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2002 Nissan FrontierProblems, recalls & complaints

NHTSA has logged 124 owner complaints about the 2002 Nissan Frontier, most often about the steering. It is covered by 4 safety recalls.

2002 Nissan Frontier
38
CarFlaw IndexUse caution1.6× the Frontier median · #8 of 27 years by complaints
Safety recalls4Free fix at dealersOwner complaints12422 with a crash, fire or injuryTypical failure mileage94kSteering, median miles

Source: NHTSA complaints, recalls, investigations and manufacturer recall reports, through December 18, 2024. Updated daily. Photo: SsmIntrigue, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Complaints by system

Where the 2002 Nissan Frontier has problems

124 complaints grouped by the system owners reported.

Box size = number of complaints naming that system. Darker = larger share. One complaint can name more than one system.
Complaints by system
SystemComplaintsCrash, fire or injury
Steering130
Electrical system131
Service brakes, hydraulic131
Vehicle speed control133
Fuel system, gasoline121
Structure114
Engine and engine cooling111
Fuel/propulsion system110
Suspension90
13 other systems405

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation. Complaints are submitted by the public and are not verified by NHTSA.

4 recalls

2002 Nissan Frontier recalls and how many were fixed

Each ring shows the share of affected cars repaired, from the manufacturer’s latest quarterly report to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.

–no report yet

Steering: column

Recall 10V-554 · Nov 11, 2010 · 500,552 vehicles

Risk. THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

–no report yet

Delivery: fuel pump

Recall 04V-230 · May 24, 2004 · 586,196 vehicles

Risk. IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION.

Problem, fix and repair progress →

Recalls apply to specific cars. To see whether a recall is still open on yours, enter the 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls or with Nissan.

Best & worst years

2002 vs. every other Frontier year

Bars show complaints per model year. Colors show the CarFlaw verdict: complaints weighted for crashes, fires and injuries, adjusted for years on the road and compared with the Frontier median. How we score

'98'99'00'01'02'03'04'05'06'07'08'09'10'11'12'13'14'15'16'17'18'19'20'21'22'23'24'25'26
  • Avoid
  • Caution
  • Solid
  • Best
  • Not rated
NHTSA crash tests

2002 Nissan Frontier safety ratings

2002 Nissan Frontier 4-DR. in NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program. Photos are from NHTSA's crash tests.

2002 Nissan Frontier frontal crash test, NHTSA
Frontal crashNot rated
2002 Nissan Frontier side barrier test, NHTSA
Side barrierNot rated
  • Rollover: 3 stars (0.0% risk)
  • Stability control: No
  • Forward collision warning: No
  • Lane departure warning: No
In owners' words

What Frontier owners report

Recent steering complaints filed with NHTSA, shortened. Personal details are removed.

The contact owns a 2002 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with NHTSA Campaign Number: 10V554000 (Steering). The vehicle was repaired however, the failure persisted.…
Complaint 11446902 · Jan 10, 2022
END PLAY WAS DISCOVERED WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION AND AT REST. A CERTIFIED TECHNICIAN REMOVED THE STEERING COLUMN AND DID NOT NOTICE ANYTHING LOOSE. AFTER LIFTING THE VEHICLE'S HOOD, THE TECHNICIAN DISCOVERED (3) LOOSE BOLTS LOCATED IN THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN AREA JUST AHEAD OF THE SPLINE. THE…
Complaint 11255455 · Sep 14, 2019 · 120,000 miles
WHILE DRIVING MY STEERING WHEEL SHAFT SNAPPED AND THEN I FIND OUT THERE WAS A RECALL THAT I WAS NEVER NOTIFIED ABOUT. *TR
Complaint 10944146 · Jan 10, 2017 · 2,230,000 miles

Own a 2002 Frontier?

Decode your VIN to see the recalls for your exact car, then confirm open recalls with NHTSA.