2011 Nissan Frontier Problems

On January 25, 2024 my son was driving this truck and hit a dog on the highway. His driver side airbag deployed, the driver side seatbelt would not retract, and there was some minor body damage. The engine of the vehicle is fine and completely operational. Since then, we have been waiting for repairs to be made. Per USAA, repairs will be approx $5000 or less. The vehicle is worth over $12,000 so they decided to repair it. The problem is that part number 98820-ZP78A (air bag control module) is no longer being manufactured by Nissan. All other parts, including the *actual* air bag can still be purchased from Nissan, but they are not making the sensor we need to fix this vehicle. We are not the only ones who cannot obtain this part.

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

The brakes have failed several times, seems to be a known issues and affecting others. While our Nissan Truck is older, we had our Nissan checked at Midas, and then at the local Continental Nissan location, that didn’t really help, found a part that helped but only for a short period of time, as this part crapped out again yesterday 3/19/2025, and even though the brake pushed to the floor trying to stop as the brakes stopped working again! The part was only approx 2-5 months old. Nissan Frontier dealership or other places to find the actual parts needed have no real parts that would actually fix the issue. It is very sad for those in the same issue as us, pay $$$ for a used vehicle that cannot seem to be fixed, if they have even tried. I’m pretty sure nothing will be done, but wanted to file this complaint. I’m not expecting anything will be reviewed on this issue, since nothing has been seen thus far for an actual fix via Nissan etc.

The Actuator Assembly - Anti Skid has failed on my 2011 Frontier. My vehicle has cluster lights illuminated for ABS, brake, VDC, and SLIP. My independent mechanic pulled the codes and stated that they indicate the ABS module is going bad. This part has been discontinued by Nissan so I am not able to replace the part with a new part. The ABS system will not properly function which I would assume would be a safety issue and might impact more than the braking performance of the vehicle.

Transmission fluid mixing with coolant in radiator!

TRUCK STARTED NOT ENGAGING IN REVERSE AT AROUND 50,100 MILES. TOOK MY TRUCK TO LARRY H MILLER NISSAN WHERE I PAID 157.00 TO HAVE THEM TELL ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS OVER FULL. THEY PULLED ABOUT 3 LITERS OF EXTRA FLUID FROM TRANNY. THE FLUID APPEARS DARKER BUT THINNER THAN NORMAL. THEY SAID THE PUMP IS PROBABLY BLOWN DUE TO EXCESSIVE PRESSURE FROM THE ADDED FLUID. THIS TRANSMISSION HAS NEVER HAD SERVICE OF FLUID ADDED. NO SURE AT THIS POINT IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH RADIATOR CROSS CONTAMINATION BUT ABOUT 3 YEAS AGO MY HEATER STOPPED WORKING. I CHECKED MY RADIATOR TO FIND IT SEVERAL QUARTS LOW. I'M NOT SURE I WANT TO SPEND ANY MORE MONEY WITH ANYONE, ESPECIALLY NISSAN, TO HAVE THIS LOOKED FURTHER INTO, BUT I WOULD BED THAT IT IS A CROSS CONTAMINATION ISSUE.

The brakes have failed several times, seems to be a known issues and affecting others. While our Nissan Truck is older, we had our Nissan checked at Midas, and then at the local Continental Nissan location, that didn’t really help, found a part that helped but only for a short period of time, as this part crapped out again yesterday 3/19/2025, and even though the brake pushed to the floor trying to stop as the brakes stopped working again! The part was only approx 2-5 months old. Nissan Frontier dealership or other places to find the actual parts needed have no real parts that would actually fix the issue. It is very sad for those in the same issue as us, pay $$$ for a used vehicle that cannot seem to be fixed, if they have even tried. I’m pretty sure nothing will be done, but wanted to file this complaint. I’m not expecting anything will be reviewed on this issue, since nothing has been seen thus far for an actual fix via Nissan etc.

WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN THE BRAKES BECAME SPONGY (NOT FIRM) AND PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN LONGER BRAKING DISTANCES UNLESS I PUMP THE PEDAL. THIS OCCURRED AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES AHEAD OF A STOP SIGN AS THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER A BUMP/IRREGULARITY IN THE ROAD. THE ABS AND VDC (ANTI-SLIP) ACTIVATED BRIEFLY THEN THE PEDAL GOT SOFT. IT REMAINED IN THIS CONDITION (SPONGY AND EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL) UNTIL REACHED MY DESTINATION. THE FIRST INSTANCE OF THIS OCCURRING THE BRAKE SYSTEM SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED AND IGNITION OFF OVERNIGHT (GOOD PEDAL FIRMNESS AND NORMAL PEDAL TRAVEL AND BRAKING DISTANCES THE NEXT MORNING). HOWEVER, AFTER A SECOND TIME THIS HAPPENED (BRAKE GETS SOFT AFTER ABS AND ANTI-SLIP ACTIVATES) THE SPONGY AND LONG PEDAL TRAVEL REMAINS. REPLACED MASTER CYLINDER AND BLED SYSTEM (USED MOTIVE POWER BLEEDER) DID TROUBLESHOOTING ON BRAKE BOOSTER, BOOSTER VACUUM LINE AND CHECK VALVE AND ALL CHECKED FINE. INSPECTED BRAKE LINES FOR BULGES, DAMAGE AND LOOSENESS AT ALL CALIPERS ALL OK. ALL PADS AND ROTORS CHECKED GOOD (NO EXCESSIVE WEAR OR MISSING PARTS). ALSO, DISCONNECTED BATTERY TO SEE IF THE ABS/VDC SYSTEM RESETS. NO CHANGE TO BRAKE PEDAL TRAVEL AND SPONGY FEEL. BRAKE PROBLEMS AS DESCRIBED STILL REMAINS.

VEHICLE BLOWER TURNS OFF AFTER GOING THROUGH CAR WASH, OR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. CAN CAUSE ISSUES WITH FOGGING UP WINDOWS AND VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING WHEN HAPPENING ON FREEWAY. UNSURE AS TO NATURE OF WHY. *TR

IPDM RELAY OR IPDM BOARD ISSUE AT 78K, TOTAL NO CRANK NO START AND VEHICLE DRIVING ISSUES

2011 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ILLUMINATED CHECK ENGNE LIGHT.

The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle was running rough. Additionally, the vehicle was shuddering violently and started to stall. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and drove to a local Pep Boys. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Engine Control Module (ECM) had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part had been discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.

Paint flaking off of front fender in crease above tire on both the passenger and driver side.

THE HOOD OF MY TRUCK POPPED OPENED AT 67 MPH WHILE DRIVING ON 595 EAST BOUND ON FLORIDA HIGHWAY BETWEEN FLAMINGO AND UNIVERSITY EXITS. DUE TO THE IMPACT IT CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD AND OBVIOUS LOSS OF VISIBILITY TO HIGHWAY. AFTER PULLING OVER AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT SEEMS LIKE THE LATCH OF THE HOOD CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN EXPLANATION HOW THIS MALFUNCTION COULD HAVE HAPPENED. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO HARM TO MYSELF ONLY THE DAMAGE TO HOOD, WINDSHIELD, TOP OF VEHICLE ROOF AND MISSING LATCH AND THE EMERGENCY CABLE THAT IS HOOKED UP TO HOOD. MY ANTENNA ALSO BROKE FROM THE IMPACT AND THE HOOD DOES NOT CLOSE ALL THE WAY.

MY AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH A YEAR AGO I TOOK IT TO NISSAN THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A SEAT CUSHION SENSOR IT WOULD COST ME $500.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I AM WRITTING THIS IN COMPLAINT THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN IN RECALL I HAVE WAITED FOR THIS PERIOD IN EXPECTATION OF RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE. ALSO A FAILURE CODE FOR BELT TENSIONER. TO HAVE THESE ITEMS REPAIRED WOULD COST A TOTAL OF $2175.14. I DON'T AGREE I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR. NO ONE SITS IN THE SEAT, NOTHING SHOULD GO WRONG WITH THE SENSOR. IT CAME ON ALL OF A SUDDEN. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE.

I HAVE REPEATEDLY GOTTEN INDICATORS (VIA VEHICLE'S COMPUTER) OF AIR BAG FAILURE, ON A VEHICLE OF LOW MILEAGE, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND HAS GOTTEN FAILURES REGARDING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH IS RARELY USED. THE FIRST TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEATBACK AND AIRBAG UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEATBELT ASSEMBLY. HOW, THE 3RD TIME, THEY TELL ME THAT THE SAME SEAT - CUSHION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE AIRBAG, AND THAT I HAVE TO PAY OVER $2,000 FOR THIS. EACH TIME I GET THIS FAILURE NOTIFICATION, MY AIRBAG IS DISABLED. SO, IT IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. THE AIR BAG FAILURE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON RANDOMLY, NOT RELATED TO A DRIVING INCIDENT.

