FaultScore

2020 Nissan Frontier transmission problems

12 of the 34 complaints about the 2020 Nissan Frontier are about the transmission — 35% of everything reported for this model year. Half of the failures with a mileage on record happened before 28,000 miles.

F

12

Complaints

3

Crashes

0

Fires

1

Injuries

Exactly what failed

Power Train 11 91.7%
Automatic Transmission 1 8.3%

Transmission & Drivetrain across every Nissan Frontier year

1999 13 1.4%
2000 26 2.9%
2004 13 1.4%
2005 264 29.3%
2006 222 24.7%
2007 224 24.9%
2008 54 6.0%
2010 16 1.8%
2012 20 2.2%
2020 12 1.3%
2022 24 2.7%
2023 12 1.3%

What owners said

Filed with NHTSA, in their own words.

Dennison, OH

POWER TRAIN

Crank bolt snapped causing me to loose power steering, a part failed that shouldn't have .I have the bolt looks like in was cracked when they put it together, it was only on by about three threads, my mechanic and the one from nissan said they'd never seen one come apart before,lucky I wasn't on the highway or in traffic

NHTSA complaint #11749618 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Honolulu, HI

POWER TRAIN

The 9 speed automatic transmission suffered a catastrophic internal failure (codes PO893 and PO876), forcing the vehicle into limp mode. The vehicle loses propulsion unexpectedly in traffic, and the transmission risk complete mechanical lockup while driving. The vehicle is unsafe to operate on public roads, creating a severe crash hazard.06

NHTSA complaint #11747306 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Aliquippa, PA

POWER TRAIN

Hello, I was an owner of a new 2020 Nissan Frontier pro4x. My vehicle had 33,000 miles, garaged in the winter and never used for towing. All minor maintenance were performed at a certified Nissan dealer. On [XXX] I was driving my truck on [XXX] in Youngstown when suddenly I heard a terrifying loud grinding noise coming under the truck causing also the truck to shake violently. I'm blessed that I didn't not lose control of the vehicle and most importantly it did not happen on the freeway. This happen as I was ready to merge into [XXX]. I arranged the truck to be towed to Sims Nissan dealer in Youngstown. I was told that my driveshaft came apart somehow causing other major damages to other critical parts of the truck. I end up also calling my Insurance. I discussed with them the incident, and the insurance started a comprehensive claim. On May 29th Robert Griffith the Adjuster call me to inform me that the truck will be totaled. I've already reached out with a letter to Nissan Headquarters, I explained what happened but most importantly wanted to Nissan to be aware of my incident. Didn't get any help or support but I was given a claim number, [XXX]. I've also contacted BBB of my incident. I feel really strong that this incident should have never happened and I will do my best to get an answer. Thank you so much for your time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA complaint #11665234 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Clermont, FL

POWER TRAIN

The truck is jerky during low speed take offs. It also died off during acceleration and then surged all of a sudden recently. It is now in the repair shop being diagnosed for an electric transmission control warning light. It would not start.

NHTSA complaint #11657026 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 55,000 miles Thornton, CO Crash 1 injured

POWER TRAIN

The contact owned a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V671000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle began to inadvertently roll away. The contact stated the vehicle ran over the contact's foot. No medical attention was needed The contact stated the vehicle crashed into a tree stump and the front bumper was damaged. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55, 000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA complaint #11618524 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Raleigh, NC

POWER TRAIN

My vehicle was the subject of Nissan's Safety Recall for the parking pall not engaging. I had the vehicle into the Dealer twice six months ago, where they supposedly addressed this defect. Beginning last week, my vehicle's parking pall will not engage when the vehicle is in Park, allowing it to roll freely. The manufacturer's fix is either not working or the material or workmanship is a problem. I am bringing the vehicle to the Dealer tomorrow for the problem.

NHTSA complaint #11583527 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 28,000 miles Los Angeles, CA

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while the transmission was shifted into park (P), the vehicle accelerated forward. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.

NHTSA complaint #11507688 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 32,000 miles Honolulu, HI

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased but the contact was offered no assistance. The contact continued driving the vehicle and stated that the vehicle was hesitating and jerking while depressing accelerator pedal. Occasionally, the vehicle failed to start up after several attempts. The contact stated that the vehicle had rolled back while stopped on an incline. The contact reached out to the dealer and was informed that the defect was related to the battery, which the contact disputed. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V671000 (Power Train) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer where the vehicle was purchased. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA complaint #11504002 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 16,000 miles Greenwood, SC Crash

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the park position, but while exiting the vehicle it began to roll and crashed into the garage door. There were no reported injuries. There was no fire or police report filed. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V671000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 16,000.

NHTSA complaint #11497294 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Little Rock, AR

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V671000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA complaint #11492848 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

LA Grange, CA Crash

POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION

2020 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE CONSUMER STATED UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS FAILURE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY. ONCE STRIKING AN RV, AND SECOND STRIKING A FENCE. THE CONSUMER WAS MADE AWARE OF A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THERE WAS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE YET. THE DEALER TEMPORARILY ALLOWED THE CONSUMER TO DRIVE A RENTAL. THE DEALER REQUESTED THE CONSUMER RETURN THE RENTAL AND PICK UP THE UNREPAIRED VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11485803 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

at 6,784 miles Mountville, PA

POWER TRAIN

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission shifted into NEUTRAL and the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with code P0729 (Gear 6 Incorrect Ratio). The dealer performed technical service bulletin NTB 21-086, Transmission Control Module (TCM) software update; however, the failure recurred with the engine revving while shifting gears. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,784.

NHTSA complaint #11452288 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

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