Nissan Frontier sudden acceleration problems

Filed Sep 22, 2026 · Transmission · CO

My 2025 Nissan Frontier SV with 4,300 miles is experiencing an ongoing drivetrain issue related to the driveshaft and transfer case. There is a defect related to these parts that results in the drivetrain binding causing the vehicle to have rough shifting and at times, lunge forward when braking to a stop due to the drivetrain binding and then releasing. This makes me weary to drive the vehicle because it may lunge forward and cause a collision or affect my ability to stop in a emergency. There is also an audible metal clunk shearing noise that accompanies this issue when the binding finally releases. My vehicle has not been at the dealership twice and there only solution is to grease the splines between the driveshaft and transfer case. This fix has shown to be a short lived temporary fix that last approximately 2,000 miles. The dealership admitted this is a widespread issue and that many owners are experiencing this issue and that Nissan does not have a fix for it. This has been an issue for over a year and there is tons of posts in forums and social media pages related to these newer model Nissan Frontiers having this issue. It seems Nissan is trying to ignore and downplay the issue claiming the only problem is a "clunk" noise that can be fixed with some grease.

Filed Jan 2, 2024 · Brakes, Electrical · UT · crash · 1 injury

I was at the post office on Redwood Road in South Jordan, in the dropoff mailbox lane. At the end of the lane is stop sign. The stop sign is for the traffic coming into and leaving the post office. I was sitting at the stop sign when I turned east towards Redwood Road, as I was pulling up behind a blue SUV, the Frontier lurched forward and the RPM’s rev’d all the way up and the truck shot forward. I put my foot on the brake trying to stop the car but it hit the blue suv at the stop sign, that was waiting to turn onto Redwood Road, and proceeded forward at what felt like a high speed into a blue sedan turning into the post-office. With the second impact the airbags exploded and the Frontier continued east bound across the remaining lanes of north/south traffic heading towards a house across from the post office. I had both feet on the brake trying to stop the Frontier, and in the end the only thing I could think to do is put it into park, so I grabbed the shifter and slammed it into park, effectively stopping the Frontier from plowing into the house. Guideline answers: 1. I experienced Sudden Unintended Acceleration, not sure what the failure is, except the brakes would not work and the vehicle would not stop. 2. Since I wouldn't stop, I hit two vehicles, and a man broke his sternum. Somebody, including myself could have been seriously injured or worse killed. 3. No, I can't get anyone to inspect the black box! I have tried many, many, times!!! 4. No warnings! I have correspondence, pictures, etc., but this form will not allow me to upload. The truck has been deemed totaled by State Farm and is currently with them, but is scheduled to be scrapped in a couple of weeks.

Filed Dec 14, 2023 · Acceleration · 4,500 miles · OH · crash · 1 injury

The contact owns a 2023 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that when applying the accelerator pedal, the vehicle suddenly accelerated and lurched forward. There were no warning lights illuminated. While leaving a store and entering traffic, the vehicle accelerated and crashed into an unknown vehicle, which spun and crashed into another unknown vehicle. The driver was able to drive the vehicle away from the scene. The driver sustained a concussion but did not seek medical attention. The air bags did not deploy. A police report was filed. There was no reported fire. The local dealer was contacted before the crash. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified. The failure mileage was approximately 4,500.

Filed Sep 4, 2023 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · NC

Easily repeatable issue. When at highway speeds adaptive cruise control detects a slower vehicle in my lane. My Frontier slows as expected. When the necessary lane change is made, my engine will suddenly accelerate rapidly until it reaches about 6000 rpms. This also will occur when climbing a moderately steep hill in either cruise mode. This is a safety hazard in that it is extremely distracting, because you have to divert your attention to cancel the out-of-control cruise control manually with the cancel button or brake pedal. I have contacted Nissan Customer Service, as well as had two dealer service calls. They both said that they could not duplicate the issue. According to the in and out milage they didn't drive it. They did say that Nissan is working on this issue.

Filed Aug 1, 2023 · Driver assistance, Transmission · LA

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.

Filed Oct 7, 2021 · Brakes, Driver assistance · WI · crash

My husband and I bought a new truck. My husband pulled the truck into our garage, once in the garage the back tires started to spin out of control, he looked down and saw he had his foot on the brake only, but truck surged forward causing no injuries but have minor truck and property damage. Have a picture of where there is stationary tire marks on our epoxy garage floor showing the black tire marks of the tires spinning out of control just before the truck surged forward. After this incident we found articles about sudden unintended acceleration which we feel is what happened to my husband. The dealership we bought the vehicle from has been derogatory from the start of this incident. We have contacted several attorneys to only be turned down saying we don’t have a case because my husband wasn’t injured (thank God). We waived the manufacturer arbitration and found only one attorney who took us through pre-litigation but then discharged us after getting the denial letter from the manufacturer, telling us to get a second opinion. We're at a crossroads and don't know what to do at this point. Morally, would it be right to trade in what we feel is a dangerously defective new vehicle? For that is the crossroads we stand at, either pursuing a civil lawsuit or trading it in. The truck was inspected once by the manufacturer and once by the dealership where we bought it. We are currently asking the dealership’s garage to further check the electronic throttle-control and brake override system on this truck. Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

Filed Mar 5, 2021 · Acceleration, Driver assistance · 36,400 miles · MI

Drove for an hour, parked for 20 mins started proceeding south drive about 500ft to make right turn when vehicle suddenly accelerated out of control reving up swirving out if control on the northbound lane almost hitting cars and a tree. Finally I got it to stop by breaking and parked at the side of the street in the southbound lane. I thought I was about to crash kill some onw and die. This was an unnerving terrifying experience

Filed Oct 28, 2019 · Acceleration · 120,000 miles · PA

Tl* the contact owns a 2012 nissan frontier. While reversing out of a parking lot, the vehicle accelerated on its own. Also, while at a stop with the brake pedal depressed, the vehicle accelerated without warning. The failure recurred several times. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic to be diagnosed, but no failure code was found. The dealer and manufacturer were not made aware of the failure. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure mileage was approximately 120,000.

Filed Dec 20, 2018 · Acceleration, Brakes · 500 miles · OH

Tl* the contact owns a 2018 nissan frontier. The contact stated that the brake and accelerator pedals were too close together. While braking, the accelerator pedal would also depress and the vehicle would lunge forward. The contact also stated that the brake pedal was loose and would travel all the way down to the floorboard when depressed hard. The contact spoke with jeff wyler fairfield cadillac kia nissan (5815 dixie hwy, fairfield, oh 45014, (513) 682-2500). The dealer could not duplicate the failure and referred the contact to the manufacturer. The manufacturer was notified and did not assist. The failure mileage was 500. *tt

Filed Aug 8, 2017 · Acceleration, Brakes · 150,000 miles · FL · crash

Tl* the contact owns a 2011 nissan frontier. While starting the vehicle, it accelerated without warning. The brake pedal was applied, but it was hard and failed to respond. As a result, the vehicle crashed into a fence. There were no injuries and a police report was not filed. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure via email. No assistance was provided. The VIN was unknown. The failure mileage was 150,000.