Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
1225–50K
1150–75K
975–100K
17100–150K
1150K+
60 reports with mileage · 17 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.
Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Suspension. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
Steering. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports
What owners actually said
77 reports
42,900 miles · Jan 24, 2005
Fuel System, Gasoline
I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN FRONTIER SC, THE SUPER CHARGED MODEL, WITH 43,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVE ON THE NYS THRUWAY LAST SATURDAY. THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS EXTREMELY LOW -10F. THE TRUCK WAS INTERMITTENTLY LOSING POWER. IT FINALLY WENT INTO A SLOW IDLE AND LOST ALL POWER. I PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO CALL FOR HELP. I HAD MY WIFE …
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I HAVE A 2003 NISSAN FRONTIER SC, THE SUPER CHARGED MODEL, WITH 43,000 MILES. I WAS DRIVE ON THE NYS THRUWAY LAST SATURDAY. THE AMBIENT TEMPERATURE WAS EXTREMELY LOW -10F. THE TRUCK WAS INTERMITTENTLY LOSING POWER. IT FINALLY WENT INTO A SLOW IDLE AND LOST ALL POWER. I PULLED OVER AND TRIED TO CALL FOR HELP. I HAD MY WIFE AND 14 MONTH OLD CHILD IN THE TRUCK WITH ME. IT WAS A VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION. WE HAD NO POWER, IT WAS EXTREMELY COLD AND IT HAD BEEN SNOWING AT NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS. I WAS NOT ABLE TO GET OFF THE ROAD. I WAS VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE SAFETY OF MY WIFE AND CHILD. AFTER 15 MINUTES OF MAKING CALLS, I TRIED TO START THE TRUCK AGAIN. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT WAS ON, BUT THE TRUCK STARTED AND RAN NORMALLY. THAT EVENING, AFTER THE TRUCK HAD BEEN SITTING FOR A FEW HOURS, THE SAME PROBLEM OCCURRED. THIS TIME, I WAS IN 4WD AND TRYING TO DRIVE THROUGH SNOW AT HIGHER RPMS WHEN THE TRUCK LOST POWER. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO THE BURDICK NISSAN, A DEALERSHIP IN CICERO, NY. THEY TOLD ME I NEEDED A NEW AIR FLOW METER. I SEE THAT THE 2002 MODELS WERE EXPERIENCING THE EXACT SAME PROBLEM, BUT THEY WERE RECALLED (R2013) AND THE FIX IS TO REPROGRAM THE EXISTING METER. THE COST OF THE PART (AIR FLOW METER) IS $600.00! *NM
NHTSA ODI #10107828
16,000 miles · Sep 29, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
WHILE DRIVING, SPECIFICALLY IN RAIN STORMS, VEHICLE STALLED. TOOK THE VEHICLE TO THE DEALER. WAS TOLD THAT WATER WAS BEING SUCKED INTO THE AIR FILTER FROM THE WHEEL WELL. *AK VEHICLE WOULD KNOCK AND SPUTTER WHEN TRYING TO ACCELERATE. AIR FILTER SUCKS WATER FROM AROUND THE WHEEL AREA. *TC
NHTSA ODI #10090175
21,000 miles · Jul 8, 2004
Power Train
WHILE DRIVING 65 MPH TRANSMISSION FAILED. THIS CAUSED THE VEHICLE NOT TO ACCELERATE. CONSUMER MANAGED TO PULL OVER AND HAD THE VEHICLE TOWED. DEALERSHIP WAS NOTIFIED, BUT DID NOT RESOLVE THE PROBLEM. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10081561
14 miles · May 21, 2004
Vehicle Speed Control
THE VEHICLE HAS A GOVERNOR THAT DOESN'T ALLOW IT TO EXCEED THE SPEED OF 89 MPH, EVEN THOUGH THE SPEEDOMETER GOES TO 120 MPH. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT PROVIDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, NOR TOLD UPON PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALERSHIP. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STOPS ACCELERATING WHEN THE SPEED REA…
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THE VEHICLE HAS A GOVERNOR THAT DOESN'T ALLOW IT TO EXCEED THE SPEED OF 89 MPH, EVEN THOUGH THE SPEEDOMETER GOES TO 120 MPH. THIS INFORMATION IS NOT PROVIDED IN THE OWNER'S MANUAL, NOR TOLD UPON PURCHASE OF THE VEHICLE BY THE DEALERSHIP. THIS COULD RESULT IN AN ACCIDENT BECAUSE THE VEHICLE STOPS ACCELERATING WHEN THE SPEED REACHES 89 MPH. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10074062
