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2017 Nissan Frontier: Problems, Recalls and MPG

What this means

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2017 Nissan Frontier, most recently filed August 2018. Owners have filed 38 complaints with NHTSA, most often about the fuel/propulsion system. In NHTSA crash tests it earned 4 stars overall.

Data summary generated from official records. Methodology Data: NHTSA, DOT, EPA · Refreshed Oct 6, 2026
Caution Fewer than 50 complaints filed. With this few reports, patterns may not be meaningful.
Compare

Recalls (1)

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2017 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 2017 Nissan Frontier. Not checked against your VIN.
Recall 18V551000 Filed Aug 21, 2018

Ignition Switch may Turn Off

Electrical system · ignition
Official NHTSA text
Summary
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Consequence
If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy
Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
62% repairedof 153,047 vehicles
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 18V551000

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 (38)

38 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The fuel/propulsion system is mentioned most often.

4involved a crash
1involved a fire
1injuries reported
1deaths reported

As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.

Most-reported components

Complaints filed with NHTSA for the 2017 Nissan Frontier, by component (top 10). One complaint can list several components, so these add up to more than 38.Source: NHTSA ODI owner complaints · Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 · Report a data error

How 2017 compares with other Frontier years

Best and worst Frontier years →
2013201420152016201720182019202020212022
This year (2017)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.

Crash tests: 4 stars overall

Overall★★★★☆
Frontal crashDriver 3★ · Passenger 2★★★★☆☆
Side crashDriver 5★ · Passenger 5★★★★★★
Side pole★★★★★
RolloverRollover risk 19.8%★★★★☆
Front seat of a modern car with the seat belt buckled across the passenger seat
Compare fairly. Compare stars only between vehicles of similar size and weight. Ratings apply to the tested configuration.

Source: NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (NCAP), 2017 Nissan Frontier pu/cc awd, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.

Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined

21
mpg combined
19
city
23
highway
EPA annual fuel cost
$3,200
CO₂ tailpipe
431 g/mi
EPA class
Small 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

2017 Nissan Frontier configurations with EPA data
Engine · transmissionDriveCity / Hwy / CombEPA $/yrCO₂ g/mi
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive19 / 23 / 21$3,200431
2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive17 / 22 / 19$3,550467
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive16 / 23 / 19$3,550478
4 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manualRear-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 19$3,550479
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automaticRear-Wheel Drive16 / 22 / 18$3,700494
4 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manualPart-time 4-Wheel Drive16 / 21 / 18$3,700507
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automaticPart-time 4-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17$3,950520
4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automaticPart-time 4-Wheel Drive15 / 21 / 17$3,950521

Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.

Used blue SUV on a sunny dealer lot with its hood open and a clipboard on the fender

Looking at a 2017 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.

All Frontier years

Where to next

2017 Nissan Frontier FAQ

How many recalls does the 2017 Nissan Frontier have?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 18V551000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.

What are the most common 2017 Nissan Frontier problems?

Owners filed 38 complaints with NHTSA. Fuel/propulsion system (10), Electrical system (6), Power train (6) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.

What mpg does the 2017 Nissan Frontier get?

EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 19 city, 23 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.

What safety rating did the 2017 Nissan Frontier get?

NHTSA rated the 2017 Nissan Frontier pu/cc awd 4 stars overall, with 3 stars frontal, 5 stars side and 4 stars rollover (19.8% rollover risk).

How does the 2017 Frontier compare with other years?

Among the 2013–2021 Nissan Frontier model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (19) and the 2013 the most (48). The 2017 drew 38. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.

How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes

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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