NissanFrontier2004Overview/nissan/frontier/2004/base/

2004 Nissan Frontier

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

Body TRUCKTransmission Automatic 4-spd

The 2004 Nissan Frontier is a body-on-frame TRUCK equipped with a 3.5‑qt oil capacity (5W‑30 API) and an automatic 4‑spd transmission, achieving EPA ratings of 17 city, 22 highway, and 19 combined mpg. With 66 total owner complaints and 4 recalls, its top problem area is the Power Train, placing this model year in the middle of the model’s 1998–2025 complaint history—well below the 2000 peak of 210 complaints but above the 2025 low of 7, indicating a moderate reliability record that warrants attention to drivetrain issues.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182004

Quick specs

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

Engine oil capacity3.5 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
EPA fuel economy17/22/19 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 sizeP265-55R17OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7-JJ inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A
Engine air filter165460Z000 alt 1654686G00
Fuel filter164000W005
Spark plug224011P116 alt 224011P115
Front wiper blades288908Z300
Serpentine belt0211725023 alt 0211792523
Thermostat212000C82A alt 21200V720A
Cabin air filter27277VP02A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Engine & drivetrain NHTSA vPIC

TransmissionAutomatic 4-spd

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length217.7 in
Overall width71.3 in
Overall height72.4 in
Wheelbase131.1 in
Curb weight3942 lb
Track (front / rear)59.8 / 59.4 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Ratings & economy EPA / vPIC

EPA city / highway / combined17 / 22 / 19 mpg
DrivetrainRear-Wheel Drive
Recommended fuelRegular Gasoline

Performance & power Independent road tests

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

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

9.0–11.4 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 9.00 sec — 2001 SC V6 King Cab (6.2 ft. Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2001SC V6 King Cab (6.2 ft. Bed) 3.3L Supercharger V69.00 sec16.80 sec210 hpRWD
2001SC V6 King Cab (6.2 ft. Bed) 3.3L Supercharger V69.30 sec16.80 sec210 hpRWD
2001SC V6 Crew Cab (4.9 ft. Bed) 3.3L Supercharger V69.50 sec17.20 sec210 hpRWD
2000SE V6 Crew Cab 3.3L V69.20 sec17.20 sec170 hp4x4
2000SE V6 Crew Cab 3.3L V610.90 sec18.20 sec170 hp4x4
2000SE V6 Crew Cab 3.3L V611.00 sec18.20 sec170 hp4x4
1999SE King Cab 2.4L I-411.40 sec18.20 sec143 hpRWD
1998XE King Cab 2.4L I-411.40 sec17.70 sec143 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

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

This engine holds 3.5 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, 75W-90 · GL-5 in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. 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 FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear Oil75W-90 · GL-5
Differential Gear Oil Capacity5.5 Pints
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.5 qt
Engine Oil5W-30 · API
Engine Oil Capacity3.7 qt
Manual Transmission Fluid75W-85 · GL-4

Engine torques

Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts105-112 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts141-156 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts105-110 ft-lbs
Engine Flywheel Bolts62-68 ft-lbs
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts12-14 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts28-35 ft-lbs
Exhaust Manifold to Cylinder Head Bolts21-25 ft-lbs
Main Bearings34-41 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Leaf Spring to Axle (U-bolts)72.0-80.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Chassis Bracket87.0-108.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring to Rear Shackle58.0-72.0 ft-lbs
Leaf Spring Rear Shackle to Chassis Bracket58.0-72.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug18.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug18.0-25.0 ft-lbs
Rear Wheel Hub206 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
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 Resistance1.0 approx. ohms
Ignition Coil Secondary Resistance10,000 approx. ohms

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.32-1.54 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type46
Oil Capacity6.80 oz
Standard BCI Group Number25
Standard BCI Cranking Performance490 cca
Optional BCI Group Number24

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 Resistance13.5-17.5 ohms
Engine Compression178-149 PSI. 14 Maximum variation PSI.
Engine Compression173
Engine Oil Pressure11 psi @ Idle, 60-70 psi @ 3000 rpm psi

Brakes

Torque Caliper to Bracket17-22 ft-lbs
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in
Rotor Minimum Machining0.945 in
Rotor Discard at or Under0.944 in
Drum Maximum Machining10.303 in
Drum Discard at-or-over10.304
Rotor Runout Limit0.0028 in

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 1 stages
17-9
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
110-12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-6510–12 ft. lbs
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 1 stages
110-12 ft. lbs., Step 2: 60-6510–12 ft. lbs
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
243 ft. lbs.43 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts.
47 ft. lbs.7 ft. lbs
522 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
660-65 degrees.60–65 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
243 ft. lbs.43 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts.
47 ft. lbs.7 ft. lbs
522 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
660-65 degrees.60–65 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages
122 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
259 ft. lbs.59 ft. lbs
3Loosen all bolts completely.
418-25 ft. lbs.18–25 ft. lbs
586-91 degrees.86–91 degrees
Intake Manifold to Engine Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.9 ft. lbs., step 2: 6.5 ft. lbs., step 3: 5.8-72.9 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 miAxle 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 miBrake Line (inspect) · Cabin Air Filter (replace) · Differential (inspect fluid level) · Locking Hub (inspect) · Transfer Case Assembly (inspect fluid level) · Transmission Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miAccessory 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 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)
At 105,000 miSpark 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.

Within the contiguous 1998–2004 federal record, complaints peaked at 210 in 2000 and trended downward, with the 2004 Nissan Frontier registering 66 complaints and 4 recalls—the lowest complaint count and fewest recalls of that seven-year span, while its 47 TSBs matched the 2003 level after higher counts in earlier years. Against the 2003 model’s 77 complaints and 7 recalls, 2004 continues a clear decline in reported federal activity. The data places Power Train (9), Fuel System, Gasoline (7), Steering (5), and Air Bags (4) as the top complaint categories, though root causes are unspecified, alongside 8 crash complaints and 3 fire complaints. Because 2004 marks the low point of that downward arc for both complaints and recalls, it offers the most favorable federal record of that sequence. A buyer considering a used Frontier from this era should treat 2004 as the best year in the dataset to purchase.

4
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
47
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
66
Owner complaints
8 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

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 66 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Power Train9
Fuel System, Gasoline7
Steering5
Air Bags4
Electrical System4
Equipment3
Structure3
Tires3

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 2 of 4 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…

06E023000Exterior Lighting:HeadlightsReported 13/03/2006

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 TO FEDERAL MOTOR… 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.

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 47 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB17-019H2024-04-29Visibility/WiperWINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY…
NTB13-028I2024-04-29Visibility/WiperREMOVING 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 Frontier. 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.

Reference guides

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

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2004 Frontier take?

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

Does the 2004 Frontier have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 4 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.

What gas mileage does the Frontier get?

EPA figures are 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined mpg.