Nissan Frontier Best and Worst Years (2005–2025)
Nissan Frontier years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2022, and 2023, based on 2,549 total complaints and 29 recall campaigns across 21 model years. Best-rated years are 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2025, with the lowest complaint indexes (20, 0, 10, 5).
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls per model-year, ranked within this model — not a reliability rating. Methodology.
Avoid 2005Avoid 2006Avoid 2007Avoid 2008Avoid 2022Avoid 2023Best 2015Best 2018Best 2021Best 2025
- Model years
- 21
- 2005–2025
- NHTSA complaints
- 2,549
- Recall campaigns
- 29
- Crashes reported
- 79
- Fires reported
- 27
- 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Avoid | 90 | 532 | 9 | 8 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 17 | — |
| 2006 | Avoid | 100 | 617 | 13 | 2 | 4 | Fuel System | 17 | — |
| 2007 | Avoid | 95 | 520 | 6 | 0 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 17 | — |
| 2008 | Avoid | 75 | 136 | 2 | 2 | 5 | Transmission & Powertrain | 17 | — |
| 2009 | Good | 15 | 37 | 1 | 1 | 3 | Airbags | 17.5 | — |
| 2010 | Caution | 60 | 59 | 3 | 0 | 4 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2011 | Caution | 65 | 64 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2012 | Caution | 70 | 78 | 4 | 0 | 3 | Airbags | 17 | — |
| 2013 | Good | 40 | 48 | 5 | 1 | 1 | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2014 | Good | 35 | 42 | 3 | 1 | 2 | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2015 | Best | 20 | 33 | 2 | 1 | 0 | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2016 | Caution | 55 | 43 | 3 | 1 | 1 | Airbags | 18.5 | — |
| 2017 | Caution | 50 | 38 | 4 | 1 | 1 | Fuel System | 18.5 | 4★ |
| 2018 | Best | 0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 18.5 | — |
| 2019 | Good | 25 | 28 | 1 | 1 | 1 | Transmission & Powertrain | 18.5 | 4★ |
| 2020 | Good | 30 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 2 | Transmission & Powertrain | 19.5 | — |
| 2021 | Best | 10 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 2 | Electrical System | 19.5 | — |
| 2022 | Avoid | 85 | 111 | 11 | 3 | 6 | Collision Avoidance & Cameras | 19.5 | 4★ |
| 2023 | Avoid | 80 | 66 | 4 | 3 | 1 | Electrical System | 19.5 | — |
| 2024 | Good | 45 | 22 | 0 | 1 | 3 | Transmission & Powertrain | 20 | — |
| 2025 | Best | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 3 | Brakes | 19 | — |
Frontier years to avoid: what went wrong
2006 Nissan Frontier Index 100 · 617 complaints · 4 recalls
The 2006 Frontier carries the highest complaint index in the lineup at 100, with 617 complaints, 4 recalls, 13 crashes, 2 fires, and 1 death. Fuel system problems make up 41% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 56,000. Transmission and powertrain issues follow at 36% share, failing around 103,274 miles. Owners report sudden unintended acceleration and airbags failing to deploy in crashes. Recalls addressed an engine control module relay, a fuel tank sender issue, and an airbag sensor replacement.
2006 fuel system problems →2006 transmission & powertrain problems →2006 engine problems →
2007 Nissan Frontier Index 95 · 520 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2007 Frontier has a complaint index of 95, with 520 complaints and 1 recall, alongside 6 crashes and 3 injuries. Transmission and powertrain problems dominate at 43% share, with a median failure mileage of 108,000. Fuel system issues follow at 38% share, failing around 57,000 miles. Owners describe brake pedals going to the floor without stopping the vehicle and airbags not deploying during collisions. The sole recall addressed an airbag sensor replacement.
