Model year guide

2003 Nissan Frontier

Recalls, most-reported problems, crash-test ratings, fuel economy and what a 2003 Nissan Frontier is worth — from official NHTSA and EPA data. 50 on record.

2003 Nissan Frontier — representative photo
Representative photo · via Wikimedia Commons

2003 Nissan Frontier at a glance

Safety recalls7
Owner complaints77
Combined17 mpg
Typical price$4,858

Free: specs, open recalls for that exact car, build sheet and fair price.

2003 Nissan Frontier recalls 7

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #09E012000 · 07/04/2009

SABERSPORT IS RECALLING 16,270 COMBINATION CORNER AND BUMPER LAMP ASSEMBLIES OF VARIOUS PART NUMBERS SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE HEADLAMPS FAIL TO CONFORM TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT." THESE LAMPS DO NOT CONTAIN THE REQUIRED AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS.

Fix: SABERSPORT WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND OFFER A FULL REFUND FOR THE NONCOMPLIANT COMBINATION LAMPS. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON MAY 11, 2009. OWNERS MAY CONTACT SABERSPORT AT 1-909-598-7589.

Steering:column NHTSA Campaign #10V554000 · 11/11/2010

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2002-2004 FRONTIER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001 THROUGH OCTOBER 20, 2004, AND MODEL YEAR 2002-2004, XTERRA VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JULY 9, 2001, THROUGH JANUARY 6, 2005. OVER TIME CORROSION MAY FORM IN THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN JOINT AND LIMIT MOVEMENT OF THE JOINT. THE LIMITED MOVEMENT OF THIS JOINT MAY CREATE EXCESSIVE LOAD ON THE LOWER STEERING COLUMN SHAFT. …

Fix: THE STEERING COLUMN SHAFT AND JOINT WILL BE REPLACED WITH A SHAFT OF A DIFFERENT DESIGN. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 13, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT NISSAN AT 1-800-647-7261.

Exterior Lighting:headlights NHTSA Campaign #06E023000 · 13/03/2006

CERTAIN ANZO COMBINATION HEADLAMP ASSEMBLIES SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON CERTAIN PASSENGER VEHICLES. SOME COMBINATION LAMPS ARE NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS WHICH FAIL TO CONFORM TO FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, "LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT."

Fix: ANZO WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE HEADLAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL BEGAN MAY 9, 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT ANZO USA AT 909-468-3688.

Exterior Lighting NHTSA Campaign #06E064000 · 17/07/2006

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Fix: TRADESONIC WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND REPLACE THE LAMPS FREE OF CHARGE. THE RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING JULY 2006. OWNERS MAY CONTACT TRADESONIC AT 626-934-8884.

Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump NHTSA Campaign #04V230000 · 24/05/2004

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS EQUIPPED WITH SIX CYLINDER ENGINES AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH FOUR OR SIX CYLINDER ENGINES, THE FUEL PUMP TERMINAL ON THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT CAN DEVELOP A CRACK IN THE PLASTIC MOLDING. THIS CAN CAUSE THE TERMINAL STRIP TO CORRODE UNDER SOME ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS.

Fix: IN THE FOLLOWING STATES, DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE FUEL-SENDING UNIT. THESE STATES ARE CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, TENNESSEE, VERMONT, VIRGINIA, …

Wheels:rim NHTSA Campaign #02V316000 · 26/11/2002

ON CERTAIN SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES EQUIPPED WITH A V6 ENGINE, AN INCORRECT SIZE WHEEL RIM FOR THE SPARE TIRE WAS PROVIDED IN THESE VEHICLES. THE WHEEL RIM DOES NOT FIT PROPERLY AS A REPLACEMENT FOR A FRONT WHEEL.

Fix: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SPARE TIRE WHEEL RIM WITH A NEW ONE, AND REMOUNT THE SPARE TIRE ON IT. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN JANUARY 13, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONT…

Suspension:rear NHTSA Campaign #02V299000 · 12/11/2002

ON CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCKS AND SPORT UTILITY VEHICLES, WATER MAY ENTER THE REAR AXLE HOUSING DUE TO INADEQUATE SEALING OF THE ANTI-LOCK BRAKING SYSTEM (ABS) SENSOR.

Fix: DEALERS WILL INSPECT THE REAR AXLE FOR WATER INTRUSION AND ANY AFFECTED COMPONENTS WILL BE REPLACED. THE ABS SENSOR WILL BE RESEALED TO PREVENT WATER INTRUSION. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN DECEMBER 10, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND…

Source: U.S. NHTSA. A recall applies to a model year, but only a VIN check shows whether a specific car has had the repair done.