My air bag light kept flashing on my 2011 Nissan Frontier Pro 4x4, I had it looked at when I got my oil changed and was told that it is a malfunction where you click the seat belt into, the light is off now but once some one sets in the passenger side seat and puts the seat belt on the light will come back on, due to malfunction in the seat belt, and if I would get into a accident and some one is sitting in the passenger side the seat belt will not properly secure them

I HAVE REPEATEDLY GOTTEN INDICATORS (VIA VEHICLE'S COMPUTER) OF AIR BAG FAILURE, ON A VEHICLE OF LOW MILEAGE, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND HAS GOTTEN FAILURES REGARDING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH IS RARELY USED. THE FIRST TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEATBACK AND AIRBAG UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEATBELT ASSEMBLY. HOW, THE 3RD TIME, THEY TELL ME THAT THE SAME SEAT - CUSHION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE AIRBAG, AND THAT I HAVE TO PAY OVER $2,000 FOR THIS. EACH TIME I GET THIS FAILURE NOTIFICATION, MY AIRBAG IS DISABLED. SO, IT IS AN ONGOING ISSUE. THE AIR BAG FAILURE LIGHT KEEPS COMING ON RANDOMLY, NOT RELATED TO A DRIVING INCIDENT.

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING BRACKET DETACHED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT LOSS POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEER BELT SHIFTED FORWARD AND DETACHED THE SERPENTINE BELT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING. SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BELT DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED CROWN NISSAN OF GREENVILLE (2712 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607) AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INFORMED THAT THE BRACKET WAS DISCONTINUED AND TO SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT TAKEN TO A DEALER DUE TO THE REPAIR COST. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 213,000.

THE HORN ON THESE TRUCK HAVE STOP WORKING THIS IS MY SECOND 2011 NISSAN FRONTIER TRUCK THAT SAME THING HAPPENS THE HORN JUST STOPS WORKING AND WITH HOUSTON, TEXAS TRAFFIC WE NEED A WORKING HORN IN OUR VEHICLES.

A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE STEEL WHEELS ALLOWS WATER TO PUDDLE IN A CHANNEL IN THE WHEEL -- BECAUSE THERE IS INADEQUATE DRAINAGE BEHIND A SHOULDER ON THE RIM. FURTHERMORE THE COATING OF THE STEEL RIM IS INADEQUATE TO PREVENT RUSTING OF THE RIM. THUS, AFTER AS LITTLE AS 57,500 MILES, THE PUDDLING IN THIS UNDRAINED CHANNEL LEADS TO SEVERE CORROSION, WITH FOLLOWING ADVERSE RESULTS. (1) THE CORROSION INVADES THE HOLE FOR THE TPMS WHICH IS LOCATED RIGHT IN THE CHANNEL -- CAUSING LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE AROUND THE BASE OF THE TPMS, THAT CANNOT BE EASILY REMEDIED. (2) THE EXTENT AND SEVERITY OF THE CORROSION AT SUCH LOW MILEAGE STRONGLY PREDICTS EVENTUAL CATASTROPHIC WHEEL FAILURE DURING THE NORMAL LIFETIME OF THE VEHICLE.

I WAS CHANGING A FLAT TIRE ON MY FRONTIER AND WHEN I RELEASED THE SPARE TIRE, THE SIDE WALL WAS WORN DOWN SO THE TIRE COULD NOT BE USED. THE WAY THE TIRE IS MOUNTED UNDER THE TRUCK CAUSED 4 GASHES INTO THE SIDEWALL. *TR

LEAD SPRING SNAP FOR NO REASON AFTER TAKING A NICE SUNDAY DRIVE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS JUST HERD A RATTLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE IT WAS A CLEAN SNAP STRAIGHT ACROSS ON THE MIDDLE LEAF SPRING? DRIVING ON 106 HWY NEW HAMPSHIRE

TRUCK STARTED TO RATTLE AND GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. BROKE THE MAIN LEAF SPRING IN HALF. DIDN'T LOAD THE TRUCK OR HIT ANYTHING.

VEHICLE BLOWER TURNS OFF AFTER GOING THROUGH CAR WASH, OR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. CAN CAUSE ISSUES WITH FOGGING UP WINDOWS AND VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING WHEN HAPPENING ON FREEWAY. UNSURE AS TO NATURE OF WHY. *TR

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING VIOLENTLY AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS TAMPERED WITH DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF SUGAR BEING INSIDE OF IT. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 25,000.

I WAS CHANGING A FLAT TIRE ON MY FRONTIER AND WHEN I RELEASED THE SPARE TIRE, THE SIDE WALL WAS WORN DOWN SO THE TIRE COULD NOT BE USED. THE WAY THE TIRE IS MOUNTED UNDER THE TRUCK CAUSED 4 GASHES INTO THE SIDEWALL. *TR