FaultScore

Nissan Frontier engine problems

675 of the 4,485 complaints filed about the Nissan Frontier are about the engine — 15% of everything owners reported. The worst model year for it is 2005.

675

Complaints

15%

Share of all complaints

11

Crashes

13

Fires

Engine & Cooling complaints by model year

1998 Frontier 11 1.6%

Median failure at 97,500 miles

1999 Frontier 10 1.5%

Median failure at 60,078 miles

2000 Frontier 12 1.8%

Median failure at 95,000 miles

2001 Frontier 25 3.7%

Median failure at 57,500 miles

2002 Frontier 14 2.1%

Median failure at 42,000 miles

2003 Frontier 5 0.7%

Median failure at 16,000 miles

2004 Frontier 9 1.3%

Median failure at 46,000 miles

2005 Frontier 186 27.6%

Median failure at 101,535 miles

2006 Frontier 156 23.1%

Median failure at 98,750 miles

2007 Frontier 134 19.9%

Median failure at 99,717 miles

2008 Frontier 35 5.2%

Median failure at 87,389 miles

2009 Frontier 2 0.3%

Median failure at 100,000 miles

2010 Frontier 9 1.3%

Median failure at 84,500 miles

2011 Frontier 6 0.9%

Median failure at 100,565 miles

2012 Frontier 13 1.9%

Median failure at 26,506 miles

2013 Frontier 4 0.6%

Median failure at 36,000 miles

2015 Frontier 2 0.3%

Median failure at 21,054 miles

2016 Frontier 8 1.2%

Median failure at 49,000 miles

2017 Frontier 4 0.6%

Median failure at 41,050 miles

2018 Frontier 1 0.1%
2019 Frontier 2 0.3%
2020 Frontier 5 0.7%

Median failure at 19,392 miles

2021 Frontier 1 0.1%
2022 Frontier 6 0.9%

Median failure at 2,000 miles

2023 Frontier 13 1.9%

Median failure at 200 miles

2024 Frontier 2 0.3%

What owners said

2020 Nissan Frontier Dennison, OH

ENGINE

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.

2024 Nissan Frontier Houston, TX

ENGINE

My 2024 Nissan Frontier has experienced repeated intermittent shut off and no-start failures. The problem began in late 2024 and continued through January 2025, throughout 2025, 2026, and is still occurring. The truck has randomly shut off while driving and has failed to restart at different times. This creates a serious safety risk in traffic and on the freeway because loss of power can cause an accident or leave me stranded in unsafe areas. I brought the vehicle to Nissan dealership service in January 2025 for diagnosis, but they stated no issue was found. The same problem continued afterward. Auto parts stores also checked battery/charging systems and did not identify the cause. Most recently, the vehicle would not start at CarMax and required roadside assistance / jump start / towing. The issue is intermittent and difficult to predict, which makes it more dangerous. I am requesting investigation of this recurring defect.

NHTSA complaint #11733802 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2006 Nissan Frontier Hemingway, SC

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING

See attached document for complaint.

NHTSA complaint #11728571 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2019 Nissan Frontier Greenville, SC

ENGINE

We have three 2019 Nissan Frontier pickups in our fleet that have all recently had the same problem. A engine valve misfire on cylinder 3 on all three trucks. This has caused the trucks to shake, idle rough, and have loss of power while driving. Two independent mechanics have inspected the trucks and have replaced multiple parts to try and fix the problem, however, it has been recommended that all three trucks have the engine replaced. The check engine light did activate on the dash when the problem first began in each truck.

NHTSA complaint #11707810 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2022 Nissan Frontier Yarmouth, ME

ENGINE

I was traveling on the highway doing 70 mph in the left lane when warning lights started appearing on the dash. The first light was an ABS light. 5 minutes later the truck completely died. I was able to coast across the right hand lane and make my way into the shoulder. With the vehicle completely shut down, I had lost power steering and brake effectiveness. Fortunately, traffic was light and I was able to avoid other vehicles. I was unable to restart the vehicle and had to have it towed to a Nissan dealer. It took them 2 months to diagnose and repair the issue. In the end, the cause was that a hole developed on top of the muffler. The heat escaping the hole was able to pass through an inspection hole in the frame and melt the electrical chassis wiring harness running through it. Parts replaced included: ECM (computer), IPDM (electrical distribution module), engine harness, chassis harness, and muffler.

