AIR BAGS:FRONTAL
2011 Nissan Frontier
Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data
Data refreshed
Overview
Our database contains 64 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2011 Nissan Frontier, most frequently naming the airbags, brakes and powertrain (other) categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 110 manufacturer communications are on file.
Complaints are reports submitted by owners and drivers to NHTSA. They are not verified and do not establish that a defect exists.
Complaint activity over time
When owners filed reports about this model year
View as table
| Month | Complaints filed | Cumulative |
|---|---|---|
| May 2011 | 1 | 1 |
| Jun 2011 | 1 | 2 |
| Jul 2011 | 2 | 4 |
| Aug 2011 | 1 | 5 |
| Oct 2011 | 1 | 6 |
| Dec 2011 | 1 | 7 |
| Sep 2012 | 1 | 8 |
| Nov 2012 | 1 | 9 |
| Jan 2013 | 4 | 13 |
| Oct 2013 | 1 | 14 |
| Feb 2014 | 1 | 15 |
| Aug 2014 | 1 | 16 |
| Nov 2014 | 1 | 17 |
| Dec 2014 | 1 | 18 |
| Mar 2015 | 1 | 19 |
| Aug 2015 | 2 | 21 |
| Oct 2015 | 1 | 22 |
| Dec 2015 | 1 | 23 |
| Feb 2016 | 1 | 24 |
| May 2016 | 1 | 25 |
| Jun 2016 | 1 | 26 |
| Sep 2016 | 1 | 27 |
| Mar 2017 | 3 | 30 |
| May 2017 | 1 | 31 |
| Jun 2017 | 1 | 32 |
| Aug 2017 | 2 | 34 |
| Oct 2017 | 1 | 35 |
| Dec 2017 | 1 | 36 |
| Sep 2018 | 1 | 37 |
| Nov 2018 | 1 | 38 |
| Dec 2018 | 1 | 39 |
| Jan 2019 | 1 | 40 |
| Feb 2019 | 2 | 42 |
| Mar 2019 | 1 | 43 |
| Apr 2019 | 1 | 44 |
| Jul 2019 | 1 | 45 |
| Sep 2019 | 1 | 46 |
| Oct 2019 | 1 | 47 |
| Nov 2019 | 1 | 48 |
| Feb 2020 | 1 | 49 |
| May 2020 | 1 | 50 |
| Sep 2020 | 1 | 51 |
| Oct 2020 | 1 | 52 |
| Jun 2021 | 1 | 53 |
| Dec 2021 | 2 | 55 |
| Jun 2022 | 1 | 56 |
| Dec 2022 | 2 | 58 |
| May 2023 | 1 | 59 |
| Sep 2023 | 1 | 60 |
| Oct 2023 | 1 | 61 |
| Apr 2024 | 1 | 62 |
| Mar 2025 | 1 | 63 |
| Nov 2025 | 1 | 64 |
What owners report
Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded
- Airbags1620.3%
- Brakes1316.5%
- Powertrain (other)911.4%
- Driver assistance78.9%
- Electrical67.6%
- Engine67.6%
- Body & structure67.6%
- Interior & seats45.1%
Percentages are of component mentions. A single complaint can name more than one component, so these do not sum to the total complaint count.
Safety recalls
1 campaign cover this model year
Recalls apply to specific vehicles, not to every vehicle of a model year. Check your VIN with NHTSA or your manufacturer's dealer to confirm whether a recall affects your vehicle.
Check a VIN on NHTSA.govRecent owner complaints
Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words
Transmission fluid mixing with coolant in radiator!
- NHTSA ID
- 11697002
- Incident
- Oct 26, 2025
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 didn’t 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 cannot seem to be fixed, if they have even tried. I’m pretty sure nothing will be done, but wanted to file this complaint. I’m not expecting anything will be reviewed on this issue, since nothing has been seen thus far for an actual fix via Nissan etc.
- NHTSA ID
- 11649505
- Incident
- Mar 19, 2025
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 the only ones who cannot obtain this part.
- NHTSA ID
- 11585943
- Incident
- Jan 25, 2024
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11551021
- Incident
- Oct 20, 2023
Vehicle frame has failed due to rust.
