2002 Nissan Frontier Consumer Reviews

Little truck, lotta truck !

Written by: john d on 02/23/2009

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Frontier 4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 2WD SB (3.3L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I use the truck primarily to tow a 3000 lb camper. The 3.3 L engine in the 2002 was rated at only 170 hp but this little truck seems to use all of them as it tows the camper plus another 500 lbs of camping gear as though it is not there. That is both with power and mileage. The camper and gear doubles the weight of the truck alone with no more than a 15-20 % increase in fuel consumption. For power I'm comparing it to my old Ford full-size with a 351 V-8. Never any maintenance in nearly 8 years of use other than regular preventative maintenance. Cannot recommend this little truck too much!!

Favorite Features

Acts like a truck and a sedan too with the extra passenger seating. Never needs repair as long as you keep it maintained.

Suggested Improvements

A few more inches of legroom in the back might allow the backseat passengers some comfort if traveling more than a few hundred miles.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Disappointed

Written by: jratzloff on 10/06/2008

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Frontier 2dr King Cab XE-V6 Desert Runner 2WD SB (3.3L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I bought the Desert Runner (100,000 miles) after owning a 97 Dodge. The heater core had to be replaced ($700), the heater controls on the dash were "stripped" out and did not work properly($250), and the air distribution box under the dash still needs to be replaced, but I won't do that for a while, if ever. I've had many small trucks, but none rode as rough as this one. I have replaced the shocks and will change tires soon. On a smooth road, it is great, but on a rough road, wow!. Steering wheel blocks the dash instruments (I am 6'3"). Truck looks great and has enough room inside for me, but I am really disappointed in the mechanical aspects of the truck, specially for a Nissan.

Favorite Features

Exterior looks.

Suggested Improvements

Interior quality (heater parts) and the rear fold down seats rattle.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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I'd buy again but Frontier too big now

Written by: kyboy on 09/12/2008

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Frontier 2dr King Cab XE 2WD SB (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Truck is babied. Other than oil and filter changes, no expense, but air went out at 45k. Still on original tires at 55k. Rear vibrated even when new, 55-65 mph. Gearing is very tall, making engine appear sluggish, took some time to get used to having to rev up to take off, but love the mpg, 24/28.

Favorite Features

Plasticky fender flares (eye-roll-here).

Suggested Improvements

5 lug wheels. Spray in bed liner std.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Nice & Slow

Written by: Ben on 08/14/2008

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Frontier 2dr King Cab XE 2WD SB (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Great truck, nice looking, great mpg, very slow. I have an auto with 63,000. Something squeaks when i go over bumps.

Favorite Features

Looks, long bed, reliability.

Suggested Improvements

Better acceleration.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Disappointment

Written by: Joe on 07/07/2008

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Frontier 2dr King Cab XE-V6 Desert Runner 2WD SB (3.3L 6cyl 5M)

Review

The 4X2 V6 Frontier has limited power and handles poorly. Don't try to go up hill in 5th gear with the A/C on. After 8,000 miles the A/C compressor pulley started squealing and then broke off. this truck will get stuck in HARD PACKED sand with all season tires so get the All Terrain. The stock speakers blew out twice on both sides and the cd deck always froze up. I just replaced them with aftermarket due to the warranty expiration. The # 4 and #6 spark plugs are very hard to get to and the alignment has never been correct. Even after getting new tires and having an ajustment kit added it pulls. The clutch pedal squeaks after every rain so keep WD40 in the garage. Generic fender flares fade!!

Favorite Features

The bed is deep and long for a mid size so it fits lots of gear for the beach or desert

Suggested Improvements

More horse power

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Awesome Frontier

Written by: FYREGOD on 01/07/2008

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Frontier 4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 2WD SB (3.3L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I have 2 complaints with my truck. It's averaging below 20 mpg. I previously owned a '99 S-10 V6 that averaged just over 20 mpg. I was really expecting the newer Frontier to be a little over 20, but I average about 18. Half of my 60 daily commute miles are highway. A few months ago I drove 1500 miles to visit family in California and it averaged 19 mpg (averaging 80 mph). I am very impressed with it's performance. Shortly after purchase the stereo won't play or eject CDs (err03), but it sounds great still. I am also considering buying a new extended cab Frontier when this one is paid off. Overall I'd give it about a 95% satisfactory rating.

Favorite Features

Rockford Fosgate 6 disk CD with 7 speakers, bed extender, roof rack, power windows and doors,

Suggested Improvements

6 spd manual transmission for improved economy (especially at highway speeds). Basically, keep the current ratios, just add a highway gear. Also, a stereo that allows you to manually eject CDs (but has the same quality sound!)

1 out 2 people found this review helpful

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2002 Nissan Frontier Saved my Life

Written by: doris on 07/25/2007

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Frontier 4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 2WD SB (3.3L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This truck has been a delight to drive. In only 4 short months, I grew to LOVE it and the ability it provided to haul things around. However, last weekend, I ran off the road in the rain and crashed head-on into a large tree. My truck gave its life for me! The police officer said I probably would have been killed, or certainly seriously injured, were it not for the air bag and seat belt. My air bag, seat belt, and the structural integrity of the truck saved my life. I had only a few bruises. The truck was totaled, but I was so impressed by its performance while I owned it and in this worst of circumstances, that I'm buying another one!

Favorite Features

Structural integrity and safety features. Driving comfort in spite of being a truck.

Suggested Improvements

6 out 6 people found this review helpful

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July 2007

Written by: July 07 on 07/12/2007

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Frontier 2dr King Cab Standard 2WD SB (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I bought this truck from my father. I have had it for 2 months and it has 35,000 miles on it. Yes I said 35,000! Absolutely no power. Basically it is like driving a low model 4cyl sedan. Get the 6 cyl if you expect to haul anything. Forget about the accelerating with the AC on. Getting about 21 MPG highway as I really only drive on highways. Belts squeak a lot. I would recommend buying this truck if you can get it below the Edmunds vehicle pricing. It is handy to drive around. No mechanical issues since it was in the family - it was bought new.

Favorite Features

A handy little truck.

Suggested Improvements

Power, more comfortable seats.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Good Commuter

Written by: DJ on 06/17/2007

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Frontier 2dr King Cab XE 2WD SB (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

Bought brand new with only 6 miles on the odometer. Haven't had a single major problem. Had the belts replaced at 57000 miles. Other than that, oil changes and gas fill-ups. It doesn't have very much power and the A/C drains even more from the already struggling engine. However, my 5spd manual gets pretty good gas mileage (as much as 28.5 hwy).

Favorite Features

Comfortable front seats, cold A/C.

Suggested Improvements

Way more power needed. Also, front-facing jump seats would be better.

0 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Frontier SC

Written by: Bob D on 01/13/2007

Vehicle

2002 Nissan Frontier 4dr Crew Cab SC-V6 4WD LB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A)

Review

This is the second Frontier I've had and this time I will never purchase another Nissan again. I had reliability issues with the first Frontier that I had, a 2000 and was offered a "good deal" on a trade in on a 2002. The 2002 has been no better. This vehicle is extremely costly to maintain.

Favorite Features

Nothing that makes up for the poor reliability.

Suggested Improvements

Reliability, reliability, reliability.

1 out 5 people found this review helpful

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