NHTSA complaint #11707611 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2020 Nissan Frontier Garden Grove, CA

ENGINE

UNKNOWNI want to report my repossessed car and hold Santander Consumer USA responsible because they sold my car without my consent and not only that, report the fraud of the sale of the same car that I bought and that neither the DMV Nissan of Orange nor Santander Consumer USA informed me of the debt that I still had on that car and Santander was charging me with a contract where they add the cost of the car with interest after I had paid a down payment and financed the car at a cost of 30,659.14 and then they charged me another 17,390.78 in interest which the dealership hid from me and they also knew about the debt that was still owed on the car by Santander Consumer USA and they did not inform me what they call fraud by selling a car with a lien holder I ask for a refund of all my money $ 15,538.10 amount to the principal balance + 18,022.23 interest payments + 8,000 downpayment that makes the total of $41,560.33 which I have lost all my money invested in that car and they took my vehicle and are advertising it on this page for sale

NHTSA complaint #11690226 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Nissan Frontier Baton Rouge, LA

ENGINE

We have a fleet of 2023-2025 Nissan Frontiers. Starting in December of 2024 we began having problems with the vehicles electrical system going wild and shutting the trucks down. It causes all of the lights to come on and the truck to stall and not restart, We did not realize that we had a problem until it happened to multiple vehicles over the last several months. A few of them were brought to the dealership where we were told they could not find any problems and just replaced the batteries. So, when some of the others did it, we just replaced the batteries ourselves. This week asked again if there was a known issue and were told Nissan only knows of a battery drain issue. These vehicles are shutting down sometimes while our people are driving them. They also try to restart themselves sometimes. They are automatically applying the breaks when this happens wile the ABS light comes on. This is an extremely dangerous situation for our fleet drivers as well as the motoring public. It has happened to 10 of the 15 Frontiers that we own.

NHTSA complaint #11689405 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Nissan Frontier Baton Rouge, LA

ENGINE

We have a fleet of 2023-2025 Nissan Frontiers. Starting in December of 2024 we began having problems with the vehicles electrical system going wild and shutting the trucks down. It causes all of the lights to come on and the truck to stall and not restart, We did not realize that we had a problem until it happened to multiple vehicles over the last several months. A few of them were brought to the dealership where we were told they could not find any problems and just replaced the batteries. So, when some of the others did it, we just replaced the batteries ourselves. This week asked again if there was a known issue and were told Nissan only knows of a battery drain issue. These vehicles are shutting down sometimes while our people are driving them. They also try to restart themselves sometimes. They are automatically applying the breaks when this happens wile the ABS light comes on. This is an extremely dangerous situation for our fleet drivers as well as the motoring public. It has happened to 10 of the 15 Frontiers that we own.

NHTSA complaint #11689406 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Nissan Frontier Baton Rouge, LA

ENGINE

We have a fleet of 2023-2025 Nissan Frontiers. Starting in December of 2024 we began having problems with the vehicles electrical system going wild and shutting the trucks down. It causes all of the lights to come on and the truck to stall and not restart, We did not realize that we had a problem until it happened to multiple vehicles over the last several months. A few of them were brought to the dealership where we were told they could not find any problems and just replaced the batteries. So, when some of the others did it, we just replaced the batteries ourselves. This week asked again if there was a known issue and were told Nissan only knows of a battery drain issue. These vehicles are shutting down sometimes while our people are driving them. They also try to restart themselves sometimes. They are automatically applying the breaks when this happens wile the ABS light comes on. This is an extremely dangerous situation for our fleet drivers as well as the motoring public. It has happened to 10 of the 15 Frontiers that we own.

NHTSA complaint #11689407 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Nissan Frontier Baton Rouge, LA

ENGINE

We have a fleet of 2023-2025 Nissan Frontiers. Starting in December of 2024 we began having problems with the vehicles electrical system going wild and shutting the trucks down. It causes all of the lights to come on and the truck to stall and not restart, We did not realize that we had a problem until it happened to multiple vehicles over the last several months. A few of them were brought to the dealership where we were told they could not find any problems and just replaced the batteries. So, when some of the others did it, we just replaced the batteries ourselves. This week asked again if there was a known issue and were told Nissan only knows of a battery drain issue. These vehicles are shutting down sometimes while our people are driving them. They also try to restart themselves sometimes. They are automatically applying the breaks when this happens wile the ABS light comes on. This is an extremely dangerous situation for our fleet drivers as well as the motoring public. It has happened to 10 of the 15 Frontiers that we own.

