2020 Nissan Frontier Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls
Good The 2020 Nissan Frontier has a complaint index of 30, ranking 15th worst out of 21 model years, and earns a Good verdict. NHTSA lists 23 complaints and 2 recalls, both tied to a transmission parking pawl defect that can let the vehicle roll away.
Based on NHTSA complaints per model-year, not a reliability rating. Methodology
YearToAvoid Scorecard
- Complaint Index
- 30/100
- #15 of 21 Frontier years
- Verdict
- Good
- vs. other years of this model
- Complaints
- 23
- unique NHTSA reports
- Recalls
- 2
- distinct NHTSA campaigns
- Crashes
- 3
- reported in complaints
- Fires
- 0
- Injuries
- 1
- Top issue
- Transmission & Powertrain
- NHTSA overall rating
- Not rated
- EPA combined MPG
- 19.5
- 17.5 city / 23.5 hwy
- Injuries / deaths
- 1 / 0
Top 2020 Nissan Frontier problems
Share of this year’s NHTSA complaints by component group. Groups with 15+ complaints have their own page.
- Transmission & Powertrain12 (52%)
- Engine6 (26%)
- Brakes4 (17%)
- Electrical System4 (17%)
- Collision Avoidance & Cameras2 (9%)
- Other2 (9%)
- Airbags1 (4%)
- Seat Belts1 (4%)
- Steering1 (4%)
- Structure & Body1 (4%)
A complaint can list more than one component, so shares add up to more than 100%. Shares are % of complaints.
What owners report
- Owners report the transmission parking pawl fails to engage after shifting into park, letting the truck roll away and strike objects like fences or garage doors.
- Some drivers say the transmission unexpectedly shifted into neutral while underway, losing power and triggering check engine and transmission warning lights, diagnosed as an incorrect gear ratio code.
- One owner described the passenger seat failing to lock in place on one side after being moved.
- Dashboard lights were reported as too dim to clearly see the speedometer, with no warning lights illuminated.
- An owner reported the passenger airbag warning light coming on intermittently, traced to a seat belt pretension sensor that kept failing after repair.
- Electrical issues included an alternator failure that disabled cooling fans while keeping the engine running, and brake lights that stopped working despite no warning light.
2020 Nissan Frontier recalls
2 NHTSA recall campaigns list this model year.
- NHTSA 22V671000Sep 7, 2022Transmission & Powertrain197,230 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Titan, 2020-2022 Frontier, and 2023 Z vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will perform the applicable repairs below, free of charge: Â Model Year 2020-2022 Frontier vehicles: reprogram Transmission Control Module (TCM) Â Model Year 2020-2022 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM and Engine Control Module (ECM) Â Model Year 2023 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM Â Model Year 2023 Z vehicles: reprogram TCM. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
- NHTSA 22V457000Jun 24, 2022Transmission & Powertrain180,176 vehicles
Power train:automatic transmission
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Frontier and Titan vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will replace the transmission parking pawl pin, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22A2 R22A3.
2020 Nissan Frontier fuel economy and fuel cost
- City
- 17.5 MPG
- Highway
- 23.5 MPG
- Combined
- 19.5 MPG
- Annual fuel cost (EPA)
- $3,325
- 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.
2020 compared with other Frontier years
Frequently asked questions
- Is the 2020 Nissan Frontier reliable?
- Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2020 Frontier ranks 15th worst out of 21 model years with a complaint index of 30, earning a Good verdict relative to other Frontier years.
- Does the 2020 Nissan Frontier have a transmission recall?
- Yes. NHTSA lists two recalls, campaigns 22V671000 and 22V457000, both covering a transmission parking pawl that may not engage in park, which can let the vehicle roll away.
- What is the most common problem with the 2020 Nissan Frontier?
- Transmission & Powertrain issues are the top problem area, accounting for 12 of 23 complaints, or 52 percent, with a median mileage at failure of 28,000 miles.
- How many complaints does NHTSA have for the 2020 Nissan Frontier?
- NHTSA lists 23 complaints for the 2020 Frontier, including 3 crashes and 1 injury, with no fires or deaths reported.
- What is the fuel economy of the 2020 Nissan Frontier?
- The EPA rates the 2020 Frontier at 19.5 mpg combined (17.5 city / 23.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,325.