NissanFrontier2017Overview/nissan/frontier/2017/base/

2017 Nissan Frontier

Factory specifications, fluid capacities, torque values, EPA fuel economy and the federal safety record for the 2017 Frontier.

Body TRUCK

The 2017 Nissan Frontier is a pickup truck built on a body-on-frame platform, requiring 4.9 quarts of 5W-30 API-certified engine oil for maintenance. Across its model year, the vehicle accumulated 38 owner complaints centered on the Fuel/Propulsion System, alongside a single recall, positioning it within a broader reliability trajectory that spans from a peak of 210 complaints in 2000 to a low of just 7 in 2025. This places the 2017 Frontier well below the model's historical complaint average and suggests meaningful improvements in durability and owner satisfaction over its production run.

Model year202520242023202220212020201920182017

Quick specs

Fluid capacities, tune-up values and fuel economy at a glance.

Engine oil capacity4.9 qtOEM · verified
Engine oil type5W-30 APIOEM · verified
Lug nut torque98 ft-lbsOEM · verified

Fitment & sizes

Replacement part sizes and factory part numbers — battery, bulbs, filters and belts.

From the factory this vehicle uses a BCI 35 · 550 CCA battery, OE oil filter 152089E01A. Each part links to every other vehicle that shares it, so a part you already stock may fit more of your fleet than you'd expect.

Battery groupBCI 35 · 550 CCAOEM · verified
Tail / brake / turnSTOPOEM · verified
Tire sizeP265/75R16OEM · verified
Wheel / rim7.0 inOEM · verified

OE service part numbers OEM · verified

Engine oil filter152089E01A alt 1520865F0E
Engine air filter165467S000 alt 16546EA000
Spark plug22401ZE01B alt 22401CK81B
Front wiper blades288909CA0A alt 288909CA0B
Serpentine belt11720EA20A alt 11720EA001
Thermostat21200EA000 alt 13050ZA000
Cabin air filter27277VR00A

Full specifications

Engine, drivetrain, dimensions and economy.

Dimensions & weight NHTSA vPIC

Overall length205.5 in
Overall width72.8 in
Overall height70.1 in
Wheelbase126 in
Curb weight4597 lb
Track (front / rear)61.8 / 61.8 in
Weight distribution (front / rear)57/43

Performance & power Independent road tests

0–60 mph, quarter-mile, horsepower and torque from independent road tests.

Independent road tests for the Frontier of this era, listed by trim and engine — this page spans more than one engine, so no single horsepower figure is shown.

7.3 sec0–60 mph (tested)quickest 7.30 sec — 2017 PRO-4X V6 Crew Cab (4'11.5" Bed)
YearTrim / engine0–60¼ mileHPDrivetrain
2017PRO-4X V6 Crew Cab (4'11.5" Bed) 4.0L V67.30 sec15.80 sec261 hp4x4
2020PRO-4X V6 Crew Cab (4'11.5" Bed) 3.8L V67.30 sec15.60 sec310 hp4x4
2020PRO-4X V6 Crew Cab (4'11.5" Bed) 3.8L V67.50 sec15.80 sec310 hp4x4
2012PRO-4X V6 King Cab (6.1 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.20 sec15.70 sec261 hp4x4
2005LE V6 Crew Cab (4.9 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.60 sec16.10 sec265 hp4x4
2005NISMO Off-Road V6 King Cab (6.1 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.60 sec15.80 sec265 hp4x4
2005NISMO Off-Road V6 King Cab (6.1 ft. Bed) 4.0L V67.60 sec16.00 sec265 hp4x4

Service quick specs OEM factory data

Capacities, torques and tune-up values from the factory service manual.

This engine holds 4.9 qt of 5W-30 API engine oil, Front: 80W- in the differential, DOT 3 brake fluid. Torque lug nuts to 98 ft-lbs. The firing order is 1-2-3-4-5-6. Note the cylinder-head bolts finish on a torque angle (torque-to-yield) — they stretch permanently and should be replaced, not reused, during any head service.

