Owner-reported complaints naming the body or structure system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Body & structure reportsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
9
Latest Mar 13, 2024
Share of all reportsThis category as a share of every owner report on file for this model year. One report can name more than one component, so the categories overlap.
12%
of 77 total
Crash or fire reportedReports in this category whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. The reporter's own answer on the NHTSA form, not a verified finding.
2
Injuries or deaths reportedTotals the submitters entered on their own reports in this category. Not verified by NHTSA and not a casualty statistic.
1
What this page shows
Reports naming the vehicle structure, frame, body panels, doors, hood and trim. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2003 Nissan Frontier submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 9 reports on file name it.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Owner reports naming body or structure
Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed
Body & structureSteeringSuspension
Filed Mar 13, 2024
I was driving and my truck started drifting and I felt like I was losing control. Could of caused a very serious and dangerous accident - scared me to death, had just bought this Nissan, and love the brand. Had great tires and brakes just completely done. Brought it to my mechanic and he put it up on the hoist. Frame almost completely rusted out and through in many spots. They were surprised it did not completely come apart! Extremely dangerous and they suspect like Toyota that maybe part of a NHTSA recall. I just checked and did not find one, but there should be, how many other un-safe Frontiers are out there be driven every day by the public. I can send pictures if needed, just need to ask mechanic to put back up on hoist, as he would not let me drive the car and it is still there. Horrific danger!
NHTSA ID
11577054
Incident
Mar 13, 2024
AirbagsBody & structure
Filed May 3, 2020
Crash reported
I WAS RECENTLY INVOLVED IN A FRONTEND COLLISION IN MY 2003 NISSAN FRONTIER AND NEITHER AIRBAG DEPLOYED. I WAS ACCELERATING FROM A STOP SIGN ON A FARM TO MARKET ROAD. DENISON TX.
NHTSA ID
11323109
Incident
Apr 10, 2020
Mileage
130,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Dec 8, 2018
OUT. VEHICLE HAS SEVERE RUST CORROSION FROM THE BACK CAB BREAK LIGHT. IT LOOKS LIKE THE SEAL AROUND THE LIGHT WAS COMPROMISED AND CAUSES MOISTURE TO SEEP IN AND LEAK THROUGH THE ROOF. IT LOOKS AS IF IT IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE
NHTSA ID
11157049
Incident
Dec 5, 2007
Body & structure
Filed Feb 29, 2016
VEHICLE HAS SEVERE RUST CORROSION FROM THE BACK CAB BREAK LIGHT. IT LOOKS LIKE THE SEAL AROUND THE LIGHT WAS COMPROMISED AND CAUSES MOISTURE TO SEEP IN AND LEAK THROUGH THE ROOF. IT LOOKS AS IF IT IS RUSTING FROM THE INSIDE OUT.
NHTSA ID
10839097
Incident
Feb 1, 2013
Mileage
100,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 28, 2013
I HAVE JUST OVER 100,000 MILES ON MY 2003 TRUCK. I HAVE BEEN FIGHTING RUST ISSUES ALL OVER THE RIG FOR THE PAST FIVE YEARS. I WASH AND CLEAN MY TRUCK EACH WEEK AND POLISH TWICE A YEAR. I DO LIVE NEAR THE BEACH, BUT I UNDERSTAND THIS, AND BEING A AIRCRAFT MECHANIC BY TRADE, WORKING WITH AIRCRAFT ON SHIPS AT SEA, KNOW HOW TO PROPERLY SERVICE MY EQUIPMENT. THE RUST COMES OUT UNDER THE PAINT, ALONG THE REAR CAB BRAKE LIGHT, AND ALONG THE FRONT WIND SHIELD, PASSENGER SIDE. THE RIG HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT AND SINCE I'M RETIRED AND I BOUGHT THE TRUCK NEW, I HAVE TAKEN GOOD CARE OF IT. NISSAN REFUSES TO DEAL WITH THE ISSUE, AND I BELIEVE THE PAINT SYSTEM THEY USE NEEDS SERIOUS UP GRADING. *TR
NHTSA ID
10522330
Incident
Jun 28, 2013
Body & structure
Filed Mar 26, 2010
I HAVE AN 03 NISSAN FRONTIER SE 4 DR. IT IS BLUE AND THE PAINT IS COMING OFF, ALL THE WAY TO THE PRIMER. YOU CAN SEE IT RAISED AND THEN IT JUST FLAKES OFF. IT FIRST STARTED IN 06 WHILE IT WAS UNDER WARRANTY ON THE PASSENGER REAR DOOR AND NISSAN REPAINTED IT AND NOW IT IS FLAKING OFF EVERYWHERE ELSE EXCEPT ON THE ROOF AND BOTH PASSENGER DOORS. I KNOW IT IS OUT OF WARRANTY BUT THIS IS NOT NORMAL FOR PAINT AND IT BEGAN WHEN IT WAS ONLY 3 YEARS OLD. BECAUSE OF THIS IF I WERE TO TRY AND RESALE IT AT THIS POINT I WOULD TAKE A BIG HIT ON PRICE BECAUSE OF THE PAINT JOB AND THEN THERE IS A HEALTH ISSUE WITH CHILDREN, SUPPOSE A FLAKE AS BIG AS A QUARTER IS SPOTTED BY A SMALL CHILD AND THEY INSERT IN THERE MOUTH AND GET SICK OR WORSE, THERE'S NO WAY I CAN BE LIABLE FOR THAT SO THEREFORE IF I'M NOT LIABLE THEN SOMEONE ELSE IS AND THAT SOMEONE ELSE WOULD BE NISSAN, SO IF NISSAN IS LIABLE THEN THEY NEED TO REPAINT IT NOW. *TR
NHTSA ID
10322283
Incident
Oct 30, 2006
Mileage
30,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Jun 25, 2009
TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE EXTERIOR PAINT ON THE ROOF OF THE VEHICLE BEGAN TO PEEL ALL THE WAY DOWN THE DRIVER'S SIDE. THERE WERE ALSO VISIBLE RUST SPOTS AND HOLES IN THE PAINT. HE WAS CONCERNED THAT A SMALL CHILD COULD EAT THE PAINT AND THAT THE PAINT JOB SEEMED TO BE DEFECTIVE. THE CURRENT AND FAILURE MILEAGES WERE LESS THAN 105,000.
NHTSA ID
10274993
Incident
May 1, 2008
Mileage
105,000 mi
Body & structure
Filed Apr 27, 2005
Crash reported1 death reported
MY DAUGHTER WAS INVOLVED IN A HEAD ON CRASH AND HER NISSAN, 2003 DISINTEGRATED. THE WHOLE FRONT OF HER VEHICLE ENDED UP IN THE FRONT SEAT. SHE WAS GOING 55 MPH, AND THE OTHER VEHICLE WAS GOING 20 MPH.*AK
NHTSA ID
10118535
Incident
Apr 5, 2005
Body & structure
Filed Mar 16, 2004
WHILE DRIVING AT NIGHT DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO SEE THE GAUGES ON THE VEHICLE BECUASE OF LACK OF ILLUMINATION. CONSUMER STATED THAT THE GAUGES WERE COLORED WITH BLACK AND GRAY.*AK
NHTSA ID
10063244
Incident
May 15, 2004
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers.
Other components reported on this vehicle
Categories with enough reports to have a page of their own