Mileage unknown · Mar 26, 2004
Electrical System
WHEN IGNITION IS TURNED OFF POWER DOOR LOCKS RANDOMLY LOCK VEHICLE BY THEMSELVES, LOCKING OUT DRIVER. HAPPENS ONCE EVERY ONE OR TWO WEEKS.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10063963
Mileage unknown · Mar 16, 2004
Structure
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE GAUGES ON THE VEHICLE BECUASE OF LACK OF ILLUMINATION. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GAUGES WERE COLORED WITH BLACK AND GRAY.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10063244
Mileage unknown · Feb 10, 2004
Engine And Engine Cooling
CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL NOTICE FROM THE MANUFACTURE FOR STALLING. DEALER DID NOT PERFORM RECALL REPAIRS DUE TO LACK OF PARTS. SCOTTSDALE NISSAN, 7000 EAST MCDOWELL ROAD, SCOTTSDALE, AZ 85257.408-994-0301. GENERAL MANAGER MARK JOHNSON. *AK
NHTSA ODI #10057861
1,507 miles · Dec 8, 2003
Power TrainFire
BRAND NEW TRUCK WITH 1507 MILES DUMPED ALL IT'S TRANSMISSION FLUID, EMITTING SMOKE FROM ALL SIDES AND UNDERNEATH, STOPPED VEHICLE DEAD IN ITS TRACKS. REPAIRING DEALER GAVE ME ONE OF THE "WEDGES" LEFT IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE AT THE FACTORY WHICH CAUSED COOLER HOSE TO DETACH AND PRECIPITATED MAJOR VEHICLE FAILURE. IT WA…
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BRAND NEW TRUCK WITH 1507 MILES DUMPED ALL IT'S TRANSMISSION FLUID, EMITTING SMOKE FROM ALL SIDES AND UNDERNEATH, STOPPED VEHICLE DEAD IN ITS TRACKS. REPAIRING DEALER GAVE ME ONE OF THE "WEDGES" LEFT IN THE TRANSMISSION COOLER LINE AT THE FACTORY WHICH CAUSED COOLER HOSE TO DETACH AND PRECIPITATED MAJOR VEHICLE FAILURE. IT WAS JUST PLAIN LUCK THAT WE WERE NOT INJURED OR KILLED AS WE WERE ON OUR WAY TO CLIMB DONNER PASS (CA) WITH CHAINS ON DURING A HEAVY SNOWSTORM. REPORTED TO NISSAN CUSTOMER SATISFACTION. I SUGGEST NHTSA INSTITUTE A RECALL FOR AT LEAST INSPECTION AS THIS FACTORY DEFECT CAUSE TOTAL TRANSMISSION FAILURE AT ANY TIME, WITH RESULTANT RISK OF INJURY AND OR DEATH.*AK
NHTSA ODI #10049422
3,550 miles · Nov 19, 2003
Electrical SystemFire
WHILE DRIVING, THE ENGINE SERVICE LIGHT STARTED FLASHING, INDICATING AN ENGINE FIRE. *AK THE FIREMAN INFORMED THE CONSUMER THE FIRE WAS LIKELY CAUSED BY AN ELECTRICAL SHORT UNDER THE HOOD. *LA *JB
NHTSA ODI #10042364
500 miles · Oct 18, 2003
Service Brakes, Hydraulic
ANTI-LOCK BRAKES ACTIVATE AT UNPREDICTABLE TIMES WHEN STOPPING. HAVE NEARLY CAUSED 2 WRECKS. DEALER COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM AND REFUSES TO TAKE ANY ACTION. IT HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES IN 3000 MILES. *LA
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.
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.
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V6 ENGINE, AN INCORRECT SIZE WHEEL RIM FOR THE SPARE TIRE WAS PROVIDED IN THESE VEHICLES. THE WHEEL RIM DOES NOT FIT PROPERLY AS A REPLACEMENT FOR A FRONT WHEEL.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: WHEN INSTALLED ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE WHEEL RIM WILL CONTACT THE BRAKE CALIPER CAUSING A LOUD RUBBING NOISE AND COULD RESULT IN WEAR ON THE CALIPER AND/OR WHEEL RIM IF DRIVING CONTINUES. CONTINUED USAGE OF THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL AT THE FRONT LOCATION CAN ALSO RESULT IN LOOSENING OF THE LUG NUTS AND DETERIORATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE. THIS COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FORM THE VEHICLE AND RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL RIM WITH A NEW ONE, AND REMOUNT THE SPARE TIRE ON IT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 13, 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.
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.
2003 Nissan Frontier Problems, Complaints & Recalls | Skip That Year
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