38 of the
4,485 complaints filed about the Nissan Frontier
are about the seats —
1% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2022.
The 2023 Nissan Frontier was purchased new and is under manufacturer's warranty. Beginning in the summer of 2025, the driver's seatback has unexpectedly moved rearward, including more than one instance where it fell completely back toward the rear seat. Each time, the vehicle has been turned off, the seat is unoccupied, and no one was in contact with the seat controls. The seat does not feel lose when manually pushed and appears normal between incidents. The issue is intermittent and cannot be easily reproduced on demand. This is a serious safety issue. If the seatback recliner mechanism fails while driving, it could suddenly alter the driver's position, reduce control of the vehicle and increase the risk of injury in a crash. I have reported the issue multiple times to an authorized Nissan dealership. The vehicle has been inspected and kept overnight, but the issue was not reproduced and no repair was made. I also contacted Nissan Consumer Affairs who attributed the issue to the seat adjustment switch being accidentally activated. This explanation does not match the conditions under which the problem occurs (vehicle off, seat unoccupied). I am requesting this issue be investigated as a potential defect in the seatback recliner mechanism or power seat system. This condition appears to involve un-commanded seat movement and possible failure of the seatback locking mechanism. I have photos but am waiting for the internet to forward them from my phone to my computer to upload.
NHTSA complaint #11732266 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Sometimes when I'm driving down the road the seat reclines all the way back when I spoke to Nissan executive headquarters Maria there said they spoke with Grubbs Nissan and said yes this could happen the seat reclines all the way back and it obstructs The View while I'm driving down the road I need this to stop it's unsafe
NHTSA complaint #11619678 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the driver’s seat independently moved backward and slightly tilted. The vehicle had been taken to the dealer where the contact was informed that there was a failure of the feature to adjust the seat to assist while an occupant was exiting the vehicle had operated erroneously. The dealer informed the contact that there was no way to turn off the feature and to disconnect the electrical wiring harness attached to the seat to prevent the failure. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer had been made aware of the failure via email; however, the contact had not received a response. The failure mileage was 34,000.
NHTSA complaint #11616149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I was out hunting, and positioned the truck on a down hill slope to look down onto a unit I wanted to watch. When I put the truck into park it started rolling forward. Once I hit the bakes it stopped. Then obviously I moved the truck. Because of concern. Also the drivers seat lays back on its own, after use you get back into the truck, you have to activate the button to set the seat back in its previous position.
NHTSA complaint #11551652 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Driver's side powered seatback randomly tilts backward, losing the seat settings that the driver has set. Nissan and other Frontier owners say it is because of the way the driver gets in and out of the vehicle, especially by 'heavier drivers', and claim the driver hits the controls with the back of their leg when getting in or out of the vehicle. This requires the driver to adjust the seat each time this happens. I'm one of those 'heavier drivers', and have also noticed that on a few occasions, the seatback slowly tilted back while driving. Because Nissan said it would require a redesign of the seats, my dealer, with the approval of a Nissan regional technician, installed an on/off power switch that cuts the power to the seats so once you set the seat position and turn off the power, the seat doesn't move.
NHTSA complaint #11537613 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The truck jerks while shifting between 0 and 30 mph. This also happens when stopping at stop signs and lights or even just slowing down. I fear that the jerky shifting could cause significant internal damage to the transmission, more specifically teeth breaking off the gears. The power driver seat moves by itself when driving and after it is shut off. I always have to move the seat and adjust when I get in to drive. To test, I have set the seat to the position I use before I get out to see if it adjusts on its own after I shut the truck off. When I get back into the truck the seat is not in the same position.
NHTSA complaint #11527906 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
transmission issues: transmission is jerking, trying to find gears. between 0mph and 30mph. also when stopping at stop sign and lights. truck only has 2,200 miles on it. Very unhappy and feel unsafe driving this truck. Also the power driver seat moves by itself when driving. Always have to move the seat and adjust when driving. When I get back into the truck the seat is not in the same position. Very unsafe while driving this truck.
