Nissan

Frontier (D40)

2005-2021 · Midsize Truck ยท 2 engines
Best Engine โŒ Avoid (1.9)
2,320 NHTSA Complaints
22 Recalls
20 Fire Reports
63 Crash Reports
Includes data from: FRONTIERFRONTIER CREW CABFRONTIER KING CAB
View all 3 generations of the Nissan Frontier → ๐Ÿ“‹ Inspection checklist

NHTSA Safety Ratings About NHTSA ratings

Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
3/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
3/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
3/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
3/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
3/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
3/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
3/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
3/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
3/5
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
3/5
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
3/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜…โ˜… 4/5
Frontal Crash
3/5
Side Crash
5/5
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
3/5 (21.2% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Standard FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No
Overall Not Rated
Frontal Crash
โ€”
Side Crash
โ€”
Rollover
4/5 (19.8% risk)
ESC: Optional FCW: No LDW: No

Engine Reliability Ratings

Nissan Frontier Unidentified Engine

โŒ Avoid (1.9)
1,014 complaints 59.6 per year
11 fire reports 2 fatalities
View details

Complaint Breakdown

transmission
277
fuel system
247
engine
177
safety systems
160
electrical
101

Known Issues

Transmission Issues (277 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (247 complaints)
Engine Issues (177 complaints)
Show 3 additional engine variants with limited data
These engines appear in fewer than 10 owner complaints and aren't included in the main ratings above. Low counts can mean a genuinely clean record, but they can also reflect VIN-decode anomalies in NHTSA data. Treat as informational, not as a confident rating.

2.4-I4-Gas

2.4L 4-cyl
โœ… Recommended (4.9)
2 complaints 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

VG30

3.0L 6-cyl
โœ… Recommended (4.9)
1 complaint 1.0 per year Gasoline
View details

Complaint Breakdown

engine
1
steering
1
fuel system
1

Known Issues

Engine Issues (1 complaints)
Steering Issues (1 complaints)
Fuel System Issues (1 complaints)

Same engine used in

Vehicle-Level Issues

These issues affect the Nissan Frontier regardless of engine variant.

Transmission Issues (856 complaints)
transmission critical
Fuel System Issues (664 complaints)
fuel_system critical
Engine Issues (563 complaints)
engine critical
Cooling System Issues (186 complaints)
cooling serious
Electrical System Issues (183 complaints)
electrical serious

Recalls (22)

23V067000Oct 1, 2023serious
Air Bags

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

22V457000Jun 23, 2022serious
Powertrain

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Frontier and Titan vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.

22V671000Jul 8, 2022serious
Powertrain

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Titan, 2020-2022 Frontier, and 2023 Z vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.

19V654000Dec 8, 2019serious
Back Over Prevention

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

18V551000Aug 20, 2018serious
Electrical System

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

16V181000Mar 30, 2016serious
Electrical System

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016 Frontier V6 vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to March 7, 2016. The starter motor wire harness may have been installed in an incorrect position, allowing the starter harness terminal to contact the heat shield and result in an electrical short.

14V052000Dec 1, 2014serious
Electrical System

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012 through 2014 Frontier vehicles manufactured from November 28, 2012, through December 17, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a circuit breaker may have been installed incorrectly causing the main wire harness connected to the circuit breaker to face outward, potentially contacting a metal bolt located on the A-pillar.

14V418000Oct 6, 2014serious
Seat Belts

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 Frontier Crew Cab vehicles manufactured June 11, 2014 to June 26, 2014. The affected vehicles were manufactured with an out of specification anchor nut installed on the weld nut plate where the rear seat belt anchor is attached. The seat belt anchor bolt may not be attached as designed.

12V462000Sep 19, 2012serious
Suspension

Nissan is recalling certain model year 2012 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra two-wheel drive vehicles manufactured from June 19, 2012, through July 12, 2012. These vehicles may have been equipped with front wheel hubs that may not meet the design hardness specifications. A wheel hub that was manufactured below hardness specification may wear prematurely and eventually crack.

11V592000Dec 18, 2011serious
Engine & Cooling

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 INFINITI FX, MODEL YEAR 2012 INFINITI M, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN FRONTIER, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN XTERRA, MODEL YEAR 2011-2012 NISSAN PATHFINDER, AND MODEL YEAR 2012 NISSAN NV VEHICLES. SOME OF THE BOLTS THAT CONNECT THE ENGINE OIL COOLER AND THE ENGINE OIL FILTER TO THE ENGINE IN THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED TO BELOW SPECIFICATION STRENGTH. AS A RESULT, THE BOLT MAY BREAK AT THE OIL FILTER ATTACHMENT POINT AND CAN CAUSE AN ENGINE OIL LEAK.

