RoadVitals

2020 Nissan Frontier Powertrain (other) Problems

Owner-reported complaints naming the powertrain system, filed with NHTSA

Data refreshed

Powertrain (other) 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.
11
Latest Jul 10, 2026
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.
48%
of 23 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

Powertrain reports that are not specifically the engine or transmission — driveshafts, axles, transfer cases and differentials. Every record below is an owner-reported complaint about the 2020 Nissan Frontier submitted to NHTSA — not a confirmed defect, not a recall and not a manufacturer bulletin. 11 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 powertrain

Shown in the owner’s own words, exactly as filed

EnginePowertrain (other)Steering
Filed Jul 10, 2026

Crank bolt snapped causing me to loose power steering, a part failed that shouldn't have .I have the bolt looks like in was cracked when they put it together, it was only on by about three threads, my mechanic and the one from nissan said they'd never seen one come apart before,lucky I wasn't on the highway or in traffic

NHTSA ID
11749618
Incident
Jul 2, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 29, 2026

The 9 speed automatic transmission suffered a catastrophic internal failure (codes PO893 and PO876), forcing the vehicle into limp mode. The vehicle loses propulsion unexpectedly in traffic, and the transmission risk complete mechanical lockup while driving. The vehicle is unsafe to operate on public roads, creating a severe crash hazard.06

NHTSA ID
11747306
Incident
Jun 25, 2026
Powertrain (other)
Filed Jun 6, 2025

Hello, I was an owner of a new 2020 Nissan Frontier pro4x. My vehicle had 33,000 miles, garaged in the winter and never used for towing. All minor maintenance were performed at a certified Nissan dealer. On [XXX] I was driving my truck on [XXX] in Youngstown when suddenly I heard a terrifying loud grinding noise coming under the truck causing also the truck to shake violently. I'm blessed that I didn't not lose control of the vehicle and most importantly it did not happen on the freeway. This happen as I was ready to merge into [XXX]. I arranged the truck to be towed to Sims Nissan dealer in Youngstown. I was told that my driveshaft came apart somehow causing other major damages to other critical parts of the truck. I end up also calling my Insurance. I discussed with them the incident, and the insurance started a comprehensive claim. On May 29th Robert Griffith the Adjuster call me to inform me that the truck will be totaled. I've already reached out with a letter to Nissan Headquarters, I explained what happened but most importantly wanted to Nissan to be aware of my incident. Didn't get any help or support but I was given a claim number, [XXX]. I've also contacted BBB of my incident. I feel really strong that this incident should have never happened and I will do my best to get an answer. Thank you so much for your time. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11665234
Incident
May 18, 2025
Driver assistancePowertrain (other)
Filed Apr 27, 2025

The truck is jerky during low speed take offs. It also died off during acceleration and then surged all of a sudden recently. It is now in the repair shop being diagnosed for an electric transmission control warning light. It would not start.

NHTSA ID
11657026
Incident
Apr 26, 2025
Powertrain (other)
Filed Oct 7, 2024
Crash reported1 injury reported

The contact owned a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V671000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The contact stated while the vehicle was parked, the vehicle began to inadvertently roll away. The contact stated the vehicle ran over the contact's foot. No medical attention was needed The contact stated the vehicle crashed into a tree stump and the front bumper was damaged. The dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 55, 000. VIN tool confirms parts not available.

NHTSA ID
11618524
Incident
Oct 7, 2024
Mileage
55,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Apr 17, 2024

My vehicle was the subject of Nissan's Safety Recall for the parking pall not engaging. I had the vehicle into the Dealer twice six months ago, where they supposedly addressed this defect. Beginning last week, my vehicle's parking pall will not engage when the vehicle is in Park, allowing it to roll freely. The manufacturer's fix is either not working or the material or workmanship is a problem. I am bringing the vehicle to the Dealer tomorrow for the problem.

NHTSA ID
11583527
Incident
Apr 5, 2024
Powertrain (other)
Filed Feb 16, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while the transmission was shifted into park (P), the vehicle accelerated forward. The vehicle was not diagnosed nor repaired by an independent mechanic or dealer. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 28,000.

NHTSA ID
11507688
Incident
Sep 15, 2022
Mileage
28,000 mi
ElectricalEnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Jan 27, 2023

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that upon starting the vehicle, the check engine warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer where it was purchased but the contact was offered no assistance. The contact continued driving the vehicle and stated that the vehicle was hesitating and jerking while depressing accelerator pedal. Occasionally, the vehicle failed to start up after several attempts. The contact stated that the vehicle had rolled back while stopped on an incline. The contact reached out to the dealer and was informed that the defect was related to the battery, which the contact disputed. Upon investigation, the contact discovered NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V671000 (Power Train) which he linked to the failure. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired and remained in the possession of the dealer where the vehicle was purchased. The failure mileage was approximately 32,000. The VIN was not available.

NHTSA ID
11504002
Incident
Dec 6, 2022
Mileage
32,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Dec 13, 2022
Crash reported

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle was in the park position, but while exiting the vehicle it began to roll and crashed into the garage door. There were no reported injuries. There was no fire or police report filed. The local dealer was contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The contact stated the failure was related to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V671000 (Power Train). The approximate failure mileage was 16,000.

NHTSA ID
11497294
Incident
Dec 12, 2022
Mileage
16,000 mi
Powertrain (other)
Filed Nov 9, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V671000 (Power Train) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. Parts distribution disconnect.

NHTSA ID
11492848
Incident
Sep 1, 2022
EnginePowertrain (other)
Filed Feb 16, 2022

The contact owns a 2020 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission shifted into NEUTRAL and the vehicle lost motive power. The check engine and transmission warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer and diagnosed with code P0729 (Gear 6 Incorrect Ratio). The dealer performed technical service bulletin NTB 21-086, Transmission Control Module (TCM) software update; however, the failure recurred with the engine revving while shifting gears. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was 6,784.

NHTSA ID
11452288
Incident
Jan 19, 2022
Mileage
6,784 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.

Elsewhere on this vehicle

Data sources

Data on this page last refreshed .