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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

What owners actually said

124 reports
22,000 miles · Jun 14, 2006
Air BagsCrashInjury

DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN AN AMBULANCE HIT THE CONTACT HEAD ON AT 30-40 MPH. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND OPERATED CORRECTLY HOWEVER, INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WERE NOT ANY AIR BAG…

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DT*: THE CONTACT STATED THE VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN AN ACCIDENT WHEN AN AMBULANCE HIT THE CONTACT HEAD ON AT 30-40 MPH. THERE WAS EXTENSIVE DAMAGE TO THE VEHICLE. THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. SEAT BELTS WERE IN USE AT THE TIME OF THE ACCIDENT AND OPERATED CORRECTLY HOWEVER, INJURIES WERE SUSTAINED. THERE WERE NOT ANY AIR BAG LIGHTS ILLUMINATED IN THE VEHICLE. THE DEALERSHIP HAS NOT BEEN INFORMED. UPDATED 7/5/2006 - *NM

NHTSA ODI #10159833

28,730 miles · Oct 30, 2005
Electrical SystemEngine And Engine Cooling

2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. ELECTRICAL COMPONENT; ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR. EXPERIENCING EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #05V319000. 1) NORMAL OPERATION LEADING TO FAILURE. 2) CONSEQUENCE; BATTERY AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS COME ON AND BATTERY BEGINS TO DISCHARGE. ENGINE GOES INTO FAIL SAFE MODE, ENGINE…

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2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. ELECTRICAL COMPONENT; ALTERNATOR/GENERATOR/REGULATOR. EXPERIENCING EXACT SAME PROBLEM AS DESCRIBED IN THE NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID #05V319000. 1) NORMAL OPERATION LEADING TO FAILURE. 2) CONSEQUENCE; BATTERY AND BRAKE WARNING LAMPS COME ON AND BATTERY BEGINS TO DISCHARGE. ENGINE GOES INTO FAIL SAFE MODE, ENGINE WILL STOP AND COULD RESULT IN CRASH. 3) DEALER WILL NOT CORRECT THE PROBLEM WITHOUT PAYMENT BECAUSE THE FRONTIER DOES NOT HAVE THIS PARTICULAR RECALL AND THE DEALER STATES THE VEHICLE HAS EXCEEDED THE 3YR WARRANTY LIMIT EVEN THOUGH THE VEHICLE WAS PURCHASED NEW 26 MONTHS AGO. *NM

NHTSA ODI #10141235

22,000 miles · Aug 18, 2005
Electrical SystemFire

DT: THE CONTACT STATED CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 6-23-05. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THOUGHT IT WAS THE WIPER MOTOR THAT SHORTED OUT. NISSAN SENT OUT A REPRESENTATIVE, AND HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. NISSAN WAS NOT HONORING THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING LIKE A BIRD NEST CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT…

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DT: THE CONTACT STATED CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE ON 6-23-05. THE FIRE DEPARTMENT THOUGHT IT WAS THE WIPER MOTOR THAT SHORTED OUT. NISSAN SENT OUT A REPRESENTATIVE, AND HE COULD NOT FIND ANYTHING THAT COULD HAVE CAUSED THE FIRE. NISSAN WAS NOT HONORING THE WARRANTY BECAUSE IT LOOKS LIKE SOMETHING LIKE A BIRD NEST CAUGHT ON FIRE. IT WAS AT A DEALERSHIP NOW. THE CONSUMER THOUGHT IT WAS AN OVERHEATED TERMINAL THAT CAUSED THE FIRE. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10133373

Mileage unknown · Nov 13, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

BRAKES : UPON BRAKING, NOTICED SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. DIAGNOSED/ AS WARPED ROTORS: REPAIRED VIA GRINDING ON 5/15/03 BY NISSAN MILEAGE 20,834 . ON NOVEMBER 10, 2004 AT APPROX 30,700 MILES ,AGAIN NOTICED SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING AT 50 MPH. NISSAN SERVICE SAID ROTORS HAD HEATED AND WARPED AGAIN! ROTOR…