NHTSA complaint #11689408 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Nissan Frontier Baton Rouge, LA

ENGINE

We have a fleet of 2023-2025 Nissan Frontiers. Starting in December of 2024 we began having problems with the vehicles electrical system going wild and shutting the trucks down. It causes all of the lights to come on and the truck to stall and not restart, We did not realize that we had a problem until it happened to multiple vehicles over the last several months. A few of them were brought to the dealership where we were told they could not find any problems and just replaced the batteries. So, when some of the others did it, we just replaced the batteries ourselves. This week asked again if there was a known issue and were told Nissan only knows of a battery drain issue. These vehicles are shutting down sometimes while our people are driving them. They also try to restart themselves sometimes. They are automatically applying the breaks when this happens wile the ABS light comes on. This is an extremely dangerous situation for our fleet drivers as well as the motoring public. It has happened to 10 of the 15 Frontiers that we own.

NHTSA complaint #11689409 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Nissan Frontier Baton Rouge, LA

ENGINE

We have a fleet of 2023-2025 Nissan Frontiers. Starting in December of 2024 we began having problems with the vehicles electrical system going wild and shutting the trucks down. It causes all of the lights to come on and the truck to stall and not restart, We did not realize that we had a problem until it happened to multiple vehicles over the last several months. A few of them were brought to the dealership where we were told they could not find any problems and just replaced the batteries. So, when some of the others did it, we just replaced the batteries ourselves. This week asked again if there was a known issue and were told Nissan only knows of a battery drain issue. These vehicles are shutting down sometimes while our people are driving them. They also try to restart themselves sometimes. They are automatically applying the breaks when this happens wile the ABS light comes on. This is an extremely dangerous situation for our fleet drivers as well as the motoring public. It has happened to 10 of the 15 Frontiers that we own.

NHTSA complaint #11689410 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Nissan Frontier Baton Rouge, LA

ENGINE

We have a fleet of 2023-2025 Nissan Frontiers. Starting in December of 2024 we began having problems with the vehicles electrical system going wild and shutting the trucks down. It causes all of the lights to come on and the truck to stall and not restart, We did not realize that we had a problem until it happened to multiple vehicles over the last several months. A few of them were brought to the dealership where we were told they could not find any problems and just replaced the batteries. So, when some of the others did it, we just replaced the batteries ourselves. This week asked again if there was a known issue and were told Nissan only knows of a battery drain issue. These vehicles are shutting down sometimes while our people are driving them. They also try to restart themselves sometimes. They are automatically applying the breaks when this happens wile the ABS light comes on. This is an extremely dangerous situation for our fleet drivers as well as the motoring public. It has happened to 10 of the 15 Frontiers that we own.

NHTSA complaint #11689413 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Nissan Frontier Baton Rouge, LA

ENGINE

We have a fleet of 2023-2025 Nissan Frontiers. Starting in December of 2024 we began having problems with the vehicles electrical system going wild and shutting the trucks down. It causes all of the lights to come on and the truck to stall and not restart, We did not realize that we had a problem until it happened to multiple vehicles over the last several months. A few of them were brought to the dealership where we were told they could not find any problems and just replaced the batteries. So, when some of the others did it, we just replaced the batteries ourselves. This week asked again if there was a known issue and were told Nissan only knows of a battery drain issue. These vehicles are shutting down sometimes while our people are driving them. They also try to restart themselves sometimes. They are automatically applying the breaks when this happens wile the ABS light comes on. This is an extremely dangerous situation for our fleet drivers as well as the motoring public. It has happened to 10 of the 15 Frontiers that we own.

NHTSA complaint #11689415 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2024 Nissan Frontier Baton Rouge, LA

ENGINE

We have a fleet of 2023-2025 Nissan Frontiers. Starting in December of 2024 we began having problems with the vehicles electrical system going wild and shutting the trucks down. It causes all of the lights to come on and the truck to stall and not restart, We did not realize that we had a problem until it happened to multiple vehicles over the last several months. A few of them were brought to the dealership where we were told they could not find any problems and just replaced the batteries. So, when some of the others did it, we just replaced the batteries ourselves. This week asked again if there was a known issue and were told Nissan only knows of a battery drain issue. These vehicles are shutting down sometimes while our people are driving them. They also try to restart themselves sometimes. They are automatically applying the breaks when this happens wile the ABS light comes on. This is an extremely dangerous situation for our fleet drivers as well as the motoring public. It has happened to 10 of the 15 Frontiers that we own.

