Nissan Frontier years to avoid (and the best years)
698 NHTSA owner complaints and 23 recalls across 15 model years, 2010 to 2024. Built from NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, generated October 26, 2026.
Compared with: Toyota Tacoma
- 698complaints
- 23recalls
- 48reported crashes
- 14reported fires
- 35reported injuries
- 1reported deaths
Which Nissan Frontier years should you avoid?
No Nissan Frontier model year stands out from the others in NHTSA owner complaints. The typical Nissan Frontier year has 42 complaints on file. The busiest years are the 2022 (111), 2012 (78) and 2023 (66).
What are the best Nissan Frontier years?
The Nissan Frontier years with the fewest complaints on file are the 2021 (18), 2020 (23) and 2018 (25). Model years after 2023 are left out: they have not been on the road long enough to compare.
NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these are complaint counts, not a rate per car on the road. A year that sold more cars collects more complaints, and older years have had longer to collect them.
Every model year
| Year | Complaints | vs typical year | Recalls | Crashes | Injuries | Our read | Most reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 22 | 0.5× | 3 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2023 | 66 | 1.6× | 1 | 4 | 2 | Some concerns to check | Electrical system |
| 2022 | 111 | 2.6× | 6 | 11 | 3 | Some concerns to check | Forward collision avoidance system |
| 2021 | 18 | 0.4× | 2 | 1 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2020 | 23 | 0.5× | 2 | 3 | 1 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2019 | 28 | 0.7× | 1 | 1 | 2 | Few red flags | Transmission and drivetrain |
| 2018 | 25 | 0.6× | 2 | 0 | 0 | Few red flags | Electrical system |
| 2017 | 38 | 0.9× | 1 | 4 | 1 | Some concerns to check | Fuel system |
| 2016 | 43 | 1.0× | 1 | 3 | 3 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2015 | 33 | 0.8× | 0 | 2 | 3 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2014 | 42 | 1.0× | 2 | 3 | 3 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2013 | 48 | 1.1× | 1 | 5 | 2 | Few red flags | Airbags |
| 2012 | 78 | 1.9× | 3 | 4 | 8 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2011 | 64 | 1.5× | 1 | 4 | 4 | Some concerns to check | Airbags |
| 2010 | 59 | 1.4× | 6 | 3 | 3 | Few red flags | Airbags |
Most reported problem areas
Share of the 364 complaints sorted by system, all years together.
- Engine & powertrain115 (32%)
- Electrical & infotainment76 (21%)
- Brakes55 (15%)
- Airbags & seat belts42 (12%)
- Other systems28 (8%)
Recalls (23)
Exterior lighting · 24V582000 · Aug 2024 · model year 2024
Improperly aimed headlights can result in insufficient illumination of the road, decreasing the driver's visibility and increasing the risk of a crash.
Suspension · 24V479000 · Jun 2024 · model year 2024
Ball joint separation can cause a loss of steering control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 24V154000 · Feb 2024 · model year 2024
An air bag that deploys improperly may not protect the driver as intended during a crash, increasing the risk of injury.
Tires · 23V273000 · Apr 2023 · model year 2023
A rapid loss of tire pressure while driving can lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.
Airbags · 23V067000 · Feb 2023 · model years 2010, 2011
A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Safety · 22V772000 · Oct 2022 · model year 2022
An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 22V671000 · Sep 2022 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022
A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Safety · 22V527000 · Jul 2022 · model year 2022
An inoperative rearview camera display reduces the driver's rear visibility, increasing the risk of a crash.
Transmission · 22V457000 · Jun 2022 · model years 2020, 2021, 2022
A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Seat belts · 21V958000 · Dec 2021 · model year 2022
During a crash, a loose seat belt bracket may break, causing a loss of seat belt restraint and increasing the risk of injury.
Safety · 21V917000 · Nov 2021 · model year 2022
During a crash, the leaf spring could contact the fuel tank, causing a fuel leak and increasing the risk of a fire or injury.
Safety · 19V654000 · Sep 2019 · model years 2018, 2019
The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 18V551000 · Aug 2018 · model years 2017, 2018
If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Electrical system · 16V181000 · Mar 2016 · model year 2016
An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Seat belts · 14V418000 · Jul 2014 · model year 2014
If the seat belt anchor bolt is not attached as designed, that increases the risk of injury in the event of a vehicle crash.
Electrical system · 14V052000 · Feb 2014 · model years 2012, 2013, 2014
The bolt may wear through the wire harness covering, resulting in an electrical short which could cause a fire.
Suspension · 12V462000 · Sep 2012 · model year 2012
If the vehicle is driven in this condition, the wheel hub may break, possibly resulting in a vehicle crash.
Engine · 11V592000 · Dec 2011 · model year 2012
IF THERE IS AN ENGINE OIL LEAK, THE ENGINE OIL PRESSURE WOULD DROP AND THE ENGINE COULD SEIZE, INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
Safety · 10V401000 · Sep 2010 · model year 2010
OVERHEATED BATTERIES COULD RESULT IN A FIRE.
Safety · 10E043000 · Sep 2010 · model year 2010
AN IMPROPERLY DEPLOYED AIRBAG COULD RESULT IN SERIOUS INJURY.
Safety · 10V372000 · Aug 2010 · model year 2010
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.
Suspension · 10E019000 · May 2010 · model year 2010
IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.
Suspension · 10V208000 · May 2010 · model year 2010
IF THE COLLAR WELD SEPARATES, THE VEHICLE HANDLING WILL DETERIORATE, POSSIBLY RESULTING IN A VEHICLE CRASH.