Nissan Frontier Best and Worst Years by Owner Complaints
We rank Nissan Frontier model years by the number of owner complaints filed with NHTSA, from fewest to most. Complaint counts aren't failure rates: years that sold more cars, or that are older, can show more reports. We rank only model years at least five years old, because newer ones are still collecting reports. Among settled years shown, the 2021 drew the fewest (19) and the 2007 the most (520).
Complaints filed by model year
Every year compared
| Most-reported component | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 Still collecting reports |
8 | 3 | Power train | 4★ | 18–21 |
| 2026 Still collecting reports |
10 | 1 | Power train | 4★ | 18–21 |
| 2021 Among the fewest complaints |
19 | 2 | Electrical system | 4★ | 19–20 |
| 2024 Still collecting reports |
22 | 3 | Power train | 4★ | 19–21 |
| 2020 Among the fewest complaints |
23 | 2 | Power train | 4★ | 19–20 |
| 2018 Among the fewest complaints |
25 | 2 | Electrical system | — | 17–21 |
| 2019 | 28 | 1 | Power train | 4★ | 17–21 |
| 2015 | 33 | 0 | Air bags | — | 17–21 |
| 2009 | 37 | 3 | Air bags | — | 16–21 |
| 2017 | 38 | 1 | Fuel/propulsion system | 4★ | 17–21 |
| 2014 | 42 | 2 | Air bags | — | 17–21 |
| 2016 | 43 | 1 | Air bags | — | 17–21 |
| 2013 | 48 | 1 | Air bags | — | 17–21 |
| 2010 | 59 | 4 | Air bags | — | 16–21 |
| 2011 | 64 | 1 | Air bags | — | 16–21 |
| 2023 | 66 | 1 | Electrical system | 4★ | 18–21 |
| 2012 Among the most complaints |
78 | 3 | Air bags | — | 16–21 |
| 2022 | 112 | 6 | Forward collision avoidance | 4★ | 19–20 |
| 2008 Among the most complaints |
136 | 5 | Power train | — | 16–21 |
| 2007 Among the most complaints |
520 | 1 | Power train | — | 16–21 |
Sources: NHTSA ODI complaints, NHTSA recalls, NHTSA NCAP, EPA; retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
What owners reported in the Nissan Frontier years with the most complaints
These settled model years drew the most owner complaints to NHTSA. The share in brackets is the part of that year’s complaints that names each component; one complaint can name several.
2007 Nissan Frontier: 520 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 222 (43%); Fuel system 125 (24%); Fuel/propulsion system 75 (14%).
Reports mention 6 crashes, 3 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 82,000 miles. 1 recall campaign listed.
2008 Nissan Frontier: 136 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 54 (40%); Engine 26 (19%); Air bags 21 (15%).
Reports mention 2 crashes, 2 fires, 5 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 85,000 miles. 5 recall campaigns listed.
2012 Nissan Frontier: 78 complaints
Most-reported: Air bags 23 (29%); Power train 20 (26%); Engine 12 (15%).
Reports mention 4 crashes, 8 injuries. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 43,000 miles. 3 recall campaigns listed.
The Nissan Frontier years with the fewest complaints
2021 Nissan Frontier: 19 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 5 (26%); Power train 5 (26%); Air bags 3 (16%).
Reports mention 1 crash. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2020 Nissan Frontier: 23 complaints
Most-reported: Power train 12 (52%); Engine 5 (22%); Service brakes 4 (17%).
Reports mention 3 crashes, 1 injury. Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 28,000 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
2018 Nissan Frontier: 25 complaints
Most-reported: Electrical system 5 (20%); Service brakes 3 (12%); Suspension 3 (12%).
Typical odometer reading when owners filed: 9,745 miles. 2 recall campaigns listed.
Crashes, fires and injuries in Nissan Frontier owner reports
| Model year | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Injuries | Deaths | Typical miles at filing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2023 | 66 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 4,500 |
| 2022 | 112 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 2,000 |
| 2021 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — |
| 2020 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 28,000 |
| 2019 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 12,000 |
| 2018 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9,745 |
| 2017 | 38 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 25,000 |
| 2016 | 43 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 35,000 |
| 2015 | 33 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 29,000 |
| 2014 | 42 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 36,000 |
| 2013 | 48 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 27,000 |
| 2012 | 78 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 43,000 |
| 2011 | 64 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 49,100 |
| 2010 | 59 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 41,000 |
| 2009 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 60,097 |
| 2008 | 136 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 85,000 |
| 2007 | 520 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 82,000 |
Owner-reported, not verified by NHTSA. “Typical miles” is the median odometer reading in complaints that gave one (shown when at least 10 did). Source: NHTSA ODI complaints, retrieved Oct 6, 2026.
Largest Nissan Frontier recalls
- No Back-Up Camera Display Image/FMVSS 111 (2018–2019 model years; 1,228,830 vehicles across all models; filed Sep 2019; 19V654000)
- ENGINE CONTROL MODULE (2005–2006 model years; 747,480 vehicles across all models; filed Oct 2010; 10V517000)
- NISSAN/FUEL SENDING UNIT (1999–2003 model years; 586,196 vehicles across all models; filed May 2004; 04V230000)
- STEERING COLUMN LOWER SHAFT (2002–2004 model years; 500,552 vehicles across all models; filed Nov 2010; 10V554000)
- Driver's Side Air Bag Cover Emblem May Detach (2008–2011 model years; 404,690 vehicles across all models; filed Feb 2023; 23V067000)
All 39 Nissan Frontier recall campaigns · Nissan Frontier problems, recalls and mpg by year · Used car inspection checklist
What the numbers can't tell you
- Sales volume. NHTSA publishes no sales figures with complaints, so a popular year draws more reports even if each car is no worse.
- Recent years are under-counted. Owners file reports for years after purchase; the newest model years will keep growing.
- The individual car. Maintenance, mileage and repairs matter more for one used car than any model-year average. Get a pre-purchase inspection and check open recalls by VIN.
Nissan Frontier years FAQ
Which Nissan Frontier year has the fewest complaints?
Among the model years shown whose counts have settled, the 2021 has the fewest owner complaints filed with NHTSA (19). That is a count of reports, not a measure of reliability.
Does fewer complaints mean a more reliable car?
Not necessarily. Complaint counts depend on how many cars were sold, how old they are and how many owners file reports. Use them to spot patterns worth asking about, alongside recalls, crash tests and a pre-purchase inspection.
Are there Nissan Frontier years to avoid?
No model year is officially one to avoid. By owner complaints to NHTSA, the settled years with the most reports are the 2007, 2008 and 2012 models, and across all years the most-reported problem area is the power train. Compare those years with the ones that drew the fewest reports, then check any specific car for open recalls by VIN and get a pre-purchase inspection.
What is the most common Nissan Frontier problem?
Across the model years shown, owners most often report problems with the power train (428 of 1,411 complaints list it). Each model-year report breaks the complaints down by component.
How many recalls does the Nissan Frontier have?
NHTSA lists 39 recall campaigns covering the Nissan Frontier. See every one, with official wording and repair rates, on the Nissan Frontier recall page.
Why are newer years left out of fewest and most?
Owners keep filing complaints for years after a car is sold. We mark the two newest model years as still collecting reports, and we only rank years that are at least five years old.
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.