NHTSA lists 1 safety recall and 11 owner complaints for the 2026 Nissan Frontier. Most complaints involve power train (3) and structure (2). The EPA rates it 18–21 mpg combined, and NHTSA gives it 4 stars overall.
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2025 Altima, Sentra, 2025-2026 Frontier, and 2026 Kicks vehicles. The door strikers may have been improperly welded and break, allowing the door to open while moving. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard number 206, "Door Locks and Door Retention Components."
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 |
“While driving my 2026 Nissan Frontier PRO-4X at highway speeds, the vehicle intermittently loses the ability to accelerate. The engine remains running, but pressing the accelerator produces no increase in vehicle speed or engine RPM. No warning lights or diagnostic messages appear when the condition occurs. This creates a significant safety risk because the vehicle cannot maintain or increase speed in traffic. The vehicle has been taken to an authorized Nissan dealer on three separate occasions. The dealer was able to reproduce the condition but has not identified a cause or implemented a repair. The defect remains unresolved and continues to present a safety concern.”
“I bought a brand new 2026 Nissan Pro4x from a dealer in Murfreesboro, TN. The hood was misaligned (fitment), which the service department agreed need to be corrected, and there was a significant scuff below the clear coat on the hood. Nissan has refused and denied the claim, even though it is well documented. I went to other Nissan Service Departments and they refused to do the paperwork. I do not believe that Nissan North America warrants the brand new body work on their brand new vehicles. They are not honoring their warranty.”
“The contact owns a 2026 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that the vehicle was towed to a dealer due to ongoing electrical issues. Prior to towing the vehicle, the radio failed to turn off, and the engine failed to shut off while attempting to turn off the vehicle. Upon inspection, the dealer diagnosed the vehicle with battery failure. The dealer attempted to disable the radio, rearview camera, side-mirror warning signals, and advanced safety systems to prevent the battery drain; however, the software did not provide the option to turn off the features selectively. The dealer turned off the display screen as the fix. The contact had experienced an electrical failure with another similar vehicle. The manufacturer replaced the first Nissan Frontier vehicle with the current vehicle, and the central display and safety features were now disabled by the dealer as a temporary repair. The vehicle was towed to the dealer. The manufacturer was notified of the failure. The failure mileage was 2,700.”
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 Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Rear-Wheel Drive | 19 | 24 | 21 | $2,950 | 423 |
| Frontier 4WD Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 17 | 21 | 19 | $3,300 | 479 |
| Frontier 4WD PRO4X Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | 16 | 20 | 18 | $3,450 | 504 |
| 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 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.
Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA. The most-cited components are power train (3), structure (2), electrical system (1). Complaints are unverified owner reports and aren't adjusted for how many cars were sold.
The EPA rates the 2026 Nissan Frontier at 18–21 mpg combined, depending on engine and drivetrain (3 versions rated).
NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gives the 2026 Nissan Frontier 4 out of 5 stars overall.