Nissan Frontier Best and Worst Years (2010–2025)
Avoid the 2011, 2012, 2022, and 2023 Nissan Frontier, which carry Complaint Indexes of 80, 87, 100, and 93 respectively — the four worst of the 16 model years tracked. The 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2025 Frontiers score lowest (0, 20, 7, 13) and are rated Best.
Avoid 2011Avoid 2012Avoid 2022Avoid 2023Best 2018Best 2020Best 2021Best 2025
- Model years
- 16
- 2010–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 707
- Recall campaigns
- 24
- Crashes reported
- 48
- Fires reported
- 14
- Top problem area
- Transmission & Powertrain
Frontier Complaint Index by year
Higher = more complaints, crashes, fires, injuries, deaths and Do-Not-Drive recalls per year on the road, relative to other years of this model.
Nissan Frontier problems and recalls by year
| Year | Verdict | Index | Complaints | Crashes | Fires | Recalls | Top issue | MPG | NCAP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Caution | 67 | 59 | 3 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2011 | Avoid | 80 | 64 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2012 | Avoid | 87 | 78 | 4 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2013 | Caution | 60 | 48 | 5 | 1 | 1 | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2014 | Good | 47 | 42 | 3 | 1 | 2 | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2015 | Good | 33 | 33 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 53 | 43 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2017 | Good | 40 | 38 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Fuel System | 18.5 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Best | 0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 18.5 | — |
| 2019 | Good | 27 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 18.5 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Best | 20 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19.5 | — |
| 2021 | Best | 7 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 19.5 | — |
| 2022 | Avoid | 100 | 111 | 11 | 3 | 6 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 19.5 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 93 | 66 | 4 | 3 | 1 | Electrical System | 19.5 | — |
| 2024 | Caution | 73 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 20 | — |
| 2025 | Best | 13 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 19 | — |
Frontier years to avoid: what went wrong
2022 Nissan Frontier Index 100 · 111 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2022 Frontier is the worst year on record, with 111 complaints and a Complaint Index of 100. Collision Avoidance & Cameras issues topped the list (30%, median mileage 2,100), followed closely by Electrical System problems (29%, median mileage 1,000) and Transmission & Powertrain issues (22%, median mileage 597.5). Owners reported unintended movement while parked and sudden unintended acceleration at very low mileage. This year also had 11 crashes and 3 fires reported, along with six recalls covering infotainment reboots, transmission parking pawl engagement, and Sirius XM software.
2022 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2022 electrical system problems →2022 transmission & powertrain problems →
2023 Nissan Frontier Index 93 · 66 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2023 Frontier posted 66 complaints and a Complaint Index of 93, the 2nd worst year. Electrical System complaints dominated at 45% (median mileage 41,000), followed by Engine issues at 33% (median mileage 2,350), including a report of the vehicle smoking and catching fire in a driveway. Owners also described sudden unintended acceleration events. Brakes and Collision Avoidance & Cameras each made up a notable share. One recall addressed tires with a tear in the inner bead causing rapid pressure loss.
2023 electrical system problems →2023 engine problems →2023 brakes problems →
2012 Nissan Frontier Index 87 · 78 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2012 Frontier had 78 complaints and a Complaint Index of 87, the 3rd worst year. Airbags led at 29% of complaints (median mileage 46,250), including non-deployment during crashes and projectile fragments from deployed airbags. Transmission & Powertrain followed at 26% (median mileage 32,215), with owners describing sudden loss of acceleration and violent jerking. Engine problems made up 21% (median mileage 28,000). Three recalls applied to this year, covering electrical circuit breakers, front wheel hubs, and engine connector bolts.
2012 airbags problems →2012 transmission & powertrain problems →2012 engine problems →
2011 Nissan Frontier Index 80 · 64 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2011 Frontier logged 64 NHTSA complaints and a Complaint Index of 80, ranking it 4th worst of 16 years. Airbags were the top problem area (25% of complaints, median failure mileage 34,400), including reports of non-deployment and cracked airbag cover emblems tied to recall 23V067000. Brakes were the second-largest category (22%, median mileage 75,000), with owners reporting hard, unresponsive pedals. Engine issues appeared at a median of 100,565 miles. One recall covered the airbag cover cracking and detachment issue.
Most common Nissan Frontier problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group. A complaint naming two components counts once in each.
- Transmission & Powertrain141 (20%)
- Electrical System134 (19%)
- Airbags124 (18%)
- Engine122 (17%)
- Other95 (13%)
- Brakes87 (12%)
- Structure & Body73 (10%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras57 (8%)
- Fuel System41 (6%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires36 (5%)
Frequently asked questions
- What year Nissan Frontier should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the 2011, 2012, 2022, and 2023 Nissan Frontier are the years to avoid, with Complaint Indexes of 80, 87, 100, and 93 — the four highest among all 16 years tracked.
- Which Nissan Frontier year is the best?
- The 2018, 2020, 2021, and 2025 Frontiers rank as the Best years, with Complaint Indexes of 0, 20, 7, and 13, the lowest in the lineup.
- What is the biggest problem area for the Nissan Frontier overall?
- Across all years, Transmission & Powertrain leads with 141 complaints (20% share), followed closely by Electrical System (134 complaints, 19%) and Airbags (124 complaints, 18%).
- Does the 2022 Nissan Frontier have a lot of recalls?
- Yes, the 2022 Frontier has six recall campaigns, the most of any year, covering infotainment reboot problems, transmission parking pawl engagement, and Sirius XM software issues.
- Is the 2011 or 2012 Nissan Frontier reliable?
- Neither ranks well based on NHTSA data: the 2011 has a Complaint Index of 80 and the 2012 has 87, placing them 4th and 3rd worst among the 16 model years covered.