Which F-150 and Frontier years should I avoid?

For the F-150, avoid 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018, all rated Avoid based on complaint index scores between 75 and 100. For the Frontier, avoid 2005-2008 and 2022-2023, with complaint index scores from 75 to 100.

Does the F-150 or Frontier have more complaints?

The F-150 has 24,072 total complaints versus 2,549 for the Frontier, but NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals are not adjusted for how many of each truck were sold.

Which truck has more recalls?

The F-150 has 122 recall campaigns across 21 model years versus 29 for the Frontier.

What are the top problem areas for each truck?

F-150 owners report Transmission & Powertrain issues most (33% of complaints, 8,009 total), followed by Engine (25%). Frontier owners report Transmission & Powertrain most (36%, 907 complaints), followed by Fuel System (26%) and Engine (26%).

Which gets better fuel economy?

The Frontier averages 18.2 mpg combined across its model years versus 17.7 mpg combined for the F-150.

Ford F-150 vs Nissan Frontier: Which Years to Avoid

Ford F-150 logs 24,072 complaints across 21 model years (1,146 per year, 122 recalls), with 2011-2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018 to avoid. Nissan Frontier logs 2,549 complaints (121 per year, 29 recalls), with 2005-2008, 2022 and 2023 to avoid. Totals aren't sales-normalized, so raw counts favor the higher-volume F-150.

Head to head

Ford F-150

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 24,072
Per model year: 1,146
Recall campaigns: 122
Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2018
Best years: —
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 17.7
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: —

Nissan Frontier

Model years: 2005–2025 (21)
NHTSA complaints: 2,549
Per model year: 121
Recall campaigns: 29
Years to avoid: 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2022, 2023
Best years: 2015, 2018, 2021, 2025
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 18.2
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.0 ★

Year by year

Complaint Index is relative within each model (0 = that model’s best year, 100 = its worst). Complaints and recalls are raw counts.

Year	F-150				Frontier
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Good	1,112	3	15	Avoid	532	3	17
2006	Good	585	4	15	Avoid	617	4	17
2007	Good	488	2	15	Avoid	520	1	17
2008	Good	369	1	15	Avoid	136	5	17
2009	Good	324	2	16	Good	37	3	17.5
2010	Good	843	1	16	Caution	59	4	17
2011	Avoid	2,189	6	17	Caution	64	1	17
2012	Avoid	1,781	4	17	Caution	78	3	17
2013	Avoid	2,981	3	17	Good	48	1	18.5
2014	Caution	1,533	8	17	Good	42	2	18.5
2015	Avoid	1,710	13	19.5	Best	33	0	18.5
2016	Avoid	2,053	13	18.5	Caution	43	1	18.5
2017	Caution	1,437	17	19	Caution	38	1	18.5
2018	Avoid	2,308	18	19	Best	25	2	18.5
2019	Caution	1,327	9	19.5	Good	28	1	18.5
2020	Caution	727	11	19	Good	23	2	19.5
2021	Caution	1,012	29	20	Best	19	2	19.5
2022	Caution	594	23	20	Avoid	111	6	19.5
2023	Caution	407	13	19	Avoid	66	1	19.5
2024	Caution	188	11	19	Good	22	3	20
2025	Caution	104	13	19	Best	8	3	19

Complaint Index by year

Frequently asked questions

Which F-150 and Frontier years should I avoid?: For the F-150, avoid 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016 and 2018, all rated Avoid based on complaint index scores between 75 and 100. For the Frontier, avoid 2005-2008 and 2022-2023, with complaint index scores from 75 to 100.
Does the F-150 or Frontier have more complaints?: The F-150 has 24,072 total complaints versus 2,549 for the Frontier, but NHTSA does not publish sales figures, so these totals are not adjusted for how many of each truck were sold.
Which truck has more recalls?: The F-150 has 122 recall campaigns across 21 model years versus 29 for the Frontier.
What are the top problem areas for each truck?: F-150 owners report Transmission & Powertrain issues most (33% of complaints, 8,009 total), followed by Engine (25%). Frontier owners report Transmission & Powertrain most (36%, 907 complaints), followed by Fuel System (26%) and Engine (26%).
Which gets better fuel economy?: The Frontier averages 18.2 mpg combined across its model years versus 17.7 mpg combined for the F-150.