Which Frontier years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2022 and 2023 as Avoid years for the Nissan Frontier, based on complaint index scores of 80, 87, 100 and 93 respectively, the highest among all 16 model years covered.

Which Ram 1500 years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019 as Avoid years for the Ram 1500. The 2019 model year has the highest complaint index of the group at 100, with 1,477 complaints and 29 recall campaigns.

Does the Ram 1500 have more reported problems than the Frontier?

Yes, in raw totals. The Ram 1500 has 11,591 total complaints and 92 recall campaigns across 13 model years, compared to the Frontier's 707 complaints and 24 recalls across 16 model years, but these figures are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.

Which has better fuel economy, the Frontier or the Ram 1500?

The Ram 1500 averages 19.2 mpg combined across its model years and the Frontier averages 18.6 mpg combined, a small difference between the two trucks.

What are the top problem areas for each truck?

For the Frontier, the leading reported areas are Transmission & Powertrain at 141 complaints (20%) and Electrical System at 134 complaints (19%). For the Ram 1500, Engine leads at 3,058 complaints (26%) followed by Steering at 2,637 complaints (23%).

Nissan Frontier vs Ram 1500: Which Years to Avoid

Nissan Frontier owners should avoid 2011, 2012, 2022 and 2023; Ram 1500 owners should avoid 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019. The Frontier logs 707 total complaints and 24 recalls across 16 model years versus the Ram 1500's 11,591 complaints and 92 recalls across 13 years, though totals aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

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 ★

Ram 1500

Model years: 2013–2025 (13)
NHTSA complaints: 11,591
Per model year: 892
Recall campaigns: 92
Years to avoid: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019
Best years: 2018, 2023, 2024
Top problem area: Engine
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 19.2
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 4.3 ★

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	Frontier				1500
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Caution	59	4	17	—	—	—	—
2011	Avoid	64	1	17	—	—	—	—
2012	Avoid	78	3	17	—	—	—	—
2013	Caution	48	1	18.5	Caution	1,276	11	17
2014	Good	42	2	18.5	Avoid	1,766	16	19
2015	Good	33	0	18.5	Avoid	1,448	17	19.5
2016	Caution	43	1	18.5	Avoid	1,541	16	19.5
2017	Good	38	1	18.5	Caution	878	13	19
2018	Best	25	2	18.5	Best	661	15	19
2019	Good	28	1	18.5	Avoid	1,477	29	19
2020	Best	23	2	19.5	Good	628	14	19
2021	Best	19	2	19.5	Good	678	15	19
2022	Avoid	111	6	19.5	Good	612	16	20
2023	Avoid	66	1	19.5	Best	201	11	19
2024	Caution	22	3	20	Best	74	6	19.5
2025	Best	8	3	19	Caution	351	8	21

Complaint Index by year

Nissan Frontier

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

Ram 1500

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

Frequently asked questions

Which Frontier years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2022 and 2023 as Avoid years for the Nissan Frontier, based on complaint index scores of 80, 87, 100 and 93 respectively, the highest among all 16 model years covered.
Which Ram 1500 years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019 as Avoid years for the Ram 1500. The 2019 model year has the highest complaint index of the group at 100, with 1,477 complaints and 29 recall campaigns.
Does the Ram 1500 have more reported problems than the Frontier?: Yes, in raw totals. The Ram 1500 has 11,591 total complaints and 92 recall campaigns across 13 model years, compared to the Frontier's 707 complaints and 24 recalls across 16 model years, but these figures are not adjusted for how many of each were sold.
Which has better fuel economy, the Frontier or the Ram 1500?: The Ram 1500 averages 19.2 mpg combined across its model years and the Frontier averages 18.6 mpg combined, a small difference between the two trucks.
What are the top problem areas for each truck?: For the Frontier, the leading reported areas are Transmission & Powertrain at 141 complaints (20%) and Electrical System at 134 complaints (19%). For the Ram 1500, Engine leads at 3,058 complaints (26%) followed by Steering at 2,637 complaints (23%).