IllustrationThe transmission is not working
2003 Nissan Frontier
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2003 Nissan Frontier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 64.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Frontier years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
100–25K
1225–50K
1150–75K
975–100K
17100–150K
1150K+
60 reports with mileage · 17 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Fuel System, Gasoline. Review the 13 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 9 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports2 fire reports5 injury reports
Unknown Or Other complaints
5 reportsVEHICLE HAS SEVERE RUST CORROSION FROM THE BACK CAB BREAK LIGHT. IT LOOKS LIKE THE SEAL AROUND THE LIGHT WAS COMPROMISED AND CAUSES MOISTURE TO SEEP IN AND LEAK THROUGH THE ROOF. IT LOOKS AS IF IT IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
A GROWING PROBLEM WITH OUR 2003 NISSAN FRONTIER 4X2 PURCHASED NEW FROM DELAND NISSAN IN FLORIDA. OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS THE FACTORY ORIGINAL PAINT HAS BEGUN TO FAIL IN NUMEROUS LOCATIONS. IT BEGINS WITH A BUBBLING OF THE PAINT IN A SPOT FOLLOWED BY FLAKING OFF OF THE OUTER COLOR PAINT FROM THE GRAY PRIMER. THE AREA OF PAINT…
Read full complaint
A GROWING PROBLEM WITH OUR 2003 NISSAN FRONTIER 4X2 PURCHASED NEW FROM DELAND NISSAN IN FLORIDA. OVER THE PAST SIX MONTHS THE FACTORY ORIGINAL PAINT HAS BEGUN TO FAIL IN NUMEROUS LOCATIONS. IT BEGINS WITH A BUBBLING OF THE PAINT IN A SPOT FOLLOWED BY FLAKING OFF OF THE OUTER COLOR PAINT FROM THE GRAY PRIMER. THE AREA OF PAINT FAILURE CONTINUES TO EXPAND WITH NO END IN SIGHT. ATTEMPTS TO WORK WITH OUR DELAND DEALERSHIP HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL SINCE THE VEHICLE WAS WITHIN THE 3 YEAR WARRANTY BUT OVER THE MILEAGE ALLOTMENT. NISSAN NORTH AMERICA DISTRICT PARTS AND SERVICE MANAGERS HAVE BOTH REVIEWED THIS SITUATION AND EARLIER PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE PAINT FAILURE AND HAVE DECLINED TO REPAIR THE DAMAGE THAT IS OCCURRING FROM THIS FACTORY DEFECT IN THE PAINTING OF OUR VEHICLE. THE FAILURE OF THE PAINT IN THE AREA AFFECTED IS GROWING RAPIDLY. THIS FAILURE IS NOW OCCURRING IN THREE MAJOR AREAS WITH OTHER AREAS SHOWING THE EARLY SIGNS OF PAINT FAILURE. WE HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE TO TWO LOCAL PAINT AND BODY SHOPS TO GET AN OPINION AS TO WHAT MAY BE CAUSING THE FAILURE. IN BOTH CASES THESE PAINT EXPERTS BELIEVE THAT IT IS A FAILURE OF THE EXTERIOR PAINT TO EFFECTIVELY BOND TO THE PRIMER PAINT. THIS IS A PROBLEM THAT OCCURRED DURING THE MANUFACTURING PROCESS AND NOT A RESULT OF OUTSIDE ELEMENTS THAT MAY HAVE COME IN CONTACT WITH THE VEHICLE. WHEN THE PAINT STARTS TO FLAKE AWAY FROM THE VEHICLE IT DOES SO IN A BUBBLING FASHION FROM UNDERNEATH THE SEAL OF THE PAINT. I HAVE RESEARCHED THE INTERNET AND FIND THERE ARE OTHER OWNERS OF NISSAN VEHICLES AND THE 2003 NISSAN FRONTIER WHO HAVE EXPERIENCED THE SAME PROBLEM WITH THE FACTORY ORIGINAL PAINT. THIS APPEARS TO BE FURTHER EVIDENCE OF A SYSTEMATIC PROBLEM IN EITHER THE PAINTING PROCESSES OR THE CHEMICAL COMBINATIONS USED TO FORMULATE YOUR PRIMERS AND PAINTS. WE HAVE TRIED TO APPEAL THIS LOCAL/REGIONAL DECISION ON THE FAILURE OF THE PAINT ON OUR FRONTIER THROUGH CUSTOMER SERVICE OPERATIONS, BUT HAVE BEEN UNSUCCESSFUL. *JB
2003 NISSAN FRONTIER PAINT IS CHIPPING IN 3 PLACES WITH A 4TH AREA BUBBLING. *NM
I OWN A FRONTIER 2003 XE CREW CAB MODEL, AND ONE DAY RUNNING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 90+ MPH,SUDDENLY IT LOOSE THE TRACTION THAT KEEP THE VEHICLE IN MOTION FOR A MOMENT AND BACK AGAIN. I THINK THAT TRUCK CHASSIS SUDDENLY LOST THE WEIGHT THAT KEEP THE TRUCK ASIDE TO THE GROUND CAUSED BY THE AIR FLOW UNDER THE TRUCK (AERODYNAMIC E…
Read full complaint
I OWN A FRONTIER 2003 XE CREW CAB MODEL, AND ONE DAY RUNNING ON THE HIGHWAY AT ABOUT 90+ MPH,SUDDENLY IT LOOSE THE TRACTION THAT KEEP THE VEHICLE IN MOTION FOR A MOMENT AND BACK AGAIN. I THINK THAT TRUCK CHASSIS SUDDENLY LOST THE WEIGHT THAT KEEP THE TRUCK ASIDE TO THE GROUND CAUSED BY THE AIR FLOW UNDER THE TRUCK (AERODYNAMIC EFFECT) SO I GOT VERY NERVOUS BECAUSE IT COULD CAUSE TO LOOSE CONTROL ON THE TRUCK WITH CAUSING POTENTIAL INJURES TO MYSELF FURTHERMORE THE INCIDENT CAME UP WITH OUT NOTICE. MY FIRST THOUGHT WAS THAT PROBABLY THERE WERE SOME PROBLEM WITH THE FUEL ENGINE SYSTEM BUT NO LIGHT AT THE PANEL CAME ON. *NM
Official recalls
410V554000 · Steering:column
Nov 11, 2010
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
04V230000 · Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump
May 24, 2004
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
02V316000 · Wheels:rim
Nov 26, 2002
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
02V299000 · Suspension:rear
Nov 12, 2002
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.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: 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.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.