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2014 Nissan Frontier Recalls, Problems & Maintenance

The 2014 Nissan Frontier carries 2 open NHTSA recalls — most recently covering fuses and circuit breakers and rear/other. Owners report 8 recurring issue clusters, led by “Fuel filler neck overflow during refueling.” Nissan owner's manuals split service into Schedule 1 (severe) and Schedule 2 (normal). Most US drivers fall under Schedule 1. The biggest preventable failure on Nissan vehicles is CVT transmission damage from extended fluid intervals — owners of Altima, Rogue, Sentra, Pathfinder, and Murano with CVT should not skip it.

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2 Open Recalls

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FUSES AND CIRCUIT BREAKERS

Campaign #14V052000 · Dec 2, 2014

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012 through 2014 Frontier vehicles manufactured from November 28, 2012, through December 17, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a circuit breaker may have been installed incorrectly causing the main wire harness connected to the circuit breaker to face outward, potentially contacting a metal bolt located on the A-pillar.

Risk: The bolt may wear through the wire harness covering, resulting in an electrical short which could cause a fire.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the circuit breaker orientation. If the circuit breaker orientation is incorrect, dealers will repair the vehicles free of charge. The recall began on March 17, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan at 1-800-647-7261.

SEAT BELTS:REAR/OTHER

Campaign #14V418000 · Oct 7, 2014

Issue: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 Frontier Crew Cab vehicles manufactured June 11, 2014 to June 26, 2014. The affected vehicles were manufactured with an out of specification anchor nut installed on the weld nut plate where the rear seat belt anchor is attached. The seat belt anchor bolt may not be attached as designed.

Risk: If the seat belt anchor bolt is not attached as designed, that increases the risk of injury in the event of a vehicle crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the seat belt anchor attachment and repair it if necessary, free of charge. The recall began on August 18, 2014. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.

Recall data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

Known issues & problems for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2014 Nissan Frontier.

Reported to NHTSA

Fuel filler neck overflow during refueling

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

4 NHTSA complaints · 2017-11 → 2020-03

“EVERY TIME I NEED TO FILL MY TRUCK UP, I NEVER LET IT GET BELOW A QUARTER OF A TANK, FUEL WILL COME SHOOTING BACK OUT AS IF IT IS FULL, BUT IT IS NOT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11315518
“PURCHASED VEHICLE USED, WITH 28,000 MILES. GAS SPURTS OUT OF FILLER NECK 90% OF THE TIME WHEN USING AUTOMATIC NOZZLE AS TANK NEARS 3/4 FULL; MUST FINISH FILLING AT VERY SLOW RATE MANUALLY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11196534
“WHEN FUELING TRUCK, GASOLINE COMES UP FUEL TANK BOTTLENECK. IT'S A KNOWN ISSUE WITH THIS TRUCK DIFFERENT YEARS SAME PROBLEM”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11047954

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Cruise control and acceleration hesitation on grades

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL

3 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2020-09

“SET CRUISE CONTROL AT 55 MPH ON AN INTERSTATE HIGHWAY. WHEN GOING DOWN A SLIGHT HILL, SPEED INCREASES AND THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL DISENGAGE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10638629
“THE CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT COAST DOWN HILL WITHOUT DECELERATING UP TO 5 MILES BELOW SET SPEED, SO 55, IF YOUR SET AT 60, ETC”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10702270
“FROM A STAND STILL, WHEN ACCELERATING TO ENTER INTO TRAFFIC. DEPRESSING THE ACCELERATOR, THE TRUCK ONLY MOVES INTO TRAFFIC BUT THEN THE TRUCK FAILS TO ACCELERATE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11361728

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Electrical system malfunction and warning lights

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2014-09 → 2022-04

“The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start as needed. The traction control and check engine warning lights were illuminated”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11460387
“ALL LIGHTS WOULD ILLUMINATE ON DASHBOARD AND VEHICLE WOULD NOT START. THE RADIO WOULD TURN ON WITHOUT ANY KEY IN THE IGNITION”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10862175
“INSTRUMENT CLUSTER GIVING VEHICLE PARASITIC DRAW BETWEEN TSB AND COMBINATION METER! INSTRUMENT CLUSTER STAYS ON WHEN KEYS OUT OF VEHICLE AND DASH INDICATORS FLICKER DUE TO FAULTY COMBINATION METER”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11309408

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Sunroof glass spontaneously shattering

