2023 Nissan Frontier Powertrain (other) Problems

Transmission shifting harshly and may have to be replaced

NHTSA ID

11747309

Incident

Jun 22, 2026

While underway at speeds under 20 mph. Vehicle hesitates and lurches creating a danger when taking off from a stop light. Vehicle may delay acceleration from a stop, which can feel unsafe in traffic and in merging situations.This activity is uncontrollable as the driver has no control and could lead to an accident or injury to pedestrians or other wise. Another problem is rough shifting, hard downshifts and a jerking. There is both an audible clunk and felt responce or "shift shock". Potential safety risk of hesitation or unexpected gear changes may compromise vehicle control. I have reported and visited the Bradenton Nissan dealership. (2 times) to no avail.

NHTSA ID

11746707

Incident

Apr 8, 2026

The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at approximately 25 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The vehicle was pushed into a nearby lot with the assistance of bystanders. The vehicle could not be restarted. The vehicle was towed to a dealer; however, the failure could not able to be replicated. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred within the week. The vehicle was towed to the same dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that undisclosed wires need to be cleaned. The wires were cleaned but the failure reoccurred approximately 2-3 weeks later. The vehicle was again towed to the same dealer where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired, but the failure recurred a week and a half later. The vehicle was not diagnosed and or repaired again. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 30,000.

NHTSA ID

11716693

Incident

Sep 15, 2025

Mileage

30,000 mi

The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 3 MPH and reversing(R) out of a parking spot, the messages "Key Malfunction" and "Crash Detected" were displayed. The contact pulled over and attempted to turn off the vehicle; however the vehicle failed to turn off. Additionally, when the contact shifted to park(P) the gear shift indicator failed to indicate that the transmission was in park(P). The contact attempted to shift to drive(D), and the vehicle failed to move forward. The contact stated that a passerby helped to turn off the vehicle by disconnecting the battery terminals. The vehicle was towed to a dealer, and it was determined that the battery needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failure reoccurred. The contact stated that the same messages were displayed, and the transmission slipped out of gear. The contact had taken the vehicle back to the same dealer who cleared the codes and stated that the battery was in good condition. The vehicle was repaired; however, the failures reoccurred. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic, who was unable to diagnose the vehicle. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 58,000.

NHTSA ID

11698971

Incident

Mar 3, 2025

Mileage

58,000 mi

•What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? [Presumably an issue with electrical (alternator failure on 8/15/2024, then again on 9/3/2024, dead battery)] •How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? [On both dates described above, the vehicle lost complete power and was unable to be restarted. The loss of power occurred in very busy lanes of traffic, causing me (driver and sole occupant) to exit the vehicle and push it our of active lane of traffic. In both cases, the stall caused other motorist to brake hard to avoid hitting my stalled vehicle and/or to pass me on right hand shoulder.] •Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? [In both situations, the vehicle was towed to the dealer where vehicle was purchased, and service to the vehicle was provided. On first occasion, I was told the vehicle had a bad alternator, and that the alternator was replaced. On the second incident, I was told the battery was dead, and the battery was replaced.] •Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? [Per service tech, a Nissan engineer visited the location and observed the vehicle.] •Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? [In both cases, at no time did any warning lights appear prior to loss of power. There were no other indications a power failure that would lead to the vehicle suddenly stalling in busy lanes of traffic was imminent.]

NHTSA ID

11616755

Incident

Aug 15, 2024

On July 15 2024 my 2023 Nissan Frontier died while running. I had stopped briefly and the entire engine completely died. I attempted to re-stared the truck multiple times. Once the tow truck driver got there he jump started my vehicle which resulted in it finally turning on. I advised my service advisor of this and the vehicle was towed to the dealer. My service advisor had the battery tested and stated everything was normal but they did see a code for “low voltage”. The service advisor said there was nothing he could do for me since the battery appeared fine and they could not replicate the issue. Thank god I was not in a dangerous area and could push my vehicle. I am afraid this problem will happen again since they did nothing to fix the issue and could not diagnose the problem I feel unsafe driving this vehicle.

NHTSA ID

11602838

Incident

Jul 15, 2024

The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start-up. The contact stated that several attempts were needed before the vehicle started. The contact stated that the "electronic shift and key fob" warning lights were illuminated. The contact had the vehicle towed to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the transmission was not shifting into park (P), and that the transmission needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The contact researched online and related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 22V671000 (Power Train) however, the VIN was not included. The failure mileage was approximately 19,000.

NHTSA ID

11581323

Incident

Mar 22, 2024

Mileage

19,000 mi

******* DELETE VOQ ******* THIS COMPLAINT IS BEING MARKED FOR DELETION BECAUSE IT IS REQUESTED BY THE CONSUMER THAT THEY WISH TO HAVE IT REMOVED. DJR ******* DELETE VOQ *******

NHTSA ID

11539320

Incident

Jul 1, 2023

Mileage

200 mi

When setting remote control and the vehicle needs to speed up there are times when the vehicle will lunge forward. When in lower gears there are times when the vehicle is like trying to find a gear. No accident at this time. I have asked if there have been any recalls on this through the company and they said no.

NHTSA ID

11535904

Incident

Aug 1, 2023

The truck jerks while shifting between 0 and 30 mph. This also happens when stopping at stop signs and lights or even just slowing down. I fear that the jerky shifting could cause significant internal damage to the transmission, more specifically teeth breaking off the gears. The power driver seat moves by itself when driving and after it is shut off. I always have to move the seat and adjust when I get in to drive. To test, I have set the seat to the position I use before I get out to see if it adjusts on its own after I shut the truck off. When I get back into the truck the seat is not in the same position.

NHTSA ID

11527906

Incident

Dec 14, 2022

Yes it’s available for inspection. Sudden increase in speed under certain condition could be a safety issue. This problem has been identified by another owner and taken to Nissan (Apple) York, PA. The problem happened after leaving the Nissan lot on the way home, less than 200 miles. During use of intelligence cruse control, set at 70 mph, came up on a vehicle doing 60 mph and the system slowed my vehicle down to 60 mph, when I was able to move into the passing lane my vehicle down shifted hard going to 6,000 rpm’s, my truck surged in mph until it caught up with the set speed. The amount of down shift is excessively too much, this happens on small hills and the rpm’s go to around 4,500 rpm’s.

NHTSA ID

11501845

Incident

Dec 31, 2022

transmission issues: transmission is jerking, trying to find gears. between 0mph and 30mph. also when stopping at stop sign and lights. truck only has 2,200 miles on it. Very unhappy and feel unsafe driving this truck. Also the power driver seat moves by itself when driving. Always have to move the seat and adjust when driving. When I get back into the truck the seat is not in the same position. Very unsafe while driving this truck.

NHTSA ID

11497647

Incident

Dec 1, 2022