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BRAKES : UPON BRAKING, NOTICED SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION IN STEERING WHEEL. DIAGNOSED/ AS WARPED ROTORS: REPAIRED VIA GRINDING ON 5/15/03 BY NISSAN MILEAGE 20,834 . ON NOVEMBER 10, 2004 AT APPROX 30,700 MILES ,AGAIN NOTICED SIGNIFICANT VIBRATION WHEN BRAKING AT 50 MPH. NISSAN SERVICE SAID ROTORS HAD HEATED AND WARPED AGAIN! ROTORS WARPED AFTER LESS THEN 10,000 MILES!! MILES AFTER THE FIRST REPAIR. REPAIRED AGAIN AT 30,830 MILES. NORMAL DRIVING HAS RESULTED IN THE 17" WHEELS TO WARP ROTORS TWICE WITHIN A 10,000 MILE SPAN. *JB

NHTSA ODI #10098793

46,000 miles · Oct 27, 2004
Electrical System

MY NISSAN FRONTIER, 2002 MODEL, IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY, LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. WITHOUT ANY WARNING COMPLETELY DIED ON INTERSTATE. I TOWED IN AND PROBLEM WAS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL WITH THE DISTRIBUTOR. I UNDERSTAND THIS VEHICLE HAS NO WARRANTY AFTER 36000 MILES HOWEVER THIS ISSUE SEEMS VERY RARE TO ME AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.*…

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MY NISSAN FRONTIER, 2002 MODEL, IS JUST OUT OF WARRANTY, LESS THAN 3 YEARS OLD. WITHOUT ANY WARNING COMPLETELY DIED ON INTERSTATE. I TOWED IN AND PROBLEM WAS SOMETHING ELECTRICAL WITH THE DISTRIBUTOR. I UNDERSTAND THIS VEHICLE HAS NO WARRANTY AFTER 36000 MILES HOWEVER THIS ISSUE SEEMS VERY RARE TO ME AND SHOULD BE INVESTIGATED.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10096502

20,000 miles · Aug 31, 2004
Exterior Lighting

EVERYTIME IT RAINS THE 3RD BRAKE LIGHT FILLS UP WITH WATER. HAD NISSAN REPLACE IT ONCE AND IT STILL DOES IT. NISSANS FIX TO THERE PROBLEM ISN'T EVEN A FIX.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10088866

35,000 miles · Jul 10, 2004
Suspension

VEHICLE BECAME HARD TO CONTROL, REGARDING STEERING AND JUST TRYING TO KEEP THE TRUCK FROM DRIFTING. DISCOVERED THAT THE RETAINING NUT HAD WORKED LOOSE AND SWAY BAR WAS NOT SECURED TO THE RIGHT SIDE OF CAR. WAS REPAIRED AT THE DEALERSHIP.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10080755

37,500 miles · Jun 21, 2004
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

ABS LIGHT INTERMITTENTLY LIGHTS ON DASHBOARD, CAUSING PER OWNERS MANUAL INOPERATIVE STATE OF ABS SYSTEM. LIGHT COMES ON WHEN STARTING, WHILE DRIVING OR SITTING AND IDLING.*AK

NHTSA ODI #10078562

14,000 miles · May 11, 2004
Electrical System

WHEN DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK WHILE VEHICLE IS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER COULDN'T RESTART THE VEHICLE.…

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WHEN DRIVING 70 MPH VEHICLE STALLED IN THE MIDDLE OF THE HIGHWAY. CONSUMER WAS ABLE TO RESTART VEHICLE. CONSUMER TOOK VEHICLE TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR INSPECTION, AND MECHANIC WAS UNABLE TO DUPLICATE THE PROBLEM. *AK WHILE VEHICLE IS SET ON CRUISE CONTROL, THE ENTIRE SYSTEM SHUT DOWN. CONSUMER COULDN'T RESTART THE VEHICLE. IGNITION SYSTEM FAILED FOUR TIMES, AND WAS BROUGHT TO TWO DIFFERENT DEALERS. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10067378

Mileage unknown · Apr 6, 2004
Seat Belts

WHEN ACCELERATING OR DECELERATING THE DRIVER AND PASSENGER SEAT BELT LOCKED UP. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER FOR INSPECTION AND THE SEAT BELTS WERE REPLACED, BUT THE PROBLEM STILL OCCURS. *MR

NHTSA ODI #10066675

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.