MYRModel Year Report

2004 Nissan Frontier

● Typical for this model
2004 Nissan Frontier
RENDERED 2026-09-17T02:49:02.214Z

This year's complaint volume is within 30% of this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Frontier Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2004 highlighted. 1998: 129 complaints 1998 1999: 78 complaints 2000: 189 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 124 complaints 2002 2003: 77 complaints 2004: 66 complaints 2004 2005: 532 complaints 2006: 616 complaints 2006 2007: 520 complaints 2008: 136 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2010: 59 complaints 2010 2011: 64 complaints 2012: 78 complaints 2013: 48 complaints 2014: 42 complaints 2014 2015: 33 complaints 2016: 43 complaints 2017: 38 complaints 2018: 25 complaints 2018 2019: 28 complaints 2020: 23 complaints 2021: 17 complaints 2022: 110 complaints 2022 2023: 66 complaints 2024: 22 complaints 2025: 7 complaints 2026: 6 complaints 2026
2004: 66 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1998129
199978
2000189
2001134
2002124
200377
200466
2005532
2006616
2007520
2008136
200937
201059
201164
201278
201348
201442
201533
201643
201738
201825
201928
202023
202117
2022110
202366
202422
20257
20266

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

Percentages can add to more than 100% -- a complaint can name more than one system.

POWER TRAIN 20%

20% of complaints: power train — 13 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing automatic transmission and driveshaft.

CRASH FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

GEAR SHIFTER IN AUTOMATIC 2004 NISSAN FRONTIER TRUCK CAN SHIFT INTO ANY GEAR WITH OUT THE TRUCK RUNNING OR WITHOUT KEYS. *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20060525

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20171208

STEERING 11%

11% of complaints: steering — 7 distinct reports on file.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 11%

11% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing tank assembly and throttlebody/manifold.

STRUCTURE 11%

11% of complaints: structure — 7 distinct reports on file, most commonly citing body and bumpers.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

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.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140117

Also filed under ENGINE

THIS TRUCK HAS BEEN WORKED ON MULTIPLE TIMES FOR RUST, CORROSION, GAS TANK LEAKS, BEARINGS AND REAR DIFFERENTIAL. IT CONTINUES TO RUST AND CORRODE. THE MOTOR RUNS WELL BUT THE VEHICLE HAS RUSTED EVEN WITH EXCELLENT CARE. I AM SO DISAPPOINTED.

NHTSA ODI report, 20200403

ENGINE 9%

9% of complaints: engine — 6 distinct reports on file.

FIRE

SAFETY TIMELINE

R 20060509 — exterior lighting

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

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.

Campaign 06E023000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20070817 — 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: 1010476

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.

Campaign 07E046000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20101213 — steering

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, TH

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 NIS

Campaign 10V554000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — exterior lighting

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.

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.

Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2004 Nissan Frontier — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for power train issues (13 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel system, gasoline issues (7 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 07E046000 (equipment) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V554000 (steering) has been completed.
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2015 ▲ 2009 ▲ 2017

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2005 ■ 2007

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2004 Nissan Frontier reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2004 Nissan Frontier is rated "typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2004 Nissan Frontier?

The most-reported component is power train, accounting for 20% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2004 Nissan Frontier have?

4 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-09-16 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.