Owner-reported complaints naming the steering system, filed with NHTSA
Data refreshed
Steering 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.
1
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 steering system — racks, columns, power-steering assist and steering linkage. 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 steering
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
Other / unspecifiedPowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Sep 10, 2020
WHEEL BEARINGS KEEP BACKING OFF SPOKE WITH OTHER PEOPLE WHO OWN A FRONTIER AND THEY HAVE SAME PROBLEM THIS IS A SAFTEY ISSUE HAVE TO TIGHTEN THEM REGULARLY
NHTSA ID
11354222
Incident
Aug 13, 2014
Mileage
56,000 mi
Steering
Filed Jul 30, 2014
TL * THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE MAKING A RIGHT TURN AT AN UNKNOWN SPEED, THE CONTACT HEARD A LOUD CRANKING NOISE. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING PLATE WAS EXTREMELY LOOSE. THE STEERING STOPS WERE LUBED AND THE SHAFT WAS CLEANED MULTIPLE TIMES, BUT THE FAILURE PERSISTED. THE DEALER STATED THAT THE STEERING SHAFT NEEDED TO BE REPLACED, BUT FURTHER APPROVAL WAS REQUIRED FROM THE MANUFACTURER TO DETERMINE IF THE PART WAS AVAILABLE TO PERFORM THE REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAITED BUT DID NOT HEAR BACK FROM THE DEALER. THE VIN WAS NOT INCLUDED IN NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 10V554000 (STEERING). THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED AND THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 112,909.
NHTSA ID
10617573
Incident
Jan 24, 2014
Mileage
112,909 mi
Steering
Filed May 11, 2011
THE VEHICLE HAS STEERING ISSUES THAT I HAVE COMPLAINED ABOUT TO BOTH THE DEALER AND THE CORPORATE HEADQUARTERS SINCE I HAVE OWNED IT. BOTH HAVE ESSENTIALLY TOLD ME THAT I WAS "IMAGINING THINGS". A CALL TO THEIR CONSUMER COMPLAINTS LINE CAME WITH THE ANSWER OF "I HAVE TO BELIEVE WHAT MY TECHNICIANS TELL ME". RECENTLY I WAS CONTACTED IN A RECALL OF THE VEHICLE AND HAD THE 'SUPPOSEDLY' BAD PART REPLACED YESTERDAY, BUT THE VEHICLE IS STILL IN THE SAME CONDITION AND STILL FEELS EXTREMELY UNSTABLE AND UNSAFE ON THE ROAD - PARTICULARLY AT HIGHWAY SPEEDS. I AM AFRAID I AM GOING TO BE KILLED AND I CANNOT AFFORD ANOTHER VEHICLE AT THIS TIME. A NEAR MISS JUST OCCURRED ON 9A - AT 65 MILES PER HOUR IN WHICH THE VEHICLE WAS SWEPT BY WIND WHICH NEARLY SENT ME INTO THE PATH OF A SEMI TRUCK (THE MAN SMOKED HIS TIRES AND BLEW HIS HORN). THE STEERING FEELS AS THOUGH IT IS LOOSE OR RUBBERY AND I HAVE NOTICED THAT "PLAY" IN THE STEERING WHEEL SEEMS TO BE ABOUT 1-2" BEFORE THE STEERING ENGAGES. I AM BEGINNING TO THINK THE REPLACEMENT PART WAS NO MORE THAN A LEGAL "CYA" SINCE THE STEERING IS NOT FIXED, AND IS INDEED AS BAD AS IT EVER WAS. I AM BEGGING FOR RELIEF AT THIS POINT, AND I DO NOT WISH TO DIE OR BE CRIPPLED OVER THIS COMPANY'S COVER-UP OF AN ENGINEERING FLAW THAT THEY ARE UNWILLING TO CORRECT. ANY ASSISTANCE WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. *TR
NHTSA ID
10399961
Incident
May 11, 2011
Mileage
41,000 mi
Steering
Filed May 3, 2011
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED UNDER NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V554000 (STEERING COLUMN). THE DEALER ADVISED THAT THE STEERING WAS OFF CENTER AND THE RECALL REPAIR COULD NOT BE PERFORMED WITHOUT THE STEERING BEING CENTERED. THE ADDITIONAL FAILURE WAS NOT COVERED UNDER THE RECALL. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE RECALLED DEFECT WAS WHAT CAUSED THE ADDITIONAL FAILURE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS CONTACTED AND A COMPLAINT WAS FILED. THE MANUFACTURER ADVISED THAT SOMEONE WOULD CONTACT HIM AT A LATER DATE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 50,113 AND THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 53,000.