NHTSA complaint #11497647 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The drivers seat reclines and tilts all the way back on its own , truck has no automatic seat settings , this renders a choking or pinning hazard to rear passengers.
NHTSA complaint #11481214 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
have gone to Nissan for excessive rattle noise in passenger footwell would sound louder as i gave it gas they concluded that the heater core bracket was loose and tighten but sound did no go away took it in again heater core bracket not good would need to replace so had to take it in third time for same heater core issue eventually they replaced heater core but still have problems with the air was taken to Nissan over 7 times for climate problems. it was not equal driver side blew hotter than the that passenger side eventually it stop blowing air through front vents only the defrost vent works seat adjusting bracket did not lock in place when coming to a stop the passenger seat would slide forward defective Nissan replaced --few month later passenger seatbelt tensioner went bad check engine error code took it to Nissan was replaced by Nissan Nissan service mechanics driving car with defective seatbelt that no issue until part came in same with bracket i had to take them on a ride they kept saying they cant recreate problem as far as climate its been a heat wave over 98 degrees outside and I'm having to drive in a hot car these problems have been since first day i drove car home I've been to service center over 12 times don't feel safe with vehicle i have spoken to Nissan arbitration dept enter Jessica Willis car currently has no air and they are aware of my situation and the heat wave that im having to deal with
NHTSA complaint #11475981 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the front driver’s seat reclined independently. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be diagnosed but various parts were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that there was a Technical Service Bulletins for the seat failure however, there was no fix for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 100.
NHTSA complaint #11472807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the front driver’s seat reclined independently. The contact stated that the failure was intermittent. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where the failure was unable to be diagnosed but various parts were replaced; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated that the dealer informed him that there was a Technical Service Bulletins for the seat failure however, there was no fix for the failure. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but offered no assistance. The manufacturer referred the contact back to the dealer for assistance. The approximate failure mileage was 100.
NHTSA complaint #11472807 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
1. Drivers power seat back changes position, seemingly by itself overnight. Dealer says it's a known "Engineering Issue." Service personnel said a fix is coming but not sure when. Some people think that those affected are accidentally hitting the power seat switches but I have doubts about that. It's an ongoing problem, on and off, since purchasing vehicle 11-9-21. 2. Cruise control is not smooth at all. The truck may lose two mph then the engine may shift down a bunch of gears and the engine needlessly races too much in getting back to speed. It's the worse cruise control I've ever experienced in my life. I reported this to the dealer and they noted it. Nothing was done to correct the problem which has been ongoing since purchasing vehicle 11-9-21.
NHTSA complaint #11458938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK WHEN MOVED. ON ONLY ONE SIDE. WE TOOK IT IN AN THE DEALER SAID THAT IS WAS KNOWN TO THEM BUT WAS NOT SAFETY RISK. IF I HAD TO STOP FAST AND THE SEAT WAS NOT LOCKED ON ONE SIDE THE TORQUE WOULD HAVE BENT THE BAR AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER. THEY SAY THEY FIXED IT BUT I CANNOT BE SURE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THE THERE WERE MULTIPLE OTHERS THEY HAD FIXED. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE DEALER SHIP IS NISSAN AT 1333 SOUTH ACADEMY BLVD., COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80916. YOU MAY REACH ME AT [XXX]. IF YOU NEED MORE INFO. THE NISSAN CORP. OFFICE TOLD ME TO REPORT IT HERE. THANK YOU [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).
NHTSA complaint #11400190 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
MY AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH A YEAR AGO I TOOK IT TO NISSAN THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A SEAT CUSHION SENSOR IT WOULD COST ME $500.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I AM WRITTING THIS IN COMPLAINT THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN IN RECALL I HAVE WAITED FOR THIS PERIOD IN EXPECTATION OF RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE. ALSO A FAILURE CODE FOR BELT TENSIONER. TO HAVE THESE ITEMS REPAIRED WOULD COST A TOTAL OF $2175.14. I DON'T AGREE I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR. NO ONE SITS IN THE SEAT, NOTHING SHOULD GO WRONG WITH THE SENSOR. IT CAME ON ALL OF A SUDDEN. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE.
