AI DamageNissan Frontier: problems, complaints, bulletins
Summary for the Nissan Frontier across 11 model years: 246 owner complaints and 186 NHTSA service bulletins, plus repair videos. Pick a year for details.
Model years
What fails most often
- 1 Electrical system 20% of all complaints
- 2 Powertrain 17% of all complaints
- 3 Forward collision avoidance 14% of all complaints
- 4 Service brakes 13% of all complaints
- 5 Air bags 10% of all complaints
- 6 Fuel/propulsion system 9% of all complaints
- 7 Engine 9% of all complaints
- 8 Vehicle speed control 7% of all complaints
- Electrical system: 49 complaints (20% of all), 2 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 289.
- Powertrain: 42 complaints (17% of all), 4 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 69.
- Forward collision avoidance: 34 complaints (14% of all), 3 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 13.
- Service brakes: 31 complaints (13% of all), 7 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 19.
- Air bags: 25 complaints (10% of all), 6 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 6.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.4 L · petrol · 4 cyl 1998–2004
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl 2005–2019
- 3.3 L · petrol · 6 cyl 1999–2004
- 3.3 L · petrol · turbo · 6 cyl 2001–2004
- 3.8 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2020–2027
- 4 L · petrol · 6 cyl 2005–2019
- automatic, 4-speed 1998–2004
- automatic, 5-speed 2005–2019
- automatic, 9-speed 2020–2027
- manual, 5-speed 1998–2019
- manual, 6-speed 2005–2019
Drive: RWD, AWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 246 NHTSA complaints mention each symptom (automatic count from complaint text; one complaint can mention several).
Components owners complain about
| Component | Owner complaints | involving a crash | Technical service bulletins (TSB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical system | 49 | 2 | 289 |
| Powertrain | 42 | 4 | 69 |
| Forward collision avoidance | 34 | 3 | 13 |
| Service brakes | 31 | 7 | 19 |
| Air bags | 25 | 6 | 6 |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 22 | 0 | 0 |
| Engine | 21 | 1 | 7 |
| Vehicle speed control | 17 | 2 | 0 |
| Structure | 12 | 0 | 61 |
| Seats | 10 | 0 | 22 |
| Steering | 8 | 1 | 16 |
| Backover prevention | 7 | 0 | 2 |
| Suspension | 6 | 2 | 19 |
| Wheels | 5 | 2 | 13 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
When the collision happened, I was wearing seatbelt, and then I was up in the dash/ windshield, there were flames, smoke. The airbags had "exploded" The seatbelt was hanging out of the passenger door after I exited. Still dangling out the door where it did not retract.
Not even one of them deployed hit my head with the steering wheel And driver passenger door window
There were no warning lights or messages. Prior to this incident the transmission would rev/speed up on its own for a few seconds (I don't know if this is relevant). Salesperson told me about this and said it was nothing to worry about.
From the first snow fall in Minnesota, I had to drive very slow, there is no traction, or control of the car. I had 2 spin outs, and one person hit me. I do not feel safe in this car, but you won't trade it in for me. I fear for my life, driving in Minnesota winter.
Hit a cement barrier going 60 mph at a 45 degree angle on the passenger side and only the passenger side curtain airbag deployed.
The contact stated while driving 15 mph, the traction control and the ABS warning lights were illuminated. The contact stated the rear end of the vehicle shifted independently to the left and he lost control of the vehicle causing him to crash into a tree. All four air bags deployed.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
What to check before buying
- Electrical system. Scan all modules, test the battery and alternator, inspect connectors near the impact zone.
- Powertrain. Shift quality under load, harsh shifts, transmission codes, CV joints.
- Forward collision avoidance. Radar and camera: calibration after bumper or windshield replacement.
- Service brakes. Pedal feel, ABS operation, leaks, discs and hoses.
Manufacturer service bulletins
Bulletin titles as filed with NHTSA.
- CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other…
- CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other…
- CAMPAIGN BULLETIN Monroney Label NCAP Rating Reference
- EXCESSIVE WIND NOISE FROM WINDSHIELD AREA YOU CONFIRM The customer states there is a screeching, humming,…
- AUTOMATIC EMERGENCY BRAKING WARNING LIGHT BLINKING APPLIED SYSTEMS
- INTELLIGENT CRUISE CONTROL INOPERATIVE AND AEB/FEB WARNING LIGHT ON OR RADAR OBSTRUCTION MESSAGE DISPLAYED…
- DTC B00A0-00 STORED This bulletin has been amended
- April 6, 2023 NTB23-031 Original bulletin published July 22, 2024 NTB23-031A Bulletin no longer active…
- FALSE ACTIVATION OF AEB OR FCW APPLIED VEHICLES
- INFOTAINMENT CONTROL UNIT REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION APPLIED VEHICLES
- DTC B2E01-96 (INTERNAL BATTERY) STORED AS CURRENT IN IVC This bulletin has been amended
- TELEMATICS CONTROL UNIT RESET AFTER AUTOMATIC COLLISION NOTIFICATION This bulletin has been amended
Repair videos
We do not copy videos: these are YouTube links credited to their authors. Amounts are as stated by the author and not verified by us.
- I Bought a 2016 Nissan Frontier From Copart for $4,000!amount per author: 17,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- I tried CarStar Collision Repair for my 2022 Nissan Frontier Pro4X - Netcruzer CARSamount per author: 5,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- They still owe the bank $30,000. Uninsured 2023 Nissan Frontier #nissanfrontier #uninsured #carwreckamount per author: 35,000 UNSPECIFIED_DOLLAR
- Front Wrecked 2020 Nissan Frontier Cheap Rebuild? #nissan #nissanfrontier
- Wrecked 2020 Nissan Frontier Clean Interior #nissan #copart #shorts
- My 2023 Nissan Frontier LEAKS and BREAKS! PRO 4X Issues
Other models of this make
Read also
Sources: public NHTSA data (USA): service bulletins and owner complaints; YouTube: links to videos credited to their authors. Complaints are owner statements not verified by NHTSA, and describe defects rather than crash damage. Data updated 2026-11-04.