Nissan Frontier Reliability by Year
Best & Worst Years, Problems & Recalls โ NHTSA Data
Comparing used Nissan Frontier options? We analyzed 10 model years (2017โ2026) using real NHTSA complaint and recall data so you can spot stronger years, avoid riskier ones, and know what to inspect before buying.
Model-year trends show patterns. Run a VIN check for the exact Nissan Frontier you plan to buy.
Based on NHTSA complaint data, the Nissan Frontier has 418 owner complaints and 22 safety recalls across model years 2017โ2026. The most reported issue area is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM. 2022 drew the most complaints; 2025 drew the fewest.
- Make
- Nissan
- Model
- Frontier
- Model years analyzed
- 2017โ2026 (10 years)
- Total NHTSA complaints
- 418
- Safety recall campaigns
- 22
- Crash-related complaints
- 31
- Fire-related complaints
- 11
- Worst model year (by complaints)
- 2022 (108 complaints)
- Best model year (fewest complaints)
- 2025 (7 complaints)
- Top reported issue area
- ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
- Reliability signal
- Poor
Nissan Frontier: Which Years to Avoid & Which to Buy
Based on total NHTSA owner complaints per model year. Higher complaint counts indicate a riskier year to buy used โ lower counts suggest a cleaner reliability record.
These years have the most owner complaints. Inspect carefully and always run a VIN check.
These years have the fewest owner complaints on record โ lower risk starting points.
โญ NHTSA NCAP Crash Test Ratings
New Car Assessment ProgramNCAP crash tests measure how well a vehicle protects occupants in controlled frontal crash, side crash, and rollover scenarios. Stars are awarded per category (5 = safest). These laboratory results are independent of owner complaints and are performed by NHTSA engineers on new production vehicles.
NCAP crash test ratings for this model are not yet loaded or this vehicle was not tested in the years analyzed. NHTSA tests a subset of new vehicles each year. Check nhtsa.gov/ratings directly for the latest results.
What the Complaint Data Suggests
PoorThe NISSAN FRONTIER has 418 NHTSA complaints and 22 recalls on record. 31 complaints involve crash-related incidents. This data reflects owner-reported issues submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
- 418 total complaints filed with NHTSA
- 22 federal recall campaigns
- 31 crash-related complaints on record
- Review NHTSA complaint history for the most-reported components
- Check recall completion status at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Verify service records for frequently complained components
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with elevated complaint rates.
Consult the by-year breakdown to identify model years with fewer reported issues.
- Run a VIN check on the specific vehicle you are considering
- Verify all open recalls are completed at nhtsa.gov/recalls
- Request service records for the most-reported complaint components
- Have a certified mechanic inspect the vehicle before purchase
๐ NHTSA Safety Recalls
22 recalls foundSafety recalls are mandatory repair campaigns ordered by NHTSA when a vehicle defect poses an unreasonable risk to safety. Manufacturers are required to fix recalled vehicles free of charge. Always verify open recalls before buying a used car.
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
Safety Recall
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Safety Recall
Safety Recall
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Safety Recall
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Safety Recall
Source: NHTSA Recalls Database. Data covers model years 2017โ2026. Always run a VIN-specific check below for the most up-to-date open recall status.
๐ง Most-Reported Problem Areas
Based on component keywords extracted from all 418 NHTSA complaints.
๐ NHTSA Complaint Reports
418 totalThese are consumer-submitted safety complaints filed directly with NHTSA. Each complaint describes a real owner's experience. Complaints flagged as crash-related or fire-related are highlighted.
Hood flew open while driving on route 23 in Wise Va.
Passenger side ocs control unit has failed .
I was attempting to drive my Frontier on Christmas day 2025 when several lights appeared on the dash. I also noticed my speedometer no longer functioned. I returned home immediately. Two days later, I took it in to a local repair shop and they told me the malfunction code was for ABS and I had to take it to the dealership. Within a week, I took it to the dealership and they confirmed the malfunction code and ordered part number 47660-9BK5E. I have not been able to drive my truck since then because the part is unavailable due to high demand. I suspect many people are having this issue. I have not driven my vehicle since early January because I can't track my speed and the ABS does not work.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while attempting to reverse, the rearview camera became inoperable. The contact stated that the rearview camera image was gray and then blank. There was no warning light illuminated. The contact stated that the failure persisted even after the rearview camera system had been replaced. The dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 83,062.
