2017 Nissan Frontier Problems & Complaints

Better than average41% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Frontier at the same age

Owners have filed 38 complaints about the 2017 Nissan Frontier with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is 41% fewer than a typical Frontier model year at the same age, making the 2017 one of the better Frontier years. The most reported problem area is the fuel & propulsion system (10 complaints, typically around 40,000 miles). One recall covers this model year.

38complaints
1recalls
4crashes
1fires
1injuries
1deaths

Most common 2017 Nissan Frontier problems

  • Fuel & propulsion system~40,000 miles
    1026%
  • Other / not specified~2,000 miles
    616%
  • Transmission & drivetrain~5,000 miles
    616%
  • Electrical system~30,000 miles
    616%
  • Air bags~35,000 miles
    513%
  • Engine & cooling~80,000 miles
    411%
  • Brakes~0 miles
    38%
  • Steering~1,000 miles
    13%
  • Speed control & acceleration~5,000 miles
    13%
  • Body & structure~25,000 miles
    13%
  • Seats~30,000 miles
    13%
  • Wheels & tires
    13%

Share of the 38 complaints; one complaint can involve more than one system. "~" is the median mileage when the problem started.

Nissan Frontier complaints by model year

’98’99’00’01’02’03’04’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25’26129781891341247766532617520136375964804842334338252823201126622911
Owner complaints per model year, Nissan Frontier. Colour = our verdict for that year (red: avoid, orange: caution, green: better than average, blue: too new).

Best Frontier years: 2015, 2018, 2021. Years to avoid: 2022, 2023, 2006, 2007, 2005. Compare all years →

2017 Nissan Frontier recalls (1)

Electrical system › Ignition

NHTSA recall 18V-551 · Aug 21, 2018 · 153,047 vehicles

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system.

Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018.

What 2017 Nissan Frontier owners say

Fuel & propulsion system

Fuel tank developed leak at the filler neck connection point. The tank is "plastic". Connection neck is "plastic" but a different color than the tank. (Perhaps dissimilar materials that are somehow fused/bonded together.) Fuel spilled from the tank onto my garage floor initially; I moved the vehicle outside. The problem was confirmed by an independent service center. The service center replaced the tank with a new OEM tank. The vehicle is low mileage, garage kept and well maintained. I am reporting this in case there is a manufacturers defect in these fuel tanks. Photo of the fuel tank and filler connection neck area attached.

Sep 2023

I drive on the highway and my truck stalls out and just shuts off. When I'm driving at slow speeds, it just keeps stalling I lose power and it takes a few tries for it to start again then I have to peel out so it stays started and hope I don't have to slow down.

Oct 2025

Transmission & drivetrain

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.

80,000 miles · Mar 2025

There was a coolant leak. It was leaking from head gasket. When it was being rebuilt there were two head bolts stripped. The truck only has 58,000 miles. We were told that the engin isn't covered by the warranty.

Dec 2022

Electrical system

Complete power/ignition failure resulting in death of driver on [redacted] while driving at night in the rain in a 2017 Nissan Frontier Pickup 4 door. The TDPS in McKinney, TX is pulling the black box for testing. 2 weeks before the accident the same vehicle (2017 Nissan Frontier pickup) 4 door lost complete power/braking/ignition failure on the same road [redacted] in Princeton, TX The vehicle was pushed off the road and then towed to a local mechanic in Wylie, TX The mechanic had issues in determining what was wrong with the vehicle. He ruled out alternator, battery, fuse box and wiring. I am a witness to the previous failure and it was documented. The same day the vehicle was picked up from service, the individual died that night in the vehicle in a tragic accident.

Nov 2024 · crash

The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle occasionally stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery connectors to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience failure. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V551000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included. The manufacturer had not been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

30,000 miles · May 2018

2017 Nissan Frontier engines & fuel economy

EngineTransmissionDriveMPG city / hwy / combined
2.5L 4-cyl5-speed manualRWD19 / 23 / 21
2.5L 4-cyl5-speed automaticRWD17 / 22 / 19
4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automaticRWD16 / 23 / 19
4.0L 6-cyl6-speed manualRWD16 / 22 / 19
4.0L 6-cyl6-speed manual4WD16 / 21 / 18
4.0L 6-cyl5-speed automatic4WD15 / 21 / 17

EPA ratings. Class: Small pickup.

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Nissan Frontier a good car?

Based on 38 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Frontier rates better than average: 41% fewer complaints than a typical year of the Frontier at the same age. Complaint counts don't account for sales volume or individual maintenance, so have any used car inspected before buying.

What is the most common problem with the 2017 Nissan Frontier?

The fuel & propulsion system — 10 complaints, 26% of all complaints for this model year. Next are the transmission & drivetrain (6) and electrical system (6).

How many recalls does the 2017 Nissan Frontier have?

There is 1 recall for the 2017 Nissan Frontier, the most recent from August 21, 2018 (ignition). Recall repairs are free at any authorized dealer — check whether yours has been done with the VIN recall check.

What are the best and worst years of the Nissan Frontier?

The best years by complaints, compared at the same age, are 2015, 2018 and 2021. Years to avoid or approach with caution: 2022, 2023, 2006, 2007 and 2005. See the full Nissan Frontier years comparison.

At what mileage do 2017 Nissan Frontier problems happen?

The median mileage reported in complaints is about 25,000 miles; 92% of problems with a recorded mileage started before 50,000 miles.

Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.