Nissan Frontier problems by model year
Updated from NHTSA data · How we count
NHTSA has 544 owner complaints and 26 recalls on file for the Nissan Frontier (2005–2026). The 2022 Frontier has the most serious complaints, most often about driver assistance & safety tech.
- Complaints
- 544
- Recalls
- 26
- Model years
- 22
- Worst year
- 2022
Complaints by model year
Newer model years have had less time on the road, so they naturally have fewer complaints. Compare a year against its neighbors rather than against brand-new models.
Worst Nissan Frontier years to buy
Ranked by our severity-weighted complaint score (crashes, fires and injuries count extra — how it works).
- 2022 Nissan Frontier — 112 complaints, 11 crashes, 3 fires; top problem: Driver Assistance & Safety Tech
- 2023 Nissan Frontier — 66 complaints, 4 crashes, 3 fires; top problem: Electrical System
- 2019 Nissan Frontier — 27 complaints, 1 crash, 1 fire; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
- 2007 Nissan Frontier — 34 complaints, 2 crashes; top problem: Transmission & Drivetrain
- 2006 Nissan Frontier — 36 complaints; top problem: Engine
Fewest serious complaints among years at least 3 years old: 2009 (8 complaints).
Every Nissan Frontier model year
| Year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Recalls | Top problem |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Frontier | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2025 Frontier | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2024 Frontier | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2023 Frontier | 66 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | Electrical System |
| 2022 Frontier | 112 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 6 | Driver Assistance & Safety Tech |
| 2021 Frontier | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System |
| 2020 Frontier | 23 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 2 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2019 Frontier | 27 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2018 Frontier | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System |
| 2017 Frontier | 21 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion |
| 2016 Frontier | 20 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | Engine |
| 2015 Frontier | 11 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | Airbags |
| 2014 Frontier | 13 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | Airbags |
| 2013 Frontier | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Airbags |
| 2012 Frontier | 20 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | Airbags |
| 2011 Frontier | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | Brakes |
| 2010 Frontier | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | Airbags |
| 2009 Frontier | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Airbags |
| 2008 Frontier | 19 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2007 Frontier | 34 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
| 2006 Frontier | 36 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Engine |
| 2005 Frontier | 18 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Drivetrain |
Most common Nissan Frontier problem areas (all years)
- Transmission & Drivetrain122 complaints
- Electrical System110 complaints
- Airbags95 complaints
- Engine82 complaints
- Driver Assistance & Safety Tech63 complaints
- Brakes58 complaints
- Fuel, Hybrid & EV Propulsion40 complaints
- Acceleration & Cruise Control30 complaints
- Seats & Seat Belts28 complaints
- Body & Structure27 complaints
Complaint trend
Nissan Frontier recalls
Risk: A door that opens unexpectedly while the vehicle is in motion increases the risk of injury or a crash.
Risk: Daytime running lights that dim unexpectedly may cause confusion to other vehicles or pedestrians, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A rearview image that does not display can reduce the driver's view of what is behind the vehicle, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: Improperly aimed headlights can result in insufficient illumination of the road, decreasing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: Ball joint separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Risk: A rapid loss of tire pressure while driving can lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Risk: An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Risk: During a crash, a loose seat belt bracket may break, causing a loss of seat belt restraint and increasing the risk of injury.
Risk: During a crash, the leaf spring could contact the fuel tank, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire or injury.
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Risk: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Risk: If the seat belt anchor bolt is not attached as designed, that increases the risk of injury in the event of a vehicle crash.
Risk: The bolt may wear through the wire harness covering, resulting in an electrical short which could cause a fire.
Risk: If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Risk: If there is an engine oil leak, the engine oil pressure would drop and the engine could seize, increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: This could cause engine stalling increasing the risk of a crash.
Risk: Overheated batteries could result in a fire.
Risk: In the event of a crash, the tether anchorage could separate from the vehicle seat increasing the risk of injury to an occupant in a child seat that uses the tether anchor.
Risk: If the collar weld separates, the vehicle handling will deteriorate, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Other Nissan models
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Office of Defects Investigation public data. Complaints are submitted by owners and are not verified by NHTSA or by us; a complaint does not prove a defect exists. Methodology