NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 44 owner complaints for the 2016 Nissan Frontier. Most complaints involve air bags (10) and fuel/propulsion system (8). The EPA rates it 17–21 mpg combined.
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.
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 |
“The airbag warning light is blinking and has been for approximately 9 months. I live in Salida, CO which does not have a Nissan Dealership to take my vehicle into for servicing. I recently saw an article on Fox 31 News pertaining to the same airbag malfunction and would like to know what to do about my problem.”
“I am experiencing a fuel pump issue that stalls the engine while driving. The issue will sometimes go away if I first loosen the fuel cap on the gas tank to relieve built up pressure but after driving for 10 to 15 minutes or so the vehicle will begin to jerk while accelerating then it will stall and cut off. I have to wait a few minutes once it cuts off and then I can start the engine up again and drive for another 10 to 15 minutes before the issue occurs again. The vehicle has over 120,000 miles on it and all parts are original to the vehicle.”
“Head gasket blew and it warped the heads at 98,000 miles Replace motor with a 51,000 mile motor and less than 2 months later, motor is knocking inside with broken peices of the motor. I have to replace it again.”
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 | 426 |
| Frontier 2WD Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,300 | 462 |
| Frontier 2WD Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 17 | 22 | 19 | $3,300 | 478 |
| Frontier 2WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 16 | 22 | 18 | $3,450 | 483 |
| Frontier 4WD Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 21 | 18 | $3,450 | 494 |
| Frontier 4WD Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 15 | 21 | 17 | $3,650 | 514 |
| 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 |
1 safety recall 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 44 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are air bags (10), fuel/propulsion system (8), engine (8). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2016 Nissan Frontier at 17–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (6 versions rated).