NHTSA complaint #11689417 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Nissan Frontier at 41,000 miles Sevierville, TN

ENGINE

The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that on one occasion, while stopped at a traffic light at a busy intersection, the Auto START/STOP system turned off the engine, and the engine failed to restart as designed. The contact attempted to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was towed to the residence, where a mobile mechanic jump-started the vehicle, and a handheld diagnostic machine was unable to retrieve a fault code. The failure could not able to be replicated. The contact stated that during a second occasion, the shifter was able to shift out of park(P) into neutral(N), and the vehicle was pushed off the road to safety with the assistance of a State Trooper. The contact attempted to jumpstart the vehicle, and while there was power, the Push to Start button was pressed, but the power shut off. The contact stated that after waiting for a while, the vehicle was restarted and operated as intended. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and suggested that the vehicle be taken to dealer, and if the failure was associated with the drive train, the vehicle would be repaired under warranty. The failure mileage was approximately 41,000.

NHTSA complaint #11684986 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2023 Nissan Frontier Prospect, KY

ENGINE

Tapping noise when starting vehicle in the mornings or when cold (now it occurs at all times at cold start despite outside temperature). Tapping lasts from about 30 seconds to a couple of minutes. Problem has been reproduced by the dealer and a techline case was submitted to Nissan on 3 JUL 2025. To date there has been no response from Dealer or Nissan on cause or how to rectify.

NHTSA complaint #11684412 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2000 Nissan Frontier Norman, OK

ENGINE

From my Internet search using Google Gemini, (and Google AI has a disclaimer it can make errors), I have replaced my distributer on my 2000 Nissan Frontier three times now due to a stalling problem I have experienced on hot days. My 2000 Nissan Frontier is VIN [XXX] . Let's see how much Gemini info I can paste here: "The distributor on your KA24DE engine contains the camshaft position sensor, which is a critical component for engine timing. The distributor itself can fail for a number of reasons, including: Internal bearing failure: The bearing that the distributor shaft spins on can fail, causing the shaft to wobble or seize up. This disrupts the signal from the camshaft position sensor. Failed or failing camshaft position sensor: The sensor itself can fail due to age, heat, or internal electrical issues. Ignition coil failure: The ignition coil is often integrated into the distributor housing on this engine. As it heats up, it can fail and lose spark, causing the engine to stall. The reason this issue is often related to hot weather or a hot engine is that the heat can cause the internal components of the distributor to expand and fail, and it can also cause the ignition coil to break down more easily. Symptoms of Distributor Failure The symptoms for a failing distributor on the 2.4L are very similar to those of the V6 engine: Stalling, especially when hot: This is the most common symptom. The engine may run perfectly when cold, but after it has been running for a while and the engine compartment is hot, it may stall and refuse to restart until it cools down. Engine runs poorly: You may experience a rough idle, misfires, or a loss of power. Hard start or no start: A failing distributor can cause the engine to crank but not start, as it is unable to produce a spark." Nissan no longer provides a replacement distributor and I suspect aftermarket are rebuilds. ***Stalling in traffic I believe is a definite safety issue*** Please let me know. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO

NHTSA complaint #11683018 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2018 Nissan Frontier Asheboro, NC

ENGINE

I bought this truck from my boss man and had it put in the shop to replace the head gasket but they ended up changing the valve cover the intake manifold gasket and putting plugs in it due to a smoking issue and skipping but after all the repairs were done it turns out that the valves are bad in the engine and they more than likely they were bad when they installed originally. It's causing stalling issues in traffic and I'm sure I'm not the only one with this problem.

NHTSA complaint #11673177 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

2017 Nissan Frontier at 80,000 miles Plattsburgh, NY

ENGINE

The contact's boyfriend owns a 2017 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving at 30 MPH or above, the vehicle started to stall. The check engine warning light was illuminated. On a separate occasion, the vehicle stalled and drastically shifted out of gear into a different gear. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure or find a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.

NHTSA complaint #11650735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

Other Nissan Frontier problems