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Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2017 Nissan FrontierRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 38 owner complaints for the 2017 Nissan Frontier. Most complaints involve fuel/propulsion system (10) and electrical system (6). The EPA rates it 17–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Check a VINAdd to my garage
Combined MPG
17–21mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Aug 2018
Owner complaints
38
Top: fuel/propulsion system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

Electrical systemReported Aug 22, 2018NHTSA 18V551000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

38 complaints filed with NHTSA · Feb 2017 – Jun 2026
  1. Fuel/propulsion system10
  2. Electrical system6
  3. Power train6
  4. Air bags5
  5. Engine4
  6. Service brakes3
  7. Wheels1
  8. Seats1
  9. Structure1

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
201643
201738
201825
201928
202023
202120
2022112
202368
202422
202510
202611
Crashes reported
4
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
1
Deaths reported
1
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Fuel/propulsion system

10 reports
“I drive on the highway and my truck stalls out and just shuts off. When I’m driving at slow speeds, it just keeps stalling I lose power and it takes a few tries for it to start again then I have to peel out so it stays started and hope I don’t have to slow down.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 19, 2025Fuel/propulsion systemODI 11694358

Electrical system

6 reports1 crash
“Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 73,471 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 101,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 26, 2025Electrical systemODI 11669398

Power train

6 reports
“The contact's boyfriend owns a 2017 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving at 30 MPH or above, the vehicle started to stall. The check engine warning light was illuminated. On a separate occasion, the vehicle stalled and drastically shifted out of gear into a different gear. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure or find a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 26, 2025Power train, EngineODI 11650735
All 2017 Frontier problemsSend a problem to a mechanic on findmechanic.ai
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular 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 9, 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, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192321$2,950431
Frontier 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172219$3,300467
Frontier 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162319$3,300478
Frontier 2WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162219$3,300479
Frontier 2WD FFV
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
Frontier 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
162118$3,450507
Frontier 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650520
Frontier 4WD FFV
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650521
  • Frontier 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 23 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    17 city · 22 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier 2WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier 2WD FFV
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier 4WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier 4WD FFV
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Estimate your fuel costCost of ownership
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.2%
Overall
4 / 5
Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Overall
— / 5
Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD
Frontal crash
Not rated
Side crash
Not rated
Side pole
Not rated
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.2%
Overall
— / 5
Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC AWD
Frontal crash
Not rated
Side crash
Not rated
Side pole
Not rated
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 11091Vehicle 11090Vehicle 11089
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

2017 Frontier questions

How many recalls does the 2017 Nissan Frontier have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 9, 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 2017 Nissan Frontier problems?

Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are fuel/propulsion system (10), electrical system (6), power train (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2017 Nissan Frontier get?

The EPA rates the 2017 Nissan Frontier at 17–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

How safe is the 2017 Nissan Frontier?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2017 Nissan Frontier 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026