VISIBILITY/WIPER

2 NHTSA complaints · 2019-10 → 2019-10

“I HEARD A LOAD POP SIMILAR TO A GUN SHOT. MY SUN ROOF HAD JUST SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. IT BUCKLED IN THE MIDDLE AND THE WHOLE ROOF WAS SHATTERED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11270205
“MY SUN ROOF SPONTANEOUSLY EXPLODED. HEARD A LID POP LOOKED UP AND THE ENTIRE WINDOW WAS SHATTERED. I WAS ON THE HIGHWAY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11270210

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag warning light illumination

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2019-12 → 2026-04

“Air Bag light is constantly on. So the diagnosis was air bag sensor is not working. so the air bags will not deploy in an accident”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11733485
“The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The air bag light warning light illuminated and remained constantly illuminated since the day of the failure”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11647983
“AIRBAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN IGNITION TURNED ON AND REMAINS BLINKING/FLASHING UNTIL IGNITION TURNED OFF. REMAINS ON WHETHER STANDING STILL OR IN MOTION AT ANY SPEED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11291714

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag non-deployment in frontal collision

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2018-06 → 2019-10

“FRONTAL COLLISION (REAR END STYLE) AT APPROXIMATELY 50-60 MPH ON THE INTERSTATE. AIRBAGS DID NOT DEPLOY”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11270049
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNED A 2014 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 55 MPH, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A TREE. NONE OF THE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11100270
“TAKATA RECALL. WHEN IN A "FRONT END COLLISION" AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED (EST. 70-80 MPH), AT IMPACT, NO AIR BAGS WERE DEPLOYED AND RESULTED IN HITTING MY HEAD EITHER AGAINST THE STEERING WHEEL OR THE DRIVER'S SIDE WINDOW”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11130533

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Inadvertent airbag deployment without impact

AIR BAGS

3 NHTSA complaints · 2015-01 → 2023-09

“THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT 25 MPH, THE SIDE AIR BAGS INDEPENDENTLY DEPLOYED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10670593
“WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 25 MPH, THE FRONT DRIVER STEERING WHEEL, FRONT DRIVER AND PASSENGER SIDE SEAT BELT AIR BAGS DEPLOYED WITHOUT IMPACT”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11326165
“Side Air bags deployed while crossing a railroad crossing”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11545940

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Transmission slip and disengagement on grades

POWER TRAIN

5 NHTSA complaints · 2014-11 → 2017-06

“TRAVELING AT APPROXIMATELY 55 MILES PER HOUR ON A HILL COASTING ON THE DOWN SLOPE, THE TRANSMISSION DISENGAGES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10660373
“AT 32000 ON THE FREEWAY HADN'T SHIFTED IN MILES CLUTCH BEGINS TO SMOKE, TRANSMISSION SLIPS POWER LOSS, WITH FIVE MILES LOST ANY GEAR IN TRANSMISSION FORWARD OR REVERSE AND NO CLUTCH”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10787183
“THE AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION ON MY TRUCK DOESN'T HOLD ON 10 TO 13% GRADE IT WANTS ROLL FORWARD OR BACKWARDS DEPENDING ON WHICH DIRECTION YOUR TRYING TO TRAVEL”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #10948414

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 20, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 20, 2026.

We display NHTSA's record with attribution; we don't editorialize on what these complaints mean for any specific vehicle.

Raw data + downloads for this vehicle →

Essential maintenance

Critical for safety and preventing major damage

Engine Oil & Filter

Every 5,000 mi

Replace synthetic-blend or full-synthetic oil every 5,000 miles under Schedule 1. Schedule 2: 7,500 miles. VR30DDTT (3.0L twin-turbo): full synthetic only.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$120–$160

Shop

~$85–$115

DIY

~$25–$55

Full synthetic costs more than conventional. 5-quart 0W-20 + filter is the typical bill.

Tire Rotation

Every 5,000 mi

Rotate tires every 5,000 miles. Front-wheel-drive Nissans (Altima, Sentra, Versa) wear front tires fast — don't skip rotations.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Often free at the shop where you bought the tires — worth asking before paying.

CVT Fluid (NS-3)

Every 60,000 mi

Nissan officially calls CVT fluid 'lifetime,' but independent technicians and Nissan TSBs recommend replacement every 60,000 miles to prevent CVT failure. Use Nissan NS-3 fluid only — substitutes destroy the belt-and-pulley system.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$360–$500

Shop

~$255–$355

DIY

~$80–$180

CVT fluid is manufacturer-specific and pricey — do NOT substitute conventional ATF.

