We have three 2019 Nissan Frontier pickups in our fleet that have all recently had the same problem. A engine valve misfire on cylinder 3 on all three trucks. This has caused the trucks to shake, idle rough, and have loss of power while driving. Two independent mechanics have inspected the trucks and have replaced multiple parts to try and fix the problem, however, it has been recommended that all three trucks have the engine replaced. The check engine light did activate on the dash when the problem first began in each truck.
Nissan Frontier check engine light comes on
326 of the 3,366 owner complaints about the Nissan Frontier describe check engine light, most of them for the 2006 model year.
- owner complaints
- 326
- worst model year
- 2006
- typical repair cost reported
- $600
- typical mileage
- 68,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below
By model year
Often reported together
Fuel gauge 175Stalling 26Loss of power 11Fuel pump 11Transmission failure 10Overheating 6ABS 6Won't shift 5
Trouble codes mentioned
P0463 22P2004 1P1754 1P1441 1P0729 1P0717 1P0426 1P0325 1
What owners say
The contact owns a 2022 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving uphill, the vehicle vibrated. The contact stated that the vibration increased as the contact decelerated. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the dealer, where it was diagnosed that the transmission parking pawl and the transmission control module had failed. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the dealer advised that the clutch might need to be repaired, but the contact advised the dealer to wait until the clutch displayed signs of failure. The contact stated while driving four months after the vehicle was repaired, the vehicle vibrated when the RPMs decreased, and the vehicle operated as intended when the RPMs increased. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, where the transmission fluid was replaced, but the failure persisted. The vehicle was then taken to the dealer for the clutch repair. While at the dealer, the contact was informed that the torque converter had failed and needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired due to cost. The failure was progressively worsening. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was approximately 180,000.
Check engine light came on and when filling with fuel, gas came shooting back out.
The contact's boyfriend owns a 2017 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while her boyfriend was driving at 30 MPH or above, the vehicle started to stall. The check engine warning light was illuminated. On a separate occasion, the vehicle stalled and drastically shifted out of gear into a different gear. The vehicle was then taken to a dealer but was not diagnosed. The dealer was unable to duplicate the failure or find a cause for the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 80,000.
I had a check engine light come on and took it to my mechanic for diagnosis and repair if needed. He diagnosed it as error code P2004. The code indicated a bad runner control valve position sensor. It is located on the end of intake manifold and has two torx screws to remove it. The issue is Nissan did not sell a replacement sensor separately , you can only get that part with the purchase of a whole new intake manifold. This same sensor issue exists on the 2017 Nissan Rogue with service bulletin NTB17-091. My truck is also a 2017 but the specific vehicle is a Nissan Frontier not a Rogue but the failure is identical. In that service bulletin the solution was to replace the sensor which did not require the purchase of the entire intake manifold. I would like Nissan to issue a refund for the intake manifold as the same condition exists with the same year Nissan Rogue and they sell that part separate from the intake manifold.
Issue: engine and electric system completely shut off randomly while vehicle is driving. Cannot reliably reproduce, but all electric is lost and engine shuts off or at best resets in low gear until things come back alive. This has happened about 4 times to me across two batteries. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The system is blaming the "battery current sensor" and I believe it is the system that controls the "dynamic" alternator system. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle loses all power and lighting. This causes me to pull over without power steering and power brakes. This could happen at any time Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The dealer has read the code but refuses to work on it without a brand new OEM battery. This first occurred with an OEM battery, and I replaced with one and the problem still happens. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Only the dealership, who was useless. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No indicators the driver would be able to see. The check engine light is NOT on. When scanned via the OBD2 sensor, the Nissan specific code is thrown, but you obviously have to have the correct tool to see this.
Engine light came on, and vehicle accelerated, then lost acceleration while revolutions increased. Diagnosis indicates Bad TCM. I went to 3 shops, and all said that the TCM are going bad, especially Infinity. Nissan wants to charge $500 just to try to reset it. The Dealership is the only ones that can perform this task.
