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Research · Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD

2002 Nissan FrontierRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 8 safety recalls and 139 owner complaints for the 2002 Nissan Frontier. Most complaints involve service brakes, hydraulic (17) and engine and engine cooling (16). The EPA rates it 15–21 mpg combined.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
15–21mpg
EPA · 10 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
8campaigns
Latest Nov 2010
Owner complaints
139
Top: service brakes, hydraulic
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

8 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Steering: column

Free remedy

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.

SteeringReported Nov 11, 2010NHTSA 10V554000

Exterior lighting: headlights

Free remedy

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported May 11, 2009NHTSA 09E025000

Exterior lighting

Free remedy

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 CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Exterior lightingReported Apr 7, 2009NHTSA 09E012000
See all 8 recalls with remedies
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

139 complaints filed with NHTSA · Nov 2001 – Dec 2024
  1. Service brakes, hydraulic17
  2. Engine and engine cooling16
  3. Electrical system15
  4. Steering13
  5. Vehicle speed control13
  6. Fuel system, gasoline12
  7. Fuel/propulsion system11
  8. Structure11
  9. Exterior lighting10

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Frontier model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998131
199987
2000205
2001143
2002139
200377
200466
2005532
2006617
2007520
2008136
200937
201059
201164
201280
201348
201442
201533
201644
201738
201825
201928
202023
202120
2022112
202368
202422
202510
202611
Crashes reported
13
Fires reported
2
Injuries reported
9
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Service brakes, hydraulic

17 reports2 crashes
“I WAS IN A CAR ACCIDENT TODAY AND THE BRAKES NOT WORKING HAD A LOT TO DO WITH IT. AS I NOTICED A CAR IN FRONT OF ME, I APPLIED MY BRAKES ONLY TO FIND THAT IT DIDN'T DO ANYTHING AND WENT TO THE FLOOR SO I TRIED AGAIN (STILL ABOUT TO HIT ANOTHER CAR) AND THEY WORKED FINE. I AM WAITING TO HEAR IF THERE WAS A FAILURE WITH THEM, BUT THE FACT THAT THEY WORKED THE SECOND TIME LEADS ME TO BELIEVE THAT THEY WILL FIND NOTHING WRONG.....I KNOW THERE ARE OTHER BRAKE COMPLAINTS WITH NISSANS, SO I HOPE THIS WARNING HELPS. ALSO, I WAS GOING AT A SPEED OF ABOUT 50MPH AND WHEN I HIT THE CAR AHEAD, THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. IT WAS A FRONTAL HIT, MORE TO THE RIGHT SIDE, AND NEITHER AIR BAG WORKED. NO INJURIES BUT MY NECK AND BACK HURT. I HAVE JUST REPAIRED SO MUCH ON MY SENTRA, AND I AM NOT HAPPY WITH THE PROBLEMS I HAVE INCURRED WITH NISSAN, WE'LL SEE IF I EVER BUY ANOTHER.*AK”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Nov 18, 2004Service brakes, hydraulic, Air bagsCrash reportedODI 10100158

Engine and engine cooling

16 reports1 crash
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2002 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 30 MPH, THE ENGINE WARNING INDICATOR CONTINUOUSLY ILLUMINATED UNTIL THE ENGINE WAS TURNED OFF. ON A SEPARATE OCCASION THE VEHICLE JERKED VIOLENTLY WITH A REDUCTION IN THE ENGINE POWER. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC WHERE THE KNOCK SENSOR, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR AND FOUR OXYGEN SENSORS WERE REPLACED. THE FAILURE CONTINUED TO OCCUR AFTER THE REPAIR WAS PERFORMED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN BACK TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC FOR THE SECOND TIME AND THE WIRING HARNESS WAS REPLACED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE PROBLEM AND THEY INFORMED THE CONTACT THAT THE WIRING HARNESS CONNECTORS EXHIBITED CORROSION AS A RESULT OF NOT BEING WEATHERPROOF DURING PRODUCTION. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 70,000. UPDATED 04/10/12*LJ THE CONSUMER STATED HE SPENT CLOSE TO $2000 REPAIRING THE VEHICLE. THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CONTINUED TO ILLUMINATE, AFTER REPLACING THE O2 SENSORS FOUR TIMES. ALSO, THE WIRING HARNESS HAD TO BE REPLACED BECAUSE WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS MANUFACTURED IT WAS NOT WEATHER PROOF WHICH CAUSED CORROSION IN THE WIRES, WHICH SENT INCORRECT SIGNALS TO THE VEHICLE'S COMPUTER.…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 7, 2011Engine and engine cooling, Electrical systemODI 10438840

Electrical system

15 reports1 fire
“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 definitely getting exhaust fumes drawn into the cab especially when I turn the heater on now that it's winter time and it's getting CO2 carbon and exhaust fumes inside cab which is very toxic also the rear window defogger does not work and the cruise control does not work at all so anyway you're asking for what date this first occurred well it was like that when I bought it and I bought it on approximately in July of the summer 2024 it was all these issues were already broke when I got it I looked online and I see that the exhaust manifold is a very common problem and it is also a health hazard and toxic and could cause injury or death to passengers so I believe it should be and maybe is recalled I see online where some dealerships a few years ago already started fixing the issue for free before it was even recalled so I did a recall check and it says that there's no unfixed recalls on my vehicle but that exhaust manifold…”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Dec 18, 2024Electrical system, Engine, Forward collision avoidanceODI 11631479
All 2002 Frontier problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

10 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.4L 4-cyl · 3.3L 6-cyl · 3.3L 6-cyl supercharged
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 4-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline · Premium Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Frontier 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
202321$2,950423
Frontier 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172219$3,300468
Frontier V6 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
141816$3,900555
Frontier V6 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
151716$3,900555
Frontier V6 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
151716$3,900555
Frontier V6 2WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
141715$5,150592
Frontier V6 2WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg · Rear-Wheel Drive
141715$5,150592
Frontier V6 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141815$4,150592
Frontier V6 4WD
Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
141715$5,150592
Frontier V6 4WD
Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg · 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
131715$5,150592
  • Frontier 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    20 city · 23 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 4 cyl, 2.4 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier V6 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier V6 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    15 city · 17 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier V6 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    15 city · 17 hwy · $3,900/yr
    16
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier V6 2WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg
    14 city · 17 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier V6 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg
    14 city · 17 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier V6 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L
    14 city · 18 hwy · $4,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier V6 4WD
    Auto 4-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg
    14 city · 17 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier V6 4WD
    Man 5-spd, 6 cyl, 3.3 L, Sup Charg
    13 city · 17 hwy · $5,150/yr
    15
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

2 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2002 Nissan Frontier as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 4533Vehicle 4532
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2002 Frontier questions

How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Frontier have?

8 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.

What are the most common 2002 Nissan Frontier problems?

Owners filed 139 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are service brakes, hydraulic (17), engine and engine cooling (16), electrical system (15). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2002 Nissan Frontier get?

The EPA rates the 2002 Nissan Frontier at 15–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (10 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026