Worst 2003 Nissan Frontier Problems
Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
STEERING
STRUCTURE:BODY
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All Problems by Category
Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2003 Nissan Frontier.
| Component | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Avg Mileage | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE | 10 | — | — | 85,514 mi | |
| STEERING | 8 | 1 | — | 54,092 mi | |
| STRUCTURE:BODY | 7 | 1 | — | 91,250 mi | |
| UNKNOWN OR OTHER | 5 | — | — | 42,633 mi | |
| AIR BAGS | 4 | 4 | — | 138,000 mi | |
| SUSPENSION:REAR | 4 | — | — | 87,859 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION | 3 | — | — | 60,253 mi | |
| SERVICE BRAKES | 3 | 1 | — | 102,500 mi | |
| SUSPENSION | 3 | — | — | 80,500 mi | |
| WHEELS | 3 | — | — | 94,000 mi | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM | 2 | — | — | 5 mi | |
| EQUIPMENT:APPLIANCE:AIR CONDITIONER | 2 | — | — | 20,550 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY | 2 | — | — | 58,450 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:STORAGE:TANK ASSEMBLY | 2 | — | — | 74,000 mi | |
| FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM | 2 | — | — | 122,500 mi | |
| POWER TRAIN | 2 | — | — | 72,880 mi | |
| STRUCTURE | 2 | 1 | — | — | |
| SUSPENSION:REAR:SPRINGS:LEAF SPRING ASSEMBLY | 2 | 1 | — | 135,000 mi | |
| VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL | 2 | 1 | — | 17,316 mi | |
| AIR BAGS:FRONTAL | 1 | — | — | — | |
| ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD | 1 | — | 1 | 3,550 mi | |
| ENGINE | 1 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM | 1 | — | — | 56,431 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:COOLING SYSTEM:HOSES/LINES/PIPING/FITTINGS | 1 | — | — | 2,400 mi | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE | 1 | — | — | — | |
| ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:EXHAUST SYSTEM:EMISSION CONTROL | 1 | — | — | 16,000 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:BRAKE LIGHTS | 1 | — | — | 30,000 mi | |
| EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS | 1 | — | — | — | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE:DELIVERY:FUEL PUMP | 1 | — | — | 120,000 mi | |
| FUEL SYSTEM, OTHER | 1 | — | — | 130,000 mi |
Search Owner Complaints
Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2003 Nissan Frontier. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.
Recalls for 2003 Nissan Frontier
1 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting ~500,552 vehicles.
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 MOVEMENT OF THE JOINT. THE LIMITED MOVEMENT OF THIS JOINT MAY CREATE EXCESSIVE LOAD ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE SHAFT DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS THAT REQUIRE LARGE STEERING INPUTS.
Other Nissan Frontier Years
Wider context: See the full Nissan Frontier reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.
Check Your Specific 2003 Nissan Frontier
Real owner complaints tell you about the model. The VIN tells you about your specific car — accidents, title issues, odometer fraud.
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