2002 Frontier acceleration issues

My husband has a 2002 Frontier, which has a problem of not wanting to go over 65 and sometimes it won't go over 45 mph. When we push the gas, it doesn't move. When we let it off, it goes. Sounds like an EGR problem but no EGR.
Experienced mechanics share their insights in answering this question :
On those, I can just about guarantee you that it’s a clogged up catalytic converter. It was a design flaw on those vehicles. Have the catalytic converter pressure tested. When they clog up, the gas can’t escape the car so it can only go so fast as the engine can’t spin any faster because it can’t pump any more gas out. There is no place for it to go. You will need to have it pressure tested to see if it’s the catalytic converter.

Also consider that it is a V6. Those have two catalytic converters and they cost a whole bunch of money but they often need replacement. If you need help with this, a technician from YourMechanic can inspect your acceleration issue and replace your catalytic converter for you if necessary.

How to Identify and Fix Common car Problems ?

Our sources include academic articles, blog posts, and personal essays from experienced mechanics :

Airflow sensor: When your airflow sensor is failing or dirty, it can send wrong signals to your engine`s computer that can result in power losses while accelerating. This type of issue usually causes your Check Engine” light to come on and your vehicle to behave sluggishly even when there is power.
Fuel injector nozzles can become clogged over time, which can lead to a sputtering engine, slow acceleration and the car not having enough power. Fuel injectors can be cleaned if the problem is caught early, but as the conditions worsens, the injectors may have to be replaced.
When you press down the accelerator pedal and get minimal output, it could mean you have a problem with your fuel system. The most probable issue is a clogged fuel filter. Your fuel filter works to ensure that dirt and debris do not get into the fuel system.
There are many possible causes for a delay in acceleration. A common cause is a problem with the spark plugs or ignition system. Other potential causes include a blockage in the fuel line, a faulty oxygen sensor, or a problem with the mass air flow sensor. Vacuum leakages can also cause a delay in acceleration.
There are several causes for your car to lose power significantly while accelerating. The most typical causes of a car not accelerating while driving include a faulty sensor, contaminated fuel or air filters, or a faulty timing belt.
The most likely issue is that a component is clogged. A clogged fuel filter is the most common reason, although a loss of power in your car could also indicate problems with the fuel pump or fuel line. Impurities or debris may be blocking the system, which causes the loss of power in a car.
One of the most common causes of a sputtering engine is an issue with the vehicle`s fuel system—the filter, pump, and injectors. These three critical components work together to ensure fuel flows smoothly from the fuel tank to your engine`s fuel injectors, and then pumps into the engine evenly.
One of the most common causes of jerky acceleration is a dirty fuel injector. Your fuel injectors are responsible for pushing fuel into your engine`s cylinders. This means they control the timing and amount of fuel used to keep your engine running.
“Limp Mode” – If your car won`t accelerate over 25 or 40 mph, it could have engaged `limp mode. ` It is also known as a limp home mode, and it acts as a preservation feature. It is meant to get you home, to an auto mechanic, or safely off the road without destroying your engine.
Yes. While the damage may seem small initially, the longer you drive with a bad oxygen sensor, the worse the damage will become. Eventually, you may experience rough idling, poor acceleration, engine misfires, an illuminated check engine light, and failed emission tests.
Worn Transmission Fluid (Automatic Transmission)

Over time, the transmission fluid gathers dirt and grime. This can cause the engine to run roughly, stall or fail to accelerate when you press down on the gas pedal. You may need to have a transmission fluid change before more damage is done.

There are a range of reasons why your car is juddering when you accelerate. Your vehicle could have dirty fuel injectors, a damaged fuel pump, a blocked catalytic converter, a faulty mass airflow sensor, broken spark plugs, or even an accumulation of moisture.
A clogged fuel injector can prevent the fuel your car needs to accelerate, thus causing you car to jerk in the process. If you hear your car engine stuttering, then the injectors may not be providing an adequate amount of fuel. To fix this, you should clean the injectors on a regular basis.
An engine that is hesitating to accelerate is most likely dealing with a fuel/air mixture that is too lean. Engine`s that are running inefficiently will begin to show signs like hesitation which will only become worse over time.
One of the most common causes of those issues is your car`s throttle position sensor, also known as the TPS. The little sensor plays a big role in how much fuel your engine gets at any given point in time, and if it`s not functioning properly, you may notice changes in how your car runs and accelerates.
Among the symptoms of a bad catalytic converter are: Sluggish engine performance. Reduced acceleration.
if the map sensor starts to fail, these are some of the most common symptoms: 1. your engine accelerates poorly: if a map sensor fails, it can cause the engine`s computer to miscalculate the amount of fuel and ignition timing needed for proper engine performance. this will cause the engine to run poorly and lose power.
So, if a spark plug is worn, the extra load, combined with the leaner mixture can degrade the spark, causing an intermittent misfire. And since there`s no cushion between the engine and transmission, you feel every misfire through the entire car.
Many factors can cause a spark plug to fail; from incorrect heat ranges to improper gapping, to chemical contamination. Yet 90% of spark plug damage claims are due to improper torque. Many factors can cause a spark plug to fail; from incorrect heat ranges to improper gapping, to chemical contamination.
The most common reasons for your car to excessively vibrate are a problem with your tyres, wheels, brakes, steering, suspension, axle or engine.
The most common reason for a car to shake is related to tires. If the tires are out of balance then the steering wheel can shake. This shaking starts at around 50-55 miles per hour (mph). It gets worse around 60 mph but starts to get better at high speeds.

