2002 Nissan Frontier

◆ Worse than typical
2002 Nissan Frontier
RENDERED 2026-08-02T11:29:11.177Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

COMPLAINTS PER YEAR

Complaints per year, Nissan Frontier Bar chart of distinct NHTSA complaints filed per model year, 2002 highlighted. 1998: 129 complaints 1998 1999: 78 complaints 2000: 189 complaints 2001: 134 complaints 2002: 124 complaints 2002 2003: 77 complaints 2004: 66 complaints 2005: 532 complaints 2006: 616 complaints 2006 2007: 520 complaints 2008: 136 complaints 2009: 37 complaints 2010: 59 complaints 2010 2011: 64 complaints 2012: 78 complaints 2013: 48 complaints 2014: 42 complaints 2014 2015: 33 complaints 2016: 42 complaints 2017: 38 complaints 2018: 25 complaints 2018 2019: 28 complaints 2020: 22 complaints 2021: 17 complaints 2022: 110 complaints 2022 2023: 62 complaints 2024: 17 complaints 2025: 7 complaints 2026: 5 complaints 2026
2002: 124 complaints
View as data table
YearComplaints
1998129
199978
2000189
2001134
2002124
200377
200466
2005532
2006616
2007520
2008136
200937
201059
201164
201278
201348
201442
201533
201642
201738
201825
201928
202022
202117
2022110
202362
202417
20257
20265

KNOWN PROBLEM AREAS

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 9%

9% of complaints: vehicle speed control — 11 distinct reports on file.

CRASH
Show complaint excerpts

VEHICLE WAS INVOLVED IN ACCIDENT DUE TO ENGINE RACING WHEN CONSUMER PRESSED ON THE BRAKE PEDAL. THIS PREVENTED CONSUMER FROM STOPPING, REAR ENDING THE VEHICLE IN FRONT. *JG *JB

NHTSA ODI report, 20030108

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 9%

9% of complaints: fuel/propulsion system — 11 distinct reports on file.

STEERING 8%

8% of complaints: steering — 10 distinct reports on file.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 8%

8% of complaints: fuel system, gasoline — 10 distinct reports on file.

FIRE INJURY
Show complaint excerpts

2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO VEHICLE LEAKING GAS.

NHTSA ODI report, 20140702

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 8%

8% of complaints: electrical system — 10 distinct reports on file.

FIRE
Show complaint excerpts

The main issue on the Nissan Frontier that I just bought a few months ago that I need to report that I think should be recalled item is the passenger side exhaust manifold is cracked and it makes ticking noises the exhaust is loud and I am...

NHTSA ODI report, 20241218

ELECTRICAL SHORT IN WIRING,AFFECTING BRAKE LIGHTS,RADIO,CRUISE CONTROL AND WARNING LIGHTS.THE PROBLEM IS GETTING WORSE ,WHEN DRIVING THE CRUISE CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON WITHOUT ENGAGING,THE BRAKE LIGHTS IN THE BACK OF THE TRUCK ARE COMPLETELY OUT.

NHTSA ODI report, 20180516

SAFETY TIMELINE

2002 — complaint volume: 124
R 20030113 — vehicle speed control

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGER, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS FULL THROTTLE IN LOW GEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT FULLY WARMED UP AND AT COLD AMBIENT

Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT REC

Campaign 02V298000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20031210 — suspension

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.

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 1

Campaign 02V299000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20040628 — fuel system, gasoline

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 I

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, NE

Campaign 04V230000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20060509 — exterior lighting

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM

Remedy: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Campaign 06E023000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090511 — exterior lighting

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Campaign 09E012000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20090728 — exterior lighting

DOPE, INC. IS RECALLING 42,540 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONF

Remedy: DOPE, INC. WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON JULY 28, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT DOPE, INC. AT 1-626-272-1798.

Campaign 09E025000 — check if this car was fixed

R 20101213 — steering

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, TH

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 NIS

Campaign 10V554000 — check if this car was fixed

R Date not on file — exterior lighting

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES.

Remedy: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Campaign 06E064000 — check if this car was fixed

BUY-SMART CHECKLIST

2002 Nissan Frontier — pre-purchase inspection

  • Test/inspect for vehicle speed control issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for fuel/propulsion system issues (11 reports on file for this year).
  • Test/inspect for steering issues (10 reports on file for this year).
  • Verify recall 06E064000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V298000 (vehicle speed control) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 02V299000 (suspension) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 04V230000 (fuel system, gasoline) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 06E023000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E012000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 09E025000 (exterior lighting) has been completed.
  • Verify recall 10V554000 (steering) has been completed.

OTHER YEARS OF THIS MODEL

BEST YEARS

▲ 2015 ▲ 2009 ▲ 2017

WORST YEARS

■ 2006 ■ 2005 ■ 2007

See all years ranked →

FAQ

Is the 2002 Nissan Frontier reliable?

Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2002 Nissan Frontier is rated "worse than typical".

What are the most common problems with the 2002 Nissan Frontier?

The most-reported component is vehicle speed control, accounting for 9% of complaints on file.

How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Frontier have?

8 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-07-11 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.