NHTSA lists 6 safety recalls and 59 owner complaints for the 2010 Nissan Frontier. Most complaints involve air bags (19) and power train (15). The EPA rates it 16–21 mpg combined.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
NISSAN IS RECALLING CERTAIN VEHICLES THAT WERE EQUIPPED WITH A GARMIN NUVI MODEL 750 NAVIGATION SYSTEM. THE BATTERIES CONTAINED IN THE AFFECTED GPS UNITS CAN OVERHEAT.
MARATHON IS RECALLING CERTAIN SEAT COVERS, BRAND SUPERHIDES WITH PART NUMBERS 593, 594, 578, 960, 228, 228-09, 267-08, 333, 625, AND 630, SOLD FOR USE AS AFTERMARKET EQUIPMENT FOR VARIOUS PASSENGER VEHICLES. THESE SEAT COVERS ARE MADE OF HEAVIER THREAD AND ARE NOT COMPATIBLE WITH SEATS CONTAINING SIDE AIRBAGS. THE HEAVIER SEAT COVER COULD INTERFERE WITH FULL DEPLOYMENT OF THE AIRBAG IN THE EVENT OF A CRASH.
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Complaints for each Frontier model year we’ve synced.
| Model year | NHTSA complaints |
|---|---|
| 1998 | 131 |
| 1999 | 87 |
| 2000 | 205 |
| 2001 | 143 |
| 2002 | 139 |
| 2003 | 77 |
| 2004 | 66 |
| 2005 | 532 |
| 2006 | 617 |
| 2007 | 520 |
| 2008 | 136 |
| 2009 | 37 |
| 2010 | 59 |
| 2011 | 64 |
| 2012 | 80 |
| 2013 | 48 |
| 2014 | 42 |
| 2015 | 33 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2017 | 38 |
| 2018 | 25 |
| 2019 | 28 |
| 2020 | 23 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2022 | 112 |
| 2023 | 68 |
| 2024 | 22 |
| 2025 | 10 |
| 2026 | 11 |
“I took my truck in to a dealership to fix the airbag recall. I do not believe they fixed it because the airbag light is still on on my dash board. It is the only light on as this truck is low miles and regularly maintained.. I asked them and they just said, "we fixed it." However, they did not.”
“Radiator failure leaking into tranny, causing a sound coming from transmission as if driving over a rumble strips when accelerating between 40-60mph, as well as sudden jerking when changing gears. SMOD residue (creamy pink fluid) present on radiator cap. This is a known issue that I was never made aware of during nor after purchase. Obviously this was not addressed prior to the sale by the Nissan Dealership. No warning signs were present prior to the issue appearing. Vehicle has not been inspected by the manufacturer yet as I am only now learning of this problem, however I have made arrangements. The issue is confirmed by third parties. Vehicle is available for further inspection upon request. The issue first appeared about 2 weeks ago but symptoms were milder and progressively became more noticeable. Sudden transmission failure on the highway could be catastrophic and is part of my daily driving routine.”
“On October 29, 2016 my airbag light came on and stayed on. Took it to Jenkins Nissan of Leesburg FL. They charged me $95.00 to check the problem, then said it would be $800.00 to replace the module but if that didn’t work the next thing they could try would be $1,000.00, but they could not guarantee that it would fix the problem. Then my tire pressure light came on and stayed on about 3 years ago…same scenario with Jenkins Nissan… you pay us, but no guarantee that they can fix it. Then my horn stopped working about a year ago. Same scenario with Jenkins Nissan. I took my truck to another mechanic, everything is fixed for one price. The problem with everything was evidently connected. These issues in my opinion are safety hazards and should be recalled.”
Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.
| Version | City | Hwy | Comb. | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2WD Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 23 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Frontier 2WD Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,300 | 468 |
| Frontier 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 15 | 20 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Frontier 2WD Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Frontier 4WD Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 19 | 17 | $3,650 | 523 |
| Frontier 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive | 14 | 19 | 16 | $3,900 | 555 |
| Item | Miles | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Engine oil & filter | 5,000–10,000 mi | 6–12 months | Follow the oil-life monitor if fitted |
| Tire rotation | 5,000–7,500 mi | Every oil change | Check pressure monthly |
| Engine air filter | 15,000–30,000 mi | 1–2 years | Sooner in dusty areas |
| Cabin air filter | 15,000–25,000 mi | 1–2 years | |
| Brake fluid | — | 2–3 years | Absorbs moisture over time |
| Coolant | 60,000–100,000 mi | 5–10 years | Long-life coolants last longer |
| Spark plugs | 60,000–100,000 mi | — | Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end |
| 12V battery | — | 3–5 years | Heat shortens battery life |
6 safety recalls as of Nov 10, 2026, according to NHTSA. Recall repairs are free at a dealer. Check your VIN to see whether your car is included and whether the repair was done.
Owners filed 59 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (19), power train (15), electrical system (9). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2010 Nissan Frontier at 16–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).