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The Nissan Frontier has been sold in North America since 1997. Before this, Nissan trucks weren’t branded by name.
Now known in some other parts of the world as the Nissan Navara, the Nissan Frontier is generally regarded as a reliable pickup truck. But it certainly isn’t without its problems.
Click on other model year to view more problems: 2021 2022
Contents
- 1| NHTSA Complaints for the 2020 Nissan Frontier
- 2| Most Common Problems with the 2020 Nissan Frontier
- 3| 2020 Nissan Frontier Brake & Back-Over Prevention Problems
- 4| 2020 Nissan Frontier Electrical System Problems
- 5| 2020 Nissan Frontier Powertrain & Engine Problems
- 6| What to do if your 2020 Nissan Frontier is a lemon? Your Lemon Rights
- 7| Complaint Data
Don’t be stuck with a lemon. You have legal rights to cash, return or buyback.
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NHTSA Complaints for the 2020 Nissan Frontier
| Complaint Category | Number of Complaints |
|---|---|
| Power Train | |
| Engine | |
| Electrical System | |
| Air Bags | |
| Seat Belts:front:retractor | |
| Power Train:automatic Transmission | |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | |
| Service Brakes | |
| Unknown Or Other | |
| Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash |
Also, sales have dropped dramatically since 2016, when 86,926 Nissan Frontiers were sold in the U.S. and 4,134 in Canada. According to well-publicized records, sales for 2020 are down to 54,817 and 1,355 respectively.
Complaints shared via the United States Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) have also dropped. But owners can continue lodging complaints, and it’s not unlikely that they won’t increase.
For example, of the 133 complaints lodged with NHTSA for the 1998 model, only 14 were made in 1998. A further 28 were made in 1999, and another 25 in 2000. The most recent is dated 12 November 2018.
NHTSA frontal crash ratings based on a simulated head-on collision aren’t great either. NHTSA awarded only 3 out of 5 stars for the front driver side and 4 out 5 for the front passenger side. The 1998 model wasn’t rated for side crash or rollover.
If you have problems with your 2020 Nissan Frontier, it’s worth keeping a check on new and ongoing NHTSA complaints.
Most Common Problems with the 2020 Nissan Frontier
Complaints reported to NHTSA about the 2020 model are varied and across-the-board. The 4 complaints on record specify 7 different problems. These relate to back-over prevention, the electrical system, engine problems, the powertrain, seats, service brakes, and an “unknown” issue.
There are also 20 manufacturer communications on record with NHTSA. These are early warning reports mandated by federal regulations. Essentially, they alert dealers of all types of defects, failures, and malfunctions.
NHTSA only provides a rollover star rating for the 2020 Nissan Frontier. This measures the risk of rollover in the event of loss-of-control of the vehicle. It has a 4 out of 5-star rating, and a rollover risk of 19.8%. Frontal crash crash and side crash risks are not rated.
2020 Nissan Frontier Brake & Back-Over Prevention Problems
The complaint that specifies both brake and back-over prevention problems reports 3 incidents with the same vehicle.
The first was the vehicle rolling backward while it was in park at a gas pump. The truck “slowly rolled backwards more than 15 feet until it hit the curb.” The owner has a surveillance video that shows what happened.
The same thing happened again twice at family members’ homes.
2020 Nissan Frontier Electrical System Problems
The electrical system problem relates to dim dashboard lighting from the time the owner took delivery of a new 2020 Frontier. The complaint was made in October 2021 when there were only 50 miles on the clock.
The problem was that because the dash lights were so dim, the driver was unable to see the speedometer clearly while driving. The complaint states that neither the dealer nor the manufacturer was able to do anything to resolve the problem.
There are 10 manufacturer communications alerting dealers to electrical system problems. None deal with dashboard lighting.
2020 Nissan Frontier Powertrain & Engine Problems
In contrast, the powertrain/engine complaint is covered by manufacturer communication. It is one of 11 that relate to the engine, engine and engine cooling, and the powertrain of the 2020 model.
The complaint describes how the transmission shifted into neutral and the truck lost power while on the road. The check engine and transmission warning lights came on, so the owner took the vehicle to the dealer. The diagnosis was “gear 6 incorrect ratio.”
But, ironically, the fault recurred after transmission control module software was updated. This time it happened “with the engine revving while shifting gears.”
Both failures occurred in January 2022. According to the complaint, the vehicle was not repaired a second time.
What to do if your 2020 Nissan Frontier is a lemon? Your Lemon Rights
If you have a 2020 Nissan Frontier that is giving you problems, contact Lemberg Law so that we can assess whether you have a lemon or not. Generally, if you have persistent problems that relate to the brakes, transmission, or engine, there’s a possibility that it is a lemon.
We are lemon law experts and have helped many car owners get cash settlements, buy-back deals, and trade-ins. If you’ve bought a lemon, you don’t have to pay legal fees because the law says Nissan must pay.
