2022–2026 Nissan Frontier common problems and fixes

Owners mostly mention rough or jerky shifts from the 9-speed automatic, emergency braking that engages on its own on 2022 trucks, and a recall for parking pawls that may not hold the truck in Park.

What owners should know

Covers 2022–2026 · 3.8L V6 · Updated 2026-10-05

The third-generation Frontier arrived for 2022 with a 3.8L V6 and a 9-speed automatic in every truck (the engine and transmission carried over from 2020–2021, in a new body).

We counted 217 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for 2022–2026 Frontiers (retrieved October 5, 2026; each complaint counted once). None had a VIN belonging to another vehicle. 2022, the first year, has about half of them (111). Complaint counts show what owners report most often, not how many trucks have a problem.

At a glance

The transmission is the most mentioned problem: about 45 complaints.
Emergency braking that engages on its own or collision warnings: about 30 complaints, 22 of them from 2022 trucks.
15 complaints from 2023 trucks mention the battery.

Transmission

About 45 complaints mention the transmission, shifting, clunks or jerking, especially at low speeds. On Club Frontier, owners describe the same thing and many report that software updates help, though not in every case. Nissan also recalled certain 2020–2022 trucks because the parking pawl may not engage when shifted into Park (22V457000 and 22V671000).

Recalls to check

Fuel tank missing its protective tow hitch on some 2022 crew cab long-bed trucks (21V917000)
Tires with a possible tear in the inner bead on some 2023 trucks (23V273000)
Front lower link that may be oversized on some 2024 trucks (24V479000)
Driver's air bag inflator on some 2024 trucks (24V154000)

Before you buy

Check open recalls at nhtsa.gov/recalls with the VIN, and ask a dealer which factory warranty coverage is left for this VIN; it depends on when the truck was first sold and its mileage.
On the test drive, pay attention to low-speed shifts.
Bring our used truck inspection checklist.

Researched from owner forums and NHTSA complaints and written by Know Your Truck. These are patterns in what owners report, not a guarantee about any particular truck.

Sources (8)

Common failures & how to fix them

Parts and video buttons search for your 2022-2026 Nissan Frontier. Always confirm a part fits using your VIN. Brakes, steering, fuel and airbag work affects your safety, so if you're not sure, have a qualified mechanic do it.

Rough or jerky shifting (9-speed)
Dealer job
Signs: Hard shifts or clunks at low speed, a delay when pulling away, or hunting for gears on the highway.
Fix: Have a Nissan dealer read the transmission codes, check the fluid level and condition, and install any software updates that apply. On Club Frontier, many owners report shifts improve after updates and as the transmission adapts, but software doesn't fix every case: slipping, flares, warning lights or harsh shifts that don't improve need a proper transmission diagnosis.
Parking pawl may not engage (2022)
Dealer job
Signs: The truck can roll after being shifted into Park.
Fix: Covered by two Nissan recalls for certain 2022 trucks (22V457000 replaces the parking pawl pin; 22V671000 reprograms the transmission computer). Until both are done, Nissan tells owners to set the parking brake every time they park. Recalls cover only specific trucks, so check this VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see if it's included and whether the repair was done.
May be covered free by recall 22V457000 / 22V671000. Check the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.

Each year in this generation

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, compared with the typical truck of the same kind and model year. Open a year for its recalls and complaints.

Going to look at one?Bring our free inspection checklist, with these known problems added →