[Gunmetal_Pro4x]

Speaking of common problems, anyone have head gasket issues with their VQ40???

I checked my oil this morning, noticed the start of a milk shake under the cap.

I'll bang out a compression and cylinder leakage test then take her to the dealer, 2017, only 27,000 miles!!!

I also have a sticking hood latch. I lube it as it should be during services along with my hinges, but again she's pretty new.

Do you live in a cool climate or drive short distances? My old Dakota would have a mess on the oil fill area every winter and it looked like it was about to go at anytime, but it was just a cosmetic flaw and never hurt a thing. Don't know if it can happen with the Frontier as well but it may be the case?

 

[RichieB9280]

Do you live in a cool climate or drive short distances? My old Dakota would have a mess on the oil fill area every winter and it looked like it was about to go at anytime, but it was just a cosmetic flaw and never hurt a thing. Don't know if it can happen with the Frontier as well but it may be the case?

I live in New Hampshire, and I drive every different scenario that you could imagine. I inspect cars for a living, some trips are as many as 2-3 hundred miles and others as little as 1-2 miles. I shut her off, to restart her 15 minutes later then let her run other times, depends on what I'm doing.

That said the only reason I would find a baby milkshake under my oil cap is some type of moisture in the crank case. I suppose it's possible that she could take a little water in from condensation in the fuel tank and between the intake valves and the air filter. It really isn't much water, but that said I'm rapidly approaching my warranty mileage so I'm going to give her a good once over @ 30k.

A leak down test will confirm that the head gaskets and rings are in good shape and that the valves are properly seated, a compression test will make sure the VQ40 is compressing the way she's supposed to. That tiny bit of water I found made my mechanic (spidey) senses go wild

 

[FFTR]

Just had my 2016 Pro 4x into the dealer to get the rear differential resealed. I noticed seepage in a couple of spots. (sorry no photos). Not enough to cause a drip. It was more like wet spots on the diff. The truck has just over 9K. The dealership was great to work with. Everything done under warranty. The tech said it looked like it was not sealed correctly at the factory.

The Frontier is still fun to drive. Love the performance of the engine and transmission (auto).

 

[HKYStormFront]

Just had my 2016 Pro 4x into the dealer to get the rear differential resealed. I noticed seepage in a couple of spots. (sorry no photos). Not enough to cause a drip. It was more like wet spots on the diff. The truck has just over 9K. The dealership was great to work with. Everything done under warranty. The tech said it looked like it was not sealed correctly at the factory.

The Frontier is still fun to drive. Love the performance of the engine and transmission (auto).

I work at a Nissan dealership and we had to do a reseal on a lower oil pan on a new (gas) Titan XD yesterday for the same reason. These things just happen unfortunately, not matter how careful you are when you build it. That's what the warranty is for :thumbsup:

 

[twowheeladdict]

I work at a Nissan dealership and we had to do a reseal on a lower oil pan on a new (gas) Titan XD yesterday for the same reason. These things just happen unfortunately, not matter how careful you are when you build it. That's what the warranty is for :thumbsup:

Love your signature. I was happy when I learned that Nissan offered a 6 speed manual in the V6 Frontier. Then I became super pissed when I found out you had to buy a crew cab to get it. :surprise: I don't carry passengers and needed the 6 foot bed.

Regarding issues on new vehicles, it happens. Hopefully you drive it enough in the first 36 months to find them. If they are plentiful, trade for a different brand.

 

[FFTR]

I work at a Nissan dealership and we had to do a reseal on a lower oil pan on a new (gas) Titan XD yesterday for the same reason. These things just happen unfortunately, not matter how careful you are when you build it. That's what the warranty is for :thumbsup:

Agree. The dealership was great. No hassle at all.
The truck is just a little over a year old. I still love it.

On a side note. I have used Peoria Nissan (Arizona) for my service on the Frontier. They do a great job of cleaning up the underside when they do oil changes. They service
advisor(s) have been very honest. No pressure to up sell any service. For example, by the maintenance guide (severe use) the brake fluid should be changed due to time. They checked the fluid, stated it was still very good and no need to have it changed.

 

[HKYStormFront]

Love your signature. I was happy when I learned that Nissan offered a 6 speed manual in the V6 Frontier. Then I became super pissed when I found out you had to buy a crew cab to get it. :surprise: I don't carry passengers and needed the 6 foot bed.

Regarding issues on new vehicles, it happens. Hopefully you drive it enough in the first 36 months to find them. If they are plentiful, trade for a different brand.

As far as I am aware, they have always offered a 6spd manual in both KC and CC 4.0L equipped Frontiers in the D40 body style depending on which trim level you wanted and 2wd vs 4wd in some cases... What are you talking about?

Agree. The dealership was great. No hassle at all.
The truck is just a little over a year old. I still love it.

