2003 Nissan Frontier Body and structure Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 12%of 77 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 102,500miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the body and structure of the 2003 Nissan Frontier, 12% of the 77 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 102,500 miles. 2 of these say a crash was involved, according to the filers.
Fewer than 15 complaints name this part, so treat the figures as a rough indication only.
Example complaints
Selected from NHTSA records; personal details are removed. They are consumer reports, not findings.
“I was recently involved in a frontend collision in my 2003 Nissan Frontier and neither airbag deployed. I was accelerating from a stop sign on a farm to market road. Denison tx.”
NHTSA complaint #11323109, filed 2020-05, 130,000 miles“Vehicle has severe rust corrosion from the back cab break light. It looks like the seal around the light was compromised and causes moisture to seep in and leak through the roof. It looks as if it is rusting from the inside out.”
NHTSA complaint #10839097, filed 2016-02, 100,000 miles“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 brand. Had great tires and brakes just completely done. Brought it to my mechanic and he put it up on the hoist. Frame almost completely rusted out and through in many spots. They were surprised it did not completely come apart! Extremely dangerous and they suspect like Toyota that maybe part of a NHTSA recall. …”
NHTSA complaint #11577054, filed 2024-03“I have just over 100,000 miles on my 2003 truck. I have been fighting rust issues all over the rig for the past five years. I wash and clean my truck each week and polish twice a year. I do live near the beach, but I understand this, and being a aircraft mechanic by trade, working with aircraft on ships at sea, know how to properly service my equipment. The rust comes out under the paint, along the rear cab brake light, and along the front wind shield, passenger side. The rig has never been in an accident and since I'm retired and I bought the truck new, I have taken good care of it. …”
NHTSA complaint #10522330, filed 2013-06“Out. Vehicle has severe rust corrosion from the back cab break light. It looks like the seal around the light was compromised and causes moisture to seep in and leak through the roof. It looks as if it is rusting from the inside”
NHTSA complaint #11157049, filed 2018-12Related service bulletins
- 11031705Apr 13, 2026CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label”…
- 11031704Apr 13, 2026CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label”…
- 10232658Feb 27, 2023REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10232656Feb 27, 2023WINDSHIELD CRACKING This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Body and structure: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 2 | 18% |
| 2024 | 2 | 9% |
| 2023 | 3 | 5% |
| 2022 | 3 | 3% |
| 2019 | 2 | 7% |
| 2018 | 2 | 8% |
| 2017 | 1 | 3% |
| 2016 | 4 | 9% |
| 2015 | 5 | 15% |
| 2014 | 2 | 5% |
| 2013 | 2 | 4% |
| 2012 | 7 | 9% |
| 2011 | 6 | 9% |
| 2010 | 3 | 5% |
| 2009 | 3 | 8% |
| 2008 | 3 | 2% |
| 2007 | 5 | 1% |
| 2006 | 8 | 1% |
| 2005 | 17 | 3% |
| 2004 | 7 | 11% |
| 2003 | 9 | 12% |
| 2002 | 11 | 9% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 7 | 4% |
| 1999 | 3 | 4% |
| 1998 | 3 | 2% |
Other parts of the 2003 Nissan Frontier
16 complaintsSuspension
10 complaintsSteering
9 complaintsBrakes
7 complaintsTransmission and drivetrain
7 complaintsAir bags
5 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEngine cooling
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsWheels
3 complaintsEquipment
2 complaintsExterior lighting
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2003 Nissan Frontier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 27, 2026. Complaints are unverified consumer reports and may be duplicated or inaccurate.
To check a specific vehicle for open recalls, use its VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. Methodology