2017 Nissan Frontier Safety Report
2017 NISSAN FRONTIER Safety Report
Safety Decision Cockpit for the 2017 Nissan Frontier
This page is the hub for deciding what to inspect next on the 2017 Nissan Frontier. It connects recall campaigns, owner complaint patterns, service bulletins, sibling model years, component issue hubs, and the model buying guide so a shopper or owner can move from a single report into the wider safety graph.
| Signal | Value | What to inspect next |
|---|---|---|
| Recall burden | Moderate (1) | Review campaign numbers, affected components, and dealer remedies below. |
| Owner complaints | Moderate (37) | Scan complaint narratives for recurring symptoms, mileage, crashes, fires, injuries, and dates. |
| Crash and fire reports | 5 | Treat any crash, fire, injury, or fatality-linked pattern as a priority pre-purchase inspection item. |
| Primary component hub | Fuel/Propulsion System | Compare fuel/propulsion system issues across vehicles. |
| Cleaner nearby model year | 2021 | Compare against the 2021 Nissan Frontier with 17 complaints and 2 recalls. |
| Riskier nearby model year | 2022 | Check the 2022 Nissan Frontier before buying across this generation. |
Nissan Frontier Year-by-Year Comparison
The safest purchase decision usually comes from comparing neighboring model years, not reading a single page in isolation. The table below uses only validated Nissan Frontier years already present in the cleaned NHTSA dataset, so each comparison links to a real vehicle safety report rather than a generated combination.
| Model Year | Complaints | Recalls | Use case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 Nissan Frontier | 25 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2016 Nissan Frontier | 42 | 1 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
| 2019 Nissan Frontier | 26 | 1 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2015 Nissan Frontier | 33 | 0 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2021 Nissan Frontier | 17 | 2 | Compare as a potentially cleaner alternative. |
| 2022 Nissan Frontier | 105 | 6 | Inspect as a potentially higher-complaint year. |
2017 Nissan Frontier Complaint Theme Map
Complaint counts become more useful when they are grouped into inspection themes. For the 2017 Nissan Frontier, these are the component areas with the clearest NHTSA complaint signals. Use each link to jump from this single vehicle into broader component hubs and make-specific issue pages.
Fuel/Propulsion System
10 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Fuel/Propulsion System issues Nissan onlyElectrical System
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Electrical System issues Nissan onlyAir Bags
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Air Bags issues Nissan onlyUnknown Or Other
4 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Unknown Or Other issues Nissan onlyPower Train
3 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Power Train issues Nissan onlyEngine
2 owner complaints mention this component in the current safety profile.
All Engine issues Nissan onlyAI Safety Analysis for the 2017 Nissan Frontier
Reliability Score
The 2017 Nissan Frontier receives a reliability score of 5 out of 100 based on analysis of NHTSA complaint data, recall history, crash reports, and safety ratings. This indicates below-average reliability. Significant issues have been reported by owners and should be carefully evaluated before purchase.
NHTSA Safety Ratings for the 2017 Nissan Frontier
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) evaluates vehicles through controlled crash tests and assigns star ratings from 1 to 5, with 5 being the safest.
Known Issues for the 2017 Nissan Frontier
The following issues have been identified from NHTSA complaint data and owner reports for the 2017 Nissan Frontier:
| Issue | Severity | Frequency | Typical Mileage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fuel Tank Leak The fuel tank developed a leak at the filler neck connection point, which is a plastic component. |
Medium | Common | 30k-60k miles |
| Air Bag Malfunction Air bag lights have been on and off without any crash, indicating potential issues with the air bag module. |
High | Common | 0-100k miles |
| Odometer Fraud A vehicle was found to have odometer fraud, with the actual mileage being significantly higher than the reported mileage. |
Medium | Common | 0-100k miles |
| Ignition System Failure Reports of complete power/ignition failure have been noted, leading to safety concerns. |
Medium | Common | 0-100k miles |
Common Problems Reported by Owners
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the following components account for the majority of reported issues with the 2017 Nissan Frontier:
Issues with the fuel/propulsion system, including stalling and power loss, are the most common problems.
