004 Nissan Frontier. The most complained-about area is power train (15% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2004 Nissan Frontier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 71,950 miles or less.
Does the 2004 Nissan Frontier have open recalls?
4 recall campaigns have been issued, the latest concerning steering:column. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.