2003 Nissan Frontier Consumer Reviews

are ya kidding

Written by: redhot on 08/16/2008

Vehicle

2003 Nissan Frontier 2dr King Cab Standard Rwd SB (2.4L 4cyl 5M)

Review

I just bought a new tundra, (let my wife take it over). Took over her frontier for work. It's a tuff little truck that can take a beating and gets great gas mileage. 4 cyl bear basics does the job, been getting 24 mpg driving across New Orleans. Pot holes, railroad tracks, ya name it, handles it all. Be my work horse till she wears out, gets wrecked, flooded or stolen. 29k on it.

Favorite Features

Air conditioner rocks, solid truck with good mpg reliable.

Suggested Improvements

Small truck, hard to get in and out.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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You had me at supercharged!

Written by: Jhn on 04/14/2008

Vehicle

2003 Nissan Frontier 4dr Crew Cab SC-V6 4WD LB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A)

Review

I have owned many different makes & models, this truck made me a fan of Nissan. I wish it had better gas mileage but with a super charged V6 I can't complain to much. I am sort of a shade tree mech. & the ease of changing brakes, oil, filters, etc. was actually surprising. Thank you Nissan for a truck with great style & performance. The next time I buy a vehicle it will be another Nissan.

Favorite Features

I like everything.

Suggested Improvements

Side curtain air bags front & back & a chrome package.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Great Truck

Written by: Rich Soto on 04/02/2008

Vehicle

2003 Nissan Frontier 4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 4WD LB (3.3L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Starts up nice. Drives like a full size truck. Step on the gas and she goes nice for a v6. Shifts smooth and stops on a dime. Turning radius is great. Has a little bit of wind noise around door somewhere. I will figure it out sooner or later. Had to trade a manual transmission vehicle for this cause I could not use right shoulder to well and this truck has everthing easy to reach. Pulls a 2 place quad trailer very well. I forget it's back there. That is how well it pulls and rides back there. Hope I dont have to get rid of this truck for any health reasons. This truck could last me forever. Bought it with 54 thousand miles, clean as a whistle. Got a full 60k service done at dealer. Top shape!

Favorite Features

Visibility, drive, comfort, style, stereo, color, fit, finish, cannot say anything bad. Bed is plenty long, dash is lit up just enough at night, I cant stand a bright dash at night. Heater kicks, cant wait till summer to see how well air works. I test drove many makes, this was the best!

Suggested Improvements

Like to find where air leaks into driver's door area and rattle underneath around passenger exhaust area. In due time I will find it. Would like to have interior door floor lights and brighter in cab lights when door is opened.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Nice but could be even better

Written by: EarlR on 11/16/2007

Vehicle

2003 Nissan Frontier 4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 4WD LB (3.3L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I bought my Frontier as a dual-purpose vehicle; a tow rig for my 240SX race car, and off-road toy for mountian trips. As a tow rig the truck is just adequate; the long wheel base (CC/LB) makes it very stable, but the engine is a little underpowered. If I had known they were coming out with a 4L 265-HP version I might have waited to buy my truck. As noted, the gas mileage is pretty poor, but part of that surely stems from the low gearing (4.63:1 rear) needed to compensate for the underpowered engine. OTOH, as an off-road truck it shines. With just a change of tires (M/Ts) the truck turns into a 4-wheeling beast; I can go everywhere my buddy's Jeep Rubicon goes-until the beds starts to drag :)

Favorite Features

Stability when towing, rugged, reliable. Great off-road truck (it is the cousin of the Xterra after all).

Suggested Improvements

They've already added more power, so the only other thing I would want would be more interior room; I'm 6'-4" and the back seat is not a place I want to be. The steering wheel needs to tilt up more for us long-legged guys.

3 out 3 people found this review helpful

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Love My Nissan

Written by: ams27587 on 06/27/2007

Vehicle

2003 Nissan Frontier 4dr Crew Cab SC-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A)

Review

Great truck. Bought 1 year old with 9800 miles. Better styling and performance than the Toyota costing about $3K more. 3 years and 64K miles later, still enjoy this truck. Some minor problems encountered, including A/C high pressure hose replaced twice, power steering pump leak and some unexplained rattling underneath the driver. Dealer has been generally cooperative. The supercharged engine delivers great torque but at a cost of barely 14 mpg around town. I now drive my wife's car during the week due to having to fill up every 4-5 days. All in all, a great truck and very reliable and still looks great for a 4 year old.

Favorite Features

Supercharged engine, torque, outstanding off road performance, great sound system and cold A/C.

Suggested Improvements

Compass and outside temp gauge. Improve gas mileage. Better driver seat adjustments. Better quality paint.