NHTSA complaint #11366501 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
AROUND MARCH 23, 2020 I NOTICED MY DRIVERS SEAT MOVING WHEN I ACCELERATE OR SLOW DOWN. I THOUGHT THE PROBLEM WAS LOOSE HARDWARE SO I WAS GOING TO TIGHTEN THE MOUNTING BOLTS OVER THE WEEKEND. WHEN I STARTED TO TIGHTEN THE HARDWARE I FOUND IT WAS ALL TIGHT. BUT THE SEAT CONTINUED TO MOVE ABOUT. THAT WEEKEND I REMOVED THE DRIVER'S SEAT AND FOUND THE FRONT RIGHT MOUNTING POINT TORN OUT OF THE SHEET METAL. THE THREADED RE-ENFORCEMENT TAB HAD TORN THROUGH THE SHEET METAL USED AT THE SEAT MOUNTING POINT. I REMOVED THE TAB FROM THE SEAT AND NOTICED THAT THE SPOT WELDS HAD NOT FAILED IT WAS THE SHEET METAL BRACE BRACKET, IT WAS ATTACHED TO, THAT HAD FAILED. I FIRST NOTICED THE MOVEMENT WHILE HEADING HOME FROM WORK AND ACCELERATING FROM A STOP. I WAS MAKING A LEFT TURN FROM A 2 LANE SIDE ROAD TO A 6 LANE DIVIDED CITY ROAD. IN THE TIME THAT I HAVE OWNED THIS VEHICLE IT HAS NEVER BEEN WREAKED, AND TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE THIS VEHICLE HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE GOTTEN SEVERAL REPAIR ESTIMATES FROM COLLISION SHOPS. UNIVERSALLY ALL OF THE SHOPS CLAIMED TO HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS KIND OF DAMAGE.
NHTSA complaint #11324066 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I HAVE REPEATEDLY GOTTEN INDICATORS (VIA VEHICLE'S COMPUTER) OF AIR BAG FAILURE, ON A VEHICLE OF LOW MILEAGE, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND HAS GOTTEN FAILURES REGARDING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH IS RARELY USED. THE FIRST TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEATBACK AND AIRBAG UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEATBELT ASSEMBLY. HOW, THE 3RD TIME, THEY TELL ME THAT THE SAME SEAT - CUSHION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE AIRBAG, AND THAT I HAVE TO PAY OVER $2,000 FOR THIS. EACH TIME I GET THIS FAILURE NOTIFICATION, MY AIRBAG IS DISABLED. SO, IT IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. THE AIR BAG FAILURE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON RANDOMLY, NOT RELATED TO A DRIVING INCIDENT.
NHTSA complaint #11265482 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I'VE NEVER FEARED FOR MY OWN LIFE AND THE OTHERS I HAVE TO ROAD SHARE WITH UNTIL OWNING THIS 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER. I'VE HAD IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP A TOTAL OF 7 TIMES BECAUSE THE DRIVERS SEAT SLIDES BACK AND FORTH WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED AND TIGHTENED UP THE TRACK THE SEAT SITS ON AND WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED MILES IT BECOMES LOOSE. I'VE CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY REFUSE TO TALK TO ME. NOT ONLY DOES THE DRIVERS SEAT SLIDE BACK AND FORTH WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD BUT SO HAS THE PASSENGER SIDE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM 2YEARS AGO AND THEY REFUSED TO HELP ME OTHER THAN OFFERING ME TO TRADE IT IN AND PUT SOMEONE ELSE'S LIFE IN JEOPARDY.
NHTSA complaint #11255620 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.