NHTSA ID
10398765
Incident
Apr 27, 2011
Mileage
50,113 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 14, 2011
Crash reported1 injury reported
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2003 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE DRIVER OF THE VEHICLE WAS ATTEMPTING A TURN WHEN THE POWER STEERING FAILED. THE DRIVER WAS UNABLE TO MAINTAIN CONTROL OF THE VEHICLE AND CRASHED INTO A TREE INJURING HER HEAD AND KNEE. THE CONTACT LATER RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER: 10V554000 (STEERING: COLUMN) AND CONTACTED THE MANUFACTURER BUT RECEIVED NO ASSISTANCE. THE VEHICLE WAS TRADED AND SOLD IN AN AUCTION. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 59,533.
NHTSA ID
10390044
Incident
Jan 2, 2011
Mileage
59,533 mi
Steering
Filed Mar 3, 2011
ON THE RECALL NOTICE FOR CORROSION ON STEERING COLUMN. I TOOK THE TRUCK TO PREMIER NISSAN OF SAN JOSE DEALERSHIP INVOICE. 37,0751 THEY REPLACED THE DEFECTED PART STEERING COLUMN LOWER SHAFT-SALT AREA, BUT NOW MY STEERING WHEEL IN NOT STRAIGHT, AND ALIGNMENT ALL MESSED UP. NOW IT IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE MY TRUCK. I MENTIONED IT TO THE SERVICE MANAGER AND HE SAID WE CAN NOT DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT,THAT SHAFT ONLY GOES IN ONE WAY. I COMPLIANT TO THE NISSAN NORTH AMERICA REF #[XXX], MARCH 3,2011 THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO CALL ME TOMORROW. PLEASE HELP TO SOLVE THIS PROBLEM. THANK YOU INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6).*TR
NHTSA ID
10387848
Incident
Mar 1, 2011
Steering
Filed Feb 4, 2011
SINCE PURCHASE IN 2004 THE TILT STEERING DOES LOCK INTO PLACE. THE STEERING WHEEL MOVES UP AND DOWN DURING DRIVING WHICH COULD RESULT IN AN CRASH. THE TILT MECHANISM HAS BEEN REPAIRED AND REPLACED BY THE DEALER WITH THE SAME FAILURE TO LOCK AND HOLD AFTER A SHORT PERIOD OF TIME. THIS MUST BE A DESIGN ERROR SINCE AFTER REPAIR/REPLACEMENT THERE IS NO POSITIVE LOCK FOR THE TILT CONTROL.
NHTSA ID
10381937
Incident
Sep 1, 2004
Mileage
5,000 mi
Steering
Filed Nov 2, 2006
2003 NISSAN FRONTIER HAD INTERMITTENT LOSS OF POWER STEERING. MECHANIC STATED THAT THE STEERING BOX THEY REPLACED WAS DEFECTIVE AND IT NEEDED TO ORDER ANOTHER ONE. *KB THE STEERING BOX THE DEALER INSTALL BEGAN TO DRIP FLUID WITHIN 30 DAY OF INSTALLATION. THE CONSUMER BELIEVES A DEFECT EXIST IN THE STEERING BOXES NISSAN IS INSTALLING IN THEIR VEHICLE'S. THE CONSUMER REQUEST REIMBURSEMENT FOR THE ORIGINAL GEAR BOX REPLACED.
NHTSA ID
10173283
Incident
Aug 28, 2006
Mileage
27,271 mi
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