RecallRepo

2002 Nissan Frontier Recalls

Recalls on record Updated July 2026

The 2002 Nissan Frontier has 4 NHTSA recall campaigns affecting an estimated 1,234,748 vehicles. Recall repairs are always free at any authorized dealer. Owners have filed 152 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. Last updated July 5, 2026.

Recall campaigns

STEERING 10V554000 2010-11-11 500,552 affected
Defect

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…

Consequence

THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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.

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE 04V230000 2004-05-24 586,196 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION. THIS WILL RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.

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 JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA,…

VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL 02V298000 2002-11-12 5,000 affected
Defect

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGER, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS FULL THROTTLE IN LOW GEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT FULLY WARMED UP AND AT COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, THE AMOUNT OF INTAKE AIR FLOW THROUGH THE AIR FLOW METER MAY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PRESET DIAGNOSIS LIMIT…

Consequence

THIS WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM TO GO INTO THE FAILSAFE MODE. UNDER THIS CONDITION, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND ENGINE SPEED WILL NOT EXCEED 2400 RPM REGARDLESS OF THE THROTTLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

Remedy

DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

SUSPENSION 02V299000 2002-11-12 143,000 affected
Defect

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.

Consequence

THIS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE WHEEL BEARING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.

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 TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE…

Complaints by component

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM
11
VEHICLE SPEED CONTROL
11
3crashes
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
10
1fires
FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE
10
1fires1injuries
STEERING
10
STRUCTURE:BODY
5
1crashes1injuries
AIR BAGS
4
2crashes1injuries
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING
4
ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING:ENGINE:GASOLINE
4
1crashes
STEERING:COLUMN
4
Total complaints152

What owners report

Verbatim reports filed with NHTSA, lightly edited for readability and with personal information removed.

“The main issue on the nissan frontier that I just bought a few months ago that I need to report that I think should be recalled item is the passenger side exhaust manifold is cracked and it makes ticking noises the exhaust is loud and I am definitely getting exhaust fumes drawn into the cab…”

ENGINE · reported 2024-12-18

“The main issue on the nissan frontier that I just bought a few months ago that I need to report that I think should be recalled item is the passenger side exhaust manifold is cracked and it makes ticking noises the exhaust is loud and I am definitely getting exhaust fumes drawn into the cab…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2024-12-18

“The main issue on the nissan frontier that I just bought a few months ago that I need to report that I think should be recalled item is the passenger side exhaust manifold is cracked and it makes ticking noises the exhaust is loud and I am definitely getting exhaust fumes drawn into the cab…”

FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL · reported 2024-12-18

“The contact owns a 2002 nissan frontier. The contact stated while driving approximately 65 mph, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and drove home safely. The contact performed an inspection and noticed…”

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE · reported 2022-05-24

“The contact owns a 2002 nissan frontier. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the steering wheel became difficult to turn. Upon investigation, the contact associated the failure with nhtsa campaign number: 10v554000 (steering). The vehicle was repaired however, the failure…”

STEERING · reported 2022-01-10

“Nhtsa campaign #04v230000 applies to my 2002 frontier but it is not covered because its vin is a sc(supercharged) model it has the same gastank,sending unit, orings as trucks in the recall but my model is not included in recall”

FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM · reported 2020-03-09

“Seat belt light on the dash turned on and continued flashing. The diagnosis read on it was tensioner on system restraint. Sensor was replaced but the srs light continued to flash and now has locked my seat belts. Driver's seat belt will not release so I have been having to drive without a seat…”

AIR BAGS · reported 2020-03-02

“Seat belt light on the dash turned on and continued flashing. The diagnosis read on it was tensioner on system restraint. Sensor was replaced but the srs light continued to flash and now has locked my seat belts. Driver's seat belt will not release so I have been having to drive without a seat…”

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM · reported 2020-03-02
Sources & methodology

Recall, complaint, and investigation records from official NHTSA datasets (FLAT_RCL, FLAT_CMPL, FLAT_INV), synced weekly. Counts reflect NHTSA records for the 2002 Nissan Frontier as of July 5, 2026. Complaint narratives are consumer-submitted and unverified. This page contains ads and affiliate links. Full methodology.