NISSAN FRONTIER · model year

2002 NISSAN FRONTIER

152 NHTSA complaints, 13 crash reports, and 8 active recalls for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2002NISSANFRONTIER carries 152 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 13 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 fatalities. No NCAP 5-star crash-test rating is available for this model year in the federal database.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2002 FRONTIER is vehicle speed control with 11 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (11) and electrical system (10). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 8 active recall campaigns, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2002 FRONTIER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

152
Complaints
13
Crashes
2
Fires
9
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

152 filings

Crashes Reported

13 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL11
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM11
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM10
STEERING10
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE10
STRUCTURE:BODY5
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE4
SUSPENSION4
AIR BAGS4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING4
STEERING:COLUMN4
UNKNOWN OR OTHER3
EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS3
SUSPENSION:REAR3
SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC:FOUNDATION COMPONENTS2

Recalls (8)

04V23000024/05/2004

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR OR SIX CYLINDER ENGINES, THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT CAN DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC MOLDING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TERMINAL STRIP TO CORRODE UNDER SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDIT

06E06400017/07/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED

06E02300013/03/2006

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPME

02V29900012/11/2002

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.

02V29800012/11/2002

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGER, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS FULL THROTTLE IN LOW GEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT FULLY WARMED UP AND AT COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, THE AMOUNT OF INTAKE AIR FLOW THROUGH THE AIR FLOW METER MAY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PRESET

10V55400011/11/2010

STEERING:COLUMN

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 MO

09E02500011/05/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

09E01200007/04/2009

EXTERIOR LIGHTING

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES

Recent Complaints

20241218ENGINE

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 time and it's getting CO2 carbon and exhaust fumes inside cab which is very toxic also the rear window defogger does not work and the cruise control does not work at all so anyway you're asking for what date this first occurred well it was like that when I bought it and I bought it on approximately in July of the summer 2024 it was all these issues were already broke when I got it I looked online and I see that the exhaust manifold is a very common problem and it is also a health hazard and toxic and could cause injury or death to passengers so I believe it should be and maybe is recalled I see online where some dealerships a few years ago al

20241218ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 time and it's getting CO2 carbon and exhaust fumes inside cab which is very toxic also the rear window defogger does not work and the cruise control does not work at all so anyway you're asking for what date this first occurred well it was like that when I bought it and I bought it on approximately in July of the summer 2024 it was all these issues were already broke when I got it I looked online and I see that the exhaust manifold is a very common problem and it is also a health hazard and toxic and could cause injury or death to passengers so I believe it should be and maybe is recalled I see online where some dealerships a few years ago al

20241218FORWARD 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 time and it's getting CO2 carbon and exhaust fumes inside cab which is very toxic also the rear window defogger does not work and the cruise control does not work at all so anyway you're asking for what date this first occurred well it was like that when I bought it and I bought it on approximately in July of the summer 2024 it was all these issues were already broke when I got it I looked online and I see that the exhaust manifold is a very common problem and it is also a health hazard and toxic and could cause injury or death to passengers so I believe it should be and maybe is recalled I see online where some dealerships a few years ago al

20220526FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE

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 repaired. The contact notified the manufacturer of the failure. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 04V230000 (Fuel System, Gasoline) however, the VIN was not included. The approximate failure mileage was 200,000.

Mileage: 200,000

20220110STEERING

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 was diagnosed with needing the U-joint replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure and informed the contact that the vehicle was not included in an active recall. The failure mileage was unavailable.

20210301AIR BAGS

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 THE SEAT HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND ARE FINE SO THERE MUST BE A FAULTY SENSOR SOMEPLACE OR AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO LOCK IN PLACE.

Mileage: 142,000

20210301ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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 THE SEAT HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND ARE FINE SO THERE MUST BE A FAULTY SENSOR SOMEPLACE OR AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO LOCK IN PLACE.

Mileage: 142,000

20210301SEAT BELTS

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 THE SEAT HAVE BEEN CHECKED AND ARE FINE SO THERE MUST BE A FAULTY SENSOR SOMEPLACE OR AN ELECTRICAL ISSUE CAUSING THE SEAT BELT TO LOCK IN PLACE.

Mileage: 142,000

20200310FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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

Mileage: 125,000

20190914STEERING

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 END PLAY DID NOT GO AWAY. IS THERE A RECALL FOR CORROSION OF THE BOLTS, A BUSHING OR SLEEVE BEARING LOCATED WITHIN THE STEERING COLUMN ASSEMBLY, OR A FAILED SNAP RING WHICH PREVENTS A BUSHING OR SLEEVE BEARING FROM MOVING ALONG THE STEERING COLUMN? PLEASE REFER TO FIGURE 6 OF THE STEERING COLUMN RECALL NOTICE.

Mileage: 120,000

20190523FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

SIRS, WHEN I STOP MY PICK UP YOU CAN FEEL A STRONG GAS ODOR, I LOOK AROUND AND FOUND NO LEAKS, PLEASE ADVISE.

20190523UNKNOWN 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.

20181105STRUCTURE:BODY

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 130,000.

Mileage: 130,000

20180516ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

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.

Mileage: 1,693,371

20180516UNKNOWN OR OTHER

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.

Mileage: 1,693,371

20170826FUEL/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 CHARGE TO ME.

