Engine complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 9% | — |
| 2023 | 13 | 20% | 0 miles |
| 2022 | 6 | 5% | 2,000 miles |
| 2021 | 2 | 10% | — |
| 2020 | 5 | 22% | 32,000 miles |
| 2019 | 2 | 7% | — |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2017 | 4 | 11% | 80,000 miles |
| 2016 | 8 | 19% | 63,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 6% | 21,000 miles |
| 2013 | 4 | 8% | 36,000 miles |
| 2012 | 14 | 18% | 28,000 miles |
| 2011 | 6 | 9% | 131,000 miles |
| 2010 | 9 | 15% | 90,000 miles |
| 2009 | 2 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 2008 | 35 | 26% | 89,000 miles |
| 2007 | 133 | 26% | 100,000 miles |
| 2006 | 155 | 25% | 99,000 miles |
| 2005 | 186 | 35% | 102,000 miles |
| 2004 | 9 | 14% | 46,000 miles |
| 2003 | 5 | 6% | 16,000 miles |
| 2002 | 13 | 10% | 42,000 miles |
| 2001 | 25 | 19% | 60,000 miles |
| 2000 | 11 | 6% | 105,000 miles |
| 1999 | 10 | 13% | 60,000 miles |
| 1998 | 11 | 9% | 145,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (engine, cooling system, oil leaks, timing chain, exhaust).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while the vehicle was in the driveway, the vehicle started smoking causing the vehicle to burst into flames. The fire department was able to extinguish the fire. A police report was not filed. The dealer was contacted, and they advised to contact the manufacturer. The manufacturer was contacted, and they stated they were going to reach back out to the contact. The failure mileage was 105.
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. …
I had an accident , last night 08/04/2022 I was parked an upper hill and out of no were my truck blast up w speed and went forward at full speed I couldn't control it I try braking and the brakes weren't working my foot was literally all the way forward. The steering wheel got really hard couldn't control it . Unfortunately I end up crashing and hitting an innocent man performing his job my truck stopped and crushed the poor man into his truck ... Not Even the air bags or sensors turn on they failed , it's like if something took over my truck . I recently purchased this truck about a month ago and some sensors kept coming up out of no were but then they would disappear I don't know if was an electrical problem. But this car caused a accident .
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the ABS warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer nine times and was diagnosed and determined that the brake switch and master gear shifter needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure persisted. The contact stated while driving at an undisclosed speed, the RPM's increased and the vehicle revved up and jolted forward. Additionally, while driving, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. The vehicle was taken back to the same local dealer. The manufacturer was contacted by email and phone but failed to respond. The failure mileage was approximately 2,000. The VIN was not available.
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 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.
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.
I had a check engine light come on and took it to my mechanic for diagnosis and repair if needed. He diagnosed it as error code P2004. The code indicated a bad runner control valve position sensor. It is located on the end of intake manifold and has two torx screws to remove it. The issue is Nissan did not sell a replacement sensor separately , you can only get that part with the purchase of a whole new intake manifold. This same sensor issue exists on the 2017 Nissan Rogue with service bulletin NTB17-091. My truck is also a 2017 but the specific vehicle is a Nissan Frontier not a Rogue but the failure is identical. In that service bulletin the solution was to replace the sensor which did not require the purchase of the entire intake manifold. …
Related recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling › Engine › Engine control module (ECU/ECM) › Software
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Nissan Frontier vehicles. Due to a software logic error, the daytime running lights may dim unexpectedly when the idle start-stop feature cycles the engine from off to on.
Remedy: Dealers will update the engine control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 17, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800-647-7261.
Engine and engine cooling
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011 Infiniti fx, model year 2012 Infiniti m, model year 2011-2012 Nissan frontier, model year 2011-2012 Nissan xterra, model year 2011-2012 Nissan pathfinder, and model year 2012 Nissan nv vehicles.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. The safety recall began on January 30, 2012. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Engine and engine cooling
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 armada, titan, Infiniti qx56 and model year 2005-2006 frontier, pathfinder and xterra vehicles. The intelligent power distribution module (ipdm) assembly contains an engine control module (ECM) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the ECM relay inside the ipdm assembly. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on December 6, 2010. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
NHTSA investigations
Fuel smell and loss of motive power
The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) has completed its review of a petition dated February 5, 2026, requesting an investigation into model year (MY) 2006 Nissan Frontier vehicles. The petition alleged that the vehicles pose an imminent fire hazard due to a powerful and persistent odor of raw gasoline emanating from the vehicle, indicating a breach in fuel system integrity.
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Frontier years have engine problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2005 (186), 2006 (155), 2007 (133), 2008 (35) and 2001 (25) model years. Engine complaints make up 35% of all complaints for the 2005.
Is there a recall for Nissan Frontier engine problems?
Yes — 3 recalls, including 25V-508 (software, Aug 7, 2025); 11V-592 (engine and engine cooling, Dec 19, 2011); 10V-517 (engine and engine cooling, Oct 28, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Frontier engine problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 93,000 miles; 14% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the cooling system › radiator assembly (28 mentions), followed by the engine (23).
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.