Nissan Frontier Suspension Problems
Owners have filed 120 complaints with NHTSA about suspension problems on the Nissan Frontier across 23 model years. The 2000 model year has the most (22). The words owners use most often: “sway bar” (9% of reports).
- 120suspension complaints
- —median miles at failure
- 7mention a crash
- 2mention an injury
- 4related recalls
- 29%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.
- Sway bar: mentioned in 11 of 120 complaints (9%)
- Control arm: mentioned in 7 of 120 complaints (6%)
- Rear end: mentioned in 7 of 120 complaints (6%)
- Leaf spring: mentioned in 6 of 120 complaints (5%)
At what mileage do suspension problems happen?
Based on 60 complaints that reported the odometer reading.
How serious are the reports?
Of 120 complaints, 7 mention a crash, 2 an injury.
Nissan Frontier suspension complaints by model year
| Model year | Suspension complaints | Share of that year | Median miles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Frontier | 1 | 11% | — |
| 2024 Frontier | 2 | 9% | — |
| 2022 Frontier | 1 | 1% | 9,000 |
| 2021 Frontier | 1 | 5% | — |
| 2019 Frontier | 1 | 4% | 135,000 |
| 2018 Frontier | 3 | 12% | — |
| 2016 Frontier | 1 | 2% | 9,631 |
| 2015 Frontier | 2 | 6% | 43,000 |
| 2012 Frontier | 3 | 4% | 29,000 |
| 2011 Frontier | 2 | 3% | 60,500 |
| 2010 Frontier | 1 | 2% | 62,000 |
| 2009 Frontier | 3 | 8% | 67,709 |
| 2008 Frontier | 4 | 3% | 9,505 |
| 2007 Frontier | 6 | 1% | 114,000 |
| 2006 Frontier | 9 | 1% | 52,000 |
| 2005 Frontier | 4 | 1% | 72,000 |
| 2004 Frontier | 4 | 6% | 45,694 |
| 2003 Frontier | 10 | 13% | 78,218 |
| 2002 Frontier | 9 | 7% | 35,000 |
| 2001 Frontier | 8 | 6% | 102,250 |
| 2000 Frontier | 22 | 12% | 27,000 |
| 1999 Frontier | 4 | 5% | 100,009 |
| 1998 Frontier | 19 | 15% | 93,400 |
When owners reported it
Related recalls (4)
Suspension:front:control arm:lower ball joint; steering:linkages
Model years: 2024
Problem: 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.
Risk: Ball joint separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Nissan's number for this recall is PD109.
Suspension:front:hub
Model years: 2012
Problem: 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. A wheel hub that was manufactured below hardness specification may wear prematurely and eventually crack.
Risk: If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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. Owners may contact Nissan Customer Service at 1-800-647-7261.
Suspension:front:control arm:lower arm
Model years: 2010
Problem: 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. Due to an improper welding process some collars may contain welds that do not meet strength specifications.
Risk: If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Fix: 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
Model years: 2001, 2002, 2003
Problem: 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.
Risk: This can result in corrosion and eventual failure of the wheel bearing. If this occurs, the wheel assembly could separate from the vehicle increasing the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon service date and do not receive the free remedy within a reasonable time should 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.
had my tires balanced but still shakes at highway speeds.without nissan addessing more damage will happen to other parts.i bought it used in september 2026
Started rolling in park, then would not start towed to dealer , no word and no help!!!!
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while an independent mechanic was performing an oil change on the vehicle, the contact was informed that the front passenger's side axle housing mount was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted…
Sway bar was loose from manufacturer. Purchased 7/31. In the first two weeks of driving, I noticed an unusual sound when I turned the vehicle hard one way. At first I thought it was the frame flexing as it was new, however, it seemed to get worse. I noticed the steering become more loose as days…
2024 Nissan vehicle was sold from Rock Hill Nissan with open voluntary recall on FRONT RH LOWER LINK on 7.18.2024. DEALER RESPONSIBILITY It is the dealerâs responsibility to check Service COMM or Dealer Business Systems (DBS) National Service History for the campaign status on each vehicle…
Frequently asked questions
Do all Nissan Frontiers have suspension problems?
No. NHTSA has 120 owner complaints about suspension 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 suspension?
Yes: 4 safety recalls list suspension. Check your VIN on NHTSA.gov to see whether the fix was done on your car.
What do owners say about suspension problems on the Nissan Frontier?
The most frequent phrase is “sway bar”, in 11 of 120 complaints, followed by “control arm” (7).
Other Nissan Frontier problems
See all Nissan Frontier problems.