Problems with the electrical system, particularly the ignition, are also frequent.
Air bag malfunctions and inconsistent operation have been reported.
Odometer fraud has been reported, with vehicles having higher actual mileage than reported.
Recall Details for the 2017 Nissan Frontier
The following 1 recall has been issued for the 2017 Nissan Frontier by NHTSA:
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.
NHTSA Complaint Summaries for the 2017 Nissan Frontier
Below are complaint narratives filed by owners of the 2017 Nissan Frontier with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. 4 complaints involved crashes. 1 involved fires. 2 reported injuries or fatalities.
I drive on the highway and my truck stalls out and just shuts off. When I’m driving at slow speeds, it just keeps stalling I lose power and it takes a few tries for it to start again then I have to peel out so it stays started and hope I don’t have to slow down.
Odometer Fraud. The contact purchased a 2017 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while attempting to register the vehicle, it was discovered that there was a mileage discrepancy. The vehicle was a private sale. At the time of purchase, the vehicle mileage was 73,471 and at the time of registration, it was discovered that the mileage was 101,000.
Check engine light came on and when filling with fuel, gas came shooting back out.
The contact's boyfriend owns a 2017 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving at 30 MPH or above, the vehicle started to stall. The check engine warning light was illuminated. On a separate occasion, the vehicle stalled and drastically shifted out of gear into a different gear. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed. The dealer was unable to duplicat...
I had a check engine light come on and took it to my mechanic for diagnosis and repair if needed. He diagnosed it as error code P2004. The code indicated a bad runner control valve position sensor. It is located on the end of intake manifold and has two torx screws to remove it. The issue is Nissan did not sell a replacement sensor separately , you can only get that part with the purchase of a...
Complete power/ignition failure resulting in death of driver on [XXX] while driving at night in the rain in a 2017 Nissan Frontier Pickup 4 door. The TDPS in McKinney, TX is pulling the black box for testing. 2 weeks before the accident the same vehicle (2017 Nissan Frontier pickup) 4 door lost complete power/braking/ignition failure on the same road [XXX] in Princeton, TX The vehicle was pushed o...
Fuel tank developed leak at the filler neck connection point. The tank is "plastic". Connection neck is "plastic" but a different color than the tank. (Perhaps dissimilar materials that are somehow fused/bonded together.) Fuel spilled from the tank onto my garage floor initially; I moved the vehicle outside. The problem was confirmed by an independent service center. The service center repl...
Since buying the vehicle new, the airbag light has been on and off throughout the entire time (The vehicle has never been crashed). I have brought it in to multiple dealerships asking for them to take a look at it and have never gotten much feedback other than them resetting it or having replaced wiring due to previous recalls. I was alerted recently of the airbag control unit now needing to be re...
From the first snow fall in Minnesota, I had to drive very slow, there is no traction, or control of the car. I had 2 spin outs, and one person hit me. I do not feel safe in this car, but you won't trade it in for me. I fear for my life, driving in Minnesota winter. The wheels just keep turning, and there is no way to control the car.
Hit a cement barrier going 60 mph at a 45 degree angle on the passenger side and only the passenger side curtain airbag deployed.
There was a coolant leak. It was leaking from head gasket. When it was being rebuilt there were two head bolts stripped. The truck only has 58,000 miles. We were told that the engin isn't covered by the warranty.
The two square head carriage bolts that secure the roof clamp to the rack were poor quality. The heads sheared off which cause the roof rack to rip off from the top of the truck and fly into traffic on the freeway. The items being held by the rack did not exceed the 150 lb limit. When the rack broke free, the kayak and camping bags broke the rear window on my truck, hit my 2 dogs, and landed in th...
