The Nissan Frontier has been a constant in the midsize pickup truck market since 1997. However, it has developed a rather mixed reputation over time, and many prospective purchasers are unsure of how long the car will endure.
A Nissan Frontier should typically last up to 100,000 miles, while good maintenance could extend the vehicle’s lifespan to 200,000 miles or more. With models from 2005 to 2010 being the worst offenders, some Frontier model years are known to have more frequent and serious faults than others.
We realize that was a lot of information, so in this post we’ll break it all down for you. We’ll go over the advantages and disadvantages of the Frontier, the elements that affect its longevity, the truck’s track record for gearbox problems, and Nissan’s future intentions for the model. Let’s get going!
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In This Article...
Electrical system: Wiring: Fuses and circuit breakers
Certain Frontier vehicles from the model years 2012 through 2014 that were produced between November 28, 2012, and December 17, 2013 are being recalled by Nissan North America, Inc. The primary wire harness connecting to the circuit breaker in the affected vehicles may have been placed improperly, causing it to face outward and possibly come into touch with an A-pillar metal bolt.
An electrical short that results from the bolt wearing through the wire harness covering could spark a fire.
Nissan will inform owners, and dealers will check the orientation of the circuit breaker. Dealers will fix the vehicles at no cost if the circuit breaker orientation is off. Beginning on March 17, 2014, the recall. Nissan can be reached at 1-800-647-7261 by owners.
Suspension: Front: Hub
Nissan is recalling some two-wheel drive models of the 2012 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra that were produced between June 19 and July 12, 2012. These cars may have had front wheel hubs that didn’t adhere to the design hardness requirements. If a wheel hub is built with insufficient hardness, it may wear down too quickly and crack.
The wheel hub could shatter if the car is driven in this situation, potentially causing a crash.
Owners will be notified by Nissan, and dealers will replace the hub assemblies on the left and right front wheels at no cost. It is anticipated that the safety recall would start in October 2012. Nissan Customer Service can be reached by owners at 1-800-647-7261.
Engine and engine cooling
CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 INFINITI FX, MODEL YEAR 2012 INFINITI M, AND MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 VEHICLES ARE BEING RECALL BY NISSAN. 2011–2012 Nissan Frontier model year NISSAN XTERRA, NISSAN PATHFINDER MODEL YEARS 2011–2012, AND NISSAN NV MODEL YEAR 2012. IN THESE VEHICLES, SOME OF THE BOLTS THAT JOIN THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER TO THE ENGINE COULD HAVE BEEN MADE TO A WEAKER STRENGTH. A ENGINE OIL LEAK MAY THEREFORE RESULT IF THE BOLT BREAKS AT THE OIL FILTER ATTACHMENT POINT.
The risk of a crash would increase if there was an engine oil leak because the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine might seize.
Owners will receive notification from Nissan, and dealers will free of charge replace the connector bolts. It is anticipated that the safety recall would start on or around January 19, 2012. NISSAN CAN BE REACHED BY OWNERS AT 1-800-647-7261.
The Nissan Frontier trucks’ dependability?
Consumer Reports will be consulted in order to determine whether the Frontier is more dependable than the Tacoma. To learn about the difficulties faced by vehicle owners, thousands of them are sent surveys.
Drivers can report on 17 distinct potential issue sites using the surveys. Major transmission faults and small electrical system problems are two of the problems. If Consumer Reports receives sufficient information, they will be able to forecast the level of reliability for each model.
The 2021 Nissan Frontier has an average reliability rating of three out of five, according to Consumer Reports.
However, Consumer Reports also provided a three-out-of-five dependability prediction for the 2021 Toyota Tacoma. So, this won’t work! We can’t let the game end in a tie.
Nissan Frontiers: Are they worth it?
The Nissan Frontier is an excellent pickup, yes. It has a respectable payload capacity and a powerful V6 engine. It also has a comfortable ride and good handling for a pickup. The front seats are very comfortable and supportive, and the interior design is sleek and contemporary—a welcome improvement from the previous generation.
Toyota Tacoma versus Nissan Frontier: which is superior?
In general, these trucks are quite evenly matched. The Tacoma features a wider choice of powertrain options, the potential for better fuel economy, and somewhat higher towing and hauling capacities than the Frontier, which is more powerful. The V6 engine in the Frontier feels strong, and the transmission shifts effortlessly and rapidly.
When did Nissan Frontier experience transmission issues?
The Nissan Frontier is a dependable truck in general, but there are specific years you should stay away from. There were some transmission problems with the second-generation Frontier when it was first debuted in 2005. It seems possible for coolant to leak into the transmission. This affected Nissan trucks between 2005 and 2008 due to a radiator leak.
Your Nissan truck’s transmission can stop working if this issue affects it. Unfortunately, that requires a costly repair. Your Frontier might not be able to shift or perform as it should because coolant will dilute the transmission fluid.
Is the 2017 Nissan Frontier subject to any recalls?
Certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that use a mechanical (physical) key ignition mechanism are being recalled by Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan). In some models, the ignition switch may eventually shift from the run position to the accessory position, shutting off the engine as a result of road conditions, the weight of the key ring, or some other jarring event.
What Must Be Fixed:
Nissan will provide owners notice, and dealers will check the ignition switch’s production data, replace it if necessary, and do so at no cost. On October 1st, 2018, the recall started. Nissan customers can reach customer care by calling 1-800-867-7669.
Is there a timing belt or chain on a 2012 Nissan Frontier?
Timing chains and interference engines are standard on all variants of the Nissan Frontier from 2005 to 2021. All 4 Cylinder Nissan Frontier cars from 1998 to 2004 had timing chains and interference engines, whilst the V6 models had timing belts and the opposite.
A timing belt is used in the 2004 Nissan Frontier 3.3L V6 170 hp (VG33E) option while a timing chain is used in the 2021 Nissan Frontier 3.8L 310 hp V6 (VQ38DD) option.
How durable are Nissan Frontier engines?
Like the Ford Ranger, the Nissan Frontier has a potent V-6 engine. However, the Nissan Frontiers only have an average lifespan of 100,000 miles while the Ranger may travel up to 200,000 miles.
On RepairPal, they both have a reliability score of 4.0. This results in a reliability score that is same, yet out of 7 midsize trucks, the Frontier is ranked first and the Ranger is placed third.
With an average annual cost of $615 as opposed to $470 for the Frontier, the Ford Ranger had a higher maintenance cost of $145.
How dependable is the 4.0-liter Nissan V6?
A handful of the Nissan VQ40DE 4.0 V6 engine’s most typical issues are as follows:
- oil spills
- Oil pressure is low
- timing system
The remainder of this paper will discuss these VQ40 dependability difficulties. However, now is a good time to make a few brief notes before continuing. There’s a good reason why we think these issues are the most prevalent. It doesn’t necessarily follow that they are common in the dictionary’s sense of the word. Instead, these are a few typical situations where VQ40DE issues can occur.
The Nissan 4.0 V6 has strong reliability overall. Many of these engines last well into 200,000 miles with little to no significant problems. The engine, however, was built in 2005, and older, high mileage engines are prone to a number of issues. At the conclusion of this post, we’ll go into additional detail about VQ40DE reliability. Let’s look at the aforementioned problems with the 4.0L Nissan engine right now.
Are Nissan Frontiers fuel-efficient?
A new truck is a wonderful investment right now. With its improved features and included safety equipment, the 2022 Nissan Frontier is a great choice. This can be the best option for drivers who are thinking about buying a new car. It’s a fantastic investment for the reasons listed below:
1.) Solid Engine: The improved engine in the 2017 Frontier makes it a strong alternative for individuals looking to buy a truck. This vehicle has a 305 horsepower engine and 265 lb-ft of torque, giving you more control over your power when driving. According to the EPA, this truck gets about 16/21 mpg combined on the city/highway when using standard gas. Better acceleration times than trucks from competing companies are also made possible by the torque from this engine.
2.) Compact Size: The Frontier’s small size makes it ideal for drivers who want to reduce their gas consumption.
The Frontier is perfect for commuting about town because of its tiny size, which also makes it simple to park in confined locations. The height of the car also contributes to safety by making it more difficult for would-be thieves to enter your car. Since the truck bed is narrower, it is much simpler to load your cargo and there is less risk of cargo falling off while being transported. What’s best? All of this is reasonably priced!
3.) Standard Safety Equipment: Standard safety features on all-new Nissan Frontiers include seat belts, airbags, child safety seats, anti-lock brakes, and a vehicle stability system. These characteristics guarantee that drivers can travel safely.
4.) New Amenities: This Nissan comes equipped with the newest features, such as an updated display screen, better speakers, and a reworked steering wheel. It has a ton of wonderful features that make it simpler for drivers to commute and travel in luxury, safety, and style. When operating this vehicle, drivers may be confident that they are backed by the most cutting-edge technology while commuting or traveling long distances.
5.) Extremely Low Petrol Mileage: For drivers looking to save money on gas, the 2022 Nissan Frontier is a fantastic investment. The truck’s range is only 10 miles per gallon in the city and 14 miles per gallon on the highway, according to EPA estimates. Additionally, it is predicted that you will spend $1,000 a year just fuelling up this vehicle after factoring in the cost of petrol. In other words, it will be less expensive to acquire a new automobile than to continue driving your present one if your vehicle gets 20 miles per gallon or fewer.
What exactly does SV on a Nissan Frontier mean?
The Nissan Frontier SV is a step up from the Frontier S and has a number of noteworthy features. The SV on the Nissan Frontier SV stands for “Standard Vehicle.” A motorized driver’s seat, a folding back window, and 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels are among the features of the 2022 Nissan Frontier SV. These aid in making this mid-size truck more useful and fashionable.
The Frontier no longer has the standard four-cylinder engine and manual transmission that it once did. Even the Nissan Frontier SV will get a 3.8-liter V6 engine as standard for 2022, producing 310 horsepower and 281 pound-feet of torque.