Very early on like from 2005 to like 2008? there was an issue with the guides. It would start sounding like you had a supercharger, but it was the guides failing. I had a 2007 that was definitely showing signs of it before I traded it in.
Nissan Frontier
- Thread starter tiger862
- Start date
Very early on like from 2005 to like 2008? there was an issue with the guides. It would start sounding like you had a supercharger, but it was the guides failing. I had a 2007 that was definitely showing signs of it before I traded it in.
- Joined
- Feb 15, 2022
- Messages
- 194
Why is a Tacoma out of the question? What does that mean?
Used Toyota's are gold plated. Or so the sellers seem to think. I wouldn't buy a used Toyota either. I was happy to buy one new. That way if I tire of it in a few years I can sell it to some sucker for almost what I paid.
Used Frontiers aren't that much better. Slightly lower than a Tacoma - but you might as well buy a full size truck for what they want used, I just got done looking. Funny the 2018 / 2019 (last year with the previous drivetrain) they want as much as the newer ones. I guess the secret is out.
If I buy a used truck it might be a Ram with a Pentastar. They seem to be the best deal around, and the Pentastar seem fairly priced, likely because people want to tow. I don't need to tow anything - just haul stuff.
I can't speak for that poster, but if I was a betting man, I'd say probably price. New or used they're way over-priced, and I'm currently on #5
The Tacoma is on my short list and I think it's cool that you can get the 6 speed manual rated to tow the full 6500 pound capacity.
However, in order to do that, you have to downgrade to the coil spring rear suspension
The frontier is a cool little truck. I looked at them a year ago and was very close to pulling the trigger on a base model with a tiny back seat. Remote start, heated seats and steering wheel. 4WD. All for 32k.
Spending the money didn’t feel right so I bailed. Come to find out, I got my wife pregnant in April, which was quite surprising and not in our plan at all. (Little backseat would have been horrible.) We also had to sink a lot of money into the house for a bathroom remodel for said baby. The house also needed a new roof.
Spending the money didn’t feel right so I bailed. Come to find out, I got my wife pregnant in April, which was quite surprising and not in our plan at all. (Little backseat would have been horrible.) We also had to sink a lot of money into the house for a bathroom remodel for said baby. The house also needed a new roof.
Last edited:
I really like the looks of the new Frontier but no manual transmission option just kills it for me. I’ve owned a 1st gen Frontier (3.3 V6/5spd) and am now in a 2nd gen (2.5/5spd) but there won’t be a 3rd gen in my future unless they offer a manual. And that’s highly unlikely.
Old codgers like me that wanna shift their own gears are a dying breed, that’s just reality. The only 2026 pickup that even has a manual transmission option is the Tacoma, at least in the USA. Guess I’ll be sticking to old trucks…
Old codgers like me that wanna shift their own gears are a dying breed, that’s just reality. The only 2026 pickup that even has a manual transmission option is the Tacoma, at least in the USA. Guess I’ll be sticking to old trucks…
I have a 2002 Nissan Frontier XE king cab, RWD, 2.4l 4cyl, 4spd auto. It's about as basic as it gets, doesn't even have cruise control but has been trouble free. Other than the clear coat peeling (more like shedding) off the hood and roof it still looks good. It's been great for hauling around town but a "pain" to drive even 250 miles to western Kansas to visit family. I can't take it into the mountains as it can't pull grades or even maintain speed with other traffic let alone speed limits up there. I'm thinking of getting a newer but used Frontier, again with RWD but with a V6, and Cruise control!! Any suggestions on what are the most trouble free years I should be looking at?
I have a 2025. Had it for 1 year. It’s been great. The transmission is quirky when it’s cold. I mean after 2-3 miles down the road it’s good to go. I just had to learn it. Since it’s GDI I’m going to change oil out early. Every 3000. I take too many short trips. I have no regrets at this point . All manufacturers have there problems. Yes even Toyota. I owned several Toyotas. If Toyota didn’t go to the turbo 4 I would most likely be driving a Tacoma. The VQ38DD engine seems solid enough. I would avoid 2020 frontiers. Had enough engines let go. Rod/crank. I’ve followed it. And from what I can tell ONLY a certain range of 2020. My neighbors blew. 40,000 miles. They did put a new engine in it on their dime. Wardawg
Newer frontier has great lines. So did the early 00s. The middle years seemed odd to me, like sitting in a big hole.
