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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
3,756 miles · Jan 15, 2004
SteeringTiresWheels

THE OUTER EDGES OF THE TWO FRONT TIRES CONTINUES TO FEATHER (WEAR OFF UNEVENLY) AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE DEFECT BY THE NISSAN DEALER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD ACCORDING TO TWO CERTIFIED MECHANICS. AS A RESULT, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FULLY UTILIZE THE VEHICLE AS …

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THE OUTER EDGES OF THE TWO FRONT TIRES CONTINUES TO FEATHER (WEAR OFF UNEVENLY) AND THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO PULL TO THE RIGHT AFTER THREE ATTEMPTS TO REPAIR THE DEFECT BY THE NISSAN DEALER. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD ACCORDING TO TWO CERTIFIED MECHANICS. AS A RESULT, WE HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FULLY UTILIZE THE VEHICLE AS INDICATED BY THE LOW ODOMETER READING (LESS THE 7,000 MILES AFTER A YEAR).

NHTSA ODI #10070429

Mileage unknown · Jan 5, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling

WHILE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AT AN UNDETERMINED SPEED THE VEHICLE STALLED, CAUSING THE CONSUMER TO PULL OFF THE ROAD. THE CONSUMER TOOK THE VEHICLE TO A MECHANIC. PLEASE ADD ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.

NHTSA ODI #10053339

12,000 miles · Dec 10, 2003
Electrical System

THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE TURN SIGNAL/ HAZARD LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTS WERE WORKING ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE TRUCK AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE SUB HARNESS IN AN ATTEMPT TO LOCATE THE PROBLE…

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THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCED AN ELECTRICAL FAILURE WHILE DRIVING AT ANY SPEED. THE TURN SIGNAL/ HAZARD LIGHTS AND INSTRUMENTAL PANEL LIGHTS WERE WORKING ABNORMALLY. THE DEALER INSPECTED THE TRUCK AND COULDN'T FIND ANYTHING WRONG. *AK THE DEALER REPLACED THE IGNITION SWITCH AND THE SUB HARNESS IN AN ATTEMPT TO LOCATE THE PROBLEM. *SCC *JB

NHTSA ODI #10046561

Mileage unknown · Dec 4, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

PULSATING IN STEERING WHEEL DUE TO APPARENT WARPED FRONT BRAKE ROTORS. *NLM

NHTSA ODI #10049181

40,000 miles · Nov 14, 2003
Electrical System

TACH, ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES DID NOT ACTIVATE ON START. DRIVING ENGAGED SPEED LIMITER ONCE TRANSMISSION ENTERED 3RD GEAR (AUTOMATIC). AFTER DRIVING 3-4 MILES, GAUGES CAME TO LIFE. THIS HAPPENED ON A PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE BUT WAS RECTIFIED BY TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING VEHICLE. A WEB SEARCH RESULTED …

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TACH, ODOMETER, SPEEDOMETER, FUEL AND TEMPERATURE GAUGES DID NOT ACTIVATE ON START. DRIVING ENGAGED SPEED LIMITER ONCE TRANSMISSION ENTERED 3RD GEAR (AUTOMATIC). AFTER DRIVING 3-4 MILES, GAUGES CAME TO LIFE. THIS HAPPENED ON A PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE BUT WAS RECTIFIED BY TURNING OFF AND RESTARTING VEHICLE. A WEB SEARCH RESULTED IN FINDING OTHER NISSAN OWNERS WITH SIMILAR PROBLEMS WITH DIFFERENT MODELS. TWO DEALERS SAID THEY COULDN'T DETERMINE THE PROBLEM UNLESS THEY COULD SEE IT HAPPENING. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10046932

Mileage unknown · Oct 23, 2003
Exterior Lighting

INEFFECTIVE HEADLIGHTS/2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. *LA

NHTSA ODI #10043411

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 · Sep 16, 2003
StructureCrash

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN A COLLISION, AND THE FRAME WAS BENT IN THE FRONT. DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THE FRAME, BUT VEHICLE DID NOT HAVE ANY SUPPORT FOR THE FRAME, CAUSING THE FRAME TO BEND ONCE AGAIN AFTER REPAIRS. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10040043

