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Nissan Frontier won't start problems

62 of the 3,369 owner complaints about the Nissan Frontier describe won't start, most of them for the 2007 model year.

owner complaints
62
worst model year
2007
typical repair cost reported
$4,500
typical mileage
103,000
Is there a fix? There are 3 recalls for this area of the car. See below

By model year

  • 2024
    2
  • 2022
    1
  • 2021
    1
  • 2020
    2
  • 2018
    1
  • 2014
    1
  • 2012
    2
  • 2011
    2
  • 2010
    3
  • 2008
    3
  • 2007
    16
  • 2006
    6
  • 2005
    12
  • 2004
    1
  • 2002
    3
  • 2001
    4
  • 2000
    1
  • 1999
    1

What owners say

Filed Sep 15, 2026 · Electrical, Suspension · TX

Started rolling in park, then would not start towed to dealer , no word and no help!!!!

Filed Sep 10, 2026 · Electrical · ID

Truck has 13,000 miles Truck didnt start. Had to have some jump start. Took it to dealership. They Said battery passed but recharged it. 2 months later Truck died in the middle of a busy intersection. Could of got rear ended. I have my [XXX] child with me at all times. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

Filed Apr 25, 2026 · Electrical, Engine · TX

My 2024 Nissan Frontier has experienced repeated intermittent shut off and no-start failures. The problem began in late 2024 and continued through January 2025, throughout 2025, 2026, and is still occurring. The truck has randomly shut off while driving and has failed to restart at different times. This creates a serious safety risk in traffic and on the freeway because loss of power can cause an accident or leave me stranded in unsafe areas. I brought the vehicle to Nissan dealership service in January 2025 for diagnosis, but they stated no issue was found. The same problem continued afterward. Auto parts stores also checked battery/charging systems and did not identify the cause. Most recently, the vehicle would not start at CarMax and required roadside assistance / jump start / towing. The issue is intermittent and difficult to predict, which makes it more dangerous. I am requesting investigation of this recurring defect.

Filed Feb 24, 2026 · Electrical · FL

The truck has been stalling while driving or won't start. The ECM relay was recalled and was taken care of Thursday, February 19. However, the truck still stalls while driving and won't start at times. I've asked Nissan to look at the IPDM to see if there was any consequential damage, but they won't without paying a fee for a diagnostic test. This is a major safety issue that needs to be fixed. The recall was from 2010, but we have only owned the vehicle since 2024 and had no idea about the recall.

Filed Aug 25, 2025 · Engine, Transmission · OK

From my Internet search using Google Gemini, (and Google AI has a disclaimer it can make errors), I have replaced my distributer on my 2000 Nissan Frontier three times now due to a stalling problem I have experienced on hot days. My 2000 Nissan Frontier is VIN [XXX] . Let's see how much Gemini info I can paste here: "The distributor on your KA24DE engine contains the camshaft position sensor, which is a critical component for engine timing. The distributor itself can fail for a number of reasons, including: Internal bearing failure: The bearing that the distributor shaft spins on can fail, causing the shaft to wobble or seize up. This disrupts the signal from the camshaft position sensor. Failed or failing camshaft position sensor: The sensor itself can fail due to age, heat, or internal electrical issues. Ignition coil failure: The ignition coil is often integrated into the distributor housing on this engine. As it heats up, it can fail and lose spark, causing the engine to stall. The reason this issue is often related to hot weather or a hot engine is that the heat can cause the internal components of the distributor to expand and fail, and it can also cause the ignition coil to break down more easily. Symptoms of Distributor Failure The symptoms for a failing distributor on the 2.4L are very similar to those of the V6 engine: Stalling, especially when hot: This is the most common symptom. The engine may run perfectly when cold, but after it has been running for a while and the engine compartment is hot, it may stall and refuse to restart until it cools down. Engine runs poorly: You may experience a rough idle, misfires, or a loss of power. Hard start or no start: A failing distributor can cause the engine to crank but not start, as it is unable to produce a spark." Nissan no longer provides a replacement distributor and I suspect aftermarket are rebuilds. ***Stalling in traffic I believe is a definite safety issue*** Please let me know. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATIO

Filed May 17, 2025 · UT

The truck will not start due to it thinking it’s not in park when it is in park and has slipped out of park but I had my e brake on

Filed Apr 27, 2025 · Acceleration, Transmission · FL

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.

Filed Jan 29, 2025 · Electrical · TX

Jan 29 2025 vehicle failed to start . Turned switch to start several times .no response at all no dash lights no starter reaction no clicking from battery, which would indicate battery problem. Waited several mins approx 30 minutes. Vehicle started and been ok for several more starts today. Suspect ignition switch ,seems many models this vehicle has problems. Mine did not show a recall?

Filed Jul 31, 2023 · Electrical, Engine · CT

The truck's computer control system suffered a catastrophic failure after intermittent warning for ABS brakes and Emissions. After this failure the truck was left stranded in the pouring thunderstorm - it wouldn't start, waring lights for just about everything and couldn't be towed as the electronic transmission was locked in park with no manual overrides. Had it occurred on a highway it could have caused serious dangers. After 2+ weeks the dealer hasn't been able to diagnose the problems, repair or return the truck. Complaints have been filed with Nissan Consumer Affairs.

Filed Oct 13, 2019 · Driver assistance, Electrical · 136,911 miles · CA

I was driving my vehicle but it seem like it wasn't getting power. I shut it off and then it would not start. Add the starter replaced still and start the ate up fuse was blown.ticket to electrical shop they could not find anything wrong with it. Took it to the dealer they said it was the brain ecu and then they said that it was the brain and the transmission and the transmission was no good cost $5500 to fix

Related recalls

Engine and engine cooling: engine: engine control module (ecu/ECM): softwareReported August 7, 2025 · 13,719 vehicles affected
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 coolingReported December 19, 2011 · 14,718 vehicles affected
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 coolingReported October 28, 2010 · 747,480 vehicles affected
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 won't start

Which Nissan Frontier years have won't start problems?

The model years with the most reports are 2007 (16 complaints), 2005 (12 complaints) and 2006 (6 complaints).

How much does it cost to fix won't start on the Nissan Frontier?

Owners who mentioned a price put the repair at about $4,500 (median of 23 complaints that include a dollar amount). Costs vary with mileage, warranty and where the work is done.

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