Nissan

Frontier

Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD · model years 2010 to 2025

Includes Frontier 2WD, Frontier 2WD FFV, Frontier 4WD and 2 more as listed by the EPA.

See all 84 Frontier trims All Nissan cars

The verdict

Best year: 2024. complaints: 0, below this model's typical 12; recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1.

Worst year: 2012. complaints: 78, about 3.3x this model's typical 24; recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1.

Year by year

Year by year summary for the Nissan Frontier
Year	Trims	MPG	HP	Fuel cost	Recalls	Complaints	Investigations	Top complaints
2010	6Gas	17	no data	$3,650	0	0	1	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 24 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.6 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2011	6Gas	17	no data	$3,650	1	64	0	AIR BAGS 19%, SERVICE BRAKES 14%, POWER TRAIN 11%
complaints: 64, about 2.7x this model's typical 24 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 4 Score: 26 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.5 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2012	6Gas	17	no data	$3,650	3	78	0	AIR BAGS 24%, POWER TRAIN 20%, ENGINE 12%
complaints: 78, about 3.3x this model's typical 24 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 8 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.5 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2013	6Gas	18.5	no data	$3,375	1	48	0	AIR BAGS 23%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 13%, POWER TRAIN 9%
complaints: 48, about 2x this model's typical 24 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 38 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 0.8 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2014	6Gas	18.5	no data	$3,375	2	42	0	AIR BAGS 22%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 12%
complaints: 42, about 1.8x this model's typical 24 recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 Score: 24 of 100, where higher is better. Theft rate: 1.2 per 1,000 produced (federal data, last published for 2014).
2015	6Gas	18.5	no data	$3,375	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 24 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2016	6Gas	18.5	no data	$3,375	1	42	0	AIR BAGS 18%, ENGINE 14%, FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 14%
complaints: 42, about 1.8x this model's typical 24 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 Score: 44 of 100, where higher is better.
2017	8Gas	18.5	261	$3,375	1	37	0	FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM 23%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 14%, POWER TRAIN 14%
complaints: 37, above this model's typical 33 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 deaths reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 1 Score: 50 of 100, where higher is better.
2018	8Gas	18.5	261	$3,375	2	25	0	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 17%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 14%, SERVICE BRAKES 10%
complaints: 25, below this model's typical 33 recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 Score: 54 of 100, where higher is better.
2019	8Gas	18.5	261	$3,375	1	28	0	POWER TRAIN 18%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 15%, AIR BAGS 13%
complaints: 28, below this model's typical 33 recalls: 1, in line with this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 2 Score: 70 of 100, where higher is better.
2020	2Gas	19.5	310	$3,200	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 8 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2021	2Gas	19.5	310	$3,200	2	17	0	ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%, POWER TRAIN 16%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 16%
complaints: 17, about 2.1x this model's typical 8 recalls: 2, about 2x this model's typical 1 Score: 16 of 100, where higher is better.
2022	2Gas	19.5	310	$3,200	6	108	0	FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 17%, ELECTRICAL SYSTEM 16%, POWER TRAIN 13%
complaints: 108, about 13.5x this model's typical 8 recalls: 6, about 6x this model's typical 1 injuries reported in NHTSA complaints: 3 Score: 0 of 100, where higher is better.
2023	6Gas	19.5	310	$3,200	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 24 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2024	3Gas	20	310	$3,100	0	0	0	no data
complaints: 0, below this model's typical 12 recalls: 0, below this model's typical 1 Score: 95 of 100, where higher is better.
2025	3Gas	19	310	$3,300	3	7	0	SERVICE BRAKES 22%, UNKNOWN OR OTHER 22%, BACK OVER PREVENTION 11%
complaints: 7, below this model's typical 12 recalls: 3, about 3x this model's typical 1 Score: 46 of 100, where higher is better.

How the numbers moved

Combined MPG, median2010: 17 to 2025: 19

Owner complaints2010: 0 to 2025: 7

How we score each year

We compare each year of the Nissan Frontier to the model's own typical numbers, not to other cars. A year reads solid when its recalls, owner complaints, and federal investigations sit at or below what is typical for this model, mixed when some of those numbers run above typical, and avoid when they run far above it. Deaths, reported fires, and an NHTSA advisory to park outside count against a year no matter what this model's baseline looks like.

A year is scored only when NHTSA has both complaint and recall counts for it. Complaint data often lags for the newest years, so a recent year can read not enough data even while its recall count already shows in the table. When the history is too thin, we say not enough data instead of guessing. Service bulletins are routine maintenance guidance from the manufacturer and do not lower a year's score.

Scores run 0 to 100, higher is better. Recall, complaint, and investigation figures come from NHTSA records. Fuel economy, fuel cost, and horsepower figures come from the EPA, shown as the median across the year's trims.

Information is gathered on a best-effort basis from public sources, may be incomplete or out of date, and is not purchasing or financial advice. Verify with the manufacturer or dealer before buying.