The 2020 Nissan Frontier has 2 safety recalls and 23 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is power train (12 complaints).
Problem: 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.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will perform the applicable repairs below, free of charge: Â Model Year 2020-2022 Frontier vehicles: reprogram Transmission Control Module (TCM) Â Model Year 2020-2022 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM and Engine Control Module (ECM) Â Model Year 2023 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM Â 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.
Power train › Automatic transmission
NHTSA recall 22V457000 · Jun 24, 2022 · 180,176 vehicles
Problem: 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.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Fix: 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.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
NHTSA side barrier crash testNHTSA side pole crash test
2020 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
19.8%
2020 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD
Overall
★★★★★
Frontal crash
★★★★★
Side crash
★★★★★
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
21.2%
2020 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
19.8%
2020 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
21.2%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Frontier 2WD
20mpg combined
City / highway
18 / 24 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S9) · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,350/year to fuel
Frontier 4WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
3.8 L · 6 cyl · Automatic (S9) · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Power train Automatic transmission
12
3
0
1
28,000 mi
Engine
5
0
0
0
—
Electrical system Wiring › Interior/under dash
3
0
0
0
—
Service brakes
3
0
0
0
—
Unknown or other
2
0
0
0
—
Back over prevention Warnings
2
0
0
0
—
Seats
1
0
0
0
—
Air bags
1
0
0
0
—
Seat belts Front › Retractor
1
0
0
0
—
Service brakes, hydraulic Foundation components › Disc › Pads
1
0
0
0
—
Exterior lighting Brake lights
1
0
0
0
—
Vehicle speed control
1
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Jul 2, 2026Steering 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
Jun 25, 2026Service brakes Nissan Frontier wonât engage into park parking prowl issue Iâve looked it up on google but my vin doesn't say there is a recall for my truck. Can we get a full recall for the 2020âs ?
Jun 25, 2026Power train The 9 speed automatic transmission suffered a catastrophic internal failure (codes PO893 and PO876), forcing the vehicle into limp mode. The vehicle loses propulsion unexpectedly in traffic, and the transmission risk complete mechanical lockup while driving. The vehicle is unsafe to operate on public roads, creating a severe crash hazard.06
Mar 26, 2025Engine 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 also knew about the debt that was still owed on the car by Santander Consumer USA and they did not…
May 18, 2025Power train Hello, I was an owner of a new 2020 Nissan Frontier pro4x. My vehicle had 33,000 miles, garaged in the winter and never used for towing. All minor maintenance were performed at a certified Nissan dealer. On [XXX] I was driving my truck on [XXX] in Youngstown when suddenly I heard a terrifying loud grinding noise coming under the truck causing also the truck to shake violently. I'm blessed that I didn't not lose control of the vehicle and most importantly it did not happen on the freeway. This happen as I was ready to merge into [XXX]. I arranged the truck to be towed to Sims Nissan dealer in Youngstown. I was told that my driveshaft came apart somehow causing other major damages to other…
May 16, 2025Unknown or other The truck will not start due to it thinking itâs not in park when it is in park and has slipped out of park but I had my e brake on
Apr 26, 2025Power train The truck is jerky during low speed take offs. It also died off during acceleration and then surged all of a sudden recently. It is now in the repair shop being diagnosed for an electric transmission control warning light. It would not start.
Jan 16, 2024 · 55,000 milesService brakes The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at various highway speeds, the brake system was erroneously activated causing the vehicle to reduce speeds. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who replaced the front and rear brake assemblies but the failure continued to occur. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 55,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.
