Recalls
4campaigns
1 steering · 1 fuel pump · 1 vehicle speed control
Source: NHTSA
Complaints
124filed
Owner reports, 1998–2007 shown
Source: NHTSA ODI
Fuel economy
21mpg combined
$3,110/yr at this week's prices
Source: EPA · EIA
Specs
2.4 L 4-cyl· 5-speed manual
10 engine and transmission configurations
Source: NHTSA vPIC
Recalls (4)
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns for the 2002 Nissan Frontier. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Listed for 2002 Nissan Frontier. Not checked against your VIN.
STEERING COLUMN LOWER SHAFT
Steering · column
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 FRONTIER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001 THROUGH OCTOBER 20, 2004, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2004, XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001, THROUGH JANUARY 6, 2005. OVER TIME CORROSION MAY FORM IN THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN JOINT AND LIMIT MOVEMENT OF THE JOINT. THE LIMITED MOVEMENT OF THIS JOINT MAY CREATE EXCESSIVE LOAD ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. IF THE VEHICLE CONTINUES TO BE DRIVEN IN THIS CONDITION, IT MAY LEAD TO CRACKING OF THE SHAFT DURING LOW SPEED MANEUVERS THAT REQUIRE LARGE STEERING INPUTS.
- Consequence
- THE SHAFT MAY BREAK WHICH COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL DURING THESE LOW SPEED MANEUVERS INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND JOINT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHAFT OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Repair progress not yet reported500,552 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 10V554000
Listed for 2002 Nissan Frontier. Not checked against your VIN.
NISSAN/FUEL SENDING UNIT
Fuel system, gasoline · delivery · fuel pump
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR OR SIX CYLINDER ENGINES, THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT CAN DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC MOLDING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TERMINAL STRIP TO CORRODE UNDER SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.
- Consequence
- IF CORROSION OCCURS, THE TERMINAL STRIP COULD EVENTUALLY BREAK CAUSING THE FUEL PUMP TO STOP OPERATION. THIS WILL RESULT IN NOT BEING ABLE TO START THE ENGINE OR CAUSE THE ENGINE TO STOP RUNNING WITHOUT WARNING, WHICH CAN RESULT IN A CRASH.
- Remedy
- IN THE FOLLOWING STATES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT. THESE STATES ARE CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THE OTHER STATES, THE DEALER WILL INSPECT THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE SENDING UNIT FOR CORROSION. IF CORROSION IS PRESENT, THE DEALER WILL REPLACE THE UNIT. IF THERE IS NOT CORROSION, THE DEALER WILL APPLY SEALANT TO THE TERMINAL HOUSING TO HELP PREVENT CORROSION IN THE FUTURE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN ON JUNE 28, 2004. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Repair progress not yet reported586,196 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 04V230000
Listed for 2002 Nissan Frontier. Not checked against your VIN.
NISSAN/THROTTLE SUPERCHARGER
Vehicle speed control
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A SUPERCHARGER, UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS, SUCH AS FULL THROTTLE IN LOW GEAR WHEN THE ENGINE IS NOT FULLY WARMED UP AND AT COLD AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, THE AMOUNT OF INTAKE AIR FLOW THROUGH THE AIR FLOW METER MAY EXCEED THE MAXIMUM PRESET DIAGNOSIS LIMIT VALUE.
- Consequence
- THIS WILL CAUSE THE ENGINE CONTROL SYSTEM TO GO INTO THE FAILSAFE MODE. UNDER THIS CONDITION, THE MALFUNCTION INDICATOR LAMP WILL ILLUMINATE AND ENGINE SPEED WILL NOT EXCEED 2400 RPM REGARDLESS OF THE THROTTLE POSITION, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL REPROGRAM THE ELECTRONIC CONTROL MODULE. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 15, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Repair progress not yet reported5,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 02V298000
Listed for 2002 Nissan Frontier. Not checked against your VIN.
NISSAN/AXLE CORROSION
Suspension · rear
Official NHTSA text
- Summary
- ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER MAY ENTER THE REAR AXLE HOUSING DUE TO INADEQUATE SEALING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR.
- Consequence
- THIS CAN RESULT IN CORROSION AND EVENTUAL FAILURE OF THE WHEEL BEARING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE WHEEL ASSEMBLY COULD SEPARATE FROM THE VEHICLE INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Remedy
- DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE FOR WATER INTRUSION AND ANY AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. THE ABS SENSOR WILL BE RESEALED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.
Repair progress not yet reported143,000 vehicles potentially affected
Manufacturer report to NHTSA · Source: US DOT recall completion data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026
Check your VIN on NHTSA
or ask a dealer to check campaign 02V299000
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (124)
124 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The service brakes is mentioned most often.
12involved a crash
2involved a fire
9injuries reported
0deaths reported
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 124 |
|---|---|---|
| Service brakes | 15 | 12.1% |
| Fuel system | 14 | 11.3% |
| Electrical system | 13 | 10.5% |
| Steering | 13 | 10.5% |
| Vehicle speed control | 13 | 10.5% |
| Engine and engine cooling | 11 | 8.9% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 11 | 8.9% |
| Structure | 11 | 8.9% |
| Suspension | 9 | 7.3% |
| Exterior lighting | 7 | 5.6% |
How 2002 compares with other Frontier years
Best and worst Frontier years →1998129
199978
2000189
2001134
2002124
200377
200466
2005532
2006617
2007520
| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | 129 | 2 |
| 1999 | 78 | 2 |
| 2000 | 189 | 3 |
| 2001 | 134 | 3 |
| 2002 | 124 | 4 |
| 2003 | 77 | 4 |
| 2004 | 66 | 1 |
| 2005 | 532 | 3 |
| 2006 | 617 | 4 |
| 2007 | 520 | 1 |
This year (2002)Other yearsStill collecting reports
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
21
mpg combined
20
city
23
highway
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 423 g/mi
- EPA class
- Standard Pickup Trucks
What it costs you to run
$3,110per year
$259per month
714gallons a year
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 20 / 23 / 21 | $3,200 | 423 |
| 2.4 L 4-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | $3,550 | 468 |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 / 17 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 15 / 17 / 16 | $4,200 | 555 |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 17 / 15 | $5,500 | 593 |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 14 / 17 / 15 | $5,500 | 593 |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 15 | $4,450 | 593 |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl · 4-speed automatic | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 17 / 15 | $5,500 | 593 |
| 3.3 L 6-cyl · 5-speed manual | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 13 / 17 / 15 | $5,500 | 593 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2002 Frontier for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2002 Nissan Frontier FAQ
How many recalls does the 2002 Nissan Frontier have?
NHTSA lists 4 recall campaigns: 10V554000 (steering), 04V230000 (fuel pump), 02V298000 (vehicle speed control), 02V299000 (suspension). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2002 Nissan Frontier problems?
Owners filed 124 complaints with NHTSA. Service brakes (15), Fuel system (14), Electrical system (13) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2002 Nissan Frontier get?
EPA rates the 2.4 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 20 city, 23 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2002 Frontier compare with other years?
Among the 1998–2007 Nissan Frontier model years at least five years old, the 2004 drew the fewest complaints (66) and the 2006 the most (617). The 2002 drew 124. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.
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