Nissan Frontier and Titan Trucks Recalled For Rollaway Problems

Nissan recalled 2020–2023 Nissan Frontier and Titan trucks and 2023 Nissan Z cars with 9-speed automatic transmissions because they are at risk of rolling away even when shifted into PARK.

More than 180,000 Nissan Frontier and Nissan Titan truck owners were affected by the first round of recalls.¹ However, the Nissan rollaway repair was not readily available when the recall was first issued. The first round of recall notices, mailed out between July 20, 2022 and August 20, 2022, advised Frontier and Titan owners to engage the parking brake every time they shift into PARK.

Nissan anticipated the repair would be available in fall of 2022.² However, further investigation throughout 2022 revealed a rollaway condition caused by a different issue. Another recall was issued in September 2022, this time for more than 200,000 Nissan Frontier, Titan and Z vehicles.³

Nissan Recall Contact Information

• Nissan Customer Service Department: 1-800-867-7669
• NHTSA Safety Hotline: 1-888-327-4236

First Nissan Transmission Rollaway Recall: Quick Facts

• NHTSA Campaign ID: 22V457000
• Honda Recall Numbers: R22A2 and R22A3⁴, R22A1 and R22A7⁵
• Number of Affected Vehicles: 180,176
• Recalled Vehicles: 2020–2022 Nissan Frontier, 2020–2022 Nissan Titan
• Vehicle Defect: The parking pawl does not engage when the vehicle is shifted into PARK because reduced clearance causes contact between the edge of the parking pawl and the boss on the transmission case.
• Defect Remedy: Nissan dealerships will replace the parking pawl pin.

In June 2021, Nissan received a field incident of a 2020 Nissan Frontier that moved after being shifted into PARK. Neither the dealer nor JATCO, the parts supplier, could duplicate the issue, so Nissan initially believed it was an isolated incident.

In the fall of 2021, Nissan received more warranty claims of Frontier and Titan vehicles moving after being shifted into PARK. Though Nissan conducted an investigation of returned parts and investigated three customer claims, it was unable to duplicate the issue and asked JATCO to investigate the collected parts.

From January to February of 2022, Nissan expanded its investigation, submitting a Vehicle Owner Questionnaire to Nissan alleging a 2020 Nissan Frontier rollaway. JATCO received the transmission for testing and was unable to replicate the issue, yet again.

By the end of April 2022, Nissan and JATCO were finally able to duplicate the rollaway issue and discover the cause: interference between the parking pawl and the boss of the transmission case.

By the conclusion of its investigation in June, Nissan was aware of four reports of injuries.⁶

Second Nissan Transmission Rollaway Recall: Quick Facts

• NHTSA Campaign ID: 22V671000
• Honda Recall Numbers: R22A9 and R22B1
• Number of Affected Vehicles: 203,223
• Recalled Vehicles: 2020–2023 Nissan Frontier, 2020–2023 Nissan Titan and 2023 Nissan Z
• Vehicle Defect: The parking pawl does not engage because resistance between the parking rod and wedge inside the transmission housing inhibits movement of the wedge and parking pawl.
• Defect Remedy: Nissan dealerships will inspect and, if necessary, reprogram the Transmission Control Module and Engine Control Module (depending on the vehicle model).

A month after the first recall was issued, Nissan received a report of a 2022 Nissan Frontier truck that rolled after being placed in PARK. The truck was produced after the period in which the other Frontier vehicles were made. After Nissan sent the transmission to JATCO for further study, JATCO informed the automaker that the rollaway condition was caused by a different issue.

In August, Nissan issued a quality hold in 2020-2023 Titan and Frontier vehicles and 2023 Z cars, later finding 11 vehicles with the parking pawl defect.⁷

Many Nissan Frontier and Titan owners were affected by both Nissan transmission recalls. Nissan planned to notify all affected owners by November 1, 2022.⁸ The interim notification advised owners to apply the parking brake whenever they parked their vehicles. Final recall notices were sent October 28, 2022.

Nissan Transmission Rollaway Defect: What To Do

If your Nissan Frontier, Titan or Z car is within the affected model years, check your eligibility for recall-related repairs through either method:

1. Use NHTSA’s “Check for Recalls” Search Tool and type in your Vehicle Identification Number or state License Plate Number.
2. Call Nissan’s customer service department at 1-800-867-7669 and ask if you qualify for recall repairs. You may have to supply your VIN to the customer service representative.

If you are covered by the recall and your vehicle has not yet been repaired, visit your local Nissan dealership to get the repairs. At the end of your repair visit, make sure to collect your “work order” or “repair order” documents. These work orders are essentially receipts that list the issues reported, services performed on your vehicle and costs associated with the repairs. In the case of recall-related repairs, the costs should be covered by your manufacturer.

If your Nissan vehicle has recurring issues that your Nissan dealership cannot seem to fix, our Nissan lemon law attorneys can help you determine if your vehicle is defective. If you have been sold a lemon, our Nissan lemon lawyers can help you recover cash compensation, a replacement vehicle or a lemon law buyback. Call us at 833-208-8181 for a free consultation.

References

1. (2022, June 24). Unsecured Transmission May Cause Rollaway. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=22V457000
2. CAMPAIGN BULLETIN Transmission Parking Pawl Voluntary Safety Recall Campaign SAFETY RECALL. (2022). https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2022/RCMN-22V457-2616.pdf
3. (2022, September 07). Unsecured Transmission May Cause Rollaway. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://www.nhtsa.gov/?nhtsaId=22V457000
4. Ansley, A. (2022, June 29). Subject: Unsecured Transmission May Cause Rollaway. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2022/RCAK-22V457-8732.pdf
5. CAMPAIGN BULLETIN Transmission Parking Pawl Voluntary Safety Recall Campaign SAFETY RECALL. (2023). https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2022/RCMN-22V457-8268.pdf
6. (2022, June 24). Defect Information Report. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2022/RMISC-22V457-8494.pdf
7. Part 573 Safety Recall Report 22V-671. (2022). https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2022/RCLRPT-22V671-9467.PDF
8. (2022, September 22). Defect Information Report. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. https://static.nhtsa.gov/odi/rcl/2022/RMISC-22V457-6907.pdf

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