Steering complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2 | 22% | — |
| 2024 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2023 | 6 | 9% | 0 miles |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% | 30,000 miles |
| 2020 | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2019 | 2 | 7% | 12,000 miles |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% | 1,000 miles |
| 2016 | 2 | 5% | 10,000 miles |
| 2014 | 1 | 2% | 27,000 miles |
| 2013 | 1 | 2% | — |
| 2012 | 1 | 1% | 72,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 3% | 213,000 miles |
| 2010 | 2 | 3% | 90,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% | 11,000 miles |
| 2007 | 5 | 1% | 54,000 miles |
| 2006 | 34 | 6% | 51,000 miles |
| 2005 | 5 | 1% | 121,000 miles |
| 2004 | 7 | 11% | 65,000 miles |
| 2003 | 9 | 12% | 50,000 miles |
| 2002 | 13 | 10% | 120,000 miles |
| 2001 | 5 | 4% | 120,000 miles |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% | — |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% | 59,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving from a complete stop, the vehicle lost power steering functionality. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the power steering gradually responded while exceeding 40 MPH. The dealer was notified of the failure and advised the contact that the failure was because the vehicle was new. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure and referred the contact to the dealer. The failure mileage was approximately 6.
On 1/27/26, at or about 1:00 AM driving NB on Hwy 99,south of Bakersfield, Ca.i encountered dense fog with visibility down to zero. While driving cautiously my steering wheel became locked up and I had no control of steering and the vehicle kept slowly going forward. I finally managed to stop vehicle as traffic had come to a stop. The driver in vehicle in front of me yelled out what's wrong with your truck. I yelled back that my steering wheel locked up on me and had no way to turn. The driver informed me to turn the vehicle off and then to turn it back on. This procedure unlocked my steering wheel. The driver informed me to stay behind him as he would guide me to next Hwy exit in case my steering wheel locked up again. We both made it safely to exit Hwy 99 at Panama Lane, Bakersfield Ca. …
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving approximately 30 MPH, the vehicle began to slide as if driving on ice. The road surface was wet, but it was not raining at the time of the failure. The contact attempted to regain control the steering wheel however, the steering wheel became stiff. The vehicle failed to respond while turning. The contact was able to pull over with the vehicle still running. The contact was unaware if any warning lights were illuminated. The contact had driven the vehicle to a local dealer however, the failure could not be duplicated. The vehicle had not been repaired. The contact stated that the failure occurred four times. The failure was intermittent. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.
I purchased the vehicle in May of 2022. Since that time, the vehicle has had all safety systems report as failed on at least 11 different occasions. The vehicle will report "System Failure", ABS Failure, Traction Control Failure, Forward & Rear Collision sensor failures. It was reported to me by the dealership that when this happens, the ABS and Traction Control do continue to work, however I have had my brakes lock up and send me sliding down the road as a result of these errors. The errors can occur in any weather or environmental conditions -- They are seemingly random. The dealership has had the vehicle since 5/22/2023 and has not been able to find anything wrong with the vehicle. This is their fifth time attempting to diagnose and correct this issue. It was first reported to the dealership around 1600 miles, and now the vehicle is sitting around 39,000 miles. …
I was driving my vehicle and I ran out of gas. The gas gauge maintained a quarter of a tank and the gas light never came on. I check for recalls and it turns out this is a known recall for this vehicle, but it says 0 recalls. But the problem still persists, therefore the vehicle is still suffering from this problem. After filling the gas after the car ran out. I tested this theory 2 more times to confirm that indeed the vehicle was suffering from this recall, in which i run out of gas without knowing. Secondly, the links associated with the other recall, have also failed/failing as the vehicle is becoming unstable while driving at times and a mechanic has already determined the links to be the cause, yet when I check my VIN number, it says 0 recalls. Yet my vehicle clearly suffers from this. …
While driving the truck will shut off just like the key was turned off. This happened one or two times a day over a ten day period, I swapped my old key with my wife's key and the problem went away. I took it to a Nissan dealership and they wanted to do $7000 of repairs and nothing about the key and ignition switch problem. So I have been using my wife's key for the past five days and no issues. Nissan claims they never had any problems like this although the internet shows a recall in 2010 for 2003-2006 frontiers for a very similar problem.
My trucks steering system is making a loud noise when turning and going over bumps at low speed. When my truck is raised up and I turn the steering wheel there is no noise. When I lower it down on the ground and turn the wheel when parked it makes the loud noise. I checked recalls and there seems to be one for some steering wheel issue, but when I called Nissan they said my vehicle was not affected by that recall. After reading customer reviews, my vehicle is having the same problems that those customers vehicles were having that were affected by the recall. I am curious if not enough complaints filed for this specific year. Because why would my vehicle steering be having the same issues as the vehicles that were having that were listed on the recall. I really don't want to drive my vehicle and risk having my steering go out because of a defected part. …
I had just filled my tank with fuel. I pulled of the lot of the station into traffic, notice my fuel gauge didn't never register the fuel just added. Moments later the low fuel light came on and the service engine soon light also. I circle back to the station where the fuel was purchase and the truck began to sputter. I return to the station and proceeded to the clerk that sold me the fuel and explained what happen. I was thinking it was a problem with the fuel. Clerk stated she would record my claim/ I left the station and proceeded to drive home where I arrive safely.
Related recalls (1)
Steering › Column
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2002-2004 frontier vehicles manufactured from July 9, 2001 through October 20, 2004, and model year 2002-2004, xterra vehicles manufactured from July 9, 2001, through January 6, 2005. Over time corrosion May form in the lower steering column joint and limit movement of the joint.
Remedy: The steering column shaft and joint will be replaced with a shaft of a different design. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on December 13, 2010. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Frontier years have steering problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2006 (34), 2002 (13), 2003 (9), 2004 (7) and 2023 (6) model years. Steering complaints make up 6% of all complaints for the 2006.
Is there a recall for Nissan Frontier steering problems?
Yes — 1 recall, including 10V-554 (column, Nov 11, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Frontier steering problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 68,000 miles; 42% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the column (15 mentions), followed by the steering wheel/handle bar (5).
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.