Lubricants & capacities

Automatic Transmission FluidUse Nissan Matic-S
Automatic Transmission Fluid Capacity10.9
Brake FluidDOT 3
Differential Gear OilFront: 80W-
Engine CoolantUse Nissan long life coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity9.9
Engine CoolantUse Nissan long life coolant
Engine Coolant Capacity10.8

Engine torques

Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)7.4 ft-lbs
Crankshaft Position (CKP) Sensor Bolt(s)8.0 ft-lbs
Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor Bolt(s)5.1 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Oxygen (O2S) Sensor Bolt(s)31.0 ft-lbs
Knock Sense (KS) Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs
Engine Coolant Temperature (ECT) Sensor Bolt(s)18.0 ft-lbs

Chassis torques

Differential Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Differential drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Lug Nuts98 ft-lbs
Steering Track (Rod End) Bolts37.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Fill Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Transfer Case Drain Plug26.0 ft-lbs
Automatic Transmission Drain Plug25.0 ft-lbs
Front Wheel Hub101.0 ft-lbs

Ignition

Cylinder Firing Order1-3-4-2
Cylinder Firing Order1-2-3-4-5-6
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)625 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (Secondary Under Load)625 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (Secondary Under Load)50 rpm
Curb Idle Speed (No Load)625 rpm
Curb Idle Speed Variance (No Load)50 rpm

Battery & A/C

RefrigerantR134a
Refrigerant Capacity1.43-1.65 lbs
Oil GroupPAG
Oil Type100
Oil Capacity6.10 oz
Standard BCI Group Number35
Standard BCI Cranking Performance550 cca

Service checks

RPM@IDLE rpm
Injector Primary Resistance11.1-14.3 ohms

Brakes

Brake Caliper Bolt to Carrier TorqueFront: 20; Rear: 20
Brake Caliper Carrier to Hub Bolt TorqueFront: 136; Rear: 65
ABS Sensor Torque6.6
Minimum Pad ThicknessFront: 0.079; Rear: 0.079 in
Vented Rotor Minimum Thickness after RefinishFront: 1.024; Rear: .630
Variation from Parallelism Thickness Variation0.0006
Maximum Rotor Runout0.002

Multi-step torque procedures OEM · verified

Camshaft Bearing/Carrier Cap Bolts or Studs — tightening sequence 3 stages
117.0 inch lbs.17 in
252.0 inch lbs.52 in
396.0 inch lbs.96 in
Connecting Rod (Large End) Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
122.0 ft. lbs.22 ft. lbs
2Back off 360.0 degrees360 degrees
314.0 ft. lbs.14 ft. lbs
390.0
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 2 stages
131.0 ft. lbs.31 ft. lbs
2+ 60
Crankshaft Pulley and/or Damper Bolts — tightening sequence 3 stages
133.0 ft. lbs.33 ft. lbs
2+ 84 degrees84 degrees
390
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 6 stages

Prep Measure the diameter of each cylinder head bolt at point A and point B. Point A = 12.00 mm from thread end and point B = 55.00 mm from thread end. If either diameter is less than 0.23 mm Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

137.0 ft. lbs.37 ft. lbs
260 degrees60 degrees
3Loosen bolts 360 degrees in reverse order360 degrees
429 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
575 degrees75 degrees
675 degrees-75 degrees
Cylinder Head — tightening sequence 5 stages

Prep Measure the diameter of each cylinder head bolt at point A and point B. Point A = 11.00 mm from thread end and point B = 48.00 mm from thread end. If either diameter is less than 0.11 mm Do not reuse old bolts. Use new bolts coated with clean engine oil. Tighten all bolts to finger tight then continue on with the following procedure.

172.0 ft. lbs.72 ft. lbs
2Loosen bolts 360 degrees in reverse order360 degrees
329 ft. lbs.29 ft. lbs
490 degrees90 degrees
590 degrees-90 degrees
Main Bearings — tightening sequence 3 stages
1Bolts 1-1029 ft. lbs
2Bolts 1-1060 degrees
319.0
Engine Valve Cover Bolts — tightening sequence 1 stages
12.5 ft. lbs., Step 2: 7.02.5 ft. lbs

Factory maintenance schedule OEM · verified

Normal service, condensed from the factory interval matrix.

Under the factory schedule, replace the engine oil and filter every 3,750 mi; spark plugs at 105,000 mi; coolant at 105,000 mi. The big-interval services (at 105,000 mi for coolant, and the transmission fluid) are the ones owners most often skip — on a lower-mileage example, assume the original fluids are still in it and check them first.

