Nissan Frontier Reliability Problems

Front 3/4 view of a Nissan Frontier

Frontier owners have made 986 complaints over 22 model years. Using our PainRank™ system we've ranked it 19th in overall reliability out of 26 Nissan models, with real transmission and engine concerns.

5 Common Nissan Frontier Problems

A list of some of the most common issues Frontier owners have to deal with.

  1. Sunroof Rattles and Explodes

    Heads up, Nissan owners! That giant piece of glass above your head may soon be on its way down in a thousand little pieces. Lawsuits accuse Nissan of using a faulty tempering process for their sunroofs since 2008.

    Continue reading article "Sunroof Rattles and Explodes" Nissan sunroof with giant shards of glass missing

  2. Coolant Leaks Destroy Transmissions

    Automatic transmissions in certain 2005-2010 Nissan SUVs and Trucks are under attack from their radiators. Leaking coolant is mixing with transmission fluid through the cooler lines to create a toxic hell stew that irreversibly damages ever…

    Continue reading article "Coolant Leaks Destroy Transmissions" View of Nissan engine with coolant leak

  3. Timing Chain Defects

    Nissan says their timing chains are just noisy, but not defective. Try telling that to the owners who have seen loose timing chains rattled their engines apart, resulting in thousands of dollars in damages.

    Continue reading article "Timing Chain Defects" Overhead view of a busted timing chain

  4. Inaccurate Fuel Gauge

    That's because a wide swath of Nissan vehicles have gas gauges that never read full even after filling up, stop working below 1/4 of a tank, or show a low fuel warning even when there's plenty of miles to go. In other words, they're complet…

    Continue reading article "Inaccurate Fuel Gauge" Fuel gauge with the arrow on empty

What Frontier Owners Complain About

Sometimes it helps just to tally up the complaints and see where the biggest stacks are. Use this information to learn about troublespots or to run for the hills.

Worst Issues

What Breaks the Most

Years to Avoid

Full Lists on CarComplaints.com

Frontier Generations

The Frontier has 2 generations, each with their own issues. Using the same PainRank™ system we've determined that you're better off avoiding the 2nd generation (2005–2019).

Frontier Key Numbers

  1. 986 complaints

    Running tally of owner grievances filed to CarComplaints.com.

  2. 228 service bulletins

    Documenting the process of troubleshooting common problems.

  3. 33 recall campaigns

    Time-sensitive, free repairs for widespread safety problems.

Frontier Class-Action Lawsuits

The Frontier has been named as a class vehicle in the following lawsuits.

  • Settlement

    Duncan, et al., v. Nissan North American, Inc., et al.

    1. Settlement

      A Nissan timing chain lawsuit has been preliminarily settled after vehicle owners accused Nissan of selling six models with defective primary timing chain tensioners, timing chain guides, secondary timing chain tensioners and tensioner shoes.

    2. Case Filed

      A Nissan timing chain class-action lawsuit is working its way through the court system as the automaker succeeded in getting some claims dismissed while the judge allowed other allegations to continue.

    Problem
    Timing Chain Defects
    Class Vehicles
    • 2004-2006 Altima
    • 2005-2010 Frontier
    • 2004-2008 Maxima
    • 2004-2009 Quest
    • 2005-2010 Pathfinder
    • 2005-2010 Xterra
    Location
    Massachusetts
  • Settlement

    Vincent Chiarelli, et al. vs. Nissan North America Inc. and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd.

    1. Settlement

      Nissan timing chain lawsuits have been consolidated and preliminarily settled after vehicle owners accused Nissan of selling six models with defective primary timing chain tensioners, timing chain guides, secondary timing chain tensioners and tensioner shoes.

    2. Case Filed

      A Nissan timing chain lawsuit accuses Nissan of manufacturing some of its most popular models with defective timing chain tensioning systems.

    Problem
    Timing Chain Defects
    Class Vehicles
    • 2004-2006 Altima (with 2 VQ35 engine)
    • 2005-2010 Frontier (with VQ40 engine)
    • 2004-2008 Maxima
    • 2004-2009 Quest
    • 2005-2010 Pathfinder
    • 2005-2010 Xterra
    Class Members
    Residents of New York or Florida or Maryland or New Jersey
    Location
    New York
  • Settlement

    Kobe Falco, et. al., v. Nissan North America, Inc., and Nissan Motor Company, LTD.

