2021 Nissan Frontier Transmission and drivetrain Problems
- Complaints
- 5about this part
- Share
- 25%of 20 total for the year
- Median mileage
- 99,172miles
- Trend
- Not enough dataFewer than 15 complaints, too few for a reliable trend.
NHTSA recorded 5 complaints about the transmission and drivetrain of the 2021 Nissan Frontier, 25% of the 20 complaints for this model year. Where a mileage was given, the median is 99,172 miles. 2 recall campaigns on record are filed under a similar system.
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 brought my truck in for service on 3/10/23 and they preformed the recall for the transmission. This involved reprogramming no parts were available yet. On my trip home from the shop I noticed right away my fuel economy went from 21MPG to 18 MPG (same roads I always drive) and I have been having a warning light come on after I let and it has came on and off twice. I worry about what would make such a drastic change and what is it doing to my transmission. I have notified the dealer but they are not open till Monday. I do not want my private information shared. …”
NHTSA complaint #11511361, filed 2023-03“The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission control module error. The contact was informed by the mechanic to take the vehicle to a dealer to check for a recall related to the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The VIN was not included in NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V671000 (POWER TRAIN). The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. …”
NHTSA complaint #11641955, filed 2025-02, 99,172 miles“The Vehicle hesitates when taking of from a stand still of from switching lanes from a stop. The Transmission is trying to switch from a stop causing the Vehicle to have no power of RPM's on the Torque Converter. Very Dangerous. Has almost caused me to have a wreck several times. Have taken the Vehicle to the Nissan Dealership 2 times . Dealership said there was a problem and Nissan has had other complaints but their Engineers does not have a fix. The first time at the Dealership they reprogramed the Transmission . Said that would fix it. The Reprogram was a Recall. Did not fix the issue. …”
NHTSA complaint #11529235, filed 2023-06“The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V457000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”
NHTSA complaint #11523652, filed 2023-05Related recalls
- 22V671000Sep 7, 2022Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Titan, 2020-2022 Frontier, and 2023 Z vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not…Covers: Nissan Frontier 2020–2022, Titan 2020–2023
- 22V457000Jun 24, 2022Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Frontier and Titan vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle…Covers: Nissan Frontier 2020–2022, Titan 2020–2022
Related service bulletins
- 10233904Mar 29, 2023CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10227268Nov 23, 2022DRIVE SHAFT BOOT SERVICE INFORMATION SERVICE INFORMATION If a Drive Shaft (Axle Shaft) Boot on an APPLIED VEHICLE is found to be leaking grease, AND There is no abnormal noise or…
- 10226062Oct 20, 2022MIL ON WITH GEAR RATIO DTCS STORED IN THE TCM SERVICE INFORMATION If one or more of the following DTCs is stored in the TCM as current or past, please check Service COMM or…
- 10222868Oct 7, 2022A/T WARNING LIGHT IS ON WITHOUT PAST OR CURRENT DTC STORED This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this…
- 10222867Oct 5, 2022HESITATION AND/OR SHIFT SHOCK This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
- 10222725Sep 28, 2022NOISE AND/OR VIBRATION FROM FRONT OR REAR PROPELLER SHAFT SERVICE INFORMATION If you confirm abnormal noise and/or vibration is coming from the front or rear propeller shaft of…
- 10222714Sep 27, 2022CLICKING NOISE FROM FRONT OR REAR AXLE DURING TAKE-OFF/ACCELERATION This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of…
- 10220253Sep 2, 2022Automatic Transmission REVISED September 2, 2022 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The announcement from August 29, 2022 has been revised to include the…
- 10218979Aug 29, 2022Automatic Transmission REVISED August 29, 2022 Please discard earlier versions of this bulletin. The announcement from August 25, 2022 has been revised to include the following…
- 10218938Aug 25, 2022Transmission *****Dealer Announcement***** Nissan is committed to a high level of customer service and satisfaction. This commitment requires Nissan to periodically place certain…
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 2021 Nissan Frontier
6 complaintsOther or unknown
4 complaintsAir bags
3 complaintsFuel system
3 complaintsBrakes
2 complaintsEngine
2 complaintsExterior lighting
1 complaintsForward collision avoidance
1 complaintsSeat belts
1 complaintsSeats
1 complaintsSuspension
1 complaintsTires
1 complaints
← All problems reported for the 2021 Nissan Frontier
About this data. Data from NHTSA (ODI) complaints, recalls, TSBs and investigations, updated Oct 29, 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