2016 Nissan Frontier Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Caution The 2016 Nissan Frontier has 43 NHTSA complaints and a complaint index of 55, ranking 10th worst out of 21 model years with a Caution verdict. Airbags are the top problem area (23% of complaints), with one recall tied to a starter wire harness issue.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 55/100
- #10 of 21 Frontier years
- Verdict
- Caution
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 43
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 3
- Top issue
- Airbags
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16.5 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 3 / 0
Top 2016 Nissan Frontier problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Airbags10 (23%)
- Other9 (21%)
- Engine8 (19%)
- Fuel System8 (19%)
- Structure & Body4 (9%)
- Brakes3 (7%)
- Transmission & Powertrain3 (7%)
- Electrical System2 (5%)
- Steering2 (5%)
- Suspension, Wheels & Tires2 (5%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Passenger airbag warning light illuminates randomly even with adults properly seated, sometimes not resolved after dealer inspection.
- Some owners report airbags failed to deploy during crashes despite severe front-end damage.
- Throttle intermittently fails to accelerate, then surges forward or feels like the engine is trying to quit, without triggering diagnostic codes.
- Fuel tank does not hold the advertised capacity, with owners reporting far less usable fuel than the rated 21.1 gallons.
- Brake pedal feels spongy and can travel close to the floor even when the truck is unloaded.
- A fire was reported coming from the engine area while the vehicle was in motion.
2016 Nissan Frontier recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 16V181000Mar 31, 2016Electrical System1,554 vehicles
Electrical system:wiring:front underhood
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016 Frontier V6 vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to March 7, 2016. The starter motor wire harness may have been installed in an incorrect position, allowing the starter harness terminal to contact the heat shield and result in an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the starter wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
2016 Nissan Frontier fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16.5 MPG
- Highway
- 22 MPG
- Combined
- 18.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,500
- 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.
2016 compared with other Frontier years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2016 Nissan Frontier reliable?
- It ranks 10th worst out of 21 Frontier model years with a complaint index of 55 and a Caution verdict, meaning it has more reported problems than several other years but is not among the worst.
- What is the biggest problem with the 2016 Nissan Frontier?
- Airbags are the top complaint area, accounting for 23% of the 43 complaints filed, including reports of warning lights illuminating and airbags not deploying in crashes.
- Does the 2016 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
- Yes, one recall (16V181000) covers V6 models built between February 29 and March 7, 2016, for a starter motor wire harness that may have been installed incorrectly.
- What year Nissan Frontier should I avoid?
- Based on NHTSA data, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2022, and 2023 are rated Avoid, with 2006 having the highest complaint index at 100. The 2016 model is rated Caution, not Avoid.
- How does the 2016 Frontier compare to nearby years?
- The 2015 Frontier scores better with a complaint index of 20 and a Best verdict, while the 2017 Frontier is close behind at 50 with a Caution verdict.