Nissan Frontier reliability and problems by year
Owners have filed 719 complaints about the Nissan Frontier with NHTSA since 2010, most often about transmission and drivetrain and electrical system. Nissan has filed 3 warranty extensions and 23 service campaigns for it, and there are 24 safety recalls on file.
From NHTSA's public data files, downloaded 2026-10-10.
How reliable is the Nissan Frontier? What NHTSA's records show
We don't give the Frontier a reliability score. NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. Here is what's on file for model years 2010 on.
- Owner complaints
- 719
- Filed with NHTSA, all model years
- Warranty extensions
- 3
- Filed by Nissan
- Service campaigns
- 23
- Filed by Nissan
- Safety recalls
- 24
- Each covers part of the model
Every model year compared
Complaints rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so a newer or rarer year will show fewer. Compare years of the Frontier with each other.
| Year | Complaints | Most named | Recalls | Warranty / campaigns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | Transmission and drivetrain (30%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2025 | 8 | Brakes (25%) | 3 | 0 |
| 2024 | 22 | Transmission and drivetrain (27%) | 3 | 0 |
| 2023 | 66 | Electrical system (45%) | 1 | 5 |
| 2022 | 112 | Automatic emergency braking and collision warning (29%) | 6 | 3 |
| 2021 | 19 | Electrical system (26%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2020 | 23 | Transmission and drivetrain (52%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2019 | 28 | Transmission and drivetrain (25%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2018 | 25 | Electrical system (20%) | 2 | 0 |
| 2017 | 38 | Fuel and propulsion (26%) | 1 | 0 |
| 2016 | 43 | Airbags (23%) | 1 | 1 |
| 2015 | 33 | Airbags (30%) | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 | 42 | Airbags (26%) | 2 | 9 |
| 2013 | 48 | Airbags (31%) | 1 | 12 |
| 2012 | 79 | Airbags (29%) | 3 | 6 |
| 2011 | 64 | Airbags (25%) | 1 | 7 |
| 2010 | 59 | Airbags (32%) | 4 | 10 |
Look up one model year, or a VIN
See the complaints, recalls and warranty extensions for a single Frontier model year, with the typical mileage when owners reported each problem.
Acknowledged by Nissan
Warranty extensions and service campaigns Nissan filed with NHTSA for the Frontier, in its own words. A warranty extension means Nissan pays for the repair beyond the normal warranty.
- Warranty extensionAug 2017· Airbags· model years 2010–2014
Air Bag Control Unit Reprogram Voluntary Service Campaign Temporary suspension of this campaign on all affected 2004-2006 model year vehicles.
- Warranty extensionFeb 2017· Engine and cooling· model years 2010–2014
2016 Titan High Pressure Turbo- Voluntary Emissions Service Campaign - Dealer Announcement The announcement from December 15th, 2016 has been revised to include: - High pressure turbo kits and additional service parts for diesel engine repair are no longer on restriction and may…
- Warranty extensionOct 2012· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2010
Nissan has decided in the interest of customer satisfaction, to further extend the warranty for the Radiator Assembly on all 2005-10 Frontier, Pathfinder, and Xterra vehicles equipped with automatic transmissions.
- Service campaignJul 2024· Airbags· model years 2010–2013
VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2005-2013 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA; DRIVER AIR BAG COVER CAMPAIGN ID #: PC945 and PC948 APPLIED VEHICLES: 2005-2013 Frontier (D40) 2005-2012 Pathfinder (R51) 2005-2013 Xterra (N50) Check Service COMM or Dealer Business Systems (DBS)…
- Service campaignSep 2023· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2023
Transfer Case Range Sensor Voluntary Service Campaign *****Dealer Announcement***** Nissan is conducting a service campaign on certain specific MY2023 Nissan Frontier and Titan vehicles identified in Service Comm and National Service History â Open Campaigns.
- Service campaignSep 2023· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2023
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2023 FRONTIER & 2023 TITAN/TITAN XD; TRANSFER CASE RANGE SENSOR INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary service campaign, on certain specific model year 2023 Frontier and 2023 Titan/Titan XD vehicles, to replace the Transfer Case Range Sensor.
