2003 Nissan Frontier Recalls, Complaints & Specs
4 safety recalls list the 2003 Nissan Frontier, and owners have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA. Check your own VIN below.
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4 safety recalls for the 2003 Nissan Frontier
Most recent first. Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. Click a recall for the full defect, consequence and remedy text.
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Column (steering)
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…
Remedy: The steering column shaft and joint will be replaced with a shaft of a different design. This service will be performed free of charge. The recall began on december 13, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1-800-647-7261.
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Fuel pump (fuel system)
On certain pickup trucks equipped with six cylinder engines and sport utility vehicles equipped with four or six cylinder engines, the fuel pump terminal on the fuel-sending unit can develop a crack in the plastic molding. This can cause the terminal strip to corrode under some environmental conditions.
Remedy: In the following states, dealers will replace the fuel-sending unit. These states are connecticut, delaware, illinois, indiana, iowa, kentucky, maine, maryland, massachusetts, michigan, minnesota, new hampshire, new…
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Rim (wheels)
On certain sport utility vehicles equipped with a v6 engine, an incorrect size wheel rim for the spare tire was provided in these vehicles. The wheel rim does not fit properly as a replacement for a front wheel.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the spare tire wheel rim with a new one, and remount the spare tire on it. Owner notification began january 13, 2003. Owners who take their vehicles to an authorized dealer on an agreed upon…
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Suspension: rear
On certain pickup trucks and sport utility vehicles, water may enter the rear axle housing due to inadequate sealing of the anti-lock braking system (ABS) sensor.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear axle for water intrusion and any affected components will be replaced. The ABS sensor will be resealed to prevent water intrusion. Owner notification began december 10, 2003. Owners who…
77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA
Owners of the 2003 Nissan Frontier have filed 77 complaints with NHTSA; 9 describe a crash and 2 describe a fire. Reports cite 5 injuries and 1 death. The average mileage at failure in those reports is 69,234 miles. Complaints peaked in 2011 with 12 filed that year.
Most-reported components
What owners are reporting
“I was driving and my truck started drifting and I felt like I was losing control. Could of caused a very serious and dangerous accident - scared me to death, had just bought this Nissan, and love the”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, March 13, 2024 · Steering
“Wheel bearings keep backing off spoke with other people who own a frontier and they have same problem this is a saftey issue have to tighten them regularly”
Owner complaint to NHTSA, September 10, 2020 · Power train
Fuel economy and specs
EPA ratings for the 2003 Nissan Frontier (Frontier 2WD, Frontier V6 2WD, Frontier V6 4WD). Ranges cover every tested configuration.
| Combined | 14–21 mpg |
|---|---|
| City / Highway | 13–20 / 16–23 |
| Fuel | Premium, Regular |
| EPA class | Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD, Standard Pickup Trucks 4WD |
| Engine | 4/6 cyl, 2.4/3.3 L |
| Transmission | Automatic 4-spd; Manual 5-spd |
Compare Nissan Frontier model years
Recall and complaint counts for every Nissan Frontier model year in NHTSA's database.
Checking a specific 2003 Nissan Frontier
How do I know if my 2003 Nissan Frontier has an open recall?
Enter your 17-character VIN above. The VIN is on the driver's side dashboard (visible through the windshield), the driver's door jamb sticker, and your registration or insurance card. The check runs against NHTSA's live database and tells you which campaigns list your vehicle. 4 campaigns currently list the 2003 Nissan Frontier; your car may already have been repaired under some of them.
Is the recall repair free?
Yes. Under federal law, manufacturers must fix safety recalls at no charge for vehicles up to 15 years old from the date of sale to the first owner. Contact any authorised Nissan dealer with your VIN and the NHTSA campaign number (for example 02V299000).
What is the difference between a recall and a complaint?
A recall is a safety campaign filed by the manufacturer or ordered by NHTSA, with a defined defect and remedy. A complaint is a report an owner sent to NHTSA; it is not verified, but patterns of complaints are what trigger NHTSA investigations and, eventually, recalls.
Other Nissan models
- Altima15,472 complaints
- Pathfinder7,355 complaints
- Rogue7,322 complaints
- Maxima6,955 complaints
- Murano5,958 complaints
- Sentra5,954 complaints
- Versa3,325 complaints
- Titan3,264 complaints
Source: NHTSA recall and complaint databases and EPA fuel economy data, October 2026. Complaint counts are owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects. Recall counts are safety campaigns that list this model year; whether a particular car was already repaired depends on its VIN. How this data is compiled.