Mileage unknown · Aug 21, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic

THE BRAKES ON MY NISSAN FRONTIER S/C ARE NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE LOADED MUCH LESS THAN UNLOADED. SINCE IT WAS NEW IT HAS A SOFT PEDAL THAT REQUIRES VARIED PRESSURES, DESPITE SIMILAR CONDITIONS. TO BRING IT TO A STOP AND OR SLOW IT DOWN. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO NISSAN AND THE DEALER. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THI…

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THE BRAKES ON MY NISSAN FRONTIER S/C ARE NOT ABLE TO STOP THE VEHICLE LOADED MUCH LESS THAN UNLOADED. SINCE IT WAS NEW IT HAS A SOFT PEDAL THAT REQUIRES VARIED PRESSURES, DESPITE SIMILAR CONDITIONS. TO BRING IT TO A STOP AND OR SLOW IT DOWN. I HAVE COMPLAINED TO NISSAN AND THE DEALER. THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER TOLD ME THAT THIS IS THE WAY "THEY ARE" AND THAT THEY HAVE TRIED EVERYTHING THAT THEY CAN DO BUT THIS IS ALL THEY CAN DO TO THE SYSTEM. NISSSAN HEADQUARTERS WANT ME TO, AND I AM, TAKE IT TO ANOTHER DEALER TO SEE IF IT IS NORMAL. MY FEELING IS THAT IT IS "NORMAL FOR THE VEHICLE" BUT NOT SAFE NOR ACCEPTABLE. THERE IS NO WAY THAT THEY WILL FIX A "NORMAL' VEHICLE, THOUGH IT DOES NOT MEET A SAFE STANDARD FOR STOPPING, COMPARED TO THE MANY CARS THAT I HAVE OWNED IN THE PAST. I AM NOT SAYING THAT IT WILL NOT STOP. I AM STATING THAT IT IS NOT CONSISTENT AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT WILL NOT STOP IN MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF CONDITIONS. THE PROBLEM IS THAT THERE IS LITTLE FEEL AND/OR CONTROL AND THIS IS AN ACCIDENT HAZZARD. I HAVE AN APPOINTMENT WITH ANOTHER NISSAN DEALER NEXT TUESDAY TO SEE IF THERE IS ANY THING THAT CAN BE REPAIRED OR IF THIS IS "NORMAL". I DON'T BELIEVE THAT THERE IS AN ANSWER TO MY PROBLEM,THAT DOES NOT INVOLVE LARGER ROTORS AND CALIPERS AND A REDESIGN OF THE MASTER CYLINDER. INFACT, I WAS TOLD LAST TIME I WAS THERE, BY THE SERVICE MANAGER THAT THE SYSTEM HAS BEEN REDESIGNED FOR THE NEW MODEL YEAR. THIS IS NOT MY RATIONALE FOR COMPLAINING, AS I WAS TOTALLY UNAWARE OF THIS NEW DESIGN, HOWEVER I DO APPLAUD THEIR REENGINEERING. *AK

NHTSA ODI #10033258

42,000 miles · Aug 17, 2003
Engine And Engine CoolingCrash

GENERAL GRABBER AW 225-70-15 STOCK ON 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER HAVE BELT SEPARATION IN THE SIDEWALLS. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GENERAL TIRE (#55041). HAVE ALSO CONTACTED NISSAN TO HAVE A SPECIALIST CHECK IT OUT. COMPLAINT NUMBER [REQ:195685] <::2GD6LYFJIWV6OVJY:: > WITH JANE NATIONAL DIRECT MARKETING E-MAIL ADDRESS: NNACONSUMER…

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GENERAL GRABBER AW 225-70-15 STOCK ON 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER HAVE BELT SEPARATION IN THE SIDEWALLS. I HAVE FILED A COMPLAINT WITH GENERAL TIRE (#55041). HAVE ALSO CONTACTED NISSAN TO HAVE A SPECIALIST CHECK IT OUT. COMPLAINT NUMBER [REQ:195685] <::2GD6LYFJIWV6OVJY:: > WITH JANE NATIONAL DIRECT MARKETING E-MAIL ADDRESS: NNACONSUMERAFFAIRS [NNACONSUMERAFFAIRS@NISSAN-USA.COM].*AK

NHTSA ODI #10032958

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.