Suspension complaints by model year
| Year | Complaints | Share of year's complaints | Typical mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 1 | 11% | — |
| 2024 | 2 | 9% | — |
| 2022 | 1 | 1% | 9,000 miles |
| 2021 | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2019 | 1 | 4% | 135,000 miles |
| 2018 | 3 | 12% | — |
| 2016 | 1 | 2% | 10,000 miles |
| 2015 | 2 | 6% | 60,000 miles |
| 2012 | 3 | 4% | 29,000 miles |
| 2011 | 2 | 3% | 75,000 miles |
| 2010 | 1 | 2% | 62,000 miles |
| 2009 | 3 | 8% | 68,000 miles |
| 2008 | 4 | 3% | 19,000 miles |
| 2007 | 6 | 1% | 114,000 miles |
| 2006 | 9 | 1% | 52,000 miles |
| 2005 | 4 | 1% | 90,000 miles |
| 2004 | 4 | 6% | 46,000 miles |
| 2003 | 10 | 13% | 79,000 miles |
| 2002 | 9 | 7% | 35,000 miles |
| 2001 | 8 | 6% | 116,000 miles |
| 2000 | 22 | 12% | 32,000 miles |
| 1999 | 4 | 5% | 100,000 miles |
| 1998 | 19 | 15% | 93,000 miles |
Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (struts, shocks, control arms, ball joints, springs).
Mileage when the problem started
What owners report
I have a 2018 Nissan Frontier bought it in 2019 I noticed a little vibration at first and now 2 years later it's vibrating a lot more I took to Nissan in 2020 they said they saw nothing wrong but now I'm told that it's my motor mounts and Nissan doesn't want to fix cause it's only covered by bumper to bumper and not power train warranty now I can't drive because I'm scared for motor to break or transmission and I've researched and heard of people that have the same problem and can't get any help
Squeaking sound coming from front driver side suspension. This has been happening ever since purchased in 2018 that dealer cannot find. Getting worse as it ages. Afraid tire may drive train may break while driving.
Tl* the contact owns a 2012 Nissan Frontier. While driving various speeds, a loud noise was present coming from the front of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to Nissan of salem (33 main st, salem, nh) and all four tires were replaced, but the noise grew louder. Later, while driving at an unknown speed, a loud banging noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic who diagnosed that the rear passenger side leaf springs had fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified, but no assistance was offered. The dealer was not contacted. The failure mileage was 29,000.
Noticed clunking sound coming from rear of vehicle while driving. Rear end became loose and jumpy over small bump sin the road at even low speeds. Inspection at shop determined that both leaf springs were cracked (see attached photo). Broken section of the leaf spring had slipped out of line with the other leafs and was jutting out underneath the bed of the truck mechanics stated that Toyota tacoma's recently had the same shock recalled.
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan Frontier. The contact was driving 35 MPH when the brakes failed after being depressed and the vehicle crashed into a lamp post. The crash caused no injuries and a police report was filed. The vehicle was towed to a private mechanic where the mechanic confirmed that the front lower control arm was detached from the vehicle. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was 72,000 and the current mileage was 74,435. Updated 04/11/12 updated 06/13/2012
Tl* the contact owns a 2009 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at 20 MPH, an abnormal noise was heard from the rear of the vehicle. The failure occurred constantly. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the ringing pinion had failed and the rear end assembly needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 67,709.
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. …
My 2008 Nissan Frontier 4x4 crewcab is thrown all over the road by normal wind draft while driving down the road and on windy days it is a nightmare to keep on the road. You cannot relax while driving or you will find yourself on the shoulder of the road before you know it! I am afraid I am going end up in a wreck because of it or at the very least I believe I might be stop and accused of driving drunk. I have taken it back to the dealer and had it checked. Nothing mechanically wrong. They tell me it is wind draft. I am very disappointed I bought this truck as I can't do anything about it now and I don't think Nissan is going to do anything about it, even though the look on the shop forman's face told me he knows it is a design flaw that he can do nothing about and that he is uncomfortable being caught in this position. …
Related recalls (4)
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower ball joint
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2024 Frontier vehicles. The front right-side lower link may have been manufactured with an oversized ball joint, which can result in corrosion and ball joint separation from the front right-side lower link.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the front right-side lower link, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed August 15, 2024. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Suspension › Front › Hub
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra two-wheel drive vehicles manufactured from June 19, 2012, through July 12, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with front wheel hubs that may not meet the design hardness specifications.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replaced the left and right side front wheel hub assemblies free of charge. The safety recall began on October 22, 2012.
Suspension › Front › Control arm › Lower arm
Nissan is recalling certain model year 2010 titan, armada, qx56, frontier, xterra, and pathfinder vehicles manufactured from November 19, 2009 through March 3, 2010. The lower control link assembly has two cylindrical collars forming the inboard attachment points to the chassis.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners and dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The safety recall began on May 20, 2010. Owners May contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
Suspension › Rear
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, water May enter the rear axle housing due to inadequate sealing of the anti-lock braking system (ABS) sensor.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle for water intrusion and any affected components will be replaced. The ABS sensor will be resealed to prevent water intrusion. Owner notification began December 10, 2003.
Frequently asked questions
Which Nissan Frontier years have suspension problems?
By NHTSA complaints, the 2000 (22), 1998 (19), 2003 (10), 2002 (9) and 2006 (9) model years. Suspension complaints make up 12% of all complaints for the 2000.
Is there a recall for Nissan Frontier suspension problems?
Yes — 4 recalls, including 24V-479 (lower ball joint, Jun 26, 2024); 12V-462 (hub, Sep 20, 2012); 10V-208 (lower arm, May 14, 2010). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers; check a specific car with the VIN recall check.
At what mileage do Nissan Frontier suspension problems start?
Across all years, half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 64,000 miles; 43% happened before 50,000 miles.
What part fails most often?
Owners most often name the front (21 mentions), followed by the rear (16).
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.