YearToAvoid

2011 Nissan Frontier Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Caution

Complaint Index

65/100

#8 most-complained of 21 Frontier years

Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology

The 2011 Nissan Frontier has 64 owner complaints and 1 safety recall on file with NHTSA. Its Complaint Index is 65 out of 100 — #8 highest of 21 Frontier model years (verdict: Caution). The most reported problem area is airbags (16 complaints, 25% of the total). Complaints report 4 crashes, 1 fire, and 4 injuries.

Complaints
64
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
4 / 1
Injuries / deaths
4 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
17
15.5 city / 20 hwy

Top 2011 Nissan Frontier problems

NHTSA owner complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.

  1. Airbags16 (25%)
  2. Brakes14 (22%)
  3. Engine10 (16%)
  4. Structure & Body10 (16%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain9 (14%)
  6. Electrical System6 (9%)
  7. Other5 (8%)
  8. Suspension, Wheels & Tires4 (6%)
  9. Seat Belts3 (5%)
  10. Steering2 (3%)
2011 Nissan Frontier complaints: complaints filed per quarter52011 Q22013 Q12015 Q12016 Q32018 Q32019 Q42021 Q22023 Q3
82 complaints filed with NHTSA from 2011 Q2 to 2025 Q4; peak 2019 Q1 (5).

2011 Nissan Frontier recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V067000Feb 10, 2023Airbags404,690 vehicles

    Air bags:frontal

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.

    Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver’s airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.

2011 Nissan Frontier fuel economy and fuel cost

City
15.5 MPG
Highway
20 MPG
Combined
17 MPG
Annual fuel cost (EPA)
$3,800
15,000 mi/yr
Fuel
Regular
Current regular gas
$4.32/gal
national avg.

EPA figures; median across configurations of this model year. Estimate your own cost with the fuel cost calculator.

2011 compared with other Frontier years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2009Best1537317.5
2010Caution6059417
2011Caution6564117
2012Caution7078317
2013Good4048118.5

All Nissan Frontier years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2011 Nissan Frontier a reliable year?
Judged by NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2011 Nissan Frontier ranks #8 of 21 among Frontier model years (Complaint Index 65/100, verdict: Caution). It has 64 complaints and 1 recalls on file. This reflects reported safety-related problems, not an overall reliability rating.
What are the most common problems with the 2011 Nissan Frontier?
The most reported problem areas are airbags (16 complaints), brakes (14 complaints), and engine (10 complaints). The median mileage at the time of failure in complaints that report it is 47,800 miles.
Does the 2011 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
Yes — NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2011 Nissan Frontier, most recently reported 2023, covering airbags.
What is the fuel economy of the 2011 Nissan Frontier?
EPA rates the 2011 Nissan Frontier at 17 MPG combined (15.5 city / 20 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,800. Where several configurations exist, the median is shown.

Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation complaint and recall databases; U.S. EPA fuel economy data; NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings. Complaints are unverified owner reports.

Data updated Sep 24, 2026. Read the methodology and data sources. The Complaint Index is based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls; it is not a reliability rating.