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Recalls are issued for a make, model and model year. Whether the repair has already been done on one specific car is known only to its manufacturer and dealers. Check your vehicle's official status at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with a dealer.
US recalls (4)
Steering: column
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.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND JOINT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHAFT OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Fuel system, gasoline: delivery, fuel pump
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR OR SIX CYLINDER ENGINES, THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT CAN DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC MOLDING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TERMINAL STRIP TO CORRODE UNDER SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.
Risk and remedy
Risk: IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION. THIS WILL RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.
Remedy: IN THE FOLLOWING STATES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT. THESE STATES ARE CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THE OTHER STATES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE SENDING UNIT FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE UNIT. IF THERE IS NOT CORROSION, THE DEALER WILL APPLY SEALANT TO THE TERMINAL HOUSING TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION IN THE FUTURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Wheels: rim
ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V6 ENGINE, AN INCORRECT SIZE WHEEL RIM FOR THE SPARE TIRE WAS PROVIDED IN THESE VEHICLES. THE WHEEL RIM DOES NOT FIT PROPERLY AS A REPLACEMENT FOR A FRONT WHEEL.
Risk and remedy
Risk: WHEN INSTALLED ON THE FRONT OF THE VEHICLE, THE WHEEL RIM WILL CONTACT THE BRAKE CALIPER CAUSING A LOUD RUBBING NOISE AND COULD RESULT IN WEAR ON THE CALIPER AND/OR WHEEL RIM IF DRIVING CONTINUES. CONTINUED USAGE OF THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL AT THE FRONT LOCATION CAN ALSO RESULT IN LOOSENING OF THE LUG NUTS AND DETERIORATION IN BRAKING PERFORMANCE. THIS COULD EVENTUALLY CAUSE THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY TO SEPARATE FORM THE VEHICLE AND RESULT IN LOSS OF CONTROL AND A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL RIM WITH A NEW ONE, AND REMOUNT THE SPARE TIRE ON IT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Suspension: rear
ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER MAY ENTER THE REAR AXLE HOUSING DUE TO INADEQUATE SEALING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR.
Risk and remedy
Risk: THIS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE WHEEL BEARING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE FOR WATER INTRUSION AND ANY AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. THE ABS SENSOR WILL BE RESEALED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Canadian recalls (5)
Show 5 Canadian recalls
Steering
2010-11-12 · campaign 2010-402
On certain vehicles, corrosion may form in the lower steering column joint and limit the movement of the joint. Limited movement of this joint may create excessive load on the lower steering column shaft and, if the vehicle continues to be driven in this condition, may lead to cracking of the shaft during low speed manoeuvres that require large steering inputs. In an extreme case, the shaft may break which would result in loss of steering control and could result in a crash. Correction: Dealers will replace the affected column shafts and joints.
Other
2004-08-05 · campaign 2004-280 · 738 vehicles
Certain Hidden Hitch brand accessory trailer hitches P/N 64-3528 installed by Nissan dealers on 2002 to 2004 Frontier vehicles. With continued use, load forces may cause a side bracket of the trailer hitch to fatigue and eventually break, possibly allowing the towed unit to separate from the towing vehicle. Correction: Dealers will replace all suspect Hidden Hitch brand hitches originally installed by Nissan dealers in Canada.
Fuel system
2004-05-06 · campaign 2004-151
On certain vehicles, the fuel pump terminal on the fuel sending unit can develop a crack. When exposed to heavy concentrations of road salt in the winter, if road salt enters the crack, the terminal strip will corrode and eventually could break due to corrosion. This will cause the fuel pump to stop operating and will result in not being able to start the engine or cause the engine to stop running without warning. Correction: Dealer will replace the fuel sender unit.
Wheels
2002-11-25 · campaign 2002-226 · 208 vehicles
On certain XE models, the size of the spare tire wheel rim is incorrect. The wheel rim does not fit properly on the front hubs and will contact the brake caliper. Continued usage of the spare tire wheel on a front hub can also result in loosening of the lug nuts and an increase in brake fluid temperature. This may eventually cause the wheel to separate from the vehicle and/or deterioration in braking performance. Correction: Dealers will replace the wheel rim and re-install the spare tire.
Brakes
2002-11-13 · campaign 2002-206
On certain four wheel drive vehicles, water may enter the rear axle housing due to inadequate sealing of the ABS sensor in the axle housing. This may result in corrosion and eventually failure of the wheel bearing. If this occurs, the wheel assembly could separate from the vehicle. Correction: Dealer will inspect the rear axle for water intrusion and replace any affected components. The ABS sensor will be resealed to prevent water intrusion.
Owner complaints (77)
Owners filed 77 complaints with NHTSA about the 2003 Nissan Frontier (9 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries, 1 deaths reported). Among 29 model years of this model, it ranks #12 for the most complaints (median 64).
| Most-reported problem | Complaints | |
|---|
| Fuel system, gasoline | 13 | |
| Suspension | 10 | |
| Structure | 9 | |
| Steering | 9 | |
| Power train | 7 | |
| Air bags | 5 | |
| Unknown or other | 5 | |
| Service brakes, hydraulic | 4 | |
Crash test ratings
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2003 Nissan Frontier.
| Version | Overall | Frontal | Side | Rollover |
|---|
| 2003 Nissan Frontier 4-DR. | – | – | – | 3★ |
| 2003 Nissan Frontier Extended Cab | – | – | – | 3★ |
Fuel economy
EPA ratings for each 2003 Nissan Frontier version.
| Version | City MPG | Highway MPG | Combined | Yearly fuel cost |
|---|
| Frontier 2WD 2.4 L Automatic 4-spd | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,550 |
| Frontier 2WD 2.4 L Manual 5-spd | 20 | 23 | 21 | $3,200 |
| Frontier V6 2WD 3.3 L Automatic 4-spd | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,500 |
| Frontier V6 2WD 3.3 L Automatic 4-spd | 15 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Frontier V6 2WD 3.3 L Manual 5-spd | 14 | 18 | 15 | $5,500 |
| Frontier V6 2WD 3.3 L Manual 5-spd | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
| Frontier V6 4WD 3.3 L Automatic 4-spd | 14 | 17 | 15 | $5,500 |
| Frontier V6 4WD 3.3 L Automatic 4-spd | 14 | 19 | 16 | $4,200 |
| Frontier V6 4WD 3.3 L Manual 5-spd | 13 | 16 | 14 | $5,850 |
| Frontier V6 4WD 3.3 L Manual 5-spd | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,950 |
Need this data in your app?
Recalls, complaints, crash ratings and fuel economy as a JSON API. Decode up to 50 VINs per call and get a daily feed of new recalls.
Explore the API →Sources: NHTSA recalls, complaints and 5-Star Safety Ratings, US EPA fuel economy and Transport
Canada's Vehicle Recalls Database (contains information licensed under the Open Government Licence – Canada).
Recalls updated 2026-10-30.