Nissan Frontier problems
Light NHTSA footprint — 37 owner complaints. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.
Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.
Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy.
- Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average
Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.
Top trouble spots 3 categories with 3+ complaints
What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim
The transmission when towing 2000 lbs of weight or greater will lock into third gear when the RPM exceeds 4000 RPM. The RPM will stay constant at 4000 RPM with your foot off the pedal and will not drop out of gear unless the overdrive button it disengaged. This problem was…
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…
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…
When proceeding from a green light, the 2017 Nissan frontier sv will not accelerate as normal. To get the truck moving forward, I had to step on the gas medal with more depth than usual, rendering the engine RPM very high, to inch the truck away from the stop light. Luckily, I…
Estimate your repair exposure
Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.
Common questions
Is the 2017 Nissan Frontier reliable?
Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.2 out of 10 based on 37 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2017 Nissan Frontier is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.
Should you avoid the 2017 Nissan Frontier?
The 2017 Nissan Frontier is acceptable, with specific caveats. Worth owning if you verify the specific issues below before you buy. The record behind that call: Reliability score 8.2/10 — above the segment average. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.
What's the most common problem on the 2017 Nissan Frontier?
Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is electrical, with 6 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 65,500 miles. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop.
What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?
The electrical is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $850 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 65,500 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.
How do I check if my Nissan Frontier has open recalls?
Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.
Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2017 Nissan Frontier?
Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 37 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $850, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.