61 of the 293 complaints about the Nissan Frontier (20.8%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.8× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
61Complaints · Transmission / powertrain
20.8%Share of complaints
1.79×vs. all vehicles
13Last 12 months
11.5%Share involving a crash or fire
2Related recalls
Analysis
By model year, Transmission / powertrain complaints peak with the 2022 model (22, 20% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (1). 13 Transmission / powertrain complaints were filed in the last 12 months versus 7 in the 12 months before — the pace is rising.
Owners most often describe: “transmission”, “power train”, “train recall”, “notification power” and “park”. 7 of these reports (11.5%) describe a crash or fire, with 1 injury and 0 deaths mentioned.
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 22V671000 (2022-09-07, model years 2020, 2021 and 2022).
The contact owned a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V671000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available.
Transmission / powertrain · 2024-10-07 · ODI 11618524 · Crash
I was on a gravel road that was nearly level to very slightly up hill. Upon passing some branches that were hanging partially over the road, I decided to trim them so they would not cause me trouble on my way back.
Transmission / powertrain · 2023-05-26 · ODI 11524046 · Crash
This is a nine speed transmission which basically shifts up each gear every 5 to 6 MPH until you hit 9th gear about 52 MPH. The transmission will not shift to next gear fast enough causing the vehicle to be very slow.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-07-29 · ODI 11753404
Transmission hunts between gears at 25-30mph. Downshifts are delayed or hesitates during hard acceleration. Delayed shifting during slow turns.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-07-21 · ODI 11751787
The 9 speed automatic transmission suffered a catastrophic internal failure (codes PO893 and PO876), forcing the vehicle into limp mode. The vehicle loses propulsion unexpectedly in traffic, and the transmission risk complete mechanical lockup while driving.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-06-29 · ODI 11747306
While underway at speeds under 20 mph. Vehicle hesitates and lurches creating a danger when taking off from a stop light.
Transmission / powertrain · 2026-06-26 · ODI 11746707
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
Related recalls
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Campaign 22V671000 · 2022-09-07 · Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Titan, 2020-2022 Frontier, and 2023 Z vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Remedy: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will perform the applicable repairs below, free of charge: Model Year 2020-2022 Frontier vehicles: reprogram Transmission Control Module (TCM) Model Year 2020-2022 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM and Engine Control Module (ECM) Model Year 2023 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM Model Year 2023 Z vehicles: reprogram TCM. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
POWER TRAIN:AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION Campaign 22V457000 · 2022-06-24 · Model years: 2020, 2021, 2022
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Frontier and Titan vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Remedy: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will replace the transmission parking pawl pin, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22A2 R22A3.
How common are Transmission / powertrain problems on the Nissan Frontier?
61 of the 293 complaints about the Nissan Frontier (20.8%) concern Transmission / powertrain, making it the model's largest problem area. That share is 1.8× the Transmission / powertrain share across all tracked vehicles.
Which Nissan Frontier model years have the most Transmission / powertrain complaints?
By model year, Transmission / powertrain complaints peak with the 2022 model (22, 20% of that year's complaints) and are lowest for the 2025 model (1).
Is there a recall for Nissan Frontier Transmission / powertrain problems?
2 recall campaigns relate to this area, most recently campaign 22V671000 (2022-09-07, model years 2020, 2021 and 2022).