2020 Nissan Frontier Engine Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 22%of 23 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 19,392miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the engine of the 2020 Nissan Frontier, 22% of the 23 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 19,392 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.
“Crank bolt snapped causing me to loose power steering, a part failed that shouldn't have .I have the bolt looks like in was cracked when they put it together, it was only on by about three threads, my mechanic and the one from nissan said they'd never seen one come apart before,lucky I wasn't on the highway or in traffic”
NHTSA complaint #11749618, filed 2026-07“UNKNOWNI want to report my repossessed car and hold Santander Consumer USA responsible because they sold my car without my consent and not only that, report the fraud of the sale of the same car that I bought and that neither the DMV Nissan of Orange nor Santander Consumer USA informed me of the debt that I still had on that car and Santander was charging me with a contract where they add the cost of the car with interest after I had paid a down payment and financed the car at a cost of 30,659.14 and then they charged me another 17,390.78 in interest which the dealership hid from me and they…”
NHTSA complaint #11690226, filed 2025-09“The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased but the contact was offered no assistance. The contact continued driving the vehicle and stated that the vehicle was hesitating and jerking while depressing accelerator pedal. Occasionally, the vehicle failed to start up after several attempts. The contact stated that the vehicle had rolled back while stopped on an incline. …”
NHTSA complaint #11504002, filed 2023-01, 32,000 miles“The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission shifted into NEUTRAL and the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with code P0729 (Gear 6 Incorrect Ratio). The dealer performed technical service bulletin NTB 21-086, Transmission Control Module (TCM) software update; however, the failure recurred with the engine revving while shifting gears. The vehicle was not repaired. …”
NHTSA complaint #11452288, filed 2022-02, 6,784 miles“Vehicle alternator failed at 79,000 miles. Instead of shutting off, vehicle disabled the cooling fans but kept the engine and fuel supply systems running leading to the vehicle overheating during diagnostics which require the engine to rev and hold an elevated RPM. Unsure if other systems like braking and steering were affected by the choices the vehicle made to keep the engine running despite no cooling since the truck was not moving when it over heated..”
NHTSA complaint #11545091, filed 2023-09Related service bulletins
- 10201220Aug 6, 2021HESITATION AND/OR SHIFT SHOCK IF YOU CONFIRM The customer reports hesitation and/or shift shock during acceleration, OR Shift shock during deceleration, AND There are no TCM…
Engine: other model years
| Year | Complaints | Share of year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 2 | 9% |
| 2023 | 13 | 20% |
| 2022 | 6 | 5% |
| 2021 | 2 | 10% |
| 2020 | 5 | 22% |
| 2019 | 2 | 7% |
| 2018 | 1 | 4% |
| 2017 | 4 | 11% |
| 2016 | 8 | 18% |
| 2015 | 2 | 6% |
| 2013 | 4 | 8% |
| 2012 | 13 | 16% |
| 2011 | 4 | 6% |
| 2010 | 7 | 12% |
| 2009 | 2 | 5% |
| 2008 | 26 | 19% |
| 2007 | 72 | 14% |
| 2006 | 82 | 13% |
| 2005 | 80 | 15% |
| 2004 | 6 | 9% |
| 2003 | 1 | 1% |
| 2002 | 2 | 2% |
| 2001 | 3 | 2% |
| 2000 | 2 | 1% |
| 1998 | 1 | 1% |
Other parts of the 2020 Nissan Frontier
12 complaintsBrakes
4 complaintsElectrical system
3 complaintsBack-over prevention (rear camera)
2 complaintsOther or unknown
2 complaintsAir bags
1 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSteering
1 complaintsVehicle speed control
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2020 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