2019 Nissan Frontier Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2019 Nissan Frontier has a complaint index of 25, ranking 16th worst out of 21 model years, and carries a Good verdict. It has 28 complaints, 1 recall, and its top problem area is Transmission & Powertrain with 7 complaints.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 25/100
- #16 of 21 Frontier years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 28
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 1
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 1
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 1
- Injuries
- 2
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- 4 / 5 ★
- EPA combined MPG
- 18.5
- 16 city / 22 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 2 / 0
Top 2019 Nissan Frontier problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain7 (25%)
- Other6 (21%)
- Airbags5 (18%)
- Electrical System5 (18%)
- Brakes3 (11%)
- Engine2 (7%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (7%)
- Seat Belts2 (7%)
- Steering2 (7%)
- Structure & Body2 (7%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Automatic transmission intermittently enters limp mode, cutting power when the accelerator is pressed, at a median mileage of 12,000 miles.
- Transmission clunks or makes noise when the clutch is pushed in while driving over bumps at low speed.
- Gear selector sometimes shows '4' on the dash and fails to engage the selected gear when shifting from park to drive.
- Brake pedal feels mushy with excessive travel, and pressing harder does not increase stopping force, at a median mileage of 4,500 miles.
- Airbag occupant classification sensor fails, triggering a flashing airbag warning light and requiring seat replacement.
- Steering vibration reported after tire rebalancing failed to fully resolve the issue on a truck fitted with larger tires.
2019 Nissan Frontier recalls
1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.
- NHTSA 19V654000Sep 12, 2019Collision Avoidance & Cameras1,228,830 vehicles
Back over prevention: sensing system: camera
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
2019 Nissan Frontier fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 16 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.
2019 compared with other Frontier years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2019 Nissan Frontier reliable?
- NHTSA data gives the 2019 Frontier a complaint index of 25 and a Good verdict, ranking 16th worst out of 21 model years for the Frontier. It has 28 complaints and 1 recall on record.
- What are the most common problems with the 2019 Nissan Frontier?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues lead with 7 complaints (25% share), followed by Airbags and Electrical System, each with 5 complaints (18% share).
- Does the 2019 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
- NHTSA lists 1 recall for the 2019 Frontier, campaign 19V654000, covering a back-up camera settings software update that Nissan dealers perform free of charge.
- How does the 2019 Frontier compare to other Frontier years?
- The 2019 Frontier's complaint index of 25 is much lower than the worst years, 2006 (index 100) and 2005 (index 90), both rated Avoid, and slightly higher than best years like 2018 (index 0) and 2021 (index 10).