- Service campaignJun 2023· Equipment and accessories· model years 2022–2023
Automatic Park Function Voluntary Service Campaign *****Dealer Announcement***** Nissan is conducting a service campaign on certain specific MY2022-2023 Nissan Frontier and MY2023 Nissan Titan vehicles identified in Service Comm and National Service History â Open Campaigns.
- Service campaignJun 2023· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2022–2023
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2022-2023 FRONTIER AND 2023 TITAN/TITAN XD; AUTOMATIC PARK FUNCTION INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary service campaign, on certain specific model year 2022- 2023 Frontier and 2023 Titan/Titan XD vehicles, to configure the Automatic Park…
- Service campaignMay 2023· Equipment and accessories· model years 2022–2023
Trailer Hitch Ownerâs Manual Supplement & Label Voluntary Service Campaign *****Dealer Announcement***** Nissan is conducting a service campaign (PC928) to provide owners of certain 2022 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab SV Long Wheel Base vehicles with a supplement to be placed with…
- Service campaignJun 2021· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2010
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2010 4WD NISSAN ARMADA, FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, TITAN, XTERRA; FRONT PROPELLER SHAFT Service Campaign ID # PC036 is no longer active.
- Service campaignJan 2018· Airbags· model years 2010–2011
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2004-2011 TITAN, AND 2005-2011 FRONTIER AND XTERRA; AIR BAG DIAGNOSIS SENSOR UNIT This bulletin has been amended. The reprogramming procedure has been revised. No other changes have been made. Discard all previous versions of this bulletin.
- Service campaignOct 2017· Suspension· model years 2010–2014
Air Bag Control Unit Reprogram Voluntary Service Campaign UPDATE October 6, 2017 The announcement from August 15, 2017 has been revised to include: - Claims information for unintended airbag deployment (related to campaign) Temporary suspension of this campaign on all affected…
- Service campaignJun 2017· Airbags· model years 2010–2014
Air Bag Control Unit Reprogram Voluntary Service Campaign ***** Campaign Summary***** Nissan is committed to customer satisfaction.
- Service campaignJun 2017· Airbags· model years 2010–2011
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2004-2011 TITAN, AND 2005-2011 FRONTIER AND XTERRA; AIR BAG DIAGNOSIS SENSOR UNIT INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting a voluntary service campaign on certain specific model year 2004- 2011 Titan, and 2005-2011 Frontier and Xterra vehicles to reprogram…
- Service campaignJun 2017· Airbags· model years 2012–2014
VOLUNTARY SERVICE CAMPAIGN 2012-2014 TITAN, FRONTIER, AND XTERRA; AIR BAG DIAGNOSIS SENSOR UNIT INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting a voluntary service campaign on certain specific model year 2012- 2014 Titan, Frontier, and Xterra vehicles to reprogram the air bag diagnosis sensor…
- Service campaignSep 2014· Electrical system· model years 2014
INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting a voluntary service campaign on certain specific Model Year 2014 Frontier vehicles to install the correct trim level combination meter.
- Service campaignJun 2014· Equipment and accessories· model years 2014
Please be advised the replacement combination meter parts received from model electronics on this campaign are visually different from what is removed from vehicles identified for service campaign PC288.
- Service campaignJun 2014· Equipment and accessories· model years 2014
Nissan is conducting a voluntary service campaign on certain MY2014 Frontier vehicles to install the correct trim level combination meter.
- Service campaignJun 2014· Equipment and accessories· model years 2014
Nissan is conducting a voluntary service campaign on certain MY2014 Frontier vehicles to install the correct trim level combination meter.
- Service campaignOct 2013· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013
Nissan is conducting a voluntary service campaign on certain Model Year 2013 Frontier vehicles to replace the HVAC front air control assembly.
- Service campaignOct 2013· Parking brake· model years 2013
Nissan is conducting a voluntary service campaign on certain Model Year 2013 Frontier vehicles to replace the HVAC front air control assembly.
- Service campaignOct 2013· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013
Nissan is conducting a voluntary service campaign on certain Model Year 2013 Frontier vehicles to replace the HVAC front air control assembly.