10V517000Oct 27, 2010serious
Engine & Cooling

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2004-2006 ARMADA, TITAN, INFINITI QX56 AND MODEL YEAR 2005-2006 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER AND XTERRA VEHICLES. THE INTELLIGENT POWER DISTRIBUTION MODULE (IPDM) ASSEMBLY CONTAINS AN ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (ECM) RELAY THAT HAS A DIODE FOR ELECTRICAL CURRENT NOISE REDUCTION. THE ECM RELAY MAY ALLOW SILICON VAPOR TO FORM AND, OVER TIME, THE SILICON EVAPORATES FROM THE DIODE MOLDING WHICH CAUSES SILICON OXIDE TO DEVELOP ON THE ECM RELAY CONTACT DUE TO ARCING.

10E019000May 19, 2010serious
Suspension

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN FRONT AND REAR LOWER LINKS, P/NOS. 54501ZQ00A, 54500ZQ00A, 551A1ZQ00A, 551A0ZQ00A , 54501EA00A, 54500EA00A, 551A1EA500, 551A0EA500, 54501ZR00A, AND 54500ZR00A, SOLD BETWEEN NOVEMBER 25, 2009 AND MAY 14, 2010 AS REPLACEMENT PARTS FOR MODEL YEAR 2004 THROUGH 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, AND QX56, AND MODEL YEARS 2005 THROUGH 2010 FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

10V208000May 13, 2010serious
Suspension

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 TITAN, ARMADA, QX56, FRONTIER, XTERRA, AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM NOVEMBER 19, 2009 THROUGH MARCH 3, 2010. THE LOWER CONTROL LINK ASSEMBLY HAS TWO CYLINDRICAL COLLARS FORMING THE INBOARD ATTACHMENT POINTS TO THE CHASSIS. DUE TO AN IMPROPER WELDING PROCESS SOME COLLARS MAY CONTAIN WELDS THAT DO NOT MEET STRENGTH SPECIFICATIONS.

10V372000Dec 7, 2010serious
Child Seat

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 NISSAN FRONTIER KING CAB VEHICLES MANUFACTURED FROM JUNE 10, 2010 THROUGH JUNE 26, 2010. THESE VEHICLES FAIL TO COMPLY WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 225, "CHILD RESTRAINT ANCHORAGE SYSTEMS." THE WELD BETWEEN THE TETHER ANCHOR AND THE SEAT GUSSET BRACKET IS OUT-OF-SPECIFICATION. AS A RESULT, AND BASED ON NISSAN'S ENGINEERING JUDGMENT, THE TETHER ANCHOR COULD SEPARATE FROM THE SEAT WHEN TESTED UNDER THE CONDITIONS REQUIRED BY THE STANDARD.

10V401000Oct 8, 2010serious
Equipment

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.

10E043000Mar 8, 2010serious
Equipment

MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.

10V075000Mar 2, 2010serious
Fuel System

NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2006 AND MODEL YEAR 2008 FRONTIER, XTERRA AND PATHFINDER VEHICLES. THE MOLDED FUEL TANK SHELLS CAN DEFORM, CAUSING THE FUEL SENDER FLOAT ARM TO CONTACT AN EMBOSSMENT MOLDED INTO THE TANK SHELL CAUSING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL FUEL GAUGE TO SHOW THAT THE VEHICLE HAS APPROXIMATELY ONE QUARTER TANK WHEN THE FUEL TANK IS EMPTY.

08V690000Dec 28, 2008serious
Air Bags

NISSAN IS RECALLING 242,720 MY 2005-2009 PATHFINDER, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES ORIGINALLY SOLD IN OR CURRENTLY REGISTERED IN THE STATES OF CONNECTICUT, DELAWARE, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, IOWA, MAINE, MARYLAND, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MINNESOTA, MISSOURI, NEW HAMPSHIRE, NEW JERSEY, NEW YORK, OHIO, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, VERMONT, WEST VIRGINIA, WISCONSIN, AND THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. IN THOSE AREAS OF THE COUNTRY WHICH USE HEAVY CONCENTRATIONS OF ROAD SALT IN THE WINTER, A MIXTURE OF SNOW/WATER AND SALT CAN ENTER INTO THE FRONT CRASH ZONE SENSOR (CZS) HOUSING. IF THIS OCCURS, THE CZS MAY INTERNALLY RUST RESULTING IN A SIGNAL INTERRUPTION. IF THIS HAPPENS, THE RED AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE TO ALERT THE VEHICLE OPERATOR.