20170719STRUCTURE:BODY

TAKATA INFLATORS: UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS A SUPERCHARGER AND IT WILL NOT GET THE FUEL MILEAGE AS A FOUR-CYLINDER VEHICLE I SHOULD NOT BE GOING THROUGH THIS MUCH GAS AND I DO NOT HAVE MY FOOT IN IT ALL THE TIME ALSO MY FRONT DRIVER SEAT IS ABOUT TO DISMANTLE FROM THE FLOOR THERE IS A LOT OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES WHICH I'M NOT SURE IF THAT IS WHAT IS CAUSING SENSOR PROBLEMS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON AGAIN. I HAVE HAD OVER $3000 OF MY OWN MONEY PUT INTO THIS TRUCK ALONG WITH ANOTHER USED MOTOR AND SUPERCHARGER PUT IN RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THIS TRUCK USED I WOULD NOT HAVE PREFERRED THEM BUYING USED I WANTED REMANUFACTURED BUT IT WAS NOT MY CHOICE THEY SAID. THE BED OF THE TRUCK IS ALSO RIDING OUT THE BRAKE SYSTEM I ALSO HAVE TO REDO AGAIN WHICH I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES. AND FOR A SUPERCHARGER IT SHOULD HAVE A LOT MORE POWER THAN IT DOES. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE THAT I HAVE SPENT SO FAR RECEIPTS AND I DO NOT EVEN LIKE TAKING THE HIGHWAY AT TIMES BECAUSE I JUST DON'T FEE

Mileage: 65

20170719FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

TAKATA INFLATORS: UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS A SUPERCHARGER AND IT WILL NOT GET THE FUEL MILEAGE AS A FOUR-CYLINDER VEHICLE I SHOULD NOT BE GOING THROUGH THIS MUCH GAS AND I DO NOT HAVE MY FOOT IN IT ALL THE TIME ALSO MY FRONT DRIVER SEAT IS ABOUT TO DISMANTLE FROM THE FLOOR THERE IS A LOT OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES WHICH I'M NOT SURE IF THAT IS WHAT IS CAUSING SENSOR PROBLEMS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON AGAIN. I HAVE HAD OVER $3000 OF MY OWN MONEY PUT INTO THIS TRUCK ALONG WITH ANOTHER USED MOTOR AND SUPERCHARGER PUT IN RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THIS TRUCK USED I WOULD NOT HAVE PREFERRED THEM BUYING USED I WANTED REMANUFACTURED BUT IT WAS NOT MY CHOICE THEY SAID. THE BED OF THE TRUCK IS ALSO RIDING OUT THE BRAKE SYSTEM I ALSO HAVE TO REDO AGAIN WHICH I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES. AND FOR A SUPERCHARGER IT SHOULD HAVE A LOT MORE POWER THAN IT DOES. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE THAT I HAVE SPENT SO FAR RECEIPTS AND I DO NOT EVEN LIKE TAKING THE HIGHWAY AT TIMES BECAUSE I JUST DON'T FEE

Mileage: 65

20170719SUSPENSION

TAKATA INFLATORS: UNDERSTANDING THAT IT IS A SUPERCHARGER AND IT WILL NOT GET THE FUEL MILEAGE AS A FOUR-CYLINDER VEHICLE I SHOULD NOT BE GOING THROUGH THIS MUCH GAS AND I DO NOT HAVE MY FOOT IN IT ALL THE TIME ALSO MY FRONT DRIVER SEAT IS ABOUT TO DISMANTLE FROM THE FLOOR THERE IS A LOT OF ELECTRICAL ISSUES WHICH I'M NOT SURE IF THAT IS WHAT IS CAUSING SENSOR PROBLEMS THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS NOW ON AGAIN. I HAVE HAD OVER $3000 OF MY OWN MONEY PUT INTO THIS TRUCK ALONG WITH ANOTHER USED MOTOR AND SUPERCHARGER PUT IN RIGHT AFTER PURCHASING THIS TRUCK USED I WOULD NOT HAVE PREFERRED THEM BUYING USED I WANTED REMANUFACTURED BUT IT WAS NOT MY CHOICE THEY SAID. THE BED OF THE TRUCK IS ALSO RIDING OUT THE BRAKE SYSTEM I ALSO HAVE TO REDO AGAIN WHICH I SHOULD NOT HAVE ANY ISSUES. AND FOR A SUPERCHARGER IT SHOULD HAVE A LOT MORE POWER THAN IT DOES. I HAVE DOCUMENTATION TO PROVE THAT I HAVE SPENT SO FAR RECEIPTS AND I DO NOT EVEN LIKE TAKING THE HIGHWAY AT TIMES BECAUSE I JUST DON'T FEE

Mileage: 65

20170609SERVICE BRAKES

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING 25-30 MPH, THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS DEPRESSED, BUT THE BRAKES FAILED TO STOP THE VEHICLE IN A TIMELY MANNER. THE CONTACT ALSO HEARD AN ABNORMAL NOISE EMITTING FROM THE BRAKING SYSTEM. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC TO BE DIAGNOSED. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THERE WAS NO FAULT CODE AND THE VEHICLE OPERATED AS INTENDED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER STATED THAT THERE WAS NO DOCUMENTED RECORDS FOR BRAKING SYSTEM FAILURE ON SIMILAR VEHICLES REPORTED TO NISSAN CORPORATION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 76,000.

Mileage: 76,000

Compare 2002NISSANFRONTIER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER have?
The 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER has 152 NHTSA complaints, 13 crashes, 2 fires, 9 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
Are there any recalls for the 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER?
Yes, the 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER has 8 recall(s). The most common affected component is FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER?
The most-complained component for the 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER is VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL with 11 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and ELECTRICAL SYSTEM.
Is the 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. No NHTSA crash test rating is available for this model year. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.