2007 transmission & powertrain problems →2007 fuel system problems →2007 engine problems →
2005 Nissan Frontier Index 90 · 532 complaints · 3 recalls
The 2005 Frontier has a complaint index of 90 out of the years tracked, with 532 complaints, 3 recalls, 9 crashes, 8 fires, and 1 death reported. Transmission and powertrain problems lead at 49% of complaints, with a median failure mileage of 102,235. Fuel system issues followed at 30% share, with failures around 60,000 miles. Owners describe unintended acceleration and stalling events, some resulting in crashes. Engine complaints accounted for 37% of reports, with failures near 100,865 miles. Recalls covered an engine control module relay, an airbag sensor, and a fuel filler cap tether.
2005 transmission & powertrain problems →2005 engine problems →2005 fuel system problems →
2022 Nissan Frontier Index 85 · 111 complaints · 6 recalls
The 2022 Frontier has a complaint index of 85, with 111 complaints, 6 recalls, 11 crashes, and 3 fires. Collision Avoidance & Cameras problems lead at 30% share, with a median failure mileage of just 2,100. Electrical system issues follow at 29% share, failing around 1,000 miles. Owners describe unintended forward movement while parked, automatic emergency braking failing to activate, and brakes not responding. Recalls addressed an infotainment reboot issue, a transmission parking pawl defect, and a Sirius XM subscription software glitch.
2022 collision avoidance & cameras problems →2022 electrical system problems →2022 transmission & powertrain problems →
2023 Nissan Frontier Index 80 · 66 complaints · 1 recalls
The 2023 Frontier has a complaint index of 80, with 66 complaints and 1 recall, plus 4 crashes and 3 fires. Electrical system problems lead at 45% share, with a median failure mileage of 41,000. Engine complaints follow at 33% share, with failures near 2,350 miles, including reports of vehicles catching fire in driveways. Owners also describe unintended acceleration and inconsistent activation of forward collision and blind spot warning systems. The single recall addressed a tire bead tear issue.
2023 electrical system problems →2023 engine problems →2023 brakes problems →
2008 Nissan Frontier Index 75 · 136 complaints · 5 recalls
The 2008 Frontier has a complaint index of 75, with 136 complaints but 5 recalls, plus 2 crashes and 2 fires. Transmission and powertrain issues lead at 40% share, with failures around 95,500 miles. Engine complaints follow at 27% share, failing near 87,389 miles. Owners report airbags deploying without impact or failing to deploy in crashes, engine smoking, and under-hood fires linked to short circuits. Recalls covered an airbag cover defect, a GPS battery overheating issue, and a fuel tank sender problem.
2008 transmission & powertrain problems →2008 engine problems →2008 airbags problems →
Most common Nissan Frontier problems (all years)
Share of NHTSA complaints by component group across all model years.
- Transmission & Powertrain907 (36%)
- Fuel System673 (26%)
- Engine653 (26%)
- Electrical System248 (10%)
- Airbags232 (9%)
- Other165 (6%)
- Brakes152 (6%)
- Structure & Body120 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires88 (3%)
- Steering72 (3%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
Frequently asked questions
- What years of the Nissan Frontier should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA complaints and recalls, the years to avoid are 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2022, and 2023. These years carry the highest complaint indexes in the lineup, ranging from 75 to 100.
- What is the best year for the Nissan Frontier?
- The 2015, 2018, 2021, and 2025 model years rate Best, with complaint indexes of 20, 0, 10, and 5 respectively, the lowest among all 21 model years tracked.
- Does the Nissan Frontier have transmission problems?
- Transmission and Powertrain is the top problem area across all Frontier years, accounting for 907 complaints, or 36% of all complaints filed with NHTSA.
- Why is the 2022 Nissan Frontier rated Avoid?
- The 2022 Frontier has a complaint index of 85 with 111 complaints and 6 recall campaigns, led by Collision Avoidance & Camera problems occurring at a median of just 2,100 miles.
- How many recalls does the Nissan Frontier have overall?
- Across all model years from 2005 to 2025, NHTSA lists 29 recall campaigns for the Nissan Frontier.