Every 3,750 miEngine Oil (drain & refill) · Engine Oil Filter (replace)
Every 5,000 miTire & Wheel Assembly (rotate)
Every 10,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect) · Brake Line (inspect) · Brake Linings (inspect) · Brake Rotor (inspect) · CV Joint Boot (inspect) · Differential (inspect fluid level)
Every 15,000 miCabin Air Filter (replace) · Keyless Entry Remote Battery (replace)
Every 20,000 miBrake Hydraulic System (drain, refill & bleed) · Drive Axle Assembly (inspect) · Exhaust System (Complete) (inspect) · Fuel Evaporative Emission Control System Lines (inspect) · Fuel Line (inspect) · Steering Gear Box Assembly (inspect)
Every 30,000 miEngine Air Filter Element (replace)
At 40,000 miAccessory Drive Belt (inspect)
At 105,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill) · Spark Plugs (replace)
At 180,000 miEngine Coolant System (drain, flush & refill)

Reliability & federal safety record

Owner-reported issues, recalls, investigations and service bulletins on record with NHTSA — an unfiltered look at what owners actually experience.

Within the federal record, the 2017 Nissan Frontier sits in a sustained low-complaint stretch that began with the 2011 redesign-era models and continued through 2019. Its 38 NHTSA complaints are modestly below 2016’s 42 and above 2018’s 25, while its single recall matches 2016 and 2019 and trails only 2015’s zero among adjacent model years. Technical service bulletins also declined from 119 in 2016 to 85 in 2017, suggesting fewer in-service repair patterns tracked by dealers that year. The top complaint categories are Fuel/Propulsion System (10), Unknown or Other (5), Electrical System (4), and Air Bags (4), with four crash-related and one fire-related complaint, though the data does not specify root causes. This profile is well removed from the 2022 spike of 110 complaints and six recalls, confirming 2017 belongs to a comparatively stable arc of the generation. For a used buyer, a 2017 Frontier looks like a reasonable year to consider, provided a normal pre-purchase inspection and recall check are completed.

1
Open recalls
NHTSA campaigns
85
Service bulletins
Manufacturer communications
0
ODI investigations
Office of Defects Investigation
38
Owner complaints
4 involved a crash · 1 a fire
NHTSA crash-test rating federal NCAP · out of 5 stars
Rollover★★★★
Owner complaints by model year NHTSA · this generation & adjacent

Owner complaints filed with NHTSA, by component

All 38 complaints on record, top 8 components.

Fuel/Propulsion System10
Unknown Or Other5
Electrical System4
Air Bags4
Power Train3
Engine2
Power Train,Engine1
Electrical System,Unknown Or Other,Service Brakes1

Source: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint database.

Recalls NHTSA · verified

Showing 1 of 1 campaigns on record for this vehicle.

18V551000Electrical System:IgnitionReported 21/08/2018

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan… Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1…

Technical service bulletins NHTSA · verified

Showing 5 of 85 bulletins on record with NHTSA.

BulletinDateComponentSummary
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB09-131C2026-04-13StructureCERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision…
NTB13-107G2024-05-20Electrical SystemVEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been…
NTB13-027D2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See…
NTB10-066C2024-05-20Electrical SystemCAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended…

Common OBD-II trouble codes

The most common OBD-II codes for this vehicle's emissions system. These are standardized SAE J2012 definitions, not vehicle-specific fault reports.

P0420
Catalyst system efficiency below threshold — Bank 1
P0300
Random / multiple cylinder misfire detected
P0171
System too lean — Bank 1
P0455
Evaporative emission system leak detected — large leak
P0128
Coolant thermostat below regulating temperature
P0442
Evaporative emission system leak detected — small leak

VIN tools

Decode factory build data for a specific vehicle by VIN.

VIN
Decode a VIN to confirm the transmission and build data for a specific Frontier. OEM
Build data
Plant, GVWR class, engine and body data for any 17-character VIN.
Recalls
Check open recall campaigns against a specific vehicle by VIN.

Vehicles with shared specs

Find every vehicle that shares this one's battery, bulbs, oil capacity, platform or parts.

Reference guides

Cross-vehicle references for the kinds of data on this page.

Frequently asked

How much oil does the 2017 Frontier take?

4.9 qt of 5W-30 API, per the factory manual.

Does the 2017 Frontier have open recalls?

NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign(s) for this model year. Check your specific vehicle by VIN.