Model year record

2004 Nissan Frontier

1 recall campaign on file for this model year. 89 owner complaints on file.

Recalls

Recall campaignNHTSA 10V554000

Steering: column

Component: Steering: column
Manufacturer: NISSAN NORTH AMERICA, INC.
Vehicles affected: 500,552
Reported to NHTSA: 2010-11-11
Owners notified: 2010-12-13

Defect description

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.

Safety risk

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

Manufacturer 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.

Owner complaints

A complaint is one person's report to a federal agency. It is not a finding.

Component	Complaints	Median mileage
Steering	7	65,000 mi
Engine	6	49,000 mi
Electrical system	5	73,900 mi
Power train	5	90,000 mi
Tires	5	1,656 mi
Air bags	4	110,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline	4	70,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission	3	700 mi
Structure: body	3	90,000 mi
Wheels	3	164,387 mi
Air bags: frontal	2	84,650 mi
Engine and engine cooling	2	39,000 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.	2	50,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly	2	47,100 mi
Fuel/propulsion system	2	49,000 mi
Parking brake	2	450 mi
Power train: driveline	2	50 mi
Power train: driveline: driveshaft	2	164 mi
Service brakes	2	49,000 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic	2	109,000 mi
Structure: body: bumpers	2	—
Suspension	2	164,387 mi
Vehicle speed control	2	—
Engine and engine cooling: exhaust system	1	100 mi
Equipment	1	38,000 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner	1	—
Fuel system, gasoline: fuel injection system: throttlebody/manifold	1	—
Power train: manual transmission	1	1,656 mi
Seat belts	1	120,000 mi
Seats	1	2,500 mi
Structure	1	123,000 mi
Structure: frame and members	1	150,000 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: lower ball joint	1	1,656 mi
Suspension: front: control arm: upper ball joint	1	1,656 mi
Suspension: front: wheel bearing	1	45,694 mi
Tires: valve	1	180,000 mi
Unknown or other	1	26,000 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control	1	3,900 mi
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system	1	—
Visibility: defroster/defogger/hvac system: heater core	1	100 mi
Visibility: windshield wiper/washer	1	25,000 mi

The 2003 model has roughly the same number of complaints as this one. The 2005 model has about a fifth as many complaints as this one. These figures reflect raw complaint counts, not failure rates. Higher-selling model years naturally receive more complaints.

Safety recall repairs are provided free of charge by franchised dealers, regardless of vehicle age or mileage. This page displays aggregated data for the model year. To check recall status for a specific vehicle, search its VIN at nhtsa.gov.