2002 Nissan Frontier
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.
- Complaints
- 124
- Recalls
- 8
- Investigations
- 0
- Top problem
- Service brakes
Campaigns on file for 2002
None on file
13% of complaints
Complaints per year
2002: 124 complaints
View as data table
| Year | Complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 129 |
| 1999 | 78 |
| 2000 | 189 |
| 2001 | 134 |
| 2002 | 124 |
| 2003 | 77 |
| 2004 | 66 |
| 2005 | 532 |
| 2006 | 617 |
| 2007 | 520 |
| 2008 | 136 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 59 |
| 2011 | 64 |
| 2012 | 80 |
| 2013 | 48 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 112 |
| 2023 | 66 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 9 |
Known problem areas
Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.
Service brakes
13% · 16 reportsMost commonly citing hydraulic.
Show complaint excerpts
Brakes failed on public roadway, could not stop vehicle, crashed into wall to stop vehicle, causing serious bodily injuries.
NHTSA ODI report, 2016-10-28
Steering
11% · 14 reportsMost commonly citing column.
Vehicle speed control
10% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing linkages and cruise control.
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.
NHTSA ODI report, 2003-01-08
Electrical system
10% · 13 reportsMost commonly citing fuses and circuit breakers and wiring.
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, 2024-12-18
Also filed under Engine and forward collision avoidance
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, 2018-05-16
Fuel system, gasoline
10% · 12 reportsMost commonly citing filler pipe and cap and tank assembly.
Show complaint excerpts
2002 Nissan Frontier. Consumer writes in regards to vehicle leaking gas.
NHTSA ODI report, 2014-07-02
Fuel tank is spilling/leaking gas.
NHTSA ODI report, 2001-11-30
Safety timeline
8 recalls · 0 investigations · oldest first
To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →
-
▮
2002Complaint volume 124 complaints filed for this model year.
-
R
2003-01-13Vehicle speed control02V298000 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…
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…
-
R
2003-12-10Suspension02V299000 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…
-
R
2004-06-28Fuel system, gasoline04V230000 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…
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…
-
R
2006-05-09Exterior lighting06E023000 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…
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.
-
R
2009-05-11Exterior lighting09E012000 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…
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.
-
R
2009-07-28Exterior lighting09E025000 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…
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.
-
R
2010-12-13Steering10V554000 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…
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…
-
R
Date not on fileExterior lighting06E064000 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.
Buy-smart checklist
2002 Nissan Frontier — pre-purchase inspection
Inspect
- Service brakes: 16 reports on file for this year.
- Steering: 14 reports on file for this year.
- Vehicle speed control: 13 reports on file for this year.
Verify these recalls were completed
- Recall 06E064000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 02V298000 · Vehicle speed control
- Recall 02V299000 · Suspension
- Recall 04V230000 · Fuel system, gasoline
- Recall 06E023000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E012000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 09E025000 · Exterior lighting
- Recall 10V554000 · Steering
Other years of this model
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 service brakes, accounting for 13% of complaints on file.
- How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Frontier have?
- 8 recalls on file for this model year.
Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.