Recalls (1)
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2016 Nissan Frontier. Check whether yours was repaired with NHTSA's free VIN lookup ↗
Only NHTSA and your automaker know whether your specific car was repaired. PlainVIN shows every recall campaign listed for a model year, with the official text and how many cars have been fixed so far.
Check on NHTSA ↗Starter Motor Wire Harness may Short
- Summary
- 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.
- Consequence
- An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
- Remedy
- Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the starter wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
PlainVIN shows public government records for education. It isn't a vehicle inspection or legal advice. Check your own VIN with NHTSA or your dealer.
Owner complaints (43)
43 complaints filed with NHTSA (owner reports, not verified findings). The air bags is mentioned most often.
As reported by owners in their complaints. These are reports, not NHTSA findings.
Most-reported components
| Component | Complaints | % of 43 |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 10 | 23.3% |
| Unknown or other | 9 | 20.9% |
| Engine | 8 | 18.6% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 8 | 18.6% |
| Structure | 4 | 9.3% |
| Power train | 3 | 7% |
| Service brakes | 3 | 7% |
| Electrical system | 2 | 4.7% |
| Steering | 2 | 4.7% |
| Wheels | 2 | 4.7% |
How 2016 compares with other Frontier years
Best and worst Frontier years →| Model year | Complaints | Recall campaigns |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | 78 | 3 |
| 2013 | 48 | 1 |
| 2014 | 42 | 2 |
| 2015 | 33 | 0 |
| 2016 | 43 | 1 |
| 2017 | 38 | 1 |
| 2018 | 25 | 2 |
| 2019 | 28 | 1 |
| 2020 | 23 | 2 |
| 2021 | 19 | 2 |
Counts are owner reports, not failure rates. Higher sales years tend to draw more reports. Owners are still filing reports for recent model years, so these counts will grow. Source: NHTSA ODI, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Fuel economy: up to 21 mpg combined
- EPA annual fuel cost
- $3,200
- CO₂ tailpipe
- 426 g/mi
- EPA class
- Small Pickup Trucks
What it costs you to run
Miles ÷ 21 mpg × $4.354 (EIA US average regular, week of Oct 5, 2026, all taxes included). Source: EPA · EIA.
EPA label estimates from lab tests; your mileage will vary.
Specs by configuration
| Engine · transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | EPA $/yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 / 23 / 21 | $3,200 | 426 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | $3,550 | 478 |
| 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 / 22 / 19 | $3,550 | 462 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 / 22 / 18 | $3,700 | 483 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 6-speed manual | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 16 / 21 / 18 | $3,700 | 494 |
| 4 L 6-cyl · 5-speed automatic | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 15 / 21 / 17 | $3,950 | 514 |
Source: EPA fuel economy data, retrieved Oct 6, 2026. Configurations are listed when EPA and NHTSA records match.
Looking at a 2016 Frontier for sale?
Print a one-page buyer's checklist: each recall campaign with a box to tick when the seller shows proof of repair, the top complaint areas to inspect, crash stars, MPG, and a link back to this page.
Where to next
2016 Nissan Frontier FAQ
How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan Frontier have?
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign: 16V181000 (electrical). Use NHTSA's VIN lookup to see whether a specific car was repaired.
What are the most common 2016 Nissan Frontier problems?
Owners filed 43 complaints with NHTSA. Air bags (10), Unknown or other (9), Engine (8) are mentioned most. These are owner reports, not verified findings.
What mpg does the 2016 Nissan Frontier get?
EPA rates the 2.5 L 4-cyl · 5-speed manual version at 19 city, 23 highway and 21 combined mpg. Other configurations are listed in the fuel economy section.
How does the 2016 Frontier compare with other years?
Among the 2012–2021 Nissan Frontier model years at least five years old, the 2021 drew the fewest complaints (19) and the 2012 the most (78). The 2016 drew 43. Counts are owner reports, not failure rates.
How this page was madeSources, processing, limits, review and changes
Data sources
- NHTSA recalls by vehicle
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - US DOT recall completion rates (data.transportation.gov)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA ODI owner complaints
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - NHTSA NCAP 5-Star Safety Ratings
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EPA fuel economy data (licence confirmation pending)
Retrieved Oct 6, 2026 - EIA weekly retail gasoline prices
Weekly, all taxes included
Processing
- Complaints are counted per component. One complaint can list several, so component totals add up to more than the total.
- Fuel cost = miles per year ÷ EPA combined mpg × EIA weekly price for your region.
Limitations
- Complaint counts are owner reports, not verified findings or failure rates. There is no sales denominator.
- Recall campaigns are listed for the model year. Only NHTSA and the automaker know whether a specific car was repaired.
- Recent model years are still collecting reports.
Review
Data compiled automatically from the official files listed here.
Changelog
- 2026-10-06 Data refreshed from the official files.