Complaint Data
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Feb 16, 2023 |
| State | CA |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 nissan frontier. The contact stated that while the transmission was shifted into park (p), the vehicle accelerated forward. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000. |
| Category | Electrical System, Engine, Power Train |
| Date | Jan 27, 2023 |
| State | HI |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 nissan frontier. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased but the contact was offered no assistance. The contact continued driving the vehicle and stated that the vehicle was hesitating and jerking while depressing accelerator pedal. Occasionally, the vehicle failed to start up after several attempts. The contact stated that the vehicle had rolled back while stopped on an incline. The contact reached out to the dealer and was informed that the defect was related to the battery, which the contact disputed. Upon investigation, the contact discovered nhtsa campaign number: 22v671000 (power train) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer where the vehicle was purchased. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000. The vin was not available. |
| Category | Air Bags, Seat Belts:front:retractor |
| Date | Jan 13, 2023 |
| State | MT |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 nissan frontier. The contact stated while driving 65 mph, the passenger's side air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the passenger's side seat belt pretension sensor to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the passenger's side belt assembly tongue pretension and the passenger seat belt retractor to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The manufacturer had been informed of the failure. The failure mileage was 9,624. The contact stated that this failure has occurred 4 times while both the driver and the passenger was occupied. |
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Dec 13, 2022 |
| State | SC |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 nissan frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the park position, but while exiting the vehicle it began to roll and crashed into the garage door. There were no reported injuries. There was no fire or police report filed. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated the failure was related to nhtsa campaign number: 22v671000 (power train). The approximate failure mileage was 16,000. |
| Category | Power Train |
| Date | Nov 09, 2022 |
| State | AR |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 nissan frontier. The contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 22v671000 (power train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect. |
| Category | Power Train:automatic Transmission |
| Date | Sep 22, 2022 |
| State | CA |
| Description | 2020 nissan frontier. Consumer writes in regard to transmission issues. The consumer stated upon purchasing the vehicle it would pull to the right. The dealer attempted to repair this failure, but was unsuccessful. The vehicle was placed in park. On two occasions the vehicle rolled away. Once striking an rv, and second striking a fence. The consumer was made aware of a recall. The vehicle was taken to the dealer but there was no remedy available yet. The dealer temporarily allowed the consumer to drive a rental. The dealer requested the consumer return the rental and pick up the unrepaired vehicle. |
| Category | Back Over Prevention: Warnings, Service Brakes, Unknown Or Other |
| Date | Feb 22, 2022 |
| State | CA |
| Description | There are 3 incidents thus far. ***I have video confirmation of these incidents*** first, I had parked my vehicle at a gas pump, put my vehicle in park, and locked the vehicle. Apparently, as I walked away, my vehicle had slowly rolled backwards more than 15 feet until it hit the curb. I noticed the vehicle moved from the location I had parked my vehicle when I came back to the vehicle and didn't notice my vehicle where I had remembered leaving the vehicle. I inspected my vehicle and no damage and the vehicle shift was in the park position. After I realized what had happened I went back in to the store and asked the manager to show me the camera footage to see what had happened. I recorded the surveillance video as proof. Second, I was arriving at a brother's house and parked my vehicle, put my vehicle in the park position and when I shut the vehicle off the vehicle rolled forward approximately 3 feet. Third, I was arriving at a family member's house. I parked the vehicle, put the vehicle in the park position. When I shut the vehicle off, the vehicle started rolling forward. As I noticed immediately what had happened, I ran in front of the vehicle to stop the vehicle from rolling any further to which I started pushing the vehicle backwards. At about 10 feet of pushing the vehicle backwards, I eventually heard a click sound rendering the vehicle locked in the park position. *****I have video confirmation of my locked and parked vehicle rolling back while I stepped away at the gas pump***** autonation nissan service department has the vehicle replacing my transmission and some electrical components associated with the drivetrain. Case # [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).†|
| Category | Engine, Power Train |
| Date | Feb 16, 2022 |
| State | PA |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 nissan frontier. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission shifted into neutral and the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with code p0729 (gear 6 incorrect ratio). The dealer performed technical service bulletin ntb 21-086, transmission control module (tcm) software update; however, the failure recurred with the engine revving while shifting gears. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,784. |
| Category | Electrical System:wiring:interior/under Dash |
| Date | Oct 25, 2021 |
| State | GA |
| Description | The contact owns a 2020 nissan frontier. The contact stated that since purchasing the vehicle, the dashboard lights were significantly dim, affecting his visibility of the speedometer while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and advised the contact that could they not assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50. |
| Category | Seats |
| Date | Mar 10, 2021 |
| State | CO |
| Description | The passenger seat would not lock when moved. On only one side. We took it in an the dealer said that is was known to them but was not safety risk. If I had to stop fast and the seat was not locked on one side the torque would have bent the bar and caused damage to the passenger. They say they fixed it but I cannot be sure. I was also told the there were multiple others they had fixed. I think this needs to be looked at for safety reasons. The dealer ship is nissan at 1333 south academy blvd., colorado springs, co 80916. You may reach me at [xxx]. If you need more info. The nissan corp. Office told me to report it here. Thank you [xxx] information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6). *tr |
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About the Author:
Brian Jones spent more than 20 years working as an ASE Certified Master Tech and Parts Specialist at multiple dealerships. Brian has become an authority in the industry, traveling across the country to consult for car dealerships and contributing his expertise as a writer for several major automotive publications. In his spare time, Brian enjoys working on pickup trucks, muscle cars, Jeeps and anything related to motorsports.
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