2017 Nissan Frontier Problems & Owner Complaints

Fuel/Propulsion System 10

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11694358, 2025

“Check engine light came on and when filling with fuel, gas came shooting back out.”
NHTSA complaint #11664060, 2025

“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 ta…”
NHTSA complaint #11545742, 2023

Electrical System 6 1 crash 1 death

“Complete power/ignition failure resulting in death of driver on [XXX] 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 [XXX] 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 witne…”
NHTSA complaint #11630815, 2024 · crash · 1 death(s)

“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 73,471 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 101,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11669398, 2025

“As I was driving my truck this morning it stalled on me, two times. The first time I was able to turn the key off and back on again and it started right up. I then drove it about 20 yards (luckily I was in a parking lot) and it stalled again but this time the dash lights remained on even with key out of the ignition. Also I was not able to unlock the doors. I kept turning key back and forth until the truck finally started. I was going to try disconnecting the battery to see if that would help but with the truck running I unhooked the negative side and the truck kept running!!Oh, and I al…”
NHTSA complaint #11487382, 2022

Power Train 6

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11650735, 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.”
NHTSA complaint #11502866, 2022

“AIRBAG LIGHT ON, COMPETITOR (MAZDA) DEALER STATED THAT AIR BAG MODULE NEEDS REPLACING ESTIMATED COST $2500. ALSO WHEN 4X4 IS ENGAGED IT'S REALLY HARD TO DO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEED.”
NHTSA complaint #11474861, 2022

Unknown Or Other 6 2 crash 1 death

“Complete power/ignition failure resulting in death of driver on [XXX] 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 [XXX] 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 witne…”
NHTSA complaint #11630815, 2024 · crash · 1 death(s)

“The two square head carriage bolts that secure the roof clamp to the rack were poor quality. The heads sheared off which cause the roof rack to rip off from the top of the truck and fly into traffic on the freeway. The items being held by the rack did not exceed the 150 lb limit. When the rack broke free, the kayak and camping bags broke the rear window on my truck, hit my 2 dogs, and landed in the roadway causing cars to swerve to avoid collision. The damage to my truck alone is in excess of $1,000 not including the camping equipment and kayak that have to be replaced as they are irreparably…”
NHTSA complaint #11489994, 2022 · crash

“FUMES AND ODOR ENTERING CABIN EXTREME AT TIMES GET DIZZY DRIVING WHEN FUMES ENTER THE CABIN I HAVE TO PULLOVER. TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD RETURN TO DEALER PROBLEM UNRESOLVED WAS TOLD TO CHANGE CABIN FILTER CHANGE PROBLEM PERSIST UNTIL TODAY. VEHICLE BOUGHT NEW. PROBLEM IS WHILE DRIVING AND IN TRAFFIC BEHIND ANY VEHICLE .*DT*JB”
NHTSA complaint #11383672, 2020

Air Bags 5 1 crash

“Hit a cement barrier going 60 mph at a 45 degree angle on the passenger side and only the passenger side curtain airbag deployed.”
NHTSA complaint #11505732, 2023 · crash

“Since buying the vehicle new, the airbag light has been on and off throughout the entire time (The vehicle has never been crashed). I have brought it in to multiple dealerships asking for them to take a look at it and have never gotten much feedback other than them resetting it or having replaced wiring due to previous recalls. I was alerted recently of the airbag control unit now needing to be replaced. With Nissan's history of questionable electrical efforts, the component seems like something that may need to be evaluated in some capacity.”
NHTSA complaint #11533369, 2023

“AIRBAG LIGHT ON, COMPETITOR (MAZDA) DEALER STATED THAT AIR BAG MODULE NEEDS REPLACING ESTIMATED COST $2500. ALSO WHEN 4X4 IS ENGAGED IT'S REALLY HARD TO DO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEED.”
NHTSA complaint #11474861, 2022

Engine 4 1 fire

“WHILE DRIVING ON A COUNTY HIGHWAY, THE ENGINE CAUGHT FIRE FOR NO APPARENT REASON RESULTING IN THE TOTAL LOSS OF THE VEHICLE. ENGINE COMPARTMENT WAS COMPLETELY DESTROYED. ABOUT 2100 MILES ON ODOMETER, SPEED AT TIME OF FIRE WAS ABOUT 30 MPH. I HAD BEEN DRIVING ABOUT 5 MINUTES, JUST LONG ENOUGH FOR THE ENGINE TO WARM UP. I CHECKED THE OIL ABOUT 1 WEEK PRIOR TO THE FIRE AND READING WAS NORMAL. NO PROBLEMS STARTING THE VEHICLE AND IT WAS RUNNING NORMALLY UNTIL THE FLAMES ERUPTED FROM UNDER THE HOOD. NO INJURIES OR OTHER PROPERTY DAMAGE.”
NHTSA complaint #11091656, 2018 · fire

