Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2018 Nissan FrontierRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls and 25 owner complaints for the 2018 Nissan Frontier. Most complaints involve electrical system (5) and suspension (3). The EPA rates it 17–21 mpg combined.

Combined MPG
17–21mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
—
Not rated by NCAP
Safety recalls
2campaigns
Latest Sep 2019
Owner complaints
25
Top: electrical system
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

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

Back over prevention: camera

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."

Back over preventionReported Sep 12, 2019NHTSA 19V654000

Electrical system: ignition

Free remedy

Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.

Electrical systemReported Aug 22, 2018NHTSA 18V551000
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 10, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

25 complaints filed with NHTSA · Oct 2018 – Sep 2025
  1. Electrical system5
  2. Suspension3
  3. Service brakes3
  4. Vehicle speed control3
  5. Air bags2
  6. Structure2
  7. Power train2
  8. Fuel/propulsion system2
  9. Engine1

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
0
Fires reported
0
Injuries reported
0
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

Electrical system

5 reports
“2018 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner... Battery inconsistently drains fast when off and while driving. Indicator lights for battery, brakes, ABS and traction control come on. Gauges malfunction. Tried another battery and still having same symptoms. Alternator and battery passed bench test. Fuses are good. Wiring harness appears to be in good condition. Grounds are tight and clean. Wondering if this problem is related to the recall on the ignition switch.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 2, 2025Electrical systemODI 11684525

Suspension

3 reports
“I have a 2018 Nissan Frontier bought it in 2019 I noticed a little vibration at first and now 2 years later it’s vibrating a lot more I took to Nissan in 2020 they said they saw nothing wrong but now I’m told that it’s my motor mounts and Nissan doesn’t want to fix cause it’s only covered by bumper to bumper and not power train warranty now I can’t drive because I’m scared for motor to break or transmission and I’ve researched and heard of people that have the same problem and can’t get any help”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Aug 31, 2021SuspensionODI 11431227

Service brakes

3 reports
“I WENT FOR INSPECTION AND THEY TOLD ME I NEED FROM BRAKES AND ROTOR AND I ONLY GOT TEN THOUSAND EIGHT HUNDRED MILES”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Oct 25, 2019Service brakesODI 11270992
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
04 —Key specs

Engines, transmissions & drive

8 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 · Part-time 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$2,950431
Frontier 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
172219$3,300467
Frontier 2WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162319$3,300478
Frontier 2WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162219$3,300479
Frontier 2WD FFV
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Rear-Wheel Drive
162218$3,450494
Frontier 4WD
Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
162118$3,450507
Frontier 4WD
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650519
Frontier 4WD FFV
Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive
152117$3,650520
  • 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 · 22 hwy · $3,300/yr
    19
    mpg comb.
  • Frontier 2WD
    Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L
    16 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 FFV
    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.
  • Frontier 4WD FFV
    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 2018 Nissan Frontier as of Nov 10, 2026.
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 10, 2026Vehicle 12620Vehicle 12619Vehicle 12618
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

2018 Frontier questions

How many recalls does the 2018 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 2018 Nissan Frontier problems?

Owners filed 25 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are electrical system (5), suspension (3), service brakes (3). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2018 Nissan Frontier get?

The EPA rates the 2018 Nissan Frontier at 17–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 10, 2026