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2004 Nissan Xterra

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2004 Xterra.

Body SUVTransmission Manual 5-spd

The 2004 Nissan Xterra is an SUV that employs a 3.6‑qt oil capacity with 5W‑30 API viscosity and is paired with a manual five‑speed transmission, delivering EPA‑rated 17 city/23 highway/19 combined mpg. Its mechanical layout, highlighted by that manual gearbox and oil system, reflects a straightforward, utility‑focused design. In its first full year the model recorded 84 owner complaints and three recalls, with steering issues accounting for the largest share of feedback. Placed within the model’s 1999‑2015 complaint record, this figure falls near the lower end of the spectrum, especially when contrasted with the 845 complaints peak in 2005 and the merely four complaints logged in 2013.

Model year2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2004

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity3.6 qtOEM · verified

Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified

Lug nut torque98 ft-lbsOEM · verified

EPA fuel economy17/23/19 mpgEPA · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 25 · 490 CCA battery, OE oil filter 152089E01A. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 25 · 490 CCAOEM · verified

Tire sizeP265-70R15OEM · verified

Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter	152089E01A
Engine air filter	165460Z000 alt 1654686G00
Fuel filter	164000W005
Spark plug	224011P115 alt 224011P117
Front wiper blades	288908Z300
Serpentine belt	119504S100 alt 119205S700
Thermostat	2120042L0A alt 21200V720A
Cabin air filter	27277VP02A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

Transmission

Manual 5-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length	178 in
Overall width	70.5 in
Overall height	74.4 in
Wheelbase	104.3 in
Curb weight	4215 lb
Track (front / rear)	60.2 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)	57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined	17 / 23 / 19 mpg
Drivetrain	Rear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuel	Regular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Xterra of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

10.2–10.9 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 10.20 sec — 2000 SE V6

Year	Trim / engine	0–60	¼ mile	HP	Drivetrain
2001	XE V6 3.3L V6	10.50 sec	17.90 sec	170 hp	4x4
2000	SE V6 3.3L V6	10.20 sec	17.70 sec	170 hp	4x4
2000	SE V6 3.3L V6	10.40 sec	17.80 sec	170 hp	4x4
2000	SE V6 3.3L V6	10.90 sec	18.10 sec	170 hp	4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 3.6 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-140 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 98 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Brake Fluid	DOT 3
Differential Gear Oil	75W-140 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity	4.5 Pints
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	3.6 qt
Engine Oil	5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity	3.8 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid	75W-85 · GL-4

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	105-112 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts	141-156 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	105-110 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts	62-68 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts	12-14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	28-35 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts	21-25 ft-lbs
Main Bearings	34-41 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Lug Nuts	98 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug	18.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug	18.0-25.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order	1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order	1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	800 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)	750 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)	50 rpm
Ignition Coil Primary Resistance	1.0 approx. ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance	10,000 approx. ohms

Battery & A/C

Refrigerant	R134a
Refrigerant Capacity	1.32-1.54 lbs
Oil Group	PAG
Oil Type	46
Oil Capacity	6.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number	25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance	490 cca
Optional BCI Group Number	24

Service checks

Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	43.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	34.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (Without Vacuum)	51.0 psi
Regulated Fuel System Pressure (With Vacuum)	51.0 psi
Injector Primary Resistance	13.5-17.5 ohms
Engine Compression	173
Engine Compression	178-149 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Oil Pressure	11 psi @ Idle, 60-70 psi @ 3000 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket	17-22 ft-lbs
Torque to Knuckle	101-130 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad Thickness	Front: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Runout Limit	0.028 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness From	1.103 in
Rotor Nominal Thickness To	1.103 in
Rotor Minimum Machining	1.024 in
Rotor Discard at or Under	1.023 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages

7-9

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

10-12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-65

10–12 ft. lbs

Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages

10-12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-65

10–12 ft. lbs

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	43 ft. lbs.	43 ft. lbs
3	Loosen all bolts.
4	7 ft. lbs.	7 ft. lbs
5	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
6	60-65 degrees.	60–65 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	43 ft. lbs.	43 ft. lbs
3	Loosen all bolts.
4	7 ft. lbs.	7 ft. lbs
5	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
6	60-65 degrees.	60–65 degrees

Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

1	22 ft. lbs.	22 ft. lbs
2	59 ft. lbs.	59 ft. lbs
3	Loosen all bolts completely.
4	18-25 ft. lbs.	18–25 ft. lbs
5	86-91 degrees.	86–91 degrees

Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages

2.9 ft. lbs., step 2: 6.5 ft. lbs., step 3: 5.8-7

2.9 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 7,500 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant every 30,000 mi. The big-interval services (every 30,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 7,500 mi	Axle Shaft Oil Seal (inspect) · Brake Drum Assembly (inspect) · Brake System (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Driveshaft U-Joint (lubricate) · Engine Oil (drain & refill)
Every 15,000 mi	Brake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Locking Hub (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 mi	Accessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Drive Axle Assembly (drain & refill) · Engine Air Filter Element (replace) · Engine Breather Filter (replace) · Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System (inspect)
At 60,000 mi	Engine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 mi	Spark Plugs (replace) · Timing Belt (replace)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

The 2004 Nissan Xterra sits near the low point of a long‑term trend: complaints fell from 231 in 2000 to 84 in 2004, while recalls remained steady at three. The generation’s recall count rose sharply in 2005 to six, indicating a sudden spike in safety issues that year. After 2004, complaint volumes climbed again, peaking at 845 in 2005, and then gradually declined through 2015. In 2004, steering and suspension were the most common complaint categories, yet overall complaint and recall figures were modest compared with the surrounding years. This suggests the 2004 model did not suffer from the major defects that plagued the 2005 and later years. Therefore, a 2004 Xterra could be a prudent choice if you find a well‑maintained vehicle, as it appears to be a relative outlier in terms of fewer recalls and complaints.

Open recalls

NHTSA campaigns

Service bulletins

Manufacturer communications

ODI investigations

Office of Defects Investigation

Owner complaints

10 involved a crash · 3 a fire

NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars

Rollover★★★★★

Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

’99 ’00 ’01 ’02 ’03’04’05 ’06 ’07 ’08 ’09 ’10 ’11 ’12 ’13 ’14 ’15

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 84 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Steering16

Suspension6

Power Train5

Fuel System, Gasoline5

Engine4

Fuel/Propulsion System4

Visibility4

Engine & Engine Cooling4

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 3 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

10V554000Steering:ColumnReported 11/11/2010

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… 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…

07E046000EquipmentReported 03/07/2007

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… 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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 48 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

Bulletin	Date	Component	Summary
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C	2026-04-13	Structure	CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G	2024-05-20	Electrical System	VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB17-019H	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…
NTB13-028I	2024-04-29	Visibility/Wiper	REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420

Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1

P0300

Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected

P0171

System too lean — Bank 1

P0455

Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak

P0128

Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature

P0442

Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN

Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Xterra. OEM

Build data

Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.

Recalls

Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Group 25 battery Vehicles taking 3.6 qt Engine oil filter 152089E01A Engine air filter 165460Z000 Fuel filter 164000W005 Spark plug 224011P115

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Vehicle recalls & TSBs OBD-II trouble codes Torque specifications Maintenance schedules Fluid capacities & specs

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Xterra take?

3.6 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2004 Xterra have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 3 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Xterra get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 23 highway / 19 combined mpg.