The 2011 Nissan Frontier has 1 safety recall and 64 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (16 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints64filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths4 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Air bags › Frontal
NHTSA recall 23V067000 · Feb 10, 2023 · 404,690 vehicles
Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Risk: A detached emblem can become a projectile during air bag deployment, increasing the risk of injury to vehicle occupants.
Fix: Dealers will replace the driverÂs airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
Recall repairs are free at any authorised dealer. A recall listed here may already have been fixed on a particular car: enter its 17-character VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls to see open recalls.
Crash test ratings
2011 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
19.8%
2011 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
19.8%
2011 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
21.2%
2011 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
21.2%
NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings (New Car Assessment Program). Ratings are comparable only between vehicles of similar size and weight, and ratings from 2011 on use tougher tests than earlier years. Photos: NHTSA.
Fuel economy
Frontier 2WD
21mpg combined
City / highway
19 / 23 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Manual 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,200/year to fuel
Frontier 2WD
19mpg combined
City / highway
17 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
2.5 L · 4 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/year to fuel
Frontier 2WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Frontier 2WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Frontier 4WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 20 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/year to fuel
Frontier 4WD
16mpg combined
City / highway
14 / 19 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · 4-Wheel Drive · about $4,200/year to fuel
EPA estimates from fueleconomy.gov for each engine and transmission sold. Annual cost is the EPA's estimate for 15,000 miles a year at its current fuel and electricity price assumptions. Your results will vary.
What owners report
Problem area
Complaints
Crashes
Fires
Injuries
Typical mileage*
Air bags Frontal; Side/window
16
2
0
4
34,400 mi
Service brakes
12
2
0
0
76,000 mi
Power train
9
0
0
0
54,000 mi
Electrical system
6
0
1
0
12,744 mi
Structure Body
6
0
0
0
42,265 mi
Unknown or other
5
0
0
0
59,500 mi
Vehicle speed control
4
1
0
0
83,333 mi
Engine
4
0
0
0
70,000 mi
Seats
3
0
0
0
49,100 mi
Seat belts
3
0
0
0
—
Wheels
2
0
0
0
—
Suspension
2
0
0
0
—
*Median odometer reading when the problem happened, where owners gave one. One complaint can name several problem areas.
Recent owner complaints
Oct 26, 2025Power train Transmission fluid mixing with coolant in radiator!
Mar 19, 2025Service brakes The brakes have failed several times, seems to be a known issues and affecting others. While our Nissan Truck is older, we had our Nissan checked at Midas, and then at the local Continental Nissan location, that didnât really help, found a part that helped but only for a short period of time, as this part crapped out again yesterday 3/19/2025, and even though the brake pushed to the floor trying to stop as the brakes stopped working again! The part was only approx 2-5 months old. Nissan Frontier dealership or other places to find the actual parts needed have no real parts that would actually fix the issue. It is very sad for those in the same issue as us, pay $$$ for a used vehicle that…
Jan 25, 2024 · crashAir bags On January 25, 2024 my son was driving this truck and hit a dog on the highway. His driver side airbag deployed, the driver side seatbelt would not retract, and there was some minor body damage. The engine of the vehicle is fine and completely operational. Since then, we have been waiting for repairs to be made. Per USAA, repairs will be approx $5000 or less. The vehicle is worth over $12,000 so they decided to repair it. The problem is that part number 98820-ZP78A (air bag control module) is no longer being manufactured by Nissan. All other parts, including the *actual* air bag can still be purchased from Nissan, but they are not making the sensor we need to fix this vehicle. We are not…
Oct 20, 2023Air bags The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.
Jul 7, 2023Unknown or other Vehicle frame has failed due to rust.
May 18, 2023Structure › Body Paint flaking off of front fender in crease above tire on both the passenger and driver side.
Dec 19, 2022Engine 2011 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ILLUMINATED CHECK ENGNE LIGHT.
May 20, 2022 · 160,000 milesEngine and engine cooling › Engine › Engine control module (ecu/ecm) › Software The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle was running rough. Additionally, the vehicle was shuddering violently and started to stall. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and drove to a local Pep Boys. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Engine Control Module (ECM) had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part had been discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.