Nissan Frontier Engine Problems
Owners have filed 350 complaints with NHTSA about engine problems on the Nissan Frontier across 25 model years. The 2006 model year has the most (82). The words owners use most often: “timing chain” (10% of reports).
- 350engine complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 4mention an injury
- 3related recalls
- $2,800typical repair cost reported by owners
- 35%of reports with a speed happened at 50+ mph
What owners describe
Phrases that appear unusually often in these complaints compared with complaints about other cars.
- Timing chain: mentioned in 35 of 350 complaints (10%)
- Transmission radiator: mentioned in 34 of 350 complaints (10%)
How much does it cost to fix?
Owners who wrote down what they paid or were quoted put the typical engine repair on the Nissan Frontier at $2,800, and half of them between $2,000 and $5,300.
Based on 19 NHTSA complaints about this problem alone that state a repair bill or quote (2013–2020), converted to 2026 dollars with the U.S. consumer price index. These are owners' own figures, not a quote: they include dealer quotes, and owners who file complaints often faced larger repairs, so they can run higher than typical shop prices. Prices vary by shop, region and warranty coverage. How we calculate this.
At what mileage do engine problems happen?
Based on 275 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 350 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 8 a fire, 4 an injury.
Nissan Frontier engine complaints by model year
| Model year | Engine complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 Frontier | 2 | 9% | — |
| 2023 Frontier | 13 | 20% | 200 |
| 2022 Frontier | 6 | 5% | 2,000 |
| 2021 Frontier | 2 | 10% | — |
| 2020 Frontier | 5 | 22% | 19,392 |
| 2019 Frontier | 2 | 7% | — |
| 2018 Frontier | 1 | 4% | — |
| 2017 Frontier | 4 | 11% | 41,050 |
| 2016 Frontier | 8 | 19% | 49,000 |
| 2015 Frontier | 2 | 6% | 21,054 |
| 2013 Frontier | 4 | 8% | 36,000 |
| 2012 Frontier | 13 | 16% | 25,012 |
| 2011 Frontier | 4 | 6% | 70,000 |
| 2010 Frontier | 7 | 12% | 99,500 |
| 2009 Frontier | 2 | 5% | 100,000 |
| 2008 Frontier | 26 | 19% | 84,606 |
| 2007 Frontier | 72 | 14% | 97,511 |
| 2006 Frontier | 82 | 13% | 106,000 |
| 2005 Frontier | 80 | 15% | 107,450 |
| 2004 Frontier | 6 | 9% | 63,950 |
| 2003 Frontier | 1 | 1% | — |
| 2002 Frontier | 2 | 2% | 192,000 |
| 2001 Frontier | 3 | 2% | 130,000 |
| 2000 Frontier | 2 | 1% | 135,000 |
| 1998 Frontier | 1 | 1% | — |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (3)
Engine and engine cooling:engine:engine control module (ecu/ecm):software; exterior lighting:lighting control module:software
Model years: 2025
Problem: 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. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
Risk: Daytime running lights that dim unexpectedly may cause confusion to other vehicles or pedestrians, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Nissan's number for this recall is R25C3.
Engine and engine cooling
Model years: 2012
Problem: 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. Some of the bolts that connect the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine in these vehicles may have been manufactured to below specification strength. As a result, the bolt may break at the oil filter attachment point and can cause an engine oil leak.
Risk: If there is an engine oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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
Model years: 2005, 2006
Problem: 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. The ecm relay may allow silicon vapor to form and, over time, the silicon evaporates from the diode molding which causes silicon oxide to develop on the ecm relay contact due to arcing.
Risk: This could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
What owners report
Short excerpts of recent complaints, with personal details removed. Full reports are on NHTSA.gov.
While driving on a two lane state route road towing a RV at approximately 60 MPH, the first indication of an issue was an amber ABS warning light accompanied by an Amber traction control light. Shortly after a red BRAKE warning light illuminated. Shortly after that an amber 4WD drive light…
1. Frequent repeated multiple breakdown and damages to all and any MAF sensors, camshaft position sensors bank 2, VVT solenoid sensors as cause of short circuited and fire hazard high risk of IPDM and main loom wiring harnesses from careless, dangerous severe defective…
Crank bolt snapped causing me to loose power steering, a part failed that shouldn't have .I have the bolt looks like in was cracked when they put it together, it was only on by about three threads, my mechanic and the one from nissan said they'd never seen one come apart before,lucky I wasn't on…
My 2024 Nissan Frontier has experienced repeated intermittent shut off and no-start failures. The problem began in late 2024 and continued through January 2025, throughout 2025, 2026, and is still occurring. The truck has randomly shut off while driving and has failed to restart at different times…
We have three 2019 Nissan Frontier pickups in our fleet that have all recently had the same problem. A engine valve misfire on cylinder 3 on all three trucks. This has caused the trucks to shake, idle rough, and have loss of power while driving. Two independent mechanics have inspected the trucks…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Nissan Frontiers have engine problems?
No. NHTSA has 350 owner complaints about engine for the Nissan Frontier. Complaint data shows that the problem is reported, not how many of all cars sold are affected.
Was there a recall on the Nissan Frontier engine?
Yes: 3 safety recalls list engine. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
How much does it cost to fix engine problems on the Nissan Frontier?
Owners report a typical cost of $2,800 (half paid between $2,000 and $5,300), from 19 complaints that state a repair bill or quote, in 2026 dollars.
What do owners say about engine problems on the Nissan Frontier?
The most frequent phrase is “timing chain”, in 35 of 350 complaints, followed by “transmission radiator” (34).
Other Nissan Frontier problems
See all Nissan Frontier problems.