YearToAvoid

2023 Nissan Frontier Reliability Data: Problems & Recalls

Avoid The 2023 Nissan Frontier has a Complaint Index of 80, ranking 5th worst among 21 model years, and carries an Avoid verdict. NHTSA lists 66 complaints, 1 recall, 4 crashes, and 3 fires, led by electrical system problems (45% of complaints).

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

YearToAvoid Scorecard

Complaint Index
80/100
#5 of 21 Frontier years
Verdict
Avoid
vs. other years of this model
Complaints
66
unique NHTSA reports
Recalls
1
distinct NHTSA campaigns
Crashes
4
reported in complaints
Fires
3
Injuries
2
Top issue
Electrical System
Best nearby year
2025
rated Best
NHTSA overall rating
Not rated
EPA combined MPG
19.5
17.5 city / 21.5 hwy
Injuries / deaths
2 / 0

Top 2023 Nissan Frontier problems

Share of this year’s NHTSA 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%)

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 sudden unintended acceleration when applying the accelerator pedal, in one case leading to a multi-vehicle crash.
  • Engine compartment smoking and catching fire while the vehicle sat parked in a driveway.
  • Automatic emergency braking and forward collision warning activating unexpectedly, sometimes causing crashes or hard braking at highway speed.
  • Transmission jerking and hunting for gears between 0 and 30 mph, including at stop signs and low mileage.
  • Temporary loss of power steering assist when pulling away from a stop, with steering returning gradually above 40 mph.
  • Adaptive cruise control causing the truck to surge and downshift repeatedly while trying to match set speed.
2023 Nissan Frontier complaints: complaints filed per month11Dec 2022Aug 2023Jan 2024Aug 2024Jun 2025Jan 2026Jun 2026
66 complaints filed with NHTSA from Dec 2022 to Sep 2026; peak Sep 2025 (11).

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)0255075100’05’06’07’08’09’10’11’12’13’14’15’16’17’18’19’20’21’22’23’24’25
Complaint Index: 0 = fewest issues, 100 = most, relative to other years of this model. Avoid Caution Good Best
YearVerdictIndexComplaintsRecallsMPG
2021Best1019219.5
2022Avoid85111619.5
2023Avoid8066119.5
2024Good4522320
2025Best58319

All Nissan Frontier years: best and worst →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2023 Nissan Frontier reliable?
Based on NHTSA owner complaints and recalls, the 2023 Frontier ranks 5th worst out of 21 model years with a Complaint Index of 80, earning an Avoid verdict relative to other Frontier years.
What are the most common problems with the 2023 Nissan Frontier?
Electrical system issues make up 45% of complaints, followed by engine problems at 33% and brakes at 23%, according to NHTSA data.
Does the 2023 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
NHTSA lists one recall (23V273000) for tires that may have a tear in the inner bead, which can cause rapid air loss; it is not a do-not-drive recall.
How does the 2023 Frontier compare to other years?
With a Complaint Index of 80, the 2023 model is worse than most other Frontier years; only 2006 (100), 2007 (95), 2005 (90), and 2022 (85) score higher.
What is the fuel economy of the 2023 Nissan Frontier?
EPA rates the 2023 Frontier at 19.5 mpg combined (17.5 city / 21.5 highway), with an estimated annual fuel cost of $3,325.

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.