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 counts, with 2006 having the highest complaint index at 100.

Which years of the Honda Ridgeline should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2006, 2017, 2019, 2023 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Ridgeline. The 2006 model has a complaint index of 100 along with 12 recall campaigns and reported deaths.

Does either truck have more recalls?

The Honda Ridgeline has 39 total recall campaigns across 19 model years with data, versus 29 for the Nissan Frontier across 21 model years with data.

Which truck gets better fuel economy?

The Honda Ridgeline averages 19.1 MPG combined across its model years, compared to 18.2 MPG combined for the Nissan Frontier.

Is one truck rated more reliable overall?

NHTSA does not publish sales data, so total complaint counts aren't normalized per vehicle sold and can't declare an overall winner between the two.

Nissan Frontier vs Honda Ridgeline: Which Years to Avoid

Nissan Frontier owners should avoid 2005-2008 and 2022-2023; Honda Ridgeline owners should avoid 2006, 2017, 2019, 2023 and 2025. Frontier logs 2,549 total complaints (121 per model year) across 29 recalls; Ridgeline logs 2,167 complaints (114 per model year) across 39 recalls. Frontier averages 18.2 MPG combined versus 19.1 MPG for Ridgeline.

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 ★

Honda Ridgeline

Model years: 2006–2025 (19)
NHTSA complaints: 2,167
Per model year: 114
Recall campaigns: 39
Years to avoid: 2006, 2017, 2019, 2023, 2025
Best years: 2014
Top problem area: Electrical System
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 19.1
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 5.0 ★

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	Frontier				Ridgeline
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2005	Avoid	532	3	17	—	—	—	—
2006	Avoid	617	4	17	Avoid	242	12	17
2007	Avoid	520	1	17	Caution	160	8	17
2008	Avoid	136	5	17	Caution	143	8	17
2009	Good	37	3	17.5	Caution	35	8	17
2010	Caution	59	4	17	Caution	42	9	17
2011	Caution	64	1	17	Caution	39	10	17
2012	Caution	78	3	17	Caution	24	11	17
2013	Good	48	1	18.5	Good	45	7	17
2014	Good	42	2	18.5	Best	34	6	17
2015	Best	33	0	18.5	No verdict	2	0	—
2016	Caution	43	1	18.5	—	—	—	—
2017	Caution	38	1	18.5	Avoid	341	8	21.5
2018	Best	25	2	18.5	Caution	161	7	21.5
2019	Good	28	1	18.5	Avoid	237	11	21.5
2020	Good	23	2	19.5	Caution	169	8	21.5
2021	Best	19	2	19.5	Caution	101	7	21
2022	Avoid	111	6	19.5	Caution	117	3	21
2023	Avoid	66	1	19.5	Avoid	127	5	21
2024	Good	22	3	20	Caution	59	1	20.5
2025	Best	8	3	19	Avoid	89	2	20.5

Complaint Index by year

Nissan Frontier

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

Honda Ridgeline

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 counts, with 2006 having the highest complaint index at 100.
Which years of the Honda Ridgeline should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2006, 2017, 2019, 2023 and 2025 as Avoid years for the Ridgeline. The 2006 model has a complaint index of 100 along with 12 recall campaigns and reported deaths.
Does either truck have more recalls?: The Honda Ridgeline has 39 total recall campaigns across 19 model years with data, versus 29 for the Nissan Frontier across 21 model years with data.
Which truck gets better fuel economy?: The Honda Ridgeline averages 19.1 MPG combined across its model years, compared to 18.2 MPG combined for the Nissan Frontier.
Is one truck rated more reliable overall?: NHTSA does not publish sales data, so total complaint counts aren't normalized per vehicle sold and can't declare an overall winner between the two.