997 of the
4,485 complaints filed about the Nissan Frontier
are about the transmission —
22% of everything owners reported.
The worst model year for it is 2005.
997
Complaints
22%
Share of all complaints
16
Crashes
8
Fires
Transmission & Drivetrain complaints by model year
This is a nine speed transmission which basically shifts up each gear every 5 to 6 MPH until you hit 9th gear about 52 MPH. The transmission will not shift to next gear fast enough causing the vehicle to be very slow. The transmission has to go through 5 gears to get to 30 MPH. Each gear shifts at 1650 to over 2000 RPM before it will shift to next gear. If the air conditioning is running the least amount of RPM's is over 2000 or higher to shift up to next gear. At 2000 RPM's the engine has very little torque needed from the transmission due to the 3.692 axle ratio and sounds like the engine is revving higher than it should be. If you don't relax on the gas pedal it will stay in that gear and just rev the RPM's in the gear it is in, until you let off the gas pedal for it to shift up. If you need high acceleration at low speeds it just won't shift up to next gear. I have almost been rear ended many times trying to get onto an expressway or accelerating from a red light to get up to posted speed limit. If you have 5 gears to get to 30 MPH then they have to shift at low RPM's (1250 to 1500 RPM"s) and as fast as possible to get the speed of the vehicle up quickly. The transmission has engine braking and will decelerate through each gear. If you are slowing the truck with foot off the brake and then accelerate the driveshaft and rear end will clunk so you have to be gentle with the pedal to prevent loud clunking noises. It will clunk back into first gear at times when braking to stop the vehicle. It is unsafe to drive when getting up to posted speed is crucial.
NHTSA complaint #11753404 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
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.
While underway at speeds under 20 mph. Vehicle hesitates and lurches creating a danger when taking off from a stop light. Vehicle may delay acceleration from a stop, which can feel unsafe in traffic and in merging situations.This activity is uncontrollable as the driver has no control and could lead to an accident or injury to pedestrians or other wise. Another problem is rough shifting, hard downshifts and a jerking. There is both an audible clunk and felt responce or "shift shock". Potential safety risk of hesitation or unexpected gear changes may compromise vehicle control. I have reported and visited the Bradenton Nissan dealership. (2 times) to no avail.
NHTSA complaint #11746707 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
The light turned green. The truck got up to fourth gear and slipped all the lights on the dash lit up so I took it to the first transmission shop where they said transmission just went out at 75,140 miles pretty much the exact mileage for my first service according to the book in the glove box I took it to Nissan dealership where they said it was the shift selector needed to be changed for a total of $1600. I had it done. I drove it a half a mile down the road and it did it again. They said they drove it over 14 miles with no problem but my odometer says different now they’re telling me I need a new transmission for $9214.03. I’ve done a lot of research and googled other people having the same problem. I called Nissan corporation they offered to pay 60% for a new transmission. This tells me they know something is wrong with it. After taxes I will have spent over $11,800 for a new transmission at 75,000 miles. This should not have happened.
NHTSA complaint #11719660 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was pushed into a nearby lot with the assistance of bystanders. The vehicle could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer; however, the failure could not able to be replicated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred within the week. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that undisclosed wires need to be cleaned. The wires were cleaned but the failure reoccurred approximately 2-3 weeks later. The vehicle was again towed to the same dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred a week and a half later. The vehicle was not diagnosed and or repaired again. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
NHTSA complaint #11716693 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
I purchased this truck new. On many occasions while trying to accelerate from a stopped position there is a few second delay before the car will move. This in my opinion is a serious condition because when you think you can move into traffic the car won't move. This could cause a serious accident. I brought this to the attention of the nissan service center several times only to be told that it a characteristic of the transmission. In other words the transmission is searching for the right gear to engage before the car will move. I checked on line and found that other people are having the same problem. Please advise.. Thank you
NHTSA complaint #11712609 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
Purchased new 12.12.25, drove 3 miles and heard clunk in transmission, went into limp mode at mile 23. Flatbed back to dealer, they replaced Solenoid valve and said was good to drive. Drove away and still have loud clunk in transmission on downshifting. 1.5.26 Dealer still has vehicle, no resolution
NHTSA complaint #11708819 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving uphill, the vehicle vibrated. The contact stated that the vibration increased as the contact decelerated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission parking pawl and the transmission control module had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the dealer advised that the clutch might need to be repaired, but the contact advised the dealer to wait until the clutch displayed signs of failure. The contact stated while driving four months after the vehicle was repaired, the vehicle vibrated when the RPMs decreased, and the vehicle operated as intended when the RPMs increased. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the transmission fluid was replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer for the clutch repair. While at the dealer, the contact was informed that the torque converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The failure was progressively worsening. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
NHTSA complaint #11707634 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3 MPH and reversing(R) out of a parking spot, the messages "Key Malfunction" and "Crash Detected" were displayed. The contact pulled over and attempted to turn off the vehicle; however the vehicle failed to turn off. Additionally, when the contact shifted to park(P) the gear shift indicator failed to indicate that the transmission was in park(P). The contact attempted to shift to drive(D), and the vehicle failed to move forward. The contact stated that a passerby helped to turn off the vehicle by disconnecting the battery terminals. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, and it was determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the same messages were displayed, and the transmission slipped out of gear. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same dealer who cleared the codes and stated that the battery was in good condition. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failures reoccurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.
NHTSA complaint #11698971 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
When driving, the collision sign randomly comes on. It causes the the vehicle to rev and there's a lag in picking up speed. There are times when the vehicle is "stuck" while waiting on a left turn and it screeches and jolts when I press on the gas to move forward before it actually moves.
NHTSA complaint #11685938 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.
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.
I took my 2022 Nissan Frontier SV 4x4 in for an oil change and a state inspection. The shop discovered that my left rear axle seal was leaking all over the brakes and rotors. As a result, it failed the inspection, and I had to spend $1,600 to get it repaired. The mechanic mentioned that it's unusual to see this issue on a 2022 model with only 27,000 miles. I figured I should report it, as it might be a concern.
NHTSA complaint #11668608 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.