As I was driving my truck this morning it stalled on me, two times. The first time I was able to turn the key off and back on again and it started right up. I then drove it about 20 yards (luckily I was in a parking lot) and it stalled again but this time the dash lights remained on even with key out of the ignition. Also I was not able to unlock the doors. I kept turning key back and forth un...
When I got in my truck yesterday some of the dash warning lights were on and the digital mileage was showing up. This is all without a key in the ignition. I could start it but it cranked a bit. So I opened the hood to disconnect the battery and I could hear that the engine was priming, no telling how long this was going on since I haven't driven it in a couple of weeks. This happened about a...
AIRBAG LIGHT ON, COMPETITOR (MAZDA) DEALER STATED THAT AIR BAG MODULE NEEDS REPLACING ESTIMATED COST $2500. ALSO WHEN 4X4 IS ENGAGED IT'S REALLY HARD TO DO TURN LEFT OR RIGHT AT LOW SPEED.
The contact owns a 2017 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving at various speeds, the vehicle occasionally stalled without warning. The contact was able to restart the vehicle and continued driving to her destination. The contact took the vehicle to the local dealer, where it was diagnosed with needing the battery connectors to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired but continued to expe...
FUMES AND ODOR ENTERING CABIN EXTREME AT TIMES GET DIZZY DRIVING WHEN FUMES ENTER THE CABIN I HAVE TO PULLOVER. TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD RETURN TO DEALER PROBLEM UNRESOLVED WAS TOLD TO CHANGE CABIN FILTER CHANGE PROBLEM PERSIST UNTIL TODAY. VEHICLE BOUGHT NEW. PROBLEM IS WHILE DRIVING AND IN TRAFFIC BEHIND ANY VEHICLE .*DT*JB
THE AIRBAG LIGHT STAYS FLASHING AND DOES NOT TURN OFF ON THE TRUCK. I DROVE THE TRUCK WITH MY FRIEND AND WE WERE BOTH IN OUR SEAT BELTS, FOR AN ENTIRE 1 HOUR RIDE THE LIGHT KEPT FLASHING. THE AIRBAG LIGHT STARTS FLASHING AS SOON AS I START THE TRUCK NOW AND DOES NOT SHUT OFF UNLESS I PARK THE CAR AND TURN THE CAR OFF. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY ISSUE, IF THE AIRBAG DOES NOT DEPLOY DUE TO THE FAULTY ...
WHEN IT RAINS OR SNOWS, THE FUEL FILL OVERFLOW VALVE STOPS WORKING CORRECTLY AND FUEL SPITS RIGHT BACK OUT WHEN TRYING TO FILL WITH FUEL AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT COMES ON. THE LIGHT COMES ON WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN OR SNOW. *TR
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 60 MPH THE VEHICLE UNEXPECTEDLY STARTED TO LEAK FUEL. THERE WAS NO WARNING LIGHTS TO INDICATE THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT SAFELY PULLED THE VEHICLE OVER AND THE FIRE DEPARTMENT WAS CALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO A LOCAL MECHANIC WHERE THE REPAIRS WERE MADE. THE PROGNOSIS WAS THAT THE VEHICLE HAD A PUNCTUR...
Showing 20 of 37 complaints. Additional complaints are available via the NHTSA database.
Frequently Asked Questions About the 2017 Nissan Frontier
Has the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER been recalled?
Yes, the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER has 1 recall on record with NHTSA. Each recall addresses a specific safety defect identified by the manufacturer or NHTSA.
How many complaints does the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER have?
The 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER has 37 complaints filed with NHTSA. Of these, 4 involved crashes. 1 injuries and 1 deaths have been reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER?
The 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of good (4/5). Frontal crash: 3/5. Side crash: 5/5. Rollover: 3/5.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER?
The most commonly reported problems with the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER involve fuel/propulsion system (10 complaints), electrical system (4 complaints), air bags (4 complaints). Other affected components include unknown or other, power train, engine.
