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2017 Nissan Frontier Recalls, Issues & Maintenance

The 2017 Nissan Frontier carries 1 open NHTSA recall — most recently covering ignition. Owners report 5 recurring issue clusters, led by “Transmission fails to shift or hold speed.” 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.

1 Open Recall

Source: NHTSA

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION

Campaign #18V551000 · Aug 22, 2018

Issue: 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.

Risk: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.

Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Recall data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

Known issues for this vehicle

What drivers and federal regulators have officially reported about the 2017 Nissan Frontier.

Reported to NHTSA

Transmission fails to shift or hold speed

POWER TRAIN

3 NHTSA complaints · 2017-09 → 2018-12

“WHEN PROCEEDING FROM A GREEN LIGHT, THE 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER SV WILL NOT ACCELERATE AS NORMAL. TO GET THE TRUCK MOVING FORWARD, I HAD TO STEP ON THE GAS MEDAL WITH MORE DEPTH THAN USUAL, RENDERING THE ENGINE RPM VERY HIGH, TO INCH THE TRUCK AWAY FROM THE STOP LIGHT. LUCKILY, I”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11023871
“THE TRANSMISSION WHEN TOWING 2000 LBS OF WEIGHT OR GREATER WILL LOCK INTO THIRD GEAR WHEN THE RPM EXCEEDS 4000 RPM. THE RPM WILL STAY CONSTANT AT 4000 RPM WITH YOUR FOOT OFF THE PEDAL AND WILL NOT DROP OUT OF GEAR UNLESS THE OVERDRIVE BUTTON IT DISENGAGED. THIS PROBLEM WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11162053
“WHEN DRIVING ON HILLY STREETS WITH 55 MPH SPEED LIMIT, TRUCK WILL NOT MAINTAIN 55 MPH SPEED USING CRUISE CONTROL.. TRAVELING UP HILL, TRUCK DROPS 5-8 MPH BEFORE DOWNSHIFTING TO LOWER GEAR. THE DOWNSHIFT IS ABRUPT RATHER THAN A SMOOTH. WITHOUT CRUISE CONTROL ENGAGED, DISENGAGING”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11066595

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel tank rejects fuel, spits back at filler

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

7 NHTSA complaints · 2018-01 → 2025-05

“I TRY AND FILL UP FUEL AND THE PUMP CONSTANTLY SHUTS OFF. I HAVE TO PUMP THE FUEL SUPER SLOW IN ORDER FOR IT TO FILL UP. I HAVE TRIED DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS, SAME ISSUE. I TOOK IT INTO THE DEALER AND THEY DID SOME REPAIRS UNDER THE ENHANCEMENT WARRANTY THEY IMPLEMENTED, BUT THE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11281054
“I WENT TO FILL THE GAS TANK TODAY AND IT STARTED COMING BACK OUT THE ABOUT 10 MINUTES LATER THE MIL LIGHT CAME ON TOOK IT TO DEALERSHIP SAID IT WAS VENT CONTROL VALVE NEEDS TO BE REPLACED 495.00 DOLLARS TRUCK HAS 45000 MILES NISSAN SAID I WAS OUT OF WARRANTY BS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11176596
“GAS TANK VENT NOT WORKING PROPERLY WHILE REFUELING. SPILL OVER AT FUEL FILL UP DOOR, UNABLE TO LOAD FULL TANK OF FUEL INTO GAS TANK. ENGINE WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATES”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11065390

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Engine stalls or loses power while driving

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM

5 NHTSA complaints · 2021-09 → 2025-10

“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 report, NHTSA ODI #11694358
“As I was driving my truck this morning it stalled on me, two times. The first time I was able to turn the key off and back on again and it started right up. I then drove it about 20 yards (luckily I was in a parking lot) and it stalled again but this time the dash lights”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11487382
“The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle occasionally stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11431390

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Airbag-off warning light with occupant present

AIR BAGS

4 NHTSA complaints · 2017-08 → 2023-07

“THE FIRST TIME MY WIFE WAS RIDING IN THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AT NIGHT, SHE NOTED THAT THE "AIR BAG OFF" LIGHT WAS ILLUMINATED. IT IS VERY DIFFICULT TO SEE THIS LIGHT DURING THE DAY. MY WIFE WEIGHTS 117 LBS AND IS 5'6" TALL. SHE IS NOT A SMALL ADULT. WE WERE ON A TRIP, BUT WE”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11018927
“THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS FLASHING AND DOES NOT TURN OFF ON THE TRUCK. I DROVE THE TRUCK WITH MY FRIEND AND WE WERE BOTH IN OUR SEAT BELTS, FOR AN ENTIRE 1 HOUR RIDE THE LIGHT KEPT FLASHING. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTS FLASHING AS SOON AS I START THE TRUCK NOW AND DOES NOT SHUT OFF”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11340294
“AIRBAG LIGHT ON, COMPETITOR (MAZDA) DEALER STATED THAT AIR BAG MODULE NEEDS REPLACING ESTIMATED COST $2500. ALSO WHEN 4X4 IS ENGAGED IT'S REALLY HARD TO DO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEED”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11474861

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Fuel tank leaks at filler neck or from puncture

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

2 NHTSA complaints · 2020-02 → 2023-09

“Fuel tank developed leak at the filler neck connection point. The tank is "plastic". Connection neck is "plastic" but a different color than the tank. (Perhaps dissimilar materials that are somehow fused/bonded together.) Fuel spilled from the tank onto my garage floor”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11545742
“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY STARTED TO LEAK FUEL. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS TO INDICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SAFELY PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS”
— Owner report, NHTSA ODI #11306981

Read all complaints on NHTSA →

Issues on other model years

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI). Complaint data refreshed Sep 13, 2026. Investigation data refreshed Sep 13, 2026.

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

Rogue AWD, Murano AWD, Pathfinder 4WD: 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)

48 crashes 2010–2024

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

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.

4

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 2017 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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