Problems · NHTSA complaints
2018 Nissan Frontier problems
Owners filed 25 complaints about the 2018 Nissan Frontier with NHTSA between Oct 2018 and Sep 2025. The most-cited component is electrical system (5).
Complaints
25
Filed with NHTSA
Crashes
0
Reported by owners
Fires
0
Reported by owners
Injuries
0
People reported injured
Deaths
0
Reported to NHTSA
Complaints by component
One complaint can cite several components
- Electrical system5
- Suspension3
- Service brakes3
- Vehicle speed control3
- Air bags2
- Structure2
- Power train2
- Fuel/propulsion system2
- Engine1
- Back over prevention1
- Service brakes, hydraulic1
- Other / unknown4
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 10, 2026NHTSA vehicle page
When complaints were filed
Does it get worse with age? Complaints per calendar year filed
3
6
3
2
1
3
2
5
View as table
| Model year | Complaints filed per calendar year |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 |
Mileage at failure isn’t a structured field in NHTSA complaint data, so we don’t chart it. Some owners mention it in their reports below.
Top problems in owners’ words
Verbatim from NHTSA complaints, newest first
Electrical system
5 reports1 related recall
“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.”
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”
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”
Vehicle speed control
3 reports
“VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, FOOT ON BRAKE, EXITING A PUBLIC PARKING LOT, WHEN SUDDENLY ENGINE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND WHEELS WERE SCREECHING. THE PASSENGER OF VEHICLE HAD TO PLACE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, THEN PARK TO STOP VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. THIS ACTION DID NOT STOP ENGINE FROM REVVING AT EXTREME HIGH SPEED--RATHER, THE ENGINE WOULD SLOW DOWN AFTER ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES, WITHIN A 10 MINUTE 4 MILE DRIVE, BUT NOT CONSISTENTLY. DRIVING APPROX. 15-25 MPH BETWEEN STOP SIGNS: BRAKE WOULD BE APPLIED AND THEN ENGINE AND TRUCK WOULD RACE FORWARD. EACH TIME THE PASSENGER WAS REQUIRED TO PUT SHIFT LEVER IN NEUTRAL TO AVOID HITTING VEHICLES OR OBJECTS IN FRONT OF VEHICLE. THE DRIVER WOULD CLEARLY STATE THAT FOOT WAS NOT ON THE GAS PEDAL.”
Air bags
2 reports
“The passenger dashboard airbag keeps generating error codes and the airbag light continually flashes. There have been 2 costly repair attempts by a Nissan dealership, but the problem persists. The dealership stated the passenger airbag was not functioning properly. They want to try a 3rd repair attempt which is the most expensive yet. I have been in contact with Nissan customer service and they have split the repair costs with me thus far on 2 of the repairs. At this point they are just throwing parts at the problem hoping something fixes the issue without knowing or properly diagnosing which component is actually at fault. The problem first manifested in August 2024 at around 62k miles. The light came back on within 5 days of the first attempt. Likewise the light came back on within a few days after the 2nd repair attempt. I am not confident the 3rd attempt will address the issue either.”
Structure
2 reports
“Upon inspection found passenger side truck bed mount with a crack and portion missing from where the bed connects to the frame.”
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 10, 2026
Complaints are unverified owner reports to NHTSA and are not normalized for sales volume. One complaint can cite several components.