4 out 4 people found this review helpful

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2003 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab

Written by: bucc19 on 05/28/2007

Vehicle

2003 Nissan Frontier 4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 4WD LB (3.3L 6cyl 5M)

Review

I've owned this truck for 2 years and I've had NO problems. Traded my Tacoma in on this with no regrets. It has a better ride, more comfort and much better looks. I'm now a Nissan guy.

Favorite Features

CD changer, roof racks and long bed.

Suggested Improvements

Gas mileage and a little more power to make this truck perfect.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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Best of the 2003s

Written by: love my Nissan on 05/19/2007

Vehicle

2003 Nissan Frontier 4dr Crew Cab SC-V6 Rwd LB (3.3L 6cyl S/C 4A)

Review

I looked at all the 03 mid-size crew-cabs before buying. The Nissan was the obvious choice. It had the most powerful engine (super-charged V6), the longest bed, quietest interior, and was thousands less than a comparably equipped Toyota. I have a fully loaded top of the line truck with every option and a few aftermarket add-ons. This truck has proved to be religiously dependable and an excellent buy. I get 17 mpg in the city and close to 22 on the highway. I don't like the fact that it needs premium gas and the Firestones that come on the S/C 2x2 are JUNK (I got less than 20k miles from the first set, and I am a very conservative driver. The second set isn't fairing any better).

Favorite Features

Good power, great towing capacity, the long bed, the incredible dependability factor, and the Rockford Fosgate stereo all make this truck worth having and keeping. It's a true work pony.

Suggested Improvements

The high performance Firestones are completely unneeded on the SC truck. They wear out quickly and are expensive to replace. The back seat is a little tight on leg room. The gauges and controls can be a little hard to discern on a very bright sunny day.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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who needs a better truck ?!

Written by: L. Konrad on 03/26/2007

Vehicle

2003 Nissan Frontier 4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 Rwd LB (3.3L 6cyl 5M)

Review

Bought it used -it had 40k,I've driven it another 50 thou' and not even the slightest issue. All right,the interior could look a little better (98 Pathfinder) but that ain't a biggie. All I've had to do is change the oil in it. Sprayed long box is great. I've towed bobcats, trailers and motorboat with it - like a breeze. Bridgestone tires are perfect and I've never regretted that it's "only" a 4x2...just need to know how to drive it(with a litlle feel on ice&snow). 5spd Manual tranny is wonderful as well. I just simply love it all and keep it forever.My wife and 2 kids like it too, awesome value. still almost like new ...

Favorite Features

looks better than the'05 or a Tacoma, long bed , 5 spd fun, the hugs the road, sufficient space and power, it's reliable and rugged nature,

Suggested Improvements

interior design only and front grill

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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Nissan doesn't care about gas mileage!

Written by: jim d04 on 03/24/2007

Vehicle

2003 Nissan Frontier 4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 4WD SB (3.3L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This is a good little truck for people who don't need a full size. The ride is very good, better than an '07 Tacoma IMO. Very close to my '00 Pathfinder. Decent power. Terrible gas mileage, city or highway. In the 16-13 MPG range. For a small truck it should be better. 4 doors are convenient but leg room in rear is very tight. Ok for short rides, but anyone near 6' will be uncomfortable. The tires have held up very well. I have almost 90,000 miles and they are just getting to the point that I should replace them.

Favorite Features

The 4WD is great. I once had to take this truck up a dirt road covered by almost 2 feet of snow. Snow was up to the frame. It plowed up the hill and got me out of there with no problem. Also the highway ride is great. You forget you are driving a truck. The bed extender is handy.

Suggested Improvements

MPG. Cheap plastic tailgate handle. Cheap looking plastic wheel flares. Cheap bedliner has gaps around the cargo hooks. Needs better MPG. Did I mention it gets terrible gas mileage.

1 out 1 people found this review helpful

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4 doors for two labs.

Written by: main-ah on 02/23/2007

Vehicle

2003 Nissan Frontier 4dr Crew Cab XE-V6 4WD LB (3.3L 6cyl 5M)

Review

This truck was a purchase for our growing family. A LARGE male lab now has a LARGE little sister. The back doors were to be used by the dogs for easy in and out. They do not get in or out using the back doors. They use the same doors as the people do. The center console has held up very well with dogs walking on it almost every day. They enjoy the extra room compared with the extra cab Toyota we had.

Favorite Features

Everything works well and the way it should other than the 12 V plug on the dash and the shift button on the stick. (will not work with too much pressure applied).

Suggested Improvements

Better fuel economy. AT LEAST 20 mpg! Offer a 5-speed manual. This is my first auto because I could not get a standard. This is a good truck if you don't need/want a full size.

2 out 2 people found this review helpful

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