On a side note. I have used Peoria Nissan (Arizona) for my service on the Frontier. They do a great job of cleaning up the underside when they do oil changes. They service
advisor(s) have been very honest. No pressure to up sell any service. For example, by the maintenance guide (severe use) the brake fluid should be changed due to time. They checked the fluid, stated it was still very good and no need to have it changed.

Nissan says every 15k miles but I think that's extreme unless you have a high performance vehicle and track it regularly. It really should be part of a(n every) 30k service, imo.

 

[shift_RUSH]

As far as I am aware, they have always offered a 6spd manual in both KC and CC 4.0L equipped Frontiers in the D40 body style depending on which trim level you wanted and 2wd vs 4wd in some cases... What are you talking about?

'15 was the last year for KC V6 6-sp here in the US.

 

[FFTR]

..................

Nissan says every 15k miles but I think that's extreme unless you have a high performance vehicle and track it regularly. It really should be part of a(n every) 30k service, imo.

The manual I have states 20,000 miles or 24 months for brake fluid I will be lucky to have 15K on the vehicle in two years time.

I drive about 7K a year. Most maintenance schedules set by the factory are set up as miles or months. (every 5k or 6 months for example.) One reason I do two oil changes a year. Basically every 6 months regardless of miles. I have no issue with the oil changes. It would seem the mileage could be used instead of time for some of the other fluids. Will have to see what the mechanics / service advisors say when I get to two years in age for the vehicle.

 

[HKYStormFront]

The manual I have states 20,000 miles or 24 months for brake fluid I will be lucky to have 15K on the vehicle in two years time.

I drive about 7K a year. Most maintenance schedules set by the factory are set up as miles or months. (every 5k or 6 months for example.) One reason I do two oil changes a year. Basically every 6 months regardless of miles. I have no issue with the oil changes. It would seem the mileage could be used instead of time for some of the other fluids. Will have to see what the mechanics / service advisors say when I get to two years in age for the vehicle.

I would argue it's actually the opposite... Brake fluid, being hydroscopic, will absorb water over time, regardless of use. Power steering fluid will become acidic over time, regardless of use. The other fluids probably not quite so much but those are really more time and/or use, based on what I know about them.

 

[FFTR]

I would argue it's actually the opposite... Brake fluid, being hydroscopic, will absorb water over time, regardless of use. Power steering fluid will become acidic over time, regardless of use. The other fluids probably not quite so much but those are really more time and/or use, based on what I know about them.

I agree to some extent. I do live in Arizona where we have little humidity. I know brake fluid can/will absorb moisture over time. When I was in my 20's and had a Ford pickup. I can't remember ever changing the brake fluid, except when I had to replace the master cylinder. Never recall replacing the power steering fluid while putting over 100k on the truck.

I will let the mechanics inspection advise me if it needs to be done or not. I do make sure the SA documents things well on my copy.

 

[Dennis U]

Never changed brake fluid on any car (or truck) that I have owned in 50 years. That is until my 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and my 1991 Mazda Miata. I replaced fluid and calipers in both because they seized. I now follow manufacturers recommendations.

 

[RichieB9280]

Love your signature. I was happy when I learned that Nissan offered a 6 speed manual in the V6 Frontier. Then I became super pissed when I found out you had to buy a crew cab to get it. :surprise: I don't carry passengers and needed the 6 foot bed.

Regarding issues on new vehicles, it happens. Hopefully you drive it enough in the first 36 months to find them. If they are plentiful, trade for a different brand.

That sucks, I bought a crew cab because I need one. The first and second time I looked at Frontiers the king cab was available in a stick with a v-6 and 4x4, that was i think 2002 and 2013. That sucks that it's not available like that anymore.

 

[RichieB9280]

I agree to some extent. I do live in Arizona where we have little humidity. I know brake fluid can/will absorb moisture over time. When I was in my 20's and had a Ford pickup. I can't remember ever changing the brake fluid, except when I had to replace the master cylinder. Never recall replacing the power steering fluid while putting over 100k on the truck.

I will let the mechanics inspection advise me if it needs to be done or not. I do make sure the SA documents things well on my copy.

Never changed brake fluid on any car (or truck) that I have owned in 50 years. That is until my 2001 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and my 1991 Mazda Miata. I replaced fluid and calipers in both because they seized. I now follow manufacturers recommendations.

On the subject of brake fluid service, I was a Honda tech, not sure if you guys know or not but Honda's have had brake problems since they've had 4 wheels, worst stock brakes in the business. Anyway we had issues with ABS modulators if people didn't service their brake fluid because the water the brake fluid absorbs, as noted earlier, corrodes the valves. I see the Frontier ABS Pump/Modulator whatever you want to call it is cheap, this wasn't the case at Honda back in my day.

Honda products would get squishy pedals which would eventually fade like a bad master cylinder if you neglected the hydraulic system. We would flush brake fluid, exercise the system, then flush it again, never had issues with the old 2.7v6 accords or the newer 3.0 liter v-6 ones either if we had our way with them.

