The cabin air filter in most Nissan Frontiers sits behind the glove box on the passenger side inside a rectangular housing. Access is usually gained by opening and lowering the glove box to reveal the filter cover.
Across many Frontier model years, the filter is designed to be reasonably easy to replace, though the exact fasteners and door style can vary. If you don’t see it right behind the glove box, double-check the glove box damper and look for a small access panel on the HVAC housing.
Location and access
The following notes describe the typical locations and how you access the filter in a Nissan Frontier.
- Most model years place the cabin air filter behind the glove box on the passenger side, inside a rectangular housing with a removable cover.
- To access it, open the glove box, then either squeeze the sides to release it or detach any damper to lower the box down, exposing the filter housing.
- Look for a small rectangular door or cover labeled for the cabin air filter; remove it to access the pleated filter inside.
In common Frontier designs, the cabin air filter is located behind the glove box on the passenger side and is accessible after lowering the glove box to reveal the housing.
How to replace the cabin air filter
Follow these steps to replace the cabin air filter safely and correctly.
- Park the vehicle, turn off the engine, and engage the parking brake. Gather a replacement cabin air filter compatible with your Frontier’s model year.
- Open the glove box and remove any contents to give yourself clear access.
- Lower the glove box by either squeezing the sides or disconnecting the glove box damper/stop so the box hangs down and exposes the HVAC housing.
- Locate the filter housing cover inside the HVAC unit and remove the cover to reveal the old filter.
- Take out the old filter, noting the orientation of the arrows indicating airflow from the filter toward the HVAC system.
- Insert the new filter with the arrows pointing in the correct direction, ensuring it sits flat and fully seated in the housing.
- Reinstall the housing cover, lift the glove box back into position, reconnect the damper if needed, and close the glove box.
When finished, run the HVAC on a few minutes of fresh air to confirm air is flowing properly through the vents and that there are no unusual whines or obstructions.
Summary
For most Nissan Frontier models, the cabin air filter is located behind the glove box on the passenger side inside a rectangular housing. Access is gained by lowering the glove box, removing the filter cover, and replacing the filter with the correct orientation. Always consult your specific model year’s owner manual if you notice differences or unusual access steps, as there can be minor variations.