2020 Nissan FRONTIER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
23 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
28,000 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2020 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 11 of 23 complaints (47.8%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 6 | 26.1% |
| Braking behavior | 5 | 21.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 2 | 8.7% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 8.7% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 11 |
| Engine | 5 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Back Over Prevention: Warnings | 2 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
| Unknown Or Other | 2 |
| Air Bags | 1 |
| Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash | 1 |
Power Train: 11; Engine: 5; Service Brakes: 3; Back Over Prevention: Warnings: 2; Electrical System: 2; Unknown Or Other: 2; Air Bags: 1; Electrical System:Wiring:Interior/Under Dash: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 5 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 3 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 3 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 5; 25,000 to 49,999: 3; 50,000 to 74,999: 3; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (5). 12 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 5 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 4 |
| 2026 | 3 |
2021: 2; 2022: 5; 2023: 4; 2024: 5; 2025: 4; 2026: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 6 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 2 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11400190 · 2021-03-10 (March 10, 2021)
THE PASSENGER SEAT WOULD NOT LOCK WHEN MOVED. ON ONLY ONE SIDE. WE TOOK IT IN AN THE DEALER SAID THAT IS WAS KNOWN TO THEM BUT WAS NOT SAFETY RISK. IF I HAD TO STOP FAST AND THE SEAT WAS NOT LOCKED ON ONE SIDE THE TORQUE WOULD HAVE BENT THE BAR AND CAUSED DAMAGE TO THE PASSENGER. THEY SAY THEY FIXED IT BUT I CANNOT BE SURE. I WAS ALSO TOLD THE THERE WERE MULTIPLE OTHERS THEY HAD FIXED. I THINK THIS NEEDS TO BE LOOKED AT FOR SAFETY REASONS. THE DEALER SHIP IS NISSAN AT 1333 SOUTH ACADEMY BLVD., COLORADO SPRINGS, CO 80916. YOU MAY REACH M…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,990 miles reported. Look up ODI 11400190 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11438111 · 2021-10-25 (October 25, 2021)
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that since purchasing the vehicle, the dashboard lights were significantly dim, affecting his visibility of the speedometer while driving. There were no warning lights illuminated. The dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure and advised the contact that could they not assist. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired. The approximate failure mileage was 50.
Owner-reported narrative. 50 miles reported. Look up ODI 11438111 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11452288 · 2022-02-16 (February 16, 2022)
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 repaire…
Owner-reported narrative. 6,784 miles reported. Look up ODI 11452288 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11453481 · 2022-02-22 (February 22, 2022)
There are 3 incidents thus far. ***I have video confirmation of these incidents*** First, I had parked my vehicle at a gas pump, put my vehicle in park, and locked the vehicle. Apparently, as I walked away, my vehicle had slowly rolled backwards more than 15 feet until it hit the curb. I noticed the vehicle moved from the location I had parked my vehicle when I came back to the vehicle and didn't notice my vehicle where I had remembered leaving the vehicle. I inspected my vehicle and no damage and the vehicle shift was in the park position. A…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11453481 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11485803 · 2022-09-22 (September 22, 2022)
2020 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO TRANSMISSION ISSUES. THE CONSUMER STATED UPON PURCHASING THE VEHICLE IT WOULD PULL TO THE RIGHT. THE DEALER ATTEMPTED TO REPAIR THIS FAILURE, BUT WAS UNSUCCESSFUL. THE VEHICLE WAS PLACED IN PARK. ON TWO OCCASIONS THE VEHICLE ROLLED AWAY. ONCE STRIKING AN RV, AND SECOND STRIKING A FENCE. THE CONSUMER WAS MADE AWARE OF A RECALL. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER BUT THERE WAS NO REMEDY AVAILABLE YET. THE DEALER TEMPORARILY ALLOWED THE CONSUMER TO DRIVE A RENTAL. THE DEALER REQUESTED THE CONSUM…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11485803 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11492848 · 2022-11-09 (November 9, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V671000 (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. Parts distribution disconnect.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11492848 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11497294 · 2022-12-13 (December 13, 2022)
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the park position, but while exiting the vehicle it began to roll and crashed into the garage door. There were no reported injuries. There was no fire or police report filed. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V671000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 16,000.
Owner-reported narrative. 16,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11497294 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11501589 · 2023-01-13 (January 13, 2023)
The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving 65 MPH, the passenger’s side air bag warning light illuminated intermittently. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the passenger’s side seat belt pretension sensor to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to experience the failure. The contact took the vehicle back to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the passenger’s side belt assembly tongue pretension and the passenger seat belt retracto…
Owner-reported narrative. 9,624 miles reported. Look up ODI 11501589 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
2 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
22V457000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2022-06-24 (June 24, 2022)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Frontier and Titan vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Consequence: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will replace the transmission parking pawl pin, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22A2 R22A3.
NHTSA campaign record ↗22V671000 · Power Train:Automatic Transmission
Reported: 2022-09-07 (September 7, 2022)
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Titan, 2020-2022 Frontier, and 2023 Z vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Consequence: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will perform the applicable repairs below, free of charge: Model Year 2020-2022 Frontier vehicles: reprogram Transmission Control Module (TCM) Model Year 2020-2022 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM and Engine Control Module (ECM) Model Year 2023 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM Model Year 2023 Z vehicles: reprogram TCM. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
NHTSA campaign record ↗