2011 Nissan Frontier Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 9about this part
- Share
- 14%of 64 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 54,000miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 9 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2011 Nissan Frontier, 14% of the 64 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 54,000 miles.
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.
“At 27,000 miles the clutch started slipping. The vehicle was in motion on I-5 freeway. The problem caused me to pull over and get off the road as the vehicle could not go at the speed of the traffic creating danger. The next day I took it to a repair shop where the clutch and the flywheel were replaced.”
NHTSA complaint #11184598, filed 2019-03, 27,000 miles“Truck started not engaging in reverse at around 50,100 miles. Took my truck to larry h miller Nissan where I paid 157.00 to have them tell me that my transmission was over full. They pulled about 3 liters of extra fluid from tranny. The fluid appears darker but thinner than normal. They said the pump is probably blown due to excessive pressure from the added fluid. This transmission has never had service of fluid added. No sure at this point if this is a problem with radiator cross contamination but about 3 yeas ago my heater stopped working. …”
NHTSA complaint #11233784, filed 2019-07, 50,100 miles“Yea I got a Nissan Frontier new and my warranty is up due to 5 years but under 60000 miles and the transmission went bad.. Took it to the dealer and they want about 7500 for transmission replacement...I was driving next thing you know on the freeway I press on the pedal it revs high but doesn't go anywhere... This is so sad I think they make the car knowing that it would go bad after the short warranty I didn't fix my truck yet because the pricing is way too high to afford after buying the truck”
NHTSA complaint #10865389, filed 2016-05, 57,900 miles“I was driving my truck as normal when I heard a chatter from the gear shift.. I lost all power in the low gears and it would take 45 seconds to get to 60 MPH. I drove it a short way like that and the check engine light came on. I parked my truck for a few hours an when I went to drive it back home the problem seemed to be fixed and was driving normal. I started my drive home and after 50 miles I could smell something burning so I started to get over to the side of the road. At that point I lost all power and the truck was dead. …”
NHTSA complaint #10908724, filed 2016-09, 146,666 miles“My clutch keeps wearing out after approximately 25,000 miles. I bought this truck used with 60,000 miles and replaced the clutch at 81,893 miles, 107,179 miles and it is now slipping again at 131,521 miles. I have owned and driven primarily manual transmission vehicles since 1975 and never had this problem before. I have driven nearl one million miles in vehicles with manual transmissions and replaced only one clutch. There is obviously a defect in the clutch that Nissan uses. The first time was 02/27/15 the second time was 5/24/16 and most recently 12/20/17”
NHTSA complaint #11056630, filed 2017-12, 131,500 milesRelated service bulletins
- 10192821May 10, 2016SERVICE INFORMATION Replacement 5-speed rear wheel drive Automatic Transmission (A/T) assemblies and replacement control valves (valve bodies) now come with blank Transmission…
- 10192524Feb 6, 2015SERVICE INFORMATION When diagnosing possible power steering gear (rack and pinion steering rack, or steering rack) leak issues, it may appear the steering rack is leaking when…
- 10192474Nov 20, 2014SERVICE INFORMATION If a customer describes lack of power or poor acceleration, perform the following checks before attempting any repair: * Check for stored DTCs. * Check if the…
- 10192203Jul 2, 2013IF YOU CONFIRM: * The idle seems low or the idle is rough when the A/C compressor is on or when the A/C compressor turns on. And * No other ECM DTCs are present. ACTION: Confirm…
- 10043950Apr 10, 2012Nissan: ecm replacement procedures with consult iii plus. Applies to all 2004 and later (does not apply to leaf/ev) vehicles.
Transmission and drivetrain: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 3 | 27% |
| 2025 | 2 | 22% |
| 2024 | 6 | 27% |
| 2023 | 13 | 20% |
| 2022 | 24 | 21% |
| 2021 | 5 | 25% |
| 2020 | 12 | 52% |
| 2019 | 7 | 25% |
| 2018 | 2 | 8% |
| 2017 | 6 | 16% |
| 2016 | 3 | 7% |
| 2015 | 5 | 15% |
| 2014 | 6 | 14% |
| 2013 | 6 | 13% |
| 2012 | 20 | 25% |
| 2011 | 9 | 14% |
| 2010 | 15 | 25% |
| 2009 | 8 | 22% |
| 2008 | 54 | 40% |
| 2007 | 222 | 43% |
| 2006 | 220 | 36% |
| 2005 | 262 | 49% |
| 2004 | 13 | 20% |
| 2003 | 7 | 9% |
| 2002 | 7 | 6% |
| 2001 | 8 | 6% |
| 2000 | 26 | 14% |
| 1999 | 12 | 15% |
| 1998 | 9 | 7% |
Other parts of the 2011 Nissan Frontier
16 complaintsBrakes
13 complaintsElectrical system
6 complaintsBody and structure
6 complaintsOther or unknown
5 complaintsEngine
4 complaintsVehicle speed control
4 complaintsSeat belts
3 complaintsSeats
3 complaintsElectronic stability control
2 complaintsEngine cooling
2 complaintsSteering
2 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2011 Nissan Frontier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 30, 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