The only hydraulic power steering problems we had from what I remember was something with a J35, odyssey, ridgeline or pilot, pumps were going.

 

[FFTR]

On the subject of brake fluid service, I was a Honda tech, not sure if you guys know or not but Honda's have had brake problems since they've had 4 wheels, worst stock brakes in the business. Anyway we had issues with ABS modulators if people didn't service their brake fluid because the water the brake fluid absorbs, as noted earlier, corrodes the valves. I see the Frontier ABS Pump/Modulator whatever you want to call it is cheap, this wasn't the case at Honda back in my day.

Honda products would get squishy pedals which would eventually fade like a bad master cylinder if you neglected the hydraulic system. We would flush brake fluid, exercise the system, then flush it again, never had issues with the old 2.7v6 accords or the newer 3.0 liter v-6 ones either if we had our way with them.

The only hydraulic power steering problems we had from what I remember was something with a J35, odyssey, ridgeline or pilot, pumps were going.

After discussing the brake fluid subject with my son in law (who is a master mechanic). I had the fluid changed at 18 months with only 11,500 miles on the Frontier. He pretty much convinced me to keep to the time or miles recommendation outline in the owners manuals.

 

[BigBamBoo]

Soooo....right at 17K miles on my 2016 Frontier Pro-4X. So far I have had the radio replaced three times. Just took it in today because I could smell hot oil on the drivers side rear tire area. Yep....leaking real axle seal so waiting on a new axle now.

I also mentioned I could smell coolant up front when the engine was warm. Turns out it has a leaking A/C compressor. That will be replaced as well.

I owned a 2009 Xterra and had similar issues. Had the rear axle replaced, alternator, tire pressure sensor issues (never resolved), etc.

Really was hesitant on buying this Frontier. Was hoping they had "fixed" some of the known problems by now. But it was a previous year model so I got a very good deal on it. Does not seem like a good deal so much now. Thinking I will go trade it in on something different before the warranty runs out.

Two rigs in row? Too much bad luck with Nissan. YMMV

 

[RichieB9280]

After discussing the brake fluid subject with my son in law (who is a master mechanic). I had the fluid changed at 18 months with only 11,500 miles on the Frontier. He pretty much convinced me to keep to the time or miles recommendation outline in the owners manuals.

I've been in auto repair since 1997 and I'm also a master tech like your son in law, he's right, follow the service guide lines. Service is important, if you follow the rules most vehicles will have fewer problems. When I worked for Honda, there was a guy with an old Prelude 2.0 Si, mid 80's model, 84-86, don't remember it was over 10 years ago. Anyway he followed the service manual to the letter, in 2000 or 2001 whatever the last year was for the prelude, he bought a new Prelude Type SH and traded his 80 something Prelude with over 460,000 miles on it. Original motor, transmission, and just about everything else. He changed all the fluids on time by the book, no major failures in almost 20 years.

Then there are people who beat their cars to death, redlining every gear as they accelerate ever time they step on the gas, they take corners too fast all the time, tailgate, brake hard, then they complain when their car can't take their abuse.

As a former Honda and Toyota mechanic, I can confidently say that Nissan makes a good product. I've got almost 39,000 on my 17 Pro 4x, no problems to report other than the shifter slipping into the reverse area which I'll eventually deal with and is probably just a bent plate from someone shoving it in gear before I bought it.

 

[sfpat]

I've had my '98 extended cab 4 cyl for little more than 3 years. Issues I've experienced, not including normal wear and tear issues, - 1) Instrument cluster, 2) heater core, 3) A/C clutch. Great little truck though.

 

[Chumley]

ABS/SLIP lites on

Well my '08 Nismo 4X4 with 33.5 k miles has been at Dealer 2 and a half weeks. They say it needs an ABS Actuator ($925 part ++) small problem part is unavailable and discontinued. Contacted Nissan Cust Serv. and they are looking into the problem. Anyone had this issue ? Did ABS actuator fix it ? Truck is MINT low miles and kinda wanna keep it. Any input is appreciated !

 

[243002]

infotainment issues

I have a 2017 Pro4x that's not quite a year old, with 21000 miles. As I was driving home the other day, my Rockford Fosgate infotainment system shut off as I was listening to the radio. After a few seconds, the software update screen popped up stating that it was attempting to update. That screen remained for about a min,then the update failed (obviously, since there was no media attached containing any update in the first place) and the system shut off again. This process repeated for the rest of my drive home. Once I got home I shut the engine off, waited a few minutes and turned it back on and, to my surprise, it started up normally and has ever since. I never took it to the dealer because I chalked it up as a fluke, but has anyone else had this happen?

I also have had issues using the smartphone integrated apps. With the Nissan app running on my Samsung phone which is connected via bluetooth, I get no sound through the truck speakers, but it shows that it's playing on the infotainment screen AND I do hear the sound coming through my phone. This issue has reoccurred a few times, but is not constant. I just don't know if the problem is the infotainment system or my phone.