Legally reviewed by: Jessica Anvar Stotz, JD, MBA
No consumer who has recently purchased an expensive, new vehicle ever wants to experience recurring problems with that vehicle, especially serious ones.
Unfortunately, even cars that come straight out of the factory and onto the lot can contain defects created by the manufacturing process that the consumer must then deal with.
Thankfully, platforms exist for consumers to share their experiences with a particular vehicle, which other consumers can then read and use to learn about different vehicles.
Today, we will be summarizing the most commonly reported problems with the 2021 Nissan Frontier so that you can be better informed on what you may experience if you purchase one (or already own one).
We will also discuss the lemon law and how consumers can use it to be compensated for their defective vehicles.
Common 2021 Nissan Frontier Problems
- Transmission Problems: Rough gear shifting, hesitation when shifting gears, clicking, hesitation on accelerating, lurching forwards
- Engine Problems: Coolant leaking, overheating, radiator degradation
- Brake Problems: Weak brakes, brakes squealing
- Electrical Problems: A/C breaking, speakers going out, interior lighting going out
2021 Nissan Frontier Transmission Problems
Nissan’s other Frontier vehicles have been reported to encounter transmission problems, and it seems that the 2021 version is not too different in that regard.
Transmission problems impact the ability of the driver to control the vehicle because a faulty transmission will provide sporadic or weakened accelerative power to the wheels.
This can result in the vehicle refusing to accelerate or refusing to decelerate, both of which can be very dangerous for a driver to deal with.
In the 2021 Nissan Frontier, consumers mainly reported rough gear shifting, hesitation while shifting gears, clicking sounds while in certain gears, and some hesitation and lurching when accelerating.
Serious transmission issues should be addressed by a mechanic as soon as they are discovered so the problem does not evolve or worsen.
Nissan issued a recall on their transmissions twice, first in June 2022 and then in September 2022. These recalls were done because the vehicle could roll away from having its transmission not engage the park gear properly. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration Recall IDs are 22V457000 and 22V671000 respectively.
2021 Nissan Electrical Problems
With how many electronic systems are packed into modern vehicles, it’s unsurprising that some of them would be less resilient or reliable than others. In the case of the 2021 Nissan Frontier, consumers reported experiencing issues with the A/C system, the speakers of their vehicle, and the interior lighting of it.
None of these problems seemed to be particularly dangerous, but consumers should still take note of them and take the vehicle to a mechanic if any of them are encountered. Some small problems can be symptoms of larger ones, which may be undetected unless inspected by a professional.
Example Complaints from Real Nissan Frontier Owners
“I have a 2021 SV King Cab 2wd, I am having a familiar issue here on the forum, my trailer running lights are out but my truck has a different fuse box so the usual fuse is not there. I only have the 4 pin trailer connector, it is a wiring harness (from Amazon – Curt Manufacturing 55441) that connects to the factory connector at the rear of the truck.”
“The worst truck i have ever owned multiple manufacturer defects. problem with radiator wears a hole over time doesnt matter how good you take care of it. coolant will leak into your transmission and your engine wich will basically ruin your whole truck. i have spent 6,700 dollars over this last month getting all this repaired and its only 2,000 miles over the 80,000 mile warranty. DO NOT BUY THIS TRUCK.”
“I am having issues with starting my 2021 I’ve taken back to the dealership I got it from twice and they still can’t figure it out. Takes 10 minutes to start it has 11k miles on it and I bought it cash out the door with only 10 miles off the lot! I don’t have time for this I am a single mom”
How the Lemon Law Could Help with Your 2021 Nissan Frontier Issues
The lemon law assists consumers dealing with defective vehicles by providing criteria to classify their vehicle as a lemon and obtain compensation. The process begins when the vehicle owner identifies a defect and takes the vehicle for repairs while it is still under the manufacturer’s original warranty to an authorized manufacturer dealership. Consumers should document and record all repair attempts to use as evidence in a lemon law claim.
If the defect persists after a reasonable number of repair attempts, typically between two and four, or if the vehicle is out of use for 30 days or more, it is likely considered a lemon under California law.
If the consumer suspects their vehicle is a lemon as a result of repeat repair attempts or excessive days out of service, they should consider consulting and/or hiring an experienced lemon law attorney.
Hiring a lemon law attorney at this point is recommended to streamline the process. This is where having documentation of the repair attempts becomes extremely important.
With a qualified lemon law claim, the manufacturer will offer either a replacement vehicle or a refund. The replacement will be of similar make and model, often a current-year car and will require the consumer to pay for any difference in price.
A refund includes the refund of all money spent on the vehicle, including the down payment, monthly payments, taxes and interest, and sometimes incidental expenses like rental car costs or registration renewal fees.
The manufacturer is entitled to deduct a usage fee for the time the consumer drove the vehicle without problems leading to the lemon law claim.
An attorney can be essential for a successful claim. If the consumer is the prevailing party under the California Lemon Law, the manufacturer is obligated to pay their reasonable attorney’s fees and costs, making the lawsuit cost-free for them.
Connect with an Attorney for Lemon Law Assistance
The stress of dealing with a defective new vehicle is something no consumer wants to experience, but unfortunately sometimes such situations happen. When they do, consumers are greatly helped by having a strong advocate on their side in the form of a skilled lemon law attorney.
Having a lemon law attorney by your side as you bring your lemon law claim makes the process far less stressful, as you have someone for guidance and advice who is familiar with the legal process you are moving through.
The Lemon Law Experts have helped clients with their defective vehicles since 2009 and have secured millions of total settlement dollars for them since then. Contact us today for a free case evaluation, either by calling (877) 885-5366 or by filling out a form online!