The contact owns a 2012 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving at approximately 40 MPH, the vehicle stalled. The contact stated that the steering was difficult to turn. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact pulled over and stopped the vehicle. The contact shifted into park(P); however, several attempts were needed to restart the vehicle. The contact had taken the vehicle to an independent mechanic who diagnosed the vehicle and determined that the cam shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the failure reoccurred and had the cam shaft sensor replaced again. Additionally, the contact stated that the ignition key was no longer working and turning the ignition switch. The contact then drove the vehicle to a local dealer, where it was diagnosed and determined that the cam shaft sensor needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The contact stated that the vehicle failure had reoccurred, and the vehicle was not taken back to the dealer. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 179,000.
The contact owns a 2006 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle was leaking oil. The contact stated that the check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact drove the vehicle to a local dealer who diagnosed that the valve cover gasket needed to be replaced. Additionally, the spark plugs needed to be replaced. The dealer later called the contact and informed the contact that the bank #1 and #2 cam sensors and the coil packs needed to be replaced. The contact stated that the dealer later called back and stated that the vehicle was making an abnormal sound and upon performing a diagnostic test, the dealer advised that the timing chain needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained at the dealer. The manufacturer was informed of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 110,000.
Vehicle returned to dealer for a third time for same problem. 1st was on sept 27 2023 for check engine and all driver assistance warnings alerts flashing. Vehicle had 447 miles. Had 28 trouble codes. Released on sept 29. Oct 18 2023 vehicle back to dealer with the same check engine and driver assistance warnings again with 662 miles. Dealer replaced RPL Master Assembly. Released on nov 02 2023 with 916 miles. I drove vehicle 18 miles and check engine and driver assistance warnings were indicated again. Took vehicle back to dealer on Nov 02 2023. Dealer replaced an engine room wiring harness and returned vehicle on Nov 29 2023 with 965 miles. Have less than 1000 miles on truck. Will monitor if problems return.
Related recalls
Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM): software
- What is wrong
- Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Nissan Frontier vehicles. Due to a software logic error, the daytime running lights may dim unexpectedly when the idle start-stop feature cycles the engine from off to on. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 108, "Lamps, Reflective Devices, and Associated Equipment."
- Risk
- Daytime running lights that dim unexpectedly may cause confusion to other vehicles or pedestrians, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will update the engine control module software, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed September 17, 2025. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 800‑647‑7261. Nissan's number for this recall is R25C3.
Recall number 25V508000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Nissan is recalling certain model year 2011 infiniti fx, model year 2012 infiniti m, model year 2011-2012 nissan frontier, model year 2011-2012 nissan xterra, model year 2011-2012 nissan pathfinder, and model year 2012 nissan nv vehicles. Some of the bolts that connect the engine oil cooler and the engine oil filter to the engine in these vehicles may have been manufactured to below specification strength. As a result, the bolt may break at the oil filter attachment point and can cause an engine oil leak.
- Risk
- If there is an engine oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will replace the connector bolts free of charge. The safety recall began on january 30, 2012. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 11V592000 · Recall details
Engine and engine cooling
- What is wrong
- Nissan is recalling certain model year 2004-2006 armada, titan, infiniti qx56 and model year 2005-2006 frontier, pathfinder and xterra vehicles. The intelligent power distribution module (ipdm) assembly contains an engine control module (ECM) relay that has a diode for electrical current noise reduction. The ECM relay may allow silicon vapor to form and, over time, the silicon evaporates from the diode molding which causes silicon oxide to develop on the ECM relay contact due to arcing.
- Risk
- This could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash.
- Remedy
- Dealers will replace the ECM relay inside the ipdm assembly. This service will be performed free of charge. The safety recall began on december 6, 2010. Owners may contact nissan at 1‑800‑647‑7261.
Recall number 10V517000 · Recall details
Questions about the Nissan Frontier check engine light
Why does the check engine light come on in the Nissan Frontier?
Owners who report it most often also describe wrong fuel gauge reading, engine stalls while driving and sudden loss of power, and the codes they mention most are P0463, P2004 and P1754.
Which Nissan Frontier years have check engine light problems?
The model years with the most reports are 2006 (92 complaints), 2007 (83 complaints) and 2005 (65 complaints).
How much does it cost to fix check engine light on the Nissan Frontier?
Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $600 (median of 61 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.
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