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2004 Nissan Xterra XE V6 2WD 5MT

The 2004 Nissan Xterra XE V6 2WD 5MT is a 180-hp 3.3-liter V6 with a 5-speed manual and rear-wheel drive. It starts at $19,800 MSRP and is rated at 17 mpg combined.

It makes 180 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 202 lb-ft of torque at 2800 rpm. EPA fuel-economy estimates are 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway (17 mpg combined).

The Xterra measures 178.0 inches long on a 104.3-inch wheelbase.

Spec Value
Vehicle
Body TypeSUV
PowertrainGas
Price
MSRP$19,800 ($34,066 *)
Engine
Engine Type3.3L SOHC 12-valve V6 (VG33E)
Displacement3.3 L
Horsepower180 hp @ 4,800 rpm
Torque202 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm
Compression Ratio8.9:1
Drivetrain
Drive TypeRear-Wheel Drive
Transmission
Transmission5-Speed Manual
Fuel Economy
City15 MPG
Highway19 MPG
Combined17 MPG
Tank Capacity19.4 gal
Suspension
Front SuspensionDouble-wishbone independent front suspension
Rear SuspensionRigid rear axle with leaf springs and stabilizer bars
Turning Diameter35.4 ft
Brakes
Front Brake DiscPower-assisted front disc brakes, 4-wheel ABS standard
Rear Brake DiscRear drum brakes, 4-wheel ABS standard
Tires & Wheels
Wheels Front15/16-in. wheels
Wheels Rear15/16-in. wheels
Tires FrontP265/70R15
Tires RearP265/70R15
Dimensions & Weight
Length178 in
Width70.4 in
Wheelbase104.3 in
Cargo Volume65.6 ft³
Interior
Headroom Front38.6 in
Headroom Rear37.8 in
Legroom Front41.4 in
Legroom Rear32.8 in
Shoulder Room Front54.5 in
Shoulder Room Rear54.4 in
Hip Room Front52 in
Hip Room Rear51.9 in
* Amount adjusted for inflation to 2026 dollars

Safety & Recalls

NCAP safety ratings

Overall Not rated
Frontal crash Not rated
Frontal – driver ★★★★★
Frontal – passenger ★★★★★
Side crash Not rated
Rollover Not rated
Tested variant: 2004 Nissan Xterra 4-DR.

Recalls

3 recalls on file with NHTSA for the 2004 Nissan XTERRA. Not every recall applies to every trim or VIN — check yours at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Nov 11, 2010 · 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.

Consequence: 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.

NHTSA campaign 10V554000

Jul 3, 2007 · EQUIPMENT

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.

Consequence: 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.

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.

NHTSA campaign 07E046000

Dec 15, 2004 · TRAILER HITCHES

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, THE ACCESSORY TOW HITCH ATTACHMENT BOLTS MAY NOT HAVE BEEN TIGHTENED TO THE PROPER SPECIFICATION.

Consequence: THIS COULD CAUSE THE TOW HITCH TO LOOSEN OR SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE WHICH COULD RESULT IN A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL TIGHTEN THE TOW HITCH. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 3, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

NHTSA campaign 04V581000

84 owner complaints to NHTSA for the 2004 Nissan XTERRA

Owner Complaints

84 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2004 Nissan XTERRA (10 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 5 an injury). See all on nhtsa.gov

Most-cited areas
Steering20
Electrical System11
Suspension11
Engine8
Fuel System7
Engine And Engine Cooling6
A complaint can cite more than one area.
Most recent complaints
Aug 9, 2025 · Air Bags Crash
“I have been in three accidents, of decent speed, and my airbags never deployed. I was told to report that.”
Jun 5, 2025 · Engine
“Water pump went out replace water pump motor blown”
Dec 27, 2024 · Steering
“I took my xterra to get inspected 12/27/2024. I was informed I have a recall on this vehicle.”
Jun 9, 2023 · Air Bags Crash
“My vehicle has been in 3 accidents. Being rear-ended at 70MPH, again six months later at 60MPH, then the forward vehicle slammed their brakes, and I hit them at around 30MPH. In any of these…”
Apr 1, 2022 · Unknown Or Other
“UNKNOWN. Wanting to make a recall appointment that was reported on my SMOG check.”

Complaints are unverified reports submitted to NHTSA by owners. They cover the whole model year, not a specific trim, and a count alone doesn't show how common a problem is.

Source: US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (nhtsa.gov), matched as 2004 NISSAN XTERRA. US-market vehicles only; data cached for up to 7 days.

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