YearToAvoid

2017 Nissan Frontier Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Caution The 2017 Nissan Frontier has a complaint index of 50, ranking 11th worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Caution verdict. Fuel system issues lead complaints at 26% of the total, and the year has one recall for an ignition switch electrical problem.

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
50/100
#11 of 21 Frontier years
Verdict
Caution
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
38
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
1
Injuries
1
Top issue
Fuel System
Best nearby year
2018
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
4 / 5 ★
EPA combined MPG
18.5
16 city / 22 hwy
Injuries / deaths
1 / 1

Top 2017 Nissan Frontier problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Fuel System10 (26%)
  2. Electrical System6 (16%)
  3. Other6 (16%)
  4. Transmission & Powertrain6 (16%)
  5. Airbags5 (13%)
  6. Engine5 (13%)
  7. Brakes3 (8%)
  8. Structure & Body2 (5%)
  9. Steering1 (3%)
  10. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (3%)

A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.

What owners report

  • Owners describe the fuel tank vent failing during fill-ups, causing fuel to spill back out and the check engine light to come on.
  • Some drivers report the engine hesitating badly from a stop, needing much higher RPM and pedal pressure just to get the truck moving.
  • A transmission issue causes the truck to lose speed going uphill under cruise control before downshifting abruptly rather than smoothly.
  • One owner reported an engine fire shortly after startup with very low mileage on the vehicle, resulting in total loss of the truck.
  • Reports include a non-functioning speedometer straight from the dealer lot and a steering vibration between 60 and 80 mph that numbed the driver's hands.
  • Brake pedals were described as spongy with excessive free play, with dealers calling it within factory specs despite owner concern.
2017 Nissan Frontier complaints: complaints filed per month2Feb 2017Feb 2018Feb 2019Nov 2019Dec 2020Jan 2023Sep 2023May 2025
38 complaints filed with NHTSA from Feb 2017 to Jun 2026; peak Aug 2017 (2).

2017 Nissan Frontier recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 18V551000Aug 21, 2018Electrical System153,047 vehicles

    Electrical system:ignition

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

    Risk: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

2017 Nissan Frontier fuel economy and fuel cost

City
16 MPG
Highway
22 MPG
Combined
18.5 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,500
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2017 compared with other Frontier years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2015Best2033018.5
2016Caution5543118.5
2017Caution5038118.5
2018Best025218.5
2019Good2528118.5

All Nissan Frontier years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2017 Nissan Frontier reliable?
It has a complaint index of 50, placing it 11th worst among 21 model years of the Frontier, and earns a Caution verdict based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls.
What are the most common problems with the 2017 Nissan Frontier?
Fuel system complaints make up 26% of reports, followed by electrical system and transmission and powertrain issues, each at 16%.
Does the 2017 Nissan Frontier have a recall?
Yes, one recall (18V551000) covers an ignition switch inspection and replacement on the electrical system; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2017 Frontier compare to other years?
Its complaint index of 50 is worse than the 2015 (20, Best) and 2018 (0, Best) model years, but far better than the 2005-2008 Frontiers, which all carry Avoid verdicts with indexes of 75 or higher.
What is the fuel economy of the 2017 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA-linked EPA data lists 18.5 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,500.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.