We have three 2019 Nissan Frontier pickups in our fleet that have all recently had the same problem. A engine valve misfire on cylinder 3 on all three trucks. This has caused the trucks to shake, idle rough, and have loss of power while driving. Two independent mechanics have inspected the trucks and have replaced multiple parts to try and fix the problem, however, it has been recommended that all three trucks have the engine replaced. The check engine light did activate on the dash when the problem first began in each truck.
Heater does not warm up. Ran the truck for an hour and no heat to defrost windshield. This also occurs while driving and the defroster won't clear the windshield, and have to resort to using a rag. Looked for possible causes on the internet, and found this is a common complaint. There are many articles suggesting where to look for resolution. There was a similar complaint on this site listed under other from January of 2025. Being unable to keep the windshield clear with the defroster is a safety risk due to poor visibility or distraction while using a rag to clear it.
In a no fault accident, I was passenger. When the collision happened, I was wearing seatbelt, and then I was up in the dash/ windshield, there were flames, smoke. The airbags had "exploded" The seatbelt was hanging out of the passenger door after I exited. Still dangling out the door where it did not retract. I busted the windshield with my head, concussion, four teeth porcelain knocked out of them, and many other problems. It's very scary , I want this to please be investigated because I don't want anyone else to have to go through this.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while an independent mechanic was performing an oil change on the vehicle, the contact was informed that the front passenger's side axle housing mount was fractured. The vehicle was not repaired. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 135,000.
When the auto is idle, there is no heat, it blows cold air. It only blows heat while in motion. Upon research, uncovered an extensive amount of information that indicates this is and has been a problem in most Nissan vehicles for over a decade. In frigid temperatures, if car is disabled in route, passengers are in danger of frost bite or death since the auto does not provide heat when not in motion.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the infotainment system was inoperative; the contact had to restart the infotainment system several times for the infotainment system to return to normal operation. The failure occurred on several occasions. No warning light was illuminated. The contact researched and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V654000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.
Issue: engine and electric system completely shut off randomly while vehicle is driving. Cannot reliably reproduce, but all electric is lost and engine shuts off or at best resets in low gear until things come back alive. This has happened about 4 times to me across two batteries. What component or system failed or malfunctioned, and is it available for inspection upon request? The system is blaming the "battery current sensor" and I believe it is the system that controls the "dynamic" alternator system. How was your safety or the safety of others put at risk? The vehicle loses all power and lighting. This causes me to pull over without power steering and power brakes. This could happen at any time Has the problem been reproduced or confirmed by a dealer or independent service center? The dealer has read the code but refuses to work on it without a brand new OEM battery. This first occurred with an OEM battery, and I replaced with one and the problem still happens. Has the vehicle or component been inspected by the manufacturer, police, insurance representatives or others? Only the dealership, who was useless. Were there any warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the failure, and when did they first appear? No indicators the driver would be able to see. The check engine light is NOT on. When scanned via the OBD2 sensor, the Nissan specific code is thrown, but you obviously have to have the correct tool to see this.
Only have 17600 miles on vehicle and front caliber were sticking and squeaking. The garage replaced the pads and rebuilt the brakes as they were prematurely sticking and bad. Where not stopping good.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving 45 MPH, the air bar warning light illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic however, the vehicle was not diagnosed. The contact was referred to the dealer for assistance. The vehicle was taken to the dealer to be diagnosed. The contact was informed that the air bags needed to be replaced. The vehicle was repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 24,540.
There is a lot of 2019 Frontier that has problems with the radio and Bluetooth. In my truck it's the Bluetooth, it just stop working, phone activation doesn't even make a sound. Just stopped out of the blue. When backing up the beep that let you know you close to something doesn't work stop over a year ago
This past week my Nissan Frontier Sv airbag warning light is flashing. I notice other Nissan models have had the same issue but with a recall campaign. I have not called the local service dealer, but I have contacted their consumer hotline, and they said I would have to pay. I have 45,000 miles. I just never saw an airbag go bad so early.
The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle was hacked, and that the steering wheel was moving independently. The brakes were applied without the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle revved unintendedly, the radio randomly turned on, and the vehicle was being controlled by an unknown source. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.
