2002 Nissan Frontier problems, complaints & recalls
Most-reported problem areas: Vehicle Speed Control (11) · Fuel System, Gasoline (10) · Steering (7)
🧭 Reliability snapshot
Compared against other Nissan Frontier model years — complaint volume vs the model's median year, recalls and severity. How we score →
🛣️ Complaints by mileage
72 NHTSA complaints that reported an odometer reading.
Safety recalls (1)
Steering:column 2010-11-11 · campaign 10V554000 · 500,552 vehicles
Defect: 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. THE LIMITED MOVEMENT OF THIS JOINT MAY CREATE EXCESSIVE LOAD ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT MAY LEAD TO CRACKING
Risk: THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Fix: 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.
Service bulletins (75)
Technical service bulletins are repair instructions manufacturers send dealers for known issues. Unlike recalls, the fix is not automatically free — but naming the bulletin at the service desk can save diagnosis time and support goodwill repairs.
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Structure:body 2026-04-13 · NTB09-131C · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
certification label and vin plate replacement service information because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “certification label” or “vin plate/label” may be needed. hint: certification label = fmvss (federal motor vehicle safety standards) label. these items may be availabl
Electrical System 2024-05-21 · NTB13-107G · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
vehicle key not detected / authenticated, engine will not start this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB17-019H · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
window glass warranty information this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB13-028I · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
removing foreign material from the window glass this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Visibility/Wiper 2024-04-30 · NTB09-081K · Service Bulletin/Repair Instructions
windshield cracking this bulletin has been amended. see amendment history on the last page. please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Showing the 6 most recent of 75 bulletins. Search all of them free at nhtsa.gov.
What owners report
2024-12-18 · Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control“the main issue on the nissan frontier that i just bought a few months ago that i need to report that i think should be recalled item is the passenger side exhaust manifold is cracked and it makes ticking noises the exhaust is loud and i am definitely getting exhaust fumes drawn into the cab especially when i turn the heater on now that it's winter …”
2022-05-26 · Fuel System, Gasoline · 200,000 mi“the contact owns a 2002 nissan frontier. the contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. there were no warning lights illuminated. the contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove home safely. the contact performed an inspection and noticed that the fuel pump was rusted. the vehicle was not rep…”
2022-01-10 · Steering“the contact owns a 2002 nissan frontier. the contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 10v554000 (steering). the vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted. the vehicle was taken to a local mechanic where it…”
2021-03-01 · Seat Belts · 142,000 mi“seat belt light on the dash turned on and continued flashing. the diagnosis read on it was tensioner on system restraint. sensor was replaced but the srs light continued to flash and now has locked my seat belts. driver's seat belt will not release so i have been having to drive without a seat belt. all wiring on sensors on the seat belt and under …”
2020-03-10 · Fuel/Propulsion System · 125,000 mi“nhtsa campaign #04v230000 applies to my 2002 frontier but it is not covered because its vin is a sc(supercharged) model it has the same gastank,sending unit, orings as trucks in the recall but my model is not included in recall…”
2019-09-14 · Steering · 120,000 mi“end play was discovered while vehicle was in motion and at rest. a certified technician removed the steering column and did not notice anything loose. after lifting the vehicle's hood, the technician discovered (3) loose bolts located in the lower steering column area just ahead of the spline. the technician attempted to tighten the (3) bolts but e…”
2019-05-23 · Unknown Or Other“sirs, when i stop my pick up you can feel a strong gas odor, i look around and found no leaks, please advise.…”
2018-11-05 · Structure:body · 130,000 mi“tl* the contact owns a 2002 nissan frontier. the contact took the vehicle to an independent mechanic to be serviced and was informed that the frame of the vehicle was corroded. the vehicle was not taken to a dealer. the vehicle was not repaired. the manufacturer was notified of the failure and did not assist. the approximate failure mileage was 130…”
2018-05-16 · Unknown Or Other · 1,693,371 mi“electrical short in wiring,affecting brake lights,radio,cruise control and warning lights.the problem is getting worse ,when driving the cruise control light comes on without engaging,the brake lights in the back of the truck are completely out.…”
2017-08-26 · Fuel/Propulsion System“i took my truck to the nissan dealership in fairfield california and was told that they needed to replace the fuel pump terminal, but they had to order the part. they never got back to me and it was never repaired. it was so long ago, i can't even remember the date. i live out of state now, but still have my truck and would like it fixed at no char…”
Excerpts of consumer complaints filed with NHTSA, lightly truncated. They are owner statements, not verified findings.