Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2014 Nissan FrontierRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 42 owner complaints for the 2014 Nissan Frontier. Most complaints involve air bags (11) and electrical system (6). The EPA rates it 17–21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17–21mpg
EPA · 6 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Jul 2014
Owner complaints
42
Top: air bags
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

2 NHTSA campaigns · applies to some vehicles, check your VIN

Seat belts: rear

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2014 Frontier Crew Cab vehicles manufactured June 11, 2014 to June 26, 2014. The affected vehicles were manufactured with an out of specification anchor nut installed on the weld nut plate where the rear seat belt anchor is attached. The seat belt anchor bolt may not be attached as designed.

Seat beltsReported Jul 10, 2014NHTSA 14V418000

Electrical system: fuses and circuit breakers

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain model year 2012 through 2014 Frontier vehicles manufactured from November 28, 2012, through December 17, 2013. In the affected vehicles, a circuit breaker may have been installed incorrectly causing the main wire harness connected to the circuit breaker to face outward, potentially contacting a metal bolt located on the A-pillar.

Electrical systemReported Feb 12, 2014NHTSA 14V052000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

42 complaints filed with NHTSA · Sep 2014 – Apr 2026
  1. Air bags11
  2. Electrical system6
  3. Power train6
  4. Fuel/propulsion system5
  5. Vehicle speed control3
  6. Visibility/wiper3
  7. Structure2
  8. Service brakes2
  9. Latches/locks/linkages1

Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.

By model year

Complaints for each Frontier model year we’ve synced.

View as table
Model yearNHTSA complaints
1998131
199987
2000205
2001143
2002139
200377
200466
2005532
2006617
2007520
2008136
200937
201059
201164
201280
201348
201442
201533
201644
201738
201825
201928
202023
202120
2022112
202368
202422
202510
202611
Crashes reported
3
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
3
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Air bags

11 reports2 crashes
“The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while starting the vehicle, the air bag warning light illuminated. The air bag light warning light illuminated and remained constantly illuminated since the day of the failure. The vehicle was not taken to be diagnosed. The local dealer was contacted; however, the vehicle was not repaired because it was not under recall. The manufacturer was not made aware of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 150,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Mar 12, 2025Air bagsODI 11647983

Electrical system

6 reports1 crash1 fire
“The contact owns a 2014 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle failed to start as needed. The traction control and check engine warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was towed to an independent mechanic who related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 14V052000 (Electrical System) however, the VIN was not included in the recall. The mechanic informed the contact that the integrated computer module needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired and remained with the independent mechanic. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure but informed the contact that there was a Voluntary Service Campaign for the Air Bag Control Unit (ACU) associated with the VIN. The failure mileage was approximately 57,400.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Apr 11, 2022Electrical systemODI 11460387

Power train

6 reports
“AT AMBIENT TEMPERATURES LESS THAN 10 DEGREES, THE ABS LIGHT AND TRACTION CONTROL LIGHT WILL ILLUMINATE UPON FIRST MOVEMENT. THIS DISABLES THE ABS SYSTEM AND THE TRACTION CONTROL SYSTEM, IT WILL ALSO DISABLE THE 4 WHEEL DRIVE SYSTEM IF NOT ENGAGED BEFORE MOVEMENT. AMBIENT TEMP MUST RISE ABOVE 25 DEGREES TO REVERSE THE SYMPTOMS. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD FOR ANYONE THAT LIVES IN A COLD CLIMATE.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled May 4, 2018Power train, Service brakesODI 11091912
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

6 versions rated by the EPA
EPA class
Small Pickup Trucks 2WD, Small Pickup Trucks 4WD
Engines
2.5L 4-cyl · 4.0L 6-cyl
Transmissions
Manual 5-spd · Automatic 5-spd · Manual 6-spd
Drive
Rear-Wheel Drive · 4-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline

Towing, payload and dimensions aren’t in the EPA or NHTSA data, so we don’t list them.

Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026EPA listing
05 —Fuel economy

EPA fuel economy by version

City / highway / combined, annual fuel cost and CO₂
EPA
VersionCityHwyComb.Fuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
Frontier 2WD
Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
192321$2,950425
Frontier 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172319$3,300459
Frontier 2WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162219$3,300479
Frontier 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450488
Frontier 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive
162118$3,450498
Frontier 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · 4-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650515
  • Frontier 2WD
    Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    19 city · 23 hwy · $2,950/yr
    21
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L
    17 city · 23 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier 2WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 22 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier 4WD
    Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 city · 21 hwy · $3,450/yr
    18
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier 4WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    15 city · 21 hwy · $3,650/yr
    17
    mpg comb.
Data from EPA fueleconomy.gov · synced Nov 10, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

4 tested variants
NHTSA has not published 5-Star Safety Ratings for the 2014 Nissan Frontier as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 8102Vehicle 8101Vehicle 8100
07 —Maintenance

Maintenance basics

General guidance, not the OEM schedule. Check your owner’s manual.
General guidance
ItemMilesTimeNote
Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi6–12 monthsFollow the oil-life monitor if fitted
Tire rotation5,000–7,500 miEvery oil changeCheck pressure monthly
Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi1–2 yearsSooner in dusty areas
Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi1–2 years
Brake fluid—2–3 yearsAbsorbs moisture over time
Coolant60,000–100,000 mi5–10 yearsLong-life coolants last longer
Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi—Iridium/platinum plugs at the long end
12V battery—3–5 yearsHeat shortens battery life
  • Engine oil & filter5,000–10,000 mi
    6–12 months
  • Tire rotation5,000–7,500 mi
    Every oil change
  • Engine air filter15,000–30,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Cabin air filter15,000–25,000 mi
    1–2 years
  • Brake fluid—
    2–3 years
  • Coolant60,000–100,000 mi
    5–10 years
  • Spark plugs60,000–100,000 mi
    —
  • 12V battery—
    3–5 years
Typical intervals for modern cars. Severe service (towing, short trips, extreme heat or cold) shortens them.
09 —FAQ

2014 Frontier questions

How many recalls does the 2014 Nissan Frontier have?

2 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.

What are the most common 2014 Nissan Frontier problems?

Owners filed 42 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (11), electrical system (6), power train (6). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2014 Nissan Frontier get?

The EPA rates the 2014 Nissan Frontier at 17–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026