    2:2013cv00686

    1. Settlement

      If you're a Nissan customer and paid for a timing chain replacement or repair, you may be eligible for partial reimbursements or vouchers if the vehicle was purchased or leased in Washington or California.

    2. Case Filed

      The class-action lawsuit alleges Nissan designed and sold the vehicles with defective timing chain tensioning systems. Those systems include the primary timing chain tensioners, primary timing chain guides, secondary timing chain tensioners and secondary timing chain tensioner shoes.

    Problem
    Timing Chain Defects
    Class Vehicles
    • 2004-2008 Maxima
    • 2004-2009 Quest
    • 2004-2006 Altima (VQ35 engine)
    • 2005-2007 Pathfinder
    • 2005-2007 Xterra
    • 2005-2007 Frontier (VQ40 engine)
    Class Members
    Purchased of Leased in CA or WA
    Location
    California

Recent Frontier News

There's a lot of news out there, but not all of it matters. We try to boil down it to the most important bits about things that actually help you with your car problem. Interested in getting these stories in an email? Signup for free email alerts over at CarComplaints.com.

  1. Certain Nissan vehicles are shutting themselves off while driving

    thanks to busted ball springs in the ignition switch, with a hearty assist from heavy keychains.

    In August 2017, the ignition switch supplier (Alpha Technology Corp.) told Nissan a problem occurred during manufacturing of the ignition switch ball springs. New tests were created for the ignition switches and how they would function on rough roads during vibrations of the vehicles.

    Tests concluded that those ball springs are giving out way too early. And without springs to support the weight of heavy key chains bouncing around on bumpy roads, the ignition is slipping itself from the “on” to “accessory” position.

    To make sure drivers don’t suddenly find themselves cruising down the highway with their radios on and their engines off, Nissan is recalling over 150,000 vehicles.

    If this all sounds familiar you might be thinking of Chevrolet’s long nightmare with faulty ignition switches. In fact, maybe now is a good time to mention the Chevrolet City Express has found its way into an otherwise all Nissan lineup of recalled vehicles. Seems like more than a coincidence.

    The one key difference is that Nissan’s airbag systems have an electrical capacity reserve, which means they should still stay on even with the ignition in the “accessory” position. Chevy owners weren’t so lucky.

    keep reading article "Nissan Recalls Ignition Switches That Are Inadvertently Turning the Engine Off"

  2. Nissan owners are tired of their timing chains whining, buzzing, ticking, and knocking their engines apart.

    In the case of Kobe Falco, et. al., v. Nissan North America, Inc., and Nissan Motor Company, LTD., the plaintiffs say they were forced to pay for expensive timing chain repairs which happened to fall ever-so-conveniently just outside of Nissan's warranty period. Earlier this year, the class-action was certified by a judge.

    So now Nissan has brought together their best engineers and a top-notch legal team to come up with their defense –– ok, our timing chains are noisy, but they're not a safety defect.

    From CarComplaints.com:

    "According to the automaker, there has never been anything defective about the timing chain systems and the most that owners can show is that the timing chains make noise, not that the systems are a safety risk. Nissan says the plaintiffs admit no crashes are attributed to the timing chains, even though the majority of the vehicles have been in service more than 10 years."

    So the case will attempt to answer are Nissan's timing chains just loud and annoying? Or are they loud, annoying, and potentially dangerous?

    The vehicles named in the suit all use the same uniform timing chain system: the 2004-2008 Maxima, 2004-2009 Quest, 2004-2006 Altima (VQ35 engine), 2005-2007 Pathfinder, 2004-2007 Xterra, and the 2005-2007 Frontier (VQ49 engine).

    keep reading article "Nissan Says Their Timing Chains Are Just Super Noisy, Not Busted"

  3. Heads up, Nissan owners! The sunroof in your vehicle might soon be coming down in a thousand little pieces.

    A lawsuit alleges that all of Nissan's factory-installed sunroofs (panoramic or otherwise) can explode without warning. This includes any vehicle since 2008.