2003 Nissan Frontier common problems

The most-reported problem areas from 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — and what to check before you buy.

Structure
Inspect for rust, fresh undercoating, mismatched paint, uneven panel gaps and any sign of prior collision or frame repair.
Air Bags
Confirm the airbag light turns on then off at startup — if it stays lit there's a fault (costly, and a safety risk). Check for signs of prior deployment.
Steering
Steering should be tight and centered — no play, clunks or wandering. Test at low and highway speed; listen for power-steering whine.
Suspension
Listen for clunks over bumps, check the car sits level, and look for uneven tire wear and worn shocks or struts.
Service Brakes
Brakes should feel firm and quiet — no grinding, pulsing or pulling. Check for an ABS light and uneven pad/rotor wear.
Wheels
Inspect wheels for bends, cracks and curb rash, and feel for vibration at highway speed.

2003 Nissan Frontier MPG & running costs

Combined17 mpg
City15 mpg
Highway19 mpg
Est. annual fuel cost$4,170

Source: U.S. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov, averaged across trims.

What's a 2003 Nissan Frontier worth?

Low
$2,700
Typical price
$4,858
High
$6,500

From 50 comparable 2003 Nissan Frontier listings.

Estimated 5-year cost to own

A rough guide to what running a 2003 Nissan Frontier costs over five years and 75,000 miles.

Fuel (5 yrs)$20,850
Depreciation (5 yrs)$2,500
Total$23,350
Per mile$0.31

How this is estimated: fuel is the U.S. EPA annual cost at 15,000 miles a year. Depreciation compares today's typical asking price for this model year ($4,858) with the same model 5 model-years older ($2,350), from CarLogs listing data. Not included: insurance, maintenance, repairs, taxes, registration and finance costs. Treat it as a comparison guide, not a quote.

2003 Nissan Frontier trims & engines on record

Trims
SE-V6 · XE-V6 · XE · Standard · SVE-V6 · SE-V6 Desert Runner
Engines
3.3L 6-cyl · 2.4L 4-cyl 155 hp

2003 Nissan Frontier vehicles on record

2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier XE1N6DD26T83C412007 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier SE-V61N6ED27YX3C450871 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED27T63C458051 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier SE-V61N6ED29Y23C471775 2003 Nissan Frontier SE-V61N6ED29X93C422001 2003 Nissan Frontier XE1N6DD26T63C443420 2003 Nissan Frontier SE-V61N6ED26Y23C466354 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier SE-V61N6ED29X13C415897 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED27T93C443625 2003 Nissan Frontier SE-V61N6ED29Y43C470014 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier SE-V61N6ED29Y23C439005 2003 Nissan Frontier SE-V61N6ED29X13C429539 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier Standard1N6DD26T73C440686 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier XE1N6DD26T63C452084 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier SE-V61N6ED29X43C421824 2003 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED27T33C448111 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier SE-V61N6ED29X03C469028 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier SVE-V61N6MD29Y13C418447 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED27T53C404272 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier SE-V61N6ED29Y33C432046 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED27T13C433557 2003 Nissan Frontier SE-V6 Desert Runner1N6ED26T73C426095 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED27T23C449086 2003 Nissan Frontier 2003 Nissan Frontier XE-V61N6ED27T23C420221

Other Nissan Frontier model years

2022 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007 2006 2005 2004 2002 2001 2000 1999 1998

2003 Nissan Frontier — frequently asked questions

Does the 2003 Nissan Frontier have any safety recalls?

Yes — NHTSA lists 7 safety recalls for the 2003 Nissan Frontier. Recall repairs are free at any franchised dealer. Whether a specific car still has one open depends on its VIN.

What are the most common problems with the 2003 Nissan Frontier?

Based on 77 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the most-reported problem areas are structure, air bags, steering.

What gas mileage does the 2003 Nissan Frontier get?

The U.S. EPA rates the 2003 Nissan Frontier at about 17 mpg combined (15 city / 19 highway).

How much is a 2003 Nissan Frontier worth?

Comparable 2003 Nissan Frontier listings run roughly $2,700–$6,500, typically around $4,858 (from 50 vehicles).

Sources: NHTSA (recalls, complaints, crash tests), U.S. EPA (fuel economy). Vehicle data only — CarLogs never shows owner information.