THE TOUCH SCREEN RADIO TURNS OFF AND ON
The paint is peeling off from the front fenders. I have kept this vehicle well maintained and kept this vehicle out of adverse conditions as much as possible.
I was driving a 2019 Nissan Frontier and after pulling out of a parking garage the vehicle was failing to accelerate properly and the engine was jerking. I immediately pulled over and discovered the high pressure AC line had a hairline crack in it and the refrigerant oil sprayed all over the serpentine belt which caused the serpentine belt to slip.This was affecting the alternator voltage and causing improper acceleration. Once I wiped the refrigerant oil off the serpentine belt the car performed normally. This is the 3rd time in 37,000 miles that the refrigerant line (Nissan part # 92440-EA200) has experienced a hairline crack in the exact same location every time. The first failure was at 9,833 miles and the line was replaced. The second failure was at 17,662 miles and the line was replaced. The car was not driven on the road immediately after the first and second line ruptures and the oil was able to dry off the serpentine belt. The third failure happened at 37,000 miles.
Can not shift vehicle from park, am being told it is the shifter assembly. The vehicle only has 54,000 miles on it. Have to insert blunt object into shift lock relay to be able to shift out of park.
Showing 20 of 418 total NHTSA complaints. Source: NHTSA Complaints Database
Before You Buy, Check the Exact Nissan Frontier
These pages show model-year patterns across 10years. Enter a VIN to verify the exact vehicle's accident history, title brands, odometer records, and open recall status before purchase.
๐ Understanding This Data
What is an NHTSA Complaint?
An NHTSA safety complaint is a report filed directly by a vehicle owner or driver describing a safety-related issue. Anyone can submit a complaint at NHTSA.gov. The number of complaints is a signal of how common a problem is โ but complaints per model-year matter more than raw totals, since popular vehicles naturally receive more reports. The Nissan Frontier has 418 complaints on record across 10 model years.
What is a Safety Recall?
A safety recall is a mandatory campaign issued by NHTSA when a vehicle component poses an unreasonable risk to safety or does not comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Unlike complaints (which are owner-reported), recalls are formally investigated and confirmed by regulators. Manufacturers must fix recalled vehicles free of charge. The Nissan Frontier has 22 recall campaigns in the NHTSA database.
What Are Crash Complaints?
Crash complaints are NHTSA filings where the owner indicates a crash occurred as part of the incident. 31 of the Nissan Frontier's 418 complaints involved a crash. This metric is particularly important because it indicates how often defects resulted in actual collisions โ a key safety signal beyond general reliability.
How Is the Reliability Verdict Calculated?
The reliability verdict (Poor) is generated by analyzing the vehicle's total complaints, recall history, crash complaint ratio, fire complaint ratio, and top component failures relative to class averages. This verdict gives buyers a quick interpretation before they review year-level details and VIN-level history. It should be treated as one decision input, not a substitute for a VIN-specific report.
Why Do Newer Years Have Fewer Complaints?
Newer model years appear to have fewer complaints because there has been less time for owners to file them. Complaints accumulate over years of ownership. A 2020 model year vehicle will typically show fewer complaints than a 2015 model year even if it is less reliable โ simply because fewer owners have had time to report issues. Focus on complaints per year of market presence when comparing across model years.
Fleet Data vs. Individual VIN
Everything on this page reflects aggregated data across all Nissan Frontier vehicles on the road โ not any specific car. Two Nissan Frontier vehicles of the same year can have very different histories: one may have been in three accidents and have an open recall; another may be clean. A VIN check gives you the individual car's history: accidents, title brands, odometer records, service history, and real-time recall status.
What Are NHTSA Investigations?
When NHTSA receives a pattern of related safety complaints, it opens a formal investigation. A Preliminary Evaluation (PE) is the first stage โ NHTSA determines if a safety defect may exist. If evidence is strong, it escalates to an Engineering Analysis (EA), which can result in a mandatory recall. The Nissan Frontier has 0 investigations on record (0 active). Investigations listed above may have already led to the recalls shown on this page.
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๐ Check a Nissan Frontier by State
Title-branding rules, flood-damage exposure, and salvage laws vary by state. Run a free VIN check or explore state-specific vehicle history guidance before buying a used Nissan Frontier.