Brake Inspection

Every 7,500 mi

Inspect brake pads, rotors, and parking brake every 7,500 miles. Rogue and Pathfinder front pads typically last 35,000-50,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$85

Shop

~$60

DIY

Free

Most shops do this free as a courtesy with any service. Don't pay separately if you can avoid it.

Brake Fluid

Every 30,000 mi

Replace DOT 3 brake fluid every 30,000 miles or 2 years. Dark or amber fluid indicates moisture contamination.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$180–$200

Shop

~$125–$140

DIY

~$10–$25

DOT 3 or 4 — match the cap. Vacuum bleeders make this a one-person DIY.

Important maintenance

Keeps your vehicle running smoothly and efficiently

Engine Air Filter

Every 30,000 mi

Replace engine air filter every 30,000 miles, sooner if driving on dusty unpaved roads.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

5-minute job on most cars; the airbox lid usually has clips, no tools needed.

Spark Plugs

Every 105,000 mi

Iridium-tipped spark plugs are rated 105,000 miles on QR25, MR20, and VQ35 engines. VR30DDTT: 60,000 miles due to higher cylinder pressures.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$390

Shop

~$200–$275

DIY

~$25–$100

Iridium plugs cost more but last 100k+ miles. V6/V8 access varies wildly — some are tough.

Long-Life Coolant

Every 75,000 mi

Nissan Long-Life Antifreeze/Coolant (blue/green): first change at 105,000 miles, then every 75,000. Do not mix with other coolant chemistries.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$285–$330

Shop

~$200–$235

DIY

~$25–$60

Use the manufacturer-specified coolant — wrong color/chemistry can damage the cooling system.

Transfer Case / Rear Diff (AWD models)

Every 60,000 mi

On AWD and 4WD models, replace transfer case fluid and rear differential fluid every 60,000 miles.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$105–$140

Shop

~$75–$100

DIY

~$15–$40

AWD/4WD vehicles only. Easy drain-and-fill on most platforms.

Recommended maintenance

Extends the life of your vehicle and improves comfort

Cabin Air Filter

Every 15,000 mi

Replace cabin air filter every 15,000 miles. Located behind the glove box on Altima, Rogue, and Sentra.

Estimated cost — typical U.S. ranges

Dealer

~$60–$95

Shop

~$45–$70

DIY

~$15–$40

Usually behind the glovebox. Shops charge labor for a 10-minute job — easy DIY win.

Fatal crash history & reported problems

Occupant deaths in fatal crashes (FARS)

47 crashes 1990–2024

How the 47 occupant deaths break down

41

driver deaths

6

passenger deaths

47

occupant deaths

Crash years covered: 1990–2024 This model year first appears in 2014 crashes. Older models have had more years on the road to appear in these crashes, so a higher count here does not by itself mean a vehicle is less safe.

FARS counts every occupant death in a fatal crash, whatever the cause — it does not mean the vehicle was at fault or defective. Counts are not adjusted for how many of each vehicle are on the road. How to read this number

FARS 2024 data is an annual report file. NHTSA revises these records when the final file is published, so this count can change.

Why we show driver deaths too

Every vehicle has exactly one driver seat, so driver deaths line up fairly when you compare one model to another. Occupant deaths include passengers, so a three row SUV can show a higher number than a two seat car simply because it carries more people.

Both figures are plain counts, not rates. A rate would need to know how many of each vehicle are on the road, and that registration data is not public, so we do not publish rates or scores of any kind.

IIHS publishes driver death rates using this same driver only idea, paired with a registered vehicle years denominator we do not have. Their rates and these counts answer different questions, so do not read either number here as a safety rating.

Owner-reported problem signals

Separate from the federal fatality data above: complaints owners filed with NHTSA about this year and model. These are reports of problems, unverified, and are counted here only as signals.

3

complaints mentioning a crash

1

complaints mentioning a fire

Reviewed known issues for this vehicle·Open recalls for this vehicle

Typical U.S. ranges. Actual quotes vary by shop, parts choice, and vehicle condition.

How we estimate: Dealer = OEM parts × 1.4 + labor × $165/hr. Shop = parts + labor × $115/hr. DIY = parts only.

This maintenance schedule for the 2014 Nissan Frontier reflects Nissan's published service intervals and the Maintenance Reminder system. Your actual service needs may vary based on driving conditions, climate, and vehicle usage. Always consult your owner's manual for model-specific recommendations.

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