The 2016 Nissan Frontier has 1 safety recall and 44 owner complaints on file with NHTSA. The most-reported problem area is air bags (10 complaints).
Recalls1safety recalls
Complaints44filed by owners
Crashes · fires4 · 1reported in complaints
Injuries · deaths3 · 0reported in complaints
Safety recalls
Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood
NHTSA recall 16V181000 · Mar 31, 2016 · 1,554 vehicles
Problem: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2016 Frontier V6 vehicles manufactured February 29, 2016, to March 7, 2016. The starter motor wire harness may have been installed in an incorrect position, allowing the starter harness terminal to contact the heat shield and result in an electrical short.
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the starter wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Components: Electrical system › Wiring › Front underhood; Electrical system › Starter assembly
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
2016 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
19.8%
2016 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
21.2%
2016 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD
Overall
Not Rated
Frontal crash
Not Rated
Side crash
Not Rated
Rollover
★★★★★
Rollover risk
19.8%
2016 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
4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,550/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
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 22 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Rear-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Frontier 4WD
18mpg combined
City / highway
16 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Manual 6-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,700/year to fuel
Frontier 4WD
17mpg combined
City / highway
15 / 21 mpg
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
4 L · 6 cyl · Automatic 5-spd · Part-time 4-Wheel Drive · about $3,950/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
10
2
0
3
52,000 mi
Unknown or other
10
1
0
0
5,136 mi
Fuel/propulsion system
8
0
0
0
26,500 mi
Engine
8
0
1
0
49,000 mi
Structure Body
4
0
1
0
—
Power train
3
0
0
0
—
Steering
3
2
0
0
—
Service brakes
3
0
0
0
—
Wheels
2
1
0
0
—
Electrical system
2
0
1
0
—
Suspension
1
1
0
0
—
Seat belts
1
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 25, 2026 · crashSteering Front right half shaft/ CV joint. The accident resulted in the vehicle air bags deploying. with the amount of damage vehicle has been totaled When the component failed it caused the vehicle to cross two lanes of traffic before striking a temporary barrier in a construction zone. no. vehicle was totaled Inspected by Virginia State police trooper at accident scene. component was lying on the roadway. There was no indication of trouble prior to failure
Jul 28, 2026Unknown or other OUR 2016 NISSAN FRONTER HAS A SLOW AIR LEAK ON THE TIRES AFTER HAVEING THEM CHECKED BY A TIRE DEALER IT WAS FOUND THE TIRE PRESSURE SENSOR (TPS) WAS LEAKING AT THE CORE DEALER WAS UNABLE TO REMOVE THE CORE OR THE NUT THAT HOLDS THE TPS ON THE WHEEL. GALVONIC REACTION HAD WELDED ALL IN PLACE . DEALER CUT THE VALVE OFF AND REPLACED WITH A NEW TPS (NON METAL) AS IS THERE PRATICE AS THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH METAL ONES IN THE PAST . I THINK THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH OTHER TPSs AND COULD HAVE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE OR AT LEAST THE OWNER WOULD BE UNABLE TO ADD AIR TO TIRE THE TPS IS A STOCK NISSAN SCHRADER ELECTRONICS RTPMS 40700 1AA0B BLUE IN COLOR
Oct 17, 2025Fuel/propulsion system I am experiencing a fuel pump issue that stalls the engine while driving. The issue will sometimes go away if I first loosen the fuel cap on the gas tank to relieve built up pressure but after driving for 10 to 15 minutes or so the vehicle will begin to jerk while accelerating then it will stall and cut off. I have to wait a few minutes once it cuts off and then I can start the engine up again and drive for another 10 to 15 minutes before the issue occurs again. The vehicle has over 120,000 miles on it and all parts are original to the vehicle.
Aug 1, 2024Structure › Body A loud squeaking has developed during every day driving. After inspecting - the front right truck bed mounting location has cracked and failed.
Sep 12, 2024Fuel/propulsion system WHILE FUELING AT DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS THE TANK SPILLS/BELCHES GAS ALL OVER. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS RECALLED. THERE ARE ENDLESS COMPLAINTS ON [XXX] OF SIMILAR ISSUES OCCURRING TO OTHER FRONTIER OWNERS. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS QUOTED OVER $800 TO REPLACE ALL 5 COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM AS NISSAN HAS SUGGESTED IN A BULLETIN FOR MECHANICS. IF NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ENOUGH TO ISSUE A TECHNICAL BULLETIN THEN THE ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED FOR FREE BECAUSE GAS SPILLING/SPRAYING ALL OVER ME EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY VEHICLE IS OUT RIGHT DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)
Dec 1, 2023Air bags The airbag warning light is blinking and has been for approximately 9 months. I live in Salida, CO which does not have a Nissan Dealership to take my vehicle into for servicing. I recently saw an article on Fox 31 News pertaining to the same airbag malfunction and would like to know what to do about my problem.
Jun 26, 2024Engine Head gasket blew and it warped the heads at 98,000 miles Replace motor with a 51,000 mile motor and less than 2 months later, motor is knocking inside with broken peices of the motor. I have to replace it again.
Jun 4, 2024Wheels The issues iw with the lug nuts expanding locking on the tire so it cannot be takeoff for rotation or replacement or if you have a flat tire tout on the spare. Went to BJ's tire in Pasadena, MD (1-410-647-6600) to have a rotation and they said they could not do it the lug nuts expanded to larger size and it could cross thread if they got them off and tried tout them back on. AS WELL THEY MIGHT NOT BE SECURED TIGHT ENOUGH THAT THEY WOULD NOT FALLOFF WHILE DRIVING. A SAFTY ISSUES WITH BJ'S. BOTH MECHANICS VERIFIED IT AND THE TWO MANAGERS OF THE STORE AS WE.. I did not believe them so I took it to Sheehy Nissan in glen Burnie where the two top managers verified that the lug nut expanded so…
Owner complaints are submitted to NHTSA by the public and are not verified. Shown as filed (NHTSA removes personal details); long reports are shortened.