“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.”
NHTSA complaint #11650735, 2025

“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…”
NHTSA complaint #11644026, 2025

Service Brakes 3 2 crash 1 death

“Complete power/ignition failure resulting in death of driver on [XXX] 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 [XXX] 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 witne…”
NHTSA complaint #11630815, 2024 · crash · 1 death(s)

“From the first snow fall in Minnesota, I had to drive very slow, there is no traction, or control of the car. I had 2 spin outs, and one person hit me. I do not feel safe in this car, but you won't trade it in for me. I fear for my life, driving in Minnesota winter. The wheels just keep turning, and there is no way to control the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11522470, 2022 · crash

“THE BRAKES ON THIS FRONTIER HAVE PROBLEMS . THE BRAKE PEDAL HAS TO MUCH FREE PLAY ,THE BRAKES DON'T FUNCTION TILL AT LEAST 2 INCHES OFF PRESSURE AND THEY FEEL SPONGY . I HAVE TAKEN THE TRUCK TO 2 DIFFERENT DEALERS 3 TIMES , THEY STATED THAT IT IS NORMAL AND IT IS WITHIN FACTORY SPECS , I DON'T AGREE WITH THEM . IAM CONCERNED ABOUT GETTING INTO A ACCIDENT . I DID SOME RESEARCH AND THERE HAVE BEEN COMPLAINTS SINCE THE 2006 MODEL . YOU THINK THEY WOULD HAVE CORRECTED IT . THIS VEHICLE COST 30000 DOLLARS AND IAM NOT HAPPY ABOUT . I HOPE YOU CAN HELP ME.”
NHTSA complaint #11093942, 2017

Seats 1

“I'VE NEVER FEARED FOR MY OWN LIFE AND THE OTHERS I HAVE TO ROAD SHARE WITH UNTIL OWNING THIS 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER. I'VE HAD IT INTO THE DEALERSHIP A TOTAL OF 7 TIMES BECAUSE THE DRIVERS SEAT SLIDES BACK AND FORTH WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD. THE NISSAN DEALERSHIP HAS REPLACED AND TIGHTENED UP THE TRACK THE SEAT SITS ON AND WITHIN A FEW HUNDRED MILES IT BECOMES LOOSE. I'VE CONTACTED NISSAN AND THEY REFUSE TO TALK TO ME. NOT ONLY DOES THE DRIVERS SEAT SLIDE BACK AND FORTH WHILE GOING DOWN THE ROAD BUT SO HAS THE PASSENGER SIDE. I TOOK IT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP I BOUGHT IT FROM 2YEARS AGO AND THEY…”
NHTSA complaint #11255620, 2019

Steering 1

“I BOUGHT A NEW NISSAN FRONTIER SV CREW CAN PICK UP. IT HAS A TERRIBLE VIBRATION FROM 60-80 MPH. I HAVE TAKEN IT TO THE DEALER A COUPLE OF TIMES. THEY CHANGED OUT THE TIRES AND THEN TOLD ME IT IS NORMAL FOR ALL OF THESE VEHICLES. I BELIEVE THIS IS A SAFETY ISSUE, BECAUSE I CAN NOT DRIVE VERY FAR WITHOUT MY HANDS GOING NUMB. IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR ME TO DRIVE IT ANY DISTANCE ON THE FREEWAY BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE. I AM NOT CERTAIN IT IS THE TIRES, BUT NISSAN CLAIMS IT IS NORMAL.”
NHTSA complaint #11013773, 2017

Structure 1 1 injury

“POSSIBLE HOOD LATCH AND SAFETY CATCH FAILURE WHILE VEHICLE WAS TRAVELING APPROXIMATELY 50 MPH ON A PAVED COUNTY ROAD. HOOD OPENED SMASHING THE WINDSHIELD AND PART OF ROOF CAUSING GLASS TO COME IN ON DRIVER.”
NHTSA complaint #11245093, 2019 · 1 injury(ies)

Vehicle Speed Control 1

“WHEN DRIVING ON HILLY STREETS WITH 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT, TRUCK WILL NOT MAINTAIN 55 MPH SPEED USING CRUISE CONTROL.. TRAVELING UP HILL, TRUCK DROPS 5-8 MPH BEFORE DOWNSHIFTING TO LOWER GEAR. THE DOWNSHIFT IS ABRUPT RATHER THAN A SMOOTH. WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, DISENGAGING OVERDRIVE IS THE ONLY WAY TO MAINTAIN SPEED. *BF *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11066595, 2018

Wheels 1 1 crash

“From the first snow fall in Minnesota, I had to drive very slow, there is no traction, or control of the car. I had 2 spin outs, and one person hit me. I do not feel safe in this car, but you won't trade it in for me. I fear for my life, driving in Minnesota winter. The wheels just keep turning, and there is no way to control the car.”
NHTSA complaint #11522470, 2022 · crash