Which Ford F-150 years should I avoid?

NHTSA complaint data flags 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2018 as the F-150 years to avoid, with 2013 having the highest complaint index at 100 and the top problem area being Transmission & Powertrain.

Which Nissan Frontier years should I avoid?

The Frontier years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2022 and 2023, led by 2022 with a complaint index of 100, largely tied to Collision Avoidance & Cameras and Electrical System issues.

Does the F-150 have more complaints than the Frontier?

Yes, the F-150 has 21,194 total NHTSA complaints versus 707 for the Frontier, but the F-150 also has far more model years with high-volume data and totals are not normalized for sales.

Which truck gets better fuel economy?

They are close: the F-150 averages 18.5 mpg combined across its years while the Frontier averages 18.6 mpg combined.

Which has more recalls, F-150 or Frontier?

The F-150 shows 115 total recall campaigns compared to 24 for the Frontier.

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

Ford F-150 years to avoid are 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2018; Nissan Frontier years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2022 and 2023. The F-150 logs 21,194 total NHTSA complaints across 16 model years (1,325 per year average) versus 707 for the Frontier (44 per year), while combined MPG is similar at 18.5 vs 18.6.

Head to head

Ford F-150

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 21,194
Per model year: 1,325
Recall campaigns: 115
Years to avoid: 2011, 2013, 2016, 2018
Best years: 2010, 2020, 2024, 2025
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 18.5
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: —

Nissan Frontier

Model years: 2010–2025 (16)
NHTSA complaints: 707
Per model year: 44
Recall campaigns: 24
Years to avoid: 2011, 2012, 2022, 2023
Best years: 2018, 2020, 2021, 2025
Top problem area: Transmission & Powertrain
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 18.6
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
2010	Best	843	1	16	Caution	59	4	17
2011	Avoid	2,189	6	17	Avoid	64	1	17
2012	Caution	1,781	4	17	Avoid	78	3	17
2013	Avoid	2,981	3	17	Caution	48	1	18.5
2014	Caution	1,533	8	17	Good	42	2	18.5
2015	Caution	1,710	13	19.5	Good	33	0	18.5
2016	Avoid	2,053	13	18.5	Caution	43	1	18.5
2017	Good	1,437	17	19	Good	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	Best	727	11	19	Best	23	2	19.5
2021	Good	1,012	29	20	Best	19	2	19.5
2022	Good	594	23	20	Avoid	111	6	19.5
2023	Good	407	13	19	Avoid	66	1	19.5
2024	Best	188	11	19	Caution	22	3	20
2025	Best	104	13	19	Best	8	3	19

Complaint Index by year

Ford F-150

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Nissan Frontier

Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best

Frequently asked questions

Which Ford F-150 years should I avoid?: NHTSA complaint data flags 2011, 2013, 2016 and 2018 as the F-150 years to avoid, with 2013 having the highest complaint index at 100 and the top problem area being Transmission & Powertrain.
Which Nissan Frontier years should I avoid?: The Frontier years to avoid are 2011, 2012, 2022 and 2023, led by 2022 with a complaint index of 100, largely tied to Collision Avoidance & Cameras and Electrical System issues.
Does the F-150 have more complaints than the Frontier?: Yes, the F-150 has 21,194 total NHTSA complaints versus 707 for the Frontier, but the F-150 also has far more model years with high-volume data and totals are not normalized for sales.
Which truck gets better fuel economy?: They are close: the F-150 averages 18.5 mpg combined across its years while the Frontier averages 18.6 mpg combined.
Which has more recalls, F-150 or Frontier?: The F-150 shows 115 total recall campaigns compared to 24 for the Frontier.