2017 Nissan Frontier Safety Report

The 2017 Nissan Frontier presents a mixed safety picture, with some concerning patterns despite a generally average crash test performance. NHTSA data shows 37 total complaints, including 4 crashes, 1 fire, 1 injury, and 1 death, which is a significant concern for a vehicle of this age. A critical issue highlighted by complaints and a recall is related to the ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION, where vehicles can stall, increasing the risk of a crash. This aligns with multiple complaints describing the truck stalling at various speeds, sometimes requiring multiple attempts to restart. The single recall for this model year specifically addresses this ignition system issue, affecting the 2017-2018 Frontier and other Nissan models. Beyond the recall, common complaint patterns include significant issues with the FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM (10 complaints), often manifesting as fuel spitting back during refueling, fuel leaks, and check engine lights related to vent control valves or EVAP canisters. AIR BAGS also show a pattern of concern (4 complaints), with reports of the airbag light staying on or flashing, and in one instance, only a single airbag deploying in a 60 mph crash. The POWER TRAIN and ENGINE components also have several complaints, including reports of coolant leaks, stripped head bolts, and the transmission locking into third gear while towing. In terms of crash test performance, the 2017 Nissan Frontier received an Overall 4-star rating from NHTSA. It scored 3 stars for Frontal crash protection and 3 stars for Rollover resistance, which are below average. However, it achieved a strong 5-star rating for Side crash protection. The combination of average crash test scores, particularly the lower frontal and rollover ratings, coupled with the concerning real-world complaints of stalling, fuel system failures, and airbag malfunctions, suggests that while the vehicle performs well in side impacts, other critical safety aspects warrant careful consideration. The reported death linked to a complete power/ignition failure further underscores the severity of some of the documented issues.

Our recommendation: Given the recall for stalling issues, numerous fuel system complaints, and average crash test scores with a reported fatality, prospective buyers should prioritize a thorough pre-purchase inspection, especially of the electrical and fuel systems, and verify all recall repairs have been completed.