The Nissan Frontier is a pretty basic truck that leans more towards practicality and ruggedness rather than creature comforts. The Frontier can easily tow a lot and handle itself well off-road to cover all the parameters. The truck has seen quite some success with nearly 80,000 units sold but the success comes with a lot of complaints and issues as well. The 2017 Nissan Frontier's problems include everything ranging from backup camera issues to brake issues. No problems are very problematic, as such, and have easy remedies available to the owners. It has been recalled once as well to ease ownership woes. Is the truck comparable to the rivals like the Chevrolet Colorado, the GMC Canyon, and the Toyota Tacoma? Let’s find out in this article.
2017 Nissan Titan Problems
Electrical issues:
- Speedometer malfunction: People have complained that the Frontier speedometer malfunctions and stops working. Some people have complained that the issue persisted since the first day of purchase. The remedy to the problem is a basic correction in the wiring that might be installed improperly during manufacture.
- Backup camera distortion: One common recurrence in the Nissan Frontier backup camera is the constant distortion and blacking out of the unit while the truck is reversing. Many people have reported this and the dealerships updated the camera software as a quick remedy.
- Faulty ignition switches: The Nissan Frontier’s ignition switch moves out of place and turns the ignition off. This issue is observed in the older model years as well because, as time passes, the keyrings and other accessories make the key heavy and slots it out of place. The issue was getting frequent with the 2017 model year at low miles, causing inconvenience. The Japanese carmaker also issued a recall for this, referenced by NHTSA Campaign Number 18V551000.
Mechanical issues:
- Braking issues: The Frontier braking issues have mostly been the spongy pedals that affect the braking feel. People complain that the pedals feel very unsure and the bite is negligible. Apart from this, there are a lot of complaints about the brakes giving out squeaking noises. Some people also report the brakes locking up due to a faulty ABS sensor, which is an easy fix at the dealerships.
- Suspension noise: Though negligible, many people have complained of the truck’s suspension giving out squeaking noises when driven over rough patches. The noise is observed when the odometer hits just 30,000 miles and becomes prominent as the odometer increases.
Safety issues:
- Airbag warning light: The Nissan Frontier airbag warning lights do not turn off. This means that the occupancy sensor is malfunctioning and cannot detect the occupant sitting on the seats. An illuminated warning light also means that the airbags are disabled and will cause injuries in a crash.
- ABS sensor malfunction: The Frontier’s ABS sensor malfunctions and causes locking up of the rear brakes, specifically. The rear-placed sensors are the ones to go out easily. People have reported a sudden loss in handling as well due to the rear wheels locking up.
2017 Nissan Frontier Recalls
|
S. No |
Date |
NHTSA ID |
Issues Noticed |
Additional Remarks |
Remedy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1. |
August 21, 2018 |
18V551000 |
Electrical System |
Movement of the ignition switch to the accessory position due to excessive weight on the keyrings may stall the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash. |
Nissan notified the owners and began the recall on October 1, 2018. The dealerships inspected the production information on the ignition switch and replaced it if needed. |
Should you buy the 2017 Nissan Frontier?
The 2017 Nissan Frontier is an amazing truck but has seen a lot of niggles being reported to NHTSA. The Japanese carmaker has been very prompt in responding to the issues and has also issued a recall to address one of them. As for other complaints, dealerships have been a one-stop solution for all the discussed issues and have contributed a lot to hassle-free ownership. That said, the 2017 Nissan Frontier is a very justified purchase decision because of the positive feedback and promptness of the network. If you want to go for a used one, keep a check on the mechanical and electrical systems to ensure proper functioning.
