AI Damage2017 Nissan Frontier: common problems
Owners of the 2017 Nissan Frontier filed 38 complaints with NHTSA, most often about fuel/propulsion system and electrical system. The maker issued 67 service bulletins for this year. Details by component below, with sources.
Key figures
- Owner complaints
- 38
- involving a crash
- 4
- Technical service bulletins (TSB)
- 67
What fails most often
- 1 Fuel/propulsion system 26% of all complaints
- 2 Electrical system 16% of all complaints
- 3 Powertrain 16% of all complaints
- 4 Air bags 13% of all complaints
- 5 Engine 11% of all complaints
- 6 Service brakes 8% of all complaints
- 7 Structure 3% of all complaints
- 8 Seats 3% of all complaints
- Fuel/propulsion system: 10 complaints (26% of all).
- Electrical system: 6 complaints (16% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner; manufacturer bulletins for this component: 27.
- Powertrain: 6 complaints (16% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 5.
- Air bags: 5 complaints (13% of all), 1 of them with a crash reported by the owner.
- Engine: 4 complaints (11% of all); manufacturer bulletins for this component: 1.
Engines and transmissions
US-market versions per EPA. On the right: how many NHTSA complaints name this engine or transmission type.
- 2.5 L · petrol · 4 cyl
- 4 L · petrol · 6 cyl
- automatic, 5-speed
- manual, 5-speed
- manual, 6-speed
Drive: RWD, 4WD
Symptoms owners describe
How many of the 38 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) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel/propulsion system | 10 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical system | 6 | 1 | 27 |
| Powertrain | 6 | 0 | 5 |
| Air bags | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| Engine | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Service brakes | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Structure | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| Seats | 1 | 0 | 3 |
| Steering | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| Wheels | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Vehicle speed control | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Equipment | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Engine and cooling | 0 | 0 | 9 |
| Fuel system | 0 | 0 | 7 |
What owners report
Short excerpts of NHTSA complaints in the original wording. These are owner statements not verified by NHTSA; personal data removed.
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.
I drive on the highway and my truck stalls out and just shuts off. When I’m driving at slow speeds, it just keeps stalling I lose power and it takes a few tries for it to start again then I have to peel out so it stays started and hope I don’t have to slow down.
The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving at 30 MPH or above, the vehicle started to stall. The check engine warning light was illuminated. On a separate occasion, the vehicle stalled and drastically shifted out of gear into a different gear. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed.
I had a check engine light come on and took it to my mechanic for diagnosis and repair if needed. He diagnosed it as error code P2004. The code indicated a bad runner control valve position sensor. It is located on the end of intake manifold and has two torx screws to remove it.
Since buying the vehicle new, the airbag light has been on and off throughout the entire time (The vehicle has never been crashed). I have brought it in to multiple dealerships asking for them to take a look at it and have never gotten much feedback other than them resetting it or having replaced wiring due to…
There was a coolant leak. It was leaking from head gasket. When it was being rebuilt there were two head bolts stripped. The truck only has 58,000 miles. We were told that the engin isn't covered by the warranty.
As I was driving my truck this morning it stalled on me, two times. The first time I was able to turn the key off and back on again and it started right up. I then drove it about 20 yards (luckily I was in a parking lot) and it stalled again but this time the dash lights remained on even with key out of the ignition.
When owners complained
NHTSA complaints by filing year. The peak shows at what age the problems show up most.
Comparison
By complaint count this model year ranks 982 of 2,102 model years in the NHTSA data (top 47% most complained about).
On average one model year of the Frontier has 22 complaints (11 years in the data). This year has 38, above average.
What to check before buying
- Fuel/propulsion system. Fuel smell, leaks, rough running, fuel-system codes.
- 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.
- Air bags. Check the SRS light, stored codes and airbag/curtain status after any impact.
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 vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label =…
- VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- WINDOW GLASS WARRANTY INFORMATION This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR INFOTAINMENT ISSUES This bulletin is no longer active
To access infotainment software updates via the Infotainment Software Update Utility: Select SPECIALTY TOOLS, and then select Infotainment Software Updates on the left side of ASIST. Please discard previous versions of…
- SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR INFOTAINMENT ISSUES This bulletin is no longer active
To access infotainment software updates via the Infotainment Software Update Utility: Select SPECIALTY TOOLS, and then select Infotainment Software Updates on the left side of ASIST. HINT: Initially, the Infotainment…
- NISSANCONNECT NAVIGATION SYSTEM SOFTWARE UPDATE TO RESOLVE SEVERAL ISSUES This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- DIAGNOSIS OF VEHICLE PULL (DRIFT) AND/OR STEERING WHEEL OFF-CENTER This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- SOFTWARE UPDATE FOR INFOTAINMENT ISSUES This bulletin has been amended
See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
NHTSA lists 67 bulletins for this year; the 12 newest are shown here.
Other years of this model
Questions and answers
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Nissan Frontier?
Owner complaints to NHTSA most often mention: fuel/propulsion system, electrical system, powertrain. Total complaints: 38. The most frequent symptoms in complaint texts: warning lights, check engine (26%), stalls while driving (13%), airbag warning light (8%).
How many service bulletins (TSB) were issued for the 2017 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA lists 67 manufacturer service bulletins for this year. A bulletin tells dealers how to diagnose or fix a known issue; it is not a recall.
Should I buy a 2017 Nissan Frontier from a US auction?
Owner complaints describe defects, not crash damage. Before bidding, check the components listed above and review the lot photos: VinWind builds a report of visible and hidden damage by VIN.
Other 2017 models
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.