Which years of the Nissan Frontier should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2022, and 2023 as Avoid years for the Frontier, based on complaint index and recall activity relative to other Frontier model years.

Which years of the Ram 1500 should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019 as Avoid years for the Ram 1500, with 2019 carrying the highest complaint index (100) and 29 recall campaigns, the most of any Ram 1500 year.

Does the Ram 1500 have more complaints than the Frontier?

Yes. The Ram 1500 has 11,628 total complaints and 831 per model year, compared to 2,549 total and 121 per model year for the Frontier. NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals are not adjusted for how many of each truck were sold.

Which truck gets better fuel economy?

The Ram 1500 averages 19.2 mpg combined across its model years versus 18.2 mpg combined for the Frontier, a small edge for the Ram.

Which model has more recalls?

The Ram 1500 has 93 total recall campaigns across 21 years with data versus 29 for the Frontier across a similar span, with several Ram years capped to a Caution verdict specifically because of high recall counts.

Nissan Frontier vs Ram 1500: Which Years to Avoid

Nissan Frontier logs 2,549 total complaints (121 per model year) across 2005-2025, with 2005-2008 and 2022-2023 to avoid. Ram 1500 logs 11,628 complaints (831 per model year) across 2009-2025, with 2014-2016 and 2019 to avoid. Ram's raw totals and recall count (93 vs 29) are much higher, but figures aren't sales-normalized.

Head to head

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 ★

Ram 1500

Model years: 2009–2025 (14)
NHTSA complaints: 11,628
Per model year: 831
Recall campaigns: 93
Years to avoid: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2019
Best years: 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
2005	Avoid	532	3	17	—	—	—	—
2006	Avoid	617	4	17	—	—	—	—
2007	Avoid	520	1	17	—	—	—	—
2008	Avoid	136	5	17	—	—	—	—
2009	Good	37	3	17.5	Good	37	2	—
2010	Caution	59	4	17	—	—	—	—
2011	Caution	64	1	17	—	—	—	—
2012	Caution	78	3	17	—	—	—	—
2013	Good	48	1	18.5	Caution	1,276	11	17
2014	Good	42	2	18.5	Avoid	1,766	16	19
2015	Best	33	0	18.5	Avoid	1,448	17	19.5
2016	Caution	43	1	18.5	Avoid	1,541	16	19.5
2017	Caution	38	1	18.5	Caution	878	13	19
2018	Best	25	2	18.5	Caution	661	15	19
2019	Good	28	1	18.5	Avoid	1,477	29	19
2020	Good	23	2	19.5	Caution	628	14	19
2021	Best	19	2	19.5	Caution	678	15	19
2022	Avoid	111	6	19.5	Caution	612	16	20
2023	Avoid	66	1	19.5	Caution	201	11	19
2024	Good	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 years of the Nissan Frontier should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2022, and 2023 as Avoid years for the Frontier, based on complaint index and recall activity relative to other Frontier model years.
Which years of the Ram 1500 should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2019 as Avoid years for the Ram 1500, with 2019 carrying the highest complaint index (100) and 29 recall campaigns, the most of any Ram 1500 year.
Does the Ram 1500 have more complaints than the Frontier?: Yes. The Ram 1500 has 11,628 total complaints and 831 per model year, compared to 2,549 total and 121 per model year for the Frontier. NHTSA does not publish sales data, so these totals are not adjusted for how many of each truck were sold.
Which truck gets better fuel economy?: The Ram 1500 averages 19.2 mpg combined across its model years versus 18.2 mpg combined for the Frontier, a small edge for the Ram.
Which model has more recalls?: The Ram 1500 has 93 total recall campaigns across 21 years with data versus 29 for the Frontier across a similar span, with several Ram years capped to a Caution verdict specifically because of high recall counts.