Which Ford Ranger years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2019 and 2022 as Ranger years to avoid, with complaint index values of 82, 91 and 100 respectively out of the years listed.

Which Nissan Frontier years should I avoid?

NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2022 and 2023 as Frontier years to avoid, with 2022 hitting a complaint index of 100 and 111 complaints tied to Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues.

Does the Ranger or Frontier have more complaints?

The Ranger has 1,080 total complaints across 12 model years with data (90 per year on average), versus 707 total for the Frontier across 16 model years (44 per year on average). These totals are not adjusted for sales volume.

Which gets better fuel economy, Ranger or Frontier?

The Ranger averages 20.6 MPG combined and the Frontier averages 18.6 MPG combined, based on EPA figures across the years covered.

How do recalls compare between the two trucks?

NHTSA lists 46 recall campaigns for the Ranger and 24 for the Frontier across the years covered.

Ford Ranger vs Nissan Frontier: Which Years to Avoid

Ford Ranger logs 1,080 total complaints (46 recalls) with 2011, 2019 and 2022 to avoid, while Nissan Frontier logs 707 total complaints (24 recalls) with 2011, 2012, 2022 and 2023 to avoid. Ranger averages 20.6 MPG combined versus Frontier's 18.6 MPG. Totals are not sales-normalized.

Head to head

Ford Ranger

Model years: 2010–2025 (12)
NHTSA complaints: 1,080
Per model year: 90
Recall campaigns: 46
Years to avoid: 2011, 2019, 2022
Best years: —
Top problem area: Airbags
Avg. EPA combined MPG: 20.6
Avg. NHTSA overall rating: 3.3 ★

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	Ranger				Frontier
Year	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG	Verdict	Complaints	Recalls	MPG
2010	Good	156	8	17.5	Caution	59	4	17
2011	Avoid	235	5	17.5	Avoid	64	1	17
2012	—	—	—	—	Avoid	78	3	17
2013	—	—	—	—	Caution	48	1	18.5
2014	No verdict	1	0	—	Good	42	2	18.5
2015	—	—	—	—	Good	33	0	18.5
2016	No verdict	1	0	—	Caution	43	1	18.5
2017	No verdict	1	0	—	Good	38	1	18.5
2018	—	—	—	—	Best	25	2	18.5
2019	Avoid	267	11	22	Good	28	1	18.5
2020	Good	127	7	22	Best	23	2	19.5
2021	Caution	114	6	20.5	Best	19	2	19.5
2022	Avoid	37	5	22	Avoid	111	6	19.5
2023	Good	18	4	22	Avoid	66	1	19.5
2024	Caution	83	13	21	Caution	22	3	20
2025	Caution	40	13	21	Best	8	3	19

Complaint Index by year

Ford Ranger

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 Ranger years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2019 and 2022 as Ranger years to avoid, with complaint index values of 82, 91 and 100 respectively out of the years listed.
Which Nissan Frontier years should I avoid?: NHTSA data flags 2011, 2012, 2022 and 2023 as Frontier years to avoid, with 2022 hitting a complaint index of 100 and 111 complaints tied to Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues.
Does the Ranger or Frontier have more complaints?: The Ranger has 1,080 total complaints across 12 model years with data (90 per year on average), versus 707 total for the Frontier across 16 model years (44 per year on average). These totals are not adjusted for sales volume.
Which gets better fuel economy, Ranger or Frontier?: The Ranger averages 20.6 MPG combined and the Frontier averages 18.6 MPG combined, based on EPA figures across the years covered.
How do recalls compare between the two trucks?: NHTSA lists 46 recall campaigns for the Ranger and 24 for the Frontier across the years covered.