On the earlier posts about not getting the wheels or colors… That’s an area I’ve always had to compromise on. When I finally reached a point where I could reach to buy “what I want,” certain colors would require other trim lines that brought the price up +10k. I so wanted an F150 in green with tan interior. Apparently Ford knew this. So I skipped on both and bought grey on grey, and it was fine. I later changed the wheels with used OEM take-offs and my own paint job that survived my ownership of the truck very nicely. When I bought the Tacoma, i was in a bit of a pinch and they had one on the lot that checked my primary 4 boxes. I didn’t really want another grey truck and it had plastic chrome wheel covers on it. But the feature set was what I wanted so I bought the truck and put another set of wheels on it. I couldn’t quite find what I wanted there, and might do something else later, but I’ll keep the truck because feature-wise it checks all the boxes.
On the earlier posts about not getting the wheels or colors… That’s an area I’ve always had to compromise on. When I finally reached a point where I could reach to buy “what I want,” certain colors would require other trim lines that brought the price up +10k. I so wanted an F150 in green with tan interior. Apparently Ford knew this. So I skipped on both and bought grey on grey, and it was fine. I later changed the wheels with used OEM take-offs and my own paint job that survived my ownership of the truck very nicely. When I bought the Tacoma, i was in a bit of a pinch and they had one on the lot that checked my primary 4 boxes. I didn’t really want another grey truck and it had plastic chrome wheel covers on it. But the feature set was what I wanted so I bought the truck and put another set of wheels on it. I couldn’t quite find what I wanted there, and might do something else later, but I’ll keep the truck because feature-wise it checks all the boxes.
I haven't did an oil analysis yet. But will after my next oil change. Oil dilution from the GDI is half the story on why I’m doing 3000 mile oil changes. I am a short trip guy 60 % of the time. I live to close to town. Wardawg
Nissan Runs the Frontier’s V6 at Redline for 300 Hours to Catch Problems Early
"Nissan runs the Frontier’s V6 at extreme temperatures and loads to simulate 130,000 miles of driving, setting the benchmark for other midsize pickup trucks."
https://www.autoblog.com/news/nissa...redline-for-300-hours-to-catch-problems-early
"Nissan runs the Frontier’s V6 at extreme temperatures and loads to simulate 130,000 miles of driving, setting the benchmark for other midsize pickup trucks."
https://www.autoblog.com/news/nissa...redline-for-300-hours-to-catch-problems-early
Just an update. After motor replacement it has been great. Ran 6000 mile oil changes since I basically live in it. No oil between uses and transmission is smooth. I just turned 68k and I have to replace noisy struts due to Florida roads. Back in Louisiana for this year however no telling what comes up.
Maybe I missed it, but why did the engine have to be replaced?
- Joined
- Aug 3, 2024
- Messages
- 230
The VQ40 had a problem with the secondary chain tensioners prior to 2010. The little plastic guides on the end of the plunger wore prematurely with predictable results. The primary tensioner is relatively easy to replace through an access panel, but the secondaries up on the heads require the entire timing cover to be removed. Not a job for the squeamish.
The earlier trucks also had a problem with the radiator that allowed coolant to mix with the ATF via a failed integral cooler. That was the dreaded "forbidden milkshake" that doomed a lot of transmissions.
I didn’t see a post saying you needed an engine. What happened?
@Glenda W. My first UOA had was flagged at 2.8%. But the 2nd was 1.8%. Not too bad considering it’s a modern GDI.
Will have another UOA in about a month with a ton of short trips.
While wife was in hospice, I was in traffic and it started knocking. Warranty took care of it in a month's time. I only put 2k miles on it when motor went. They never tore engine down, however I have read multiple 2020's had this problem. I have since put 20k miles on it with no problems.
I’m sorry to hear about your wife.
Similar threads