    "Plaintiff Janelle Horne says she was riding with her husband and four kids in a leased Infiniti QX80 when the sunroof exploded like a shotgun, causing Mr. Horne to pull off the highway and see shards of glass everywhere.

    Yikes, that'll get your attention. Hopefully this lawsuit means Nissan will start paying attention too.

    The lawsuit only includes residents of California at this time, but similar lawsuits may be filed nationwide based on its results.

    keep reading article "Heads Up, Nissan Owners! That Sunroof Isn’t As Safe As You'd Hope"

  5. Frontier owners, this should spark your interest.

    Nissan is recalling the 2016 Frontier because electrical shorts could start a fire. More than 1,550 Frontier V6 trucks have problems concerning the starter motor wire harness that could make contact with the heat shield. The contact can cause an electrical short in the area of the wire harness, possibly resulting in a fire.

    The recall was expected to begin in April 2016.

    keep reading article "This Recall Should Spark Frontier Owner's Interest"

  6. A lawsuit says airbags in the Nissan Frontier are deploying without any reason.

    Nissan Frontier side airbag deployments have led to a proposed class-action lawsuit alleging the Frontier side airbags deploy for no reason. The lawsuit says the 2011-2012 Nissan Frontier trucks are dangerous because of the side airbags and Nissan refuses to fix the problems.

    The lawsuit says that a randomly deployed airbag goes off, it poses a serious distraction to drivers. It then goes on to say the sun is hot, ice cream is delicious, and everything's better with bacon.

    keep reading article "Frontier Side Airbags Are Deploying for No Reaon"

  7. A ti

    ing chain lawsuit filed in New York accuses Nissan of manufacturing defective timing chain systems, with issues in the chain tensioner, guides, and shoes. Five lead plaintiffs claim the Nissan vehicles have timing chain systems prone to early failure that can cause a huge expense for repairs. The plaintiffs claim failure of the timing chain can cause extensive damage to the car, including to the catalytic converter and destruction of the engine.

    The class-action is currently only for current and former Nissan owners (and lessees) who live in New York, Florida, Maryland, and New Jersey. However, this could lay the groundwork for other states.

    Loose and busted timing chains are a longtime nightmare for many 2004-2010 Nissan owners. When not properly tensioned, timing chains can cause everything from engine rattles, to misfiring, and eventually catastrophic engine failure.

    The lawsuit alleges that Nissan has known about the issue since at least 2004 when they issued a Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) to their dealerships. Additionally, the automaker is accused of ignoring the defect until the systems fall out of the warranty period.

    The plaintiffs in Vincent Chiarelli, Philip Dragonetti, Michele Maszon, Todd Maszon and Chris Santimauro vs. Nissan North America Inc. and Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. are represented by Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman, P.C.

    keep reading article "Timing Chain Lawsuit Filed Against Nissan in NY"

  8. Nissan is recalling about 501,000 trucks in the United States because corrosion in the lower steering column joint and shaft can cause a sudden steering failure.

    The lower steering column joint on the affected Frontier and Xterra vehicles can develop corrosion that limits the movement of the joint, although they're saying that's rare.

    If the vehicle continues to be driven in this condition it may, in an extreme case, lead to cracking of the steering shaft.

    The affected vehicles include any of the following manufactured between August 2003 and June 2006:

    • 2002–2004 Nissan Frontier vehicles manufactured from July 9, 2001 to October 20, 2004 in Smyrna, Tenn., for the North American markets
    • 2002–2004 Nissan Xterras manufactured from July 9, 2001 to January 6, 2005 in Smyrna, Tenn., for the North American markets

    Additionally:

    • Nissan Frontier vehicles manufactured from November 30, 2001 to June 26, 2008 in Curitiba, Brazil for South and Central American markets
    • Nissan Xterra vehicles manufactured from February 17, 2003 to June 13, 2008 in Curitiba, Brazil for South and Central American markets
    • Nissan Sentra vehicles manufactured from May 15, 2010 to July 8, 2010 in Aguascalientes, Mexico for global markets

    Nissan plans to begin owner notification in early December once replacement parts are available. Owners will be asked to bring their vehicles to the dealer to have the new parts installed free of charge.

    keep reading article "Steering Shaft Failure Recall"

Other Nissan Models