YearToAvoid

2023 Nissan Frontier Problems, Recalls & Reliability

Verdict

Avoid

Complaint Index

93/100

#2 most-complained of 16 Frontier years

The 2023 Nissan Frontier has a Complaint Index of 93, the second-worst of 16 model years, earning an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 66 complaints, 1 recall, 4 crashes, 3 fires, and top problem areas in the Electrical System (45%) and Engine (33%).

Complaints
66
Recalls
1
Crashes / fires
4 / 3
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19.5
17.5 city / 21.5 hwy

Top 2023 Nissan Frontier problems

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

  1. Electrical System30 (45%)
  2. Engine22 (33%)
  3. Brakes15 (23%)
  4. Collision Avoidance & Cameras14 (21%)
  5. Transmission & Powertrain13 (20%)
  6. Other9 (14%)
  7. Structure & Body8 (12%)
  8. Steering6 (9%)
  9. Suspension, Wheels & Tires1 (2%)
  10. Visibility & Wipers1 (2%)

What owners report

  • Owners report sudden unintended acceleration while pressing the accelerator, in one case leading to a multi-vehicle crash.
  • Some trucks caught fire and burst into flames while parked in the driveway shortly after purchase.
  • The automatic emergency braking system reportedly activated on its own and caused a crash, with forward collision warning and blind spot lights flickering beforehand.
  • Drivers describe the emergency braking warning triggering along with unexpected acceleration when pulling into a parking spot.
  • A clicking or popping noise from the steering wheel occurs during slight steering adjustments and was not resolved after two dealership visits.
  • Radio and backup camera screens reportedly go black for extended periods, with the radio losing sound or rebooting with loud pops while driving.
2023 Nissan Frontier complaints: complaints filed per month29Dec 2022Aug 2023Jan 2024Aug 2024Jun 2025Jan 2026Jun 2026
119 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Sep 2025 (29).

2023 Nissan Frontier recalls

1 NHTSA recall campaign list this model year.

  1. NHTSA 23V273000Apr 17, 2023Suspension, Wheels & Tires4,249 vehicles

    Tires:bead

    Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2023 Titan and Frontier vehicles. The tires may have a tear in the inner bead which can cause a rapid loss of tire pressure.

    Risk: A rapid loss of tire pressure while driving can lead to a loss of vehicle control, increasing the risk of a crash.

    Remedy: Dealers will replace all four road tires, or inspect and replace the spare tire assembly, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed June 10, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is PC973 and PC974.

2023 Nissan Frontier fuel economy and fuel cost

City
17.5 MPG
Highway
21.5 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.

2023 compared with other Frontier years

Complaint Index by model year (0 = fewest issues, 100 = most)0255075100’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Best719219.5
2022Avoid100111619.5
2023Avoid9366119.5
2024Caution7322320
2025Best138319

All Nissan Frontier years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Nissan Frontier reliable?
NHTSA data gives the 2023 Frontier a Complaint Index of 93, the second-highest among all 16 model years covered, so it carries an Avoid verdict relative to other Frontier years.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Nissan Frontier?
Electrical System complaints make up 45% of reports, followed by Engine issues at 33% and Brakes at 23%, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2023 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
Yes, one recall (23V273000) covers tires with a possible tear in the inner bead that can cause rapid air loss; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
At what mileage do 2023 Frontier problems typically show up?
The overall median mileage at failure is 4,500 miles, though Electrical System issues have a median of 41,000 miles and Engine issues 2,350 miles.
How does the 2023 Frontier compare to the 2022 model?
The 2022 Frontier has a higher Complaint Index of 100 and 111 complaints versus 66 for 2023, but both years carry an Avoid verdict among Frontier model years.

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.