Relevant Questions and Answers :

the most relevant questions and answers related to your specific issue

Car jerks when accelerating in reverse & makes grinding noise. Is this a transmission or computer issue?
ANSWER : Hi there. Typically when you hear a grinding noise when you move forward or in reverse it’s usually an indication of a gear fault either in the transmission or another driveline component. If this occurs only when in reverse, it’s likely a damaged reverse gear. It is also possible that it’s a hydraulic fluid issue not supplying enough lubrication or pressure inside the lines to fully open the gear. I would recommend having a professional mechanic come to your location and complete a car is hard to shift inspection, so they can diagnose the source of your issue and recommend repairs that should resolve this problem.

Jerky acceleration above 3000rpm no trouble codes
ANSWER : Hello there, thanks for writing in. 115,000 miles is about the right time to change the clutch in a manual transmission vehicle. This may explain the jerky motions above 3000 RPMs while the engine is making more power, and may be the reason there are no codes for the problem. Have an experienced technician also inspect the ignition and fuel delivery systems for any faults in order to diagnose your jerky acceleration issue.

2002 Frontier acceleration issues
ANSWER : On those, I can just about guarantee you that it’s a clogged up catalytic converter. It was a design flaw on those vehicles. Have the catalytic converter pressure tested. When they clog up, the gas can’t escape the car so it can only go so fast as the engine can’t spin any faster because it can’t pump any more gas out. There is no place for it to go. You will need to have it pressure tested to see if it’s the catalytic converter.

Also consider that it is a V6. Those have two catalytic converters and they cost a whole bunch of money but they often need replacement. If you need help with this, a technician from YourMechanic can inspect your acceleration issue and replace your catalytic converter for you if necessary.

Having delayed shifting issue with my car. It does it more when you accelerate fast. If you accelerate slow it shifts 2003 Honda CRV
ANSWER : Hi there – your slow-shifting behavior is reported fairly often on this vehicle, with an internal transmission fluid pressure leak (linear solenoid gasket) a common culprit. You don’t mention your mileage, but I recommend a fluid and filter change – using Honda fluid and a transmission inspection, performed by a mobile, professional mechanic, such as one from YourMechanic, who will come to your location, diagnose this problem, and give you an accurate assessment of damage and cost estimate for repairs.

Issues with the transmission while accelerating at low speeds
ANSWER : Hello. It is possible that the first gear in your transmission is slipping. There could be other transmission parts that are slipping as well. Additionally, the car’s turbo or turbo components could be faulty. Have a certified technician, like one from YourMechanic, come and inspect your transmission and turbo system in order to pinpoint the source of your problem.

Acceleration issues, especially when the engine is cold – 2000 Toyota Echo
ANSWER : Hello. This is a used vehicle that I recently bought and I’ve noticed it has some accelerating issues. There seems to be a delay in increasing speed. The delay lasts for several seconds from the moment I put it in drive until it starts developing speed. The problem only happens when the car is cold. So when it warms up, it runs fine. Also, the car reverses well. If you would like to have this checked, a certified technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose the acceleration problems.

RPMs issue – 2012 Hyundai Veloster
ANSWER : Hello. This sounds like your clutch is slipping. Check the transmission clutch to see it is slipping and needs to have the clutch replaced. If you would like to have this looked at for you, an expert technician from YourMechanic can come to your home or office to diagnose the slipping problem and advise on a repair.

Spotty / Sputtering Acceleration
ANSWER : At 60 thousand miles, your car should have had a major service that includes inspecting a lot of the parts that may be suspect. Spark plugs, filters, vacuum lines, would normally be checked and the problem might be located then. However, since the car has relatively low mileage I wonder if it is less the fault of your car and more the fault of your fuel. You might have some water contamination in your fuel. It can happen if you fill up at a gas station that has let their tank run low. It’s easy to check for, you hook up a pressure gauge and draw some fuel from the fuel from the system into a clean, dry jar and let it sit for a couple of hours to see if water gathers in the bottom.
If you don’t have the time or the inclination to do this yourself, you can contact Your Mechanic to have a technician come out to your home or office to check out your BMW and recommend a fix.