Research · Small Pickup Trucks 2WD

2019 Nissan FrontierRecalls, problems, MPG & safety

NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 28 owner complaints for the 2019 Nissan Frontier. Most complaints involve power train (7) and air bags (5). The EPA rates it 17–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.

Combined MPG
17–21mpg
EPA · 8 versions
NHTSA overall
4of 5 stars
NCAP crash tests
Safety recalls
1campaigns
Latest Sep 2019
Owner complaints
28
Top: power train
Fuel cost / yr
$2,950est.
EPA estimate, best version
01 —Recalls

Safety recalls

1 NHTSA campaign · 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
Data from NHTSA Recalls API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · All recall detailsNHTSA vehicle page
02 —Complaints

Owner complaints by component

28 complaints filed with NHTSA · Jun 2019 – May 2026
  1. Power train7
  2. Air bags5
  3. Electrical system5
  4. Service brakes3
  5. Structure2
  6. Back over prevention2
  7. Engine2
  8. Seat belts2
  9. Steering2

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
1
Fires reported
1
Injuries reported
2
Deaths reported
0
Data from NHTSA Complaints API · synced Nov 9, 2026 · Full problem breakdownNHTSA vehicle page
03 —Common problems

What owners report most

Verbatim excerpts from NHTSA complaints, by component

Power train

7 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving at an undisclosed speed, the transmission became inoperable. The contact stated that the vehicle was hacked, and that the steering wheel was moving independently. The brakes were applied without the brake pedal being depressed. The vehicle revved unintendedly, the radio randomly turned on, and the vehicle was being controlled by an unknown source. There were no warning lights illuminated. The local dealer was not contacted. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not contacted. The failure mileage was approximately 12,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jun 15, 2023Steering, Power train, Electrical systemODI 11527218

Air bags

5 reports1 crash1 fire
“In a no fault accident, I was passenger. When the collision happened, I was wearing seatbelt, and then I was up in the dash/ windshield, there were flames, smoke. The airbags had "exploded" The seatbelt was hanging out of the passenger door after I exited. Still dangling out the door where it did not retract. I busted the windshield with my head, concussion, four teeth porcelain knocked out of them, and many other problems. It's very scary , I want this to please be investigated because I don't want anyone else to have to go through this.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Sep 7, 2025Air bags, Seat belts, Unknown or otherCrash reportedFire reportedODI 11685601

Electrical system

5 reports
“The contact owns a 2019 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving at approximately 35 MPH, the infotainment system was inoperative; the contact had to restart the infotainment system several times for the infotainment system to return to normal operation. The failure occurred on several occasions. No warning light was illuminated. The contact researched and was made aware of NHTSA Campaign Number: 19V654000 (Back Over Prevention); however, the VIN was not included. The vehicle was taken to a dealer where it was diagnosed; however, the result was unknown. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was approximately 70,000.”
Owner complaint to NHTSAFiled Jan 6, 2025Electrical systemODI 11634423
Data from NHTSA Complaints API (owner reports, unverified) · synced Nov 9, 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 9, 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
172219$3,300466
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$3,650521
  • 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 9, 2026 · Fuel cost is EPA’s annual estimate (15,000 mi, 55% city)
06 —Safety

NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings

6 tested variants
Overall rating
4/ 5
4 of 5
Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD Later Release
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.2%
Overall
4 / 5
Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC AWD Later Release
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Overall
4 / 5
Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD Early Release
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
3 of 5
Rollover risk
21.2%
Overall
4 / 5
Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC AWD Early Release
Frontal crash
3 of 5
Side crash
5 of 5
Side pole
5 of 5
Rollover
4 of 5
Rollover risk
19.8%
Data from NHTSA NCAP Safety Ratings API · synced Nov 9, 2026Vehicle 14193Vehicle 14192Vehicle 13431
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

2019 Frontier questions

How many recalls does the 2019 Nissan Frontier have?

1 safety recall as of Nov 9, 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 2019 Nissan Frontier problems?

Owners filed 28 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (7), air bags (5), electrical system (5). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.

What MPG does the 2019 Nissan Frontier get?

The EPA rates the 2019 Nissan Frontier at 17–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (8 versions rated).

How safe is the 2019 Nissan Frontier?

NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2019 Nissan Frontier 4 out of 5 stars overall.

Data from NHTSA & EPA · synced Nov 9, 2026