How many crash reports does the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER have?
There are 4 crash reports associated with the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER out of 37 total complaints (10.8% of complaints involved crashes).
How many fire reports does the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER have?
There are 1 fire reports for the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER out of 37 total complaints. Fire reports are among the most serious safety concerns tracked by NHTSA.
Are there any deaths reported for the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER?
Yes, 1 death has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER. These are self-reported by complainants and do not imply the vehicle caused the death.
How many injuries are reported for the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER?
1 injury has been reported in NHTSA complaints for the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER. These are self-reported by vehicle owners as part of their safety complaints.
Should I buy a 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER?
Based on NHTSA data, the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER is generally recommended. It has 37 complaints, 1 recalls, and a good (4/5) safety rating. Note: 1 death(s) have been reported. Always have a pre-purchase inspection done by a qualified mechanic.
What components fail most on the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER?
The components with the most failures on the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER are: 1. FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (10 complaints), 2. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM (4 complaints), 3. AIR BAGS (4 complaints), 4. UNKNOWN OR OTHER (4 complaints), 5. POWER TRAIN (3 complaints). FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM is the single most-reported problem area with 10 complaints.
What should I know before buying a 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER?
Be cautious of vehicles with reported fuel tank leaks, air bag malfunctions, and odometer fraud. Consider a thorough inspection before purchase. The 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER has 37 NHTSA complaints and 1 recalls on record. NHTSA rates it good (4/5).
How reliable is the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER?
The 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER receives a reliability score of 5/100, indicating below-average reliability. This is based on 37 owner complaints, 1 recalls, and 5 crash/fire reports in the NHTSA database. Key known issues include Fuel Tank Leak and Air Bag Malfunction.
What are the known issues with the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER?
Known issues with the 2017 NISSAN FRONTIER include: Fuel Tank Leak, Air Bag Malfunction, Odometer Fraud, Ignition System Failure. These are based on patterns found across 37 NHTSA complaints. 1 of these patterns resulted in formal recalls.
What are the most common issues with the 2017 Nissan Frontier?
The most common issues are fuel/propulsion system problems, electrical system issues, air bag malfunctions, and odometer fraud.
Are there any safety concerns with the air bag system?
Yes, air bag lights have been on and off without any crash, indicating potential issues with the air bag module.
What should I look out for during a pre-purchase inspection?
Inspect for fuel tank leaks, air bag malfunctions, and any signs of odometer fraud.
Buyer Advice
Our recommendation: Be cautious of vehicles with reported fuel tank leaks, air bag malfunctions, and odometer fraud. Consider a thorough inspection before purchase.
NHTSA Data Summary for 2017 Nissan Frontier
This safety report is based on a comprehensive analysis of data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for the 2017 Nissan Frontier. The data includes 37 consumer complaints filed by vehicle owners, 1 manufacturer-initiated safety recalls, 4 reported crashes, 1 fire incidents, 1 reported injuries, and 1 fatalities associated with this vehicle.
The NHTSA has assigned the 2017 Nissan Frontier an overall safety rating of 4 out of 5 stars, with a frontal crash rating of 3 stars, a side crash rating of 5 stars, and a rollover rating of 3 stars. These ratings are determined through controlled crash testing conducted by the NHTSA.
All data presented in this report is sourced from public NHTSA databases. Our AI analysis identifies patterns across complaint narratives, correlates them with recall history, and produces the safety assessment above. This analysis is updated as new complaints and recalls are filed with the NHTSA.
Consumers are encouraged to report vehicle safety problems to the NHTSA at nhtsa.gov. If your vehicle is subject to a recall, contact your dealer to schedule the free repair.
Disclaimer: This analysis is AI-generated from NHTSA public data and does not constitute professional automotive or safety advice. Always verify recall status at NHTSA.gov and consult a qualified mechanic.
Analysis last updated: 2026-05-16