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2002 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2002 Nissan Frontier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 64.

About this comparison →

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

74 reports with mileage · 50 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Electrical System. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Service Brakes, Hydraulic. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Steering. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

12 crash reports2 fire reports8 injury reports

Vehicle Speed Control complaints

13 reports
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58,000 miles · Sep 1, 2015
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE THEN DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. SEVERAL MILES INTO…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 68 MPH, THE VEHICLE MADE AN ABNORMAL NOISE THEN DECELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS TURNED OFF AND THEN BACK ON AND THE VEHICLE FUNCTIONED NORMALLY. SEVERAL MILES INTO THE DRIVING THE VEHICLE, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL SEIZED, CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO ACCELERATE WITHOUT THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL BEING DEPRESSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE VEHICLE'S SPEED SENSOR FAILED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED BY THE DEALER AND MANUFACTURER THAT THE PART WAS NO LONGER AVAILABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 58,000.

NHTSA ODI #10760765

165,000 miles · Sep 7, 2012
Vehicle Speed Control

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS N…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO ACCELERATE INDEPENDENTLY WHILE SITTING AT A TRAFFIC STOP WITH THE BRAKES APPLIED. THE CONTACT WAS ABLE TO SHIFT INTO PARK AND TURNED THE IGNITION OFF. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION OR REPAIRS. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED AND ADVISED THE CONTACT TO CALL A LOCAL DEALER. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 165,000.

NHTSA ODI #10474235

73,000 miles · May 6, 2011
Vehicle Speed Control

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN BUT IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES IN ONE DAY. THE RPMS RAPIDLY INCREASED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE SLID INT…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING 40 MPH, THE VEHICLE SUDDENLY BEGAN TO ACCELERATE. THE CONTACT APPLIED THE BRAKES WHICH SLOWED THE VEHICLE DOWN BUT IT BEGAN TO ACCELERATE AGAIN. THE FAILURE OCCURRED SEVERAL TIMES IN ONE DAY. THE RPMS RAPIDLY INCREASED AS WELL. THE VEHICLE SLID INTO AN INTERSECTION ALTHOUGH THE CONTACT FORCEFULLY DEPRESSED THE BRAKE PEDAL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INSPECTED OR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED THE MANUFACTURER AND FILED A COMPLAINT. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE APPROXIMATELY 73,000. UPDATED 06/10/11 *BF UPDATED 1/24/2012 *LN *TR

NHTSA ODI #10399299

Mileage unknown · Jan 10, 2011
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 1 MPH AND ENTERING A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE. SHE STATED THAT SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE FRONT BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIR…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT WAS DRIVING 1 MPH AND ENTERING A PARKING SPACE WHEN THE VEHICLE ABNORMALLY ACCELERATED AND THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A POLE. SHE STATED THAT SHE ENGAGED THE BRAKE, BUT THE VEHICLE DID NOT RESPOND. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE FRONT BUMPER. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE RECURRED WITHIN TWO YEARS WHILE THE CONTACT WAS ATTEMPTING TO PARK THE VEHICLE. THE CONTACT CRASHED INTO A BUILDING. THE VEHICLE SUSTAINED DAMAGES TO THE FRONT END AND FENDER AND THE BUMPER WAS REPLACED. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AT THE TIME OF EITHER INCIDENT. THE CONTACT WAS UNAWARE IF HER VEHICLE WAS INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 02V298000 (VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL) AND COULD NOT RECALL IF THE REPAIRS WERE PERFORMED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS UNKNOWN AND THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 43,000. UPDATED 8/30/11 *CN

NHTSA ODI #10375422

36,000 miles · Jul 21, 2010
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE AND APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, THEY FAILED CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO THE FRONT DOOR OF A BANK. THE DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE WERE UNKNOWN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLIC…

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TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE PARKING THE VEHICLE AND APPLYING THE BRAKE PEDAL, THE VEHICLE ACCELERATED ON ITS OWN. THE CONTACT APPLIED EXTREME FORCE TO THE BRAKES; HOWEVER, THEY FAILED CAUSING HIM TO CRASH INTO THE FRONT DOOR OF A BANK. THE DAMAGES TO THE VEHICLE WERE UNKNOWN. THERE WERE NO INJURIES. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 36000.

