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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCESSORY TOW HITCH ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.
Safety risk
THIS COULD CAUSE THE TOW HITCH TO LOOSEN OR SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.
Manufacturer remedy
DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TOW HITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 3, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD 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
17
83,000 mi
Engine
9
134,000 mi
Electrical system
7
125,450 mi
Suspension
7
128,138 mi
Air bags
5
42,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline
5
58,000 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
5
131,000 mi
Unknown or other
5
69,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling
4
62,640 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic
4
55,000 mi
Power train: automatic transmission
3
6,000 mi
Steering: column
3
78,000 mi
Suspension: rear
3
43,117 mi
Wheels
3
54,900 mi
Electrical system: wiring
2
6,761 mi
Vehicle speed control: cruise control
2
175 mi
Electrical system: alternator/generator/regulator
1
23,000 mi
Electrical system: wiring: fuses and circuit breakers
1
900 mi
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
116,000 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline
1
500 mi
Engine and engine cooling: engine: gasoline: belts and associated pulleys
1
100 mi
Equipment: appliance: air conditioner
1
62,640 mi
Equipment: electrical: radio/tape deck/CD etc.
1
13,971 mi
Exterior lighting
1
130,000 mi
Fuel system, gasoline: storage: tank assembly
1
—
Fuel system, other
1
—
Power train
1
168,000 mi
Power train: manual transmission
1
3,850 mi
Power train: transfer case (4-wheel drive)
1
700 mi
Service brakes
1
12,256 mi
Service brakes, hydraulic: antilock/traction control/electronic limited slip
1
3,916 mi
Steering: linkages: tie rod assembly
1
142,070 mi
Structure
1
30,300 mi
Structure: body
1
—
Suspension: front
1
90,206 mi
Suspension: rear: springs: leaf spring assembly
1
57,000 mi
Tires
1
30,300 mi
Vehicle speed control
1
12,256 mi
Vehicle speed control: accelerator pedal
1
1,000 mi
Visibility
1
13,971 mi
Visibility: glass, side/rear
1
45,000 mi
Visibility: power window devices and controls
1
—
Visibility: rearview mirrors/devices: exterior
1
1 mi
Visibility: windshield
1
62,000 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.