08V045000Jan 24, 2008cosmetic
Equipment

NISSAN IS RECALLING 5,523 MY 2008 TITAN, FRONTIER AND XTERRA VEHICLES FOR FAILING TO COMPLY TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 110, 'TIRE SELECTION AND RIMS FOR MOTOR VEHICLES.' THE TIRE PLACARD LISTS AN INCORRECT VEHICLE CAPACITY WEIGHT.

07E046000Mar 6, 2007serious
Equipment

CERTAIN HOPKINS AFTERMARKET TRAILER BRAKE CONTROL CONNECTION HARNESSES SOLD FOR USE ON CERTAIN MODELS OF NISSAN VEHICLES WHICH ARE LISTED ABOVE. THE INTERNAL PART NUMBERS WITHIN HOPKINS ARE: 1010476025, 1040376025, 1110476025, 1170376025, 1290376025, 1010476035, 1040376035, 1110476035, 1170376035, AND 1290376035. A WIRE MAY HAVE BEEN PLACED IN AN INCORRECT POSITION IN THE ELECTRICAL CONNECTOR HOUSING. THIS RESULTS IN AN INCORRECT ROUTING OF WIRES BETWEEN THE TRAILER BRAKE CONTROLLER AND THE TOWING VEHICLE WIRING SYSTEM.

06V092000Mar 29, 2006serious
Fuel System

ON CERTAIN KING CAB TRUCKS, IN A SEVERE SIDE IMPACT CRASH, THERE IS A POSSIBILITY THAT DEFORMATION OF THE VEHICLE'S BODY COULD CAUSE THE FUEL FILLER CAP TETHER TO BE STRETCHED TO THE POINT OF UNSCREWING THE FUEL FILLER CAP.

06E064000Jul 16, 2006serious
Exterior Lighting

CERTAIN TRADESONIC COMBINATION LAMPS SOLD AS REPLACEMENT LAMPS FOR USE ON THE ABOVE LISTED PASSENGER VEHICLES. COMBINATION LAMPS NOT EQUIPPED WITH AMBER SIDE REFLECTORS FAIL TO CONFORM WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF FEDERAL MOTOR VEHICLE SAFETY STANDARD NO. 108, LAMPS, REFLECTIVE DEVICES, AND ASSOCIATED EQUIPMENT.

Alternatives in Midsize Truck

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common 2005-2021 Nissan Frontier problems?

The 2005-2021 Nissan Frontier has accumulated 2,320 NHTSA complaints. The most frequently reported problem areas are Transmission, Fuel System, Engine. As with any used vehicle, an inspection before buying and a vehicle history report are recommended.

Which Nissan Frontier engine is most reliable?

The 2005-2021 Nissan Frontier was offered with 5 engine options. Based on NHTSA complaint data, the 4.0L 6-cyl has the lowest complaint density and is considered the most reliable choice for buyers.

Is the 2005-2021 Nissan Frontier a good used car?

The 2005-2021 Nissan Frontier can be a sound used car depending on trim, mileage, and maintenance history. With 2,320 total NHTSA complaints on record, prospective buyers should review the known problem areas and check for open recalls before buying.

How many NHTSA complaints does the 2005-2021 Nissan Frontier have?

The 2005-2021 Nissan Frontier has 2,320 complaints filed with NHTSA as of our latest data pull. Complaint counts reflect owner-reported issues and do not necessarily indicate defects or safety risks on their own.

What recalls affect the 2005-2021 Nissan Frontier?

There are 22 NHTSA recalls affecting some 2005-2021 Nissan Frontier vehicles. Recall status varies by VIN โ€” check the NHTSA recall database at recalls.nhtsa.dot.gov with your specific VIN to confirm which campaigns apply.

What should I check before buying a used Nissan Frontier?

Before buying a used Nissan Frontier, verify all open recalls are completed via the NHTSA VIN lookup tool. Pay particular attention to Transmission, Fuel System, Engine, which are the most commonly reported problem areas. Request maintenance records, have an independent mechanic inspect the vehicle, and run a vehicle history report to check for prior accidents or title issues.

What are the NHTSA crash test ratings for the Frontier?

The 2021 Nissan Frontier received an overall 4-star safety rating from NHTSA. Frontal crash: 3 stars. Side crash: 5 stars. Rollover: 4 stars (19.8% rollover probability). Electronic Stability Control: Standard. Forward Collision Warning: No. Lane Departure Warning: No. These ratings are based on standardized crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Data from NHTSA federal complaints database. 2,320 complaints analyzed. Data confidence: high. Last updated: 2026-05-23.

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