NHTSA ODI #10344579

Mileage unknown · Oct 21, 2003
Service Brakes, HydraulicVehicle Speed Control

WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE SUDDENLY ACCELERATED. DRIVER APPLIED THE BRAKES, BUT THE BRAKES HAD A DELAY IN RESPONSE. EXTENDED STOPPING DISTANCE WAS NECESSARY BASED ON POOR PERFORMANCE OF BRAKES. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10044357

Mileage unknown · Aug 1, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

PROBLEMS VIEWING VEHICLE'S SPEEDOMETER.*MR PLEASE RESPOND PROMPTLY IN RESOLVING MATTERS. *CB

NHTSA ODI #10031960

5,000 miles · Feb 16, 2003
Vehicle Speed Control

SUDDEN LOSS OF ENGINE POWER WITHOUT WARNING, SEVERE VEHICLE VIBRATION/JERKING AND MOMENTARY LOSS OF CONTROL OF VEHICLE AT 80 MPH WHILE ATTEMPTING TO MERGE ONTO INTERSTATE WHEN FIRST OCCURED. NO WHERE IN OWNERS MANUAL IS THIS LIMITER STATED, NOR WHY IT IS SO SEVERE.

NHTSA ODI #10007609

1,054 miles · Jan 8, 2003
Vehicle Speed ControlCrash

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT DUE TO ENGINE RACING WHEN CONSUMER PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS PREVENTED CONSUMER FROM STOPPING, REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. *JG *JB

NHTSA ODI #10001498

Mileage unknown · Aug 13, 2002
Power TrainVehicle Speed Control

WHILE VEHICLE WAS STILL RUNNING BUT IN PARK WITH NO WARNING GEARS SWITCHED TO REVERSE, CAUSING VEHICLE TO SLOWLY ROLL BACKWARDS. DEALER NOTIFIED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #8016163

Official recalls

4

10V554000 · Steering:column

Nov 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, 2005. OVER TIME CORROSION MAY FORM IN THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN JOINT AND LIMIT MOVEMENT OF THE JOINT. THE LIMITED MOVEMENT OF THIS JOINT MAY CREATE EXCESSIVE LOAD ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE SHAFT DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS THAT REQUIRE LARGE STEERING INPUTS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

04V230000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump

May 24, 2004

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR OR SIX CYLINDER ENGINES, THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT CAN DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC MOLDING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TERMINAL STRIP TO CORRODE UNDER SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION. THIS WILL RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.

Remedy: IN THE FOLLOWING STATES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT. THESE STATES ARE CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THE OTHER STATES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE SENDING UNIT FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE UNIT. IF THERE IS NOT CORROSION, THE DEALER WILL APPLY SEALANT TO THE TERMINAL HOUSING TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION IN THE FUTURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

02V298000 · Vehicle Speed Control

Nov 12, 2002

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGER, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS FULL THROTTLE IN LOW GEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT FULLY WARMED UP AND AT COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, THE AMOUNT OF INTAKE AIR FLOW THROUGH THE AIR FLOW METER MAY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PRESET DIAGNOSIS LIMIT VALUE.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM TO GO INTO THE FAILSAFE MODE. UNDER THIS CONDITION, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND ENGINE SPEED WILL NOT EXCEED 2400 RPM REGARDLESS OF THE THROTTLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

02V299000 · Suspension:rear

Nov 12, 2002

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER MAY ENTER THE REAR AXLE HOUSING DUE TO INADEQUATE SEALING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: THIS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE WHEEL BEARING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE FOR WATER INTRUSION AND ANY AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. THE ABS SENSOR WILL BE RESEALED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.