The 2002 Nissan Frontier has 3 recalls, the most serious involving the steering column and a trailer hitch that can each create a sudden loss of control — one while turning, the other while towing.
Corrosion in the lower steering column joint can restrict how freely it moves, placing excess stress on the steering shaft below it. If the vehicle keeps being driven in this condition, the shaft can crack during low-speed maneuvers that require a large turn of the wheel, potentially leaving the driver unable to steer. The trailer hitch concern affects certain Hidden Hitch brand hitches installed by Nissan dealers: repeated load forces can cause a side bracket on the hitch to fatigue and break, which can allow a trailer or towed load to separate from the truck while underway. On the engine side, this recall only affects supercharged models, where the airflow meter can read higher than the engine control system expects and trigger a failsafe mode. In that state, the check engine light comes on and the engine will not rev past 2,400 rpm regardless of how far the accelerator is pressed, sharply limiting available power.
