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 REPLICATED WITH THE TECH AND SERVICE MANAGER IN MY VEHICLE AND A LIKE IN KIND 2019 NISSAN FRONTIER . THE VEHICLE ENGINE IS RAC…
2017 nissan Frontier powertrain problems
moderate 6 complaints filed with NHTSA · avg repair $2,500
Complaints
6
Recalls
0
Crashes
0
Avg fix
$2,500
What owners are reporting 3 most recent
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 MADE IT TO A SHOPPING CENTER PARKING LOT WHICH WAS ABOUT 100-200 FEET AWAY. FROM THE PARKING STALL, I WANTED TO TEST I…
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.
Common questions
How serious is the powertrain problem on the 2017 nissan Frontier?
It's a documented issue but not catastrophic. 6 complaints have been filed. Repairs average $2,500 and most owners catch it before it causes a breakdown.
At what mileage does the powertrain typically fail?
Mileage data is limited for this issue. Owners report failures across a wide range, suggesting cause is more about driving conditions and maintenance than mileage alone.
What does it cost to fix?
Independent shops typically charge around $2,500 for powertrain repairs on this vehicle. Dealer pricing tends to run 20-40% higher. The exact figure depends on the specific failure mode, parts availability, and your local labor rates. If you're outside factory warranty, an extended service contract often covers this category.
Are there any recalls related to powertrain?
No active recalls currently cover powertrain issues on this vehicle. The complaints filed represent owner-reported failures that haven't risen to the level of a manufacturer-issued recall — but they're still worth knowing about before you buy or budget for repairs.
Other problem areas on this vehicle
Complaint and recall data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
public records database. Severity ratings are derived from reported crashes, fires, injuries, and fatalities.
Repair cost estimates are independent-shop national averages and may differ in your area.
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