- Service campaignOct 2013· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013
Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain Model Year 2013 Frontier vehicles to install bed rail caps.
- Service campaignOct 2013· Wheels· model years 2013
Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain Model Year 2013 Frontier vehicles to install bed rail caps at no charge for parts or labor.
- Service campaignOct 2013· Equipment and accessories· model years 2013
Nissan is conducting a Voluntary Service Campaign on certain Model Year 2013 Frontier vehicles to install bed rail caps.
- Service campaignFeb 2010· Wheels· model years 2010
A voluntary service campaign on certain four wheel driver 2010 Vehicles to inspect the front propeller shaft and replace it, if necessary. Front propeller shaft yoke on some of the affected vehicles may have been manufactured out of specification. Csc letter was rec'd.
What owners report most
The parts of the car owners named in their complaints, across every Frontier model year. Unverified, and not a failure rate.
- Transmission and drivetrain144 (20%)
- Electrical system128 (18%)
- Airbags120 (17%)
- Other or unspecified94 (13%)
- Brakes71 (10%)
- Engine66 (9%)
- Automatic emergency braking and collision warning48 (7%)
- Cruise control and speed control44 (6%)
Safety recalls
24 recalls cover at least one Frontier model year. Each covers a range of VINs, not every car. Check one car at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving.
Due to a software logic error, the daytime running lights may dim unexpectedly when the idle start-stop feature cycles the engine from off to on.
The center information display unit may display a blank screen when shifted into reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility.
The right-side headlight assemblies may have missing or illegible headlight aim markings, which can result in improperly aimed headlights.
The front right-side lower link may have been manufactured with an oversized ball joint, which can result in corrosion and ball joint separation from the front right-side lower link.
Due to a manufacturing issue, the driver's air bag inflator may absorb moisture, and cause the air bag to deploy improperly.
The tires may have a tear in the inner bead which can cause a rapid loss of tire pressure.
The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
The in-vehicle infotainment (IVI) system may continuously reboot when the vehicle is restarted, which can result in an inoperative rearview display.
The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
When the Sirius XM subscription is set to "Not Subscribed," it may cause the infotainment head unit to reboot, resulting in an inoperative rearview camera.
The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
The seat belt bracket mounting bolts on the left-rear seat may have been incorrectly tightened.
The tow hitch was not installed, compromising the structural integrity of the fuel tank in the event of a rear crash.
Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles.
And 9 more recalls on NHTSA.
NHTSA investigations
Defect investigations NHTSA opened. Many close without a recall.
- DP12004Defect petition· opened Jun 2012, closed Oct 2016· Transmission and drivetrain· model years 2010
Transmission Failures
NHTSA's own page for the 2026 Nissan Frontier has the complaint text and every document.
Common questions
Is the Nissan Frontier reliable?
We don't score reliability: NHTSA publishes complaint counts but no sales figures, so complaints can't be turned into a rate or compared between models. What's on file for model years 2010 on: 719 owner complaints, 3 warranty extensions and 23 service campaigns Nissan filed, and 24 safety recalls. The model years with the most complaints are 2022 (112), 2012 (79), 2023 (66). Whether a known problem was fixed on one car is what its service records show.
What are the most common problems with the Nissan Frontier?
Across every model year since 2010, owners' complaints to NHTSA most often name transmission and drivetrain (20%), electrical system (18%), airbags (17%). Nissan has filed 3 warranty extensions covering the Frontier, listed on this page.
Which Frontier model years have the most complaints?
2022 (112), 2012 (79), 2023 (66). Complaint counts rise with how many were sold and how long they've been on the road, so compare years of the Frontier with each other rather than with other models.
Has Nissan extended the warranty on the Frontier?
Yes: airbags (model years 2010–2014); engine and cooling (model years 2010–2014); transmission and drivetrain (model years 2010). A dealer does a covered repair for free within the extended time or mileage.
How do I check recalls on a Frontier?
Enter the car's 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. That answers for one vehicle; the 24 recalls listed here are for the model, and each covers only part of it.