- NHTSA ID
- 11542580
- Incident
- Jul 7, 2023
Paint flaking off of front fender in crease above tire on both the passenger and driver side.
- NHTSA ID
- 11523897
- Incident
- May 18, 2023
2011 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ILLUMINATED CHECK ENGNE LIGHT.
- NHTSA ID
- 11497974
- Incident
- Dec 19, 2022
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.
- NHTSA ID
- 11496149
- Incident
- May 20, 2022
- Mileage
- 160,000 mi
Manufacturer communications
A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.
STRUCTURE:BODY
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).
STRUCTURE:BODY
CERTIFICATION LABEL AND VIN PLATE REPLACEMENT SERVICE INFORMATION Because of collision damage or other vehicle repair, a replacement “Certification Label” or “VIN Plate/Label” may be needed. HINT: Certification Label = FMVSS (Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards) label. These items may be available from Nissan by request if certain criteria are met. This bulletin lists the criteria and provides an application form for such replacements. · The “VIN Plate/Label” (metal plate or vinyl label) is attached to the instrument panel or body on the driver side at the base of the windshield (see Figure 1). · The “Certification Label” (vinyl adhesive label) is located on the lower area of the driver side B-Pillar (see Figure 1).
AIR BAGS
VOLUNTARY SAFETY RECALL CAMPAIGN 2005-2013 FRONTIER, PATHFINDER, AND XTERRA; DRIVER AIR BAG COVER CAMPAIGN ID #: PC945 and PC948 APPLIED VEHICLES: 2005-2013 Frontier (D40) 2005-2012 Pathfinder (R51) 2005-2013 Xterra (N50) Check Service COMM or Dealer Business Systems (DBS) National Service History to confirm campaign eligibility. INTRODUCTION Nissan is conducting this voluntary safety recall campaign on certain specific model year 2005-2012 Pathfinder, and 2005-2013 Frontier and Xterra vehicles to inspect and, if necessary, replace the Driver Air Bag Cover. This service will be performed at no charge to the customer for parts or labor. IDENTIFICATION NUMBER Nissan has assigned identification number PC945 and PC948 to this campaign. This number must appear on all communication and documentation of any nature dealing with this campaign. DEALER RESPONSIBILITY It is the dealer’s responsibility to check Service COMM or Dealer Business Systems (DBS) National Service History for the campaign status on each vehicle falling within the range of this voluntary safety recall which for any reason enters the service department. This includes vehicles purchased from private parties or presented by transient (tourist) owners and vehicles in a dealer’s inventory. Federal law requires that new vehicles in dealer inventory which are the subject of a safety recall must be corrected prior to sale. Failure to do so can result in civil penalties by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. While federal law applies only to new vehicles, Nissan strongly encourages dealers to correct any used vehicles in their inventory before they are retailed.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAN COMMUNICATION CODES – DIAGNOSTIC TIPS AND GUIDELINES This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
VEHICLE KEY NOT DETECTED / AUTHENTICATED, ENGINE WILL NOT START This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
CAN COMMUNICATION – NETWORK DIAGNOSTIC FLOW CHART This bulletin has been amended. See AMENDMENT HISTORY on the last page. Please discard previous versions of this bulletin.
Manufacturers file copies of the bulletins they send to dealers with NHTSA. These often describe diagnostic or repair procedures for a known condition. They are not recalls: repairs described in a bulletin are usually only free if the vehicle is still under warranty or the manufacturer has extended coverage.
Compare model years
Complaint and recall counts across every year of this model
| Year | Complaints | Recalls | Investigations | Issue Index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | 6 | 1 | 0 | — |
| 2025 | 7 | 3 | 0 | — |
| 2024 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 53.3 |
| 2023 | 64 | 1 | 0 | 52.1 |
| 2022 | 110 | 6 | 0 | 57.8 |
| 2021 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 45.2 |
| 2020 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 57.3 |
| 2019 | 29 | 1 | 0 | 46.3 |
| 2018 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 45.2 |
| 2017 | 38 | 1 | 0 | 49.1 |
| 2016 | 43 | 1 | 0 | 44.7 |
| 2015 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 38.4 |
| 2014 | 42 | 2 | 0 | 51.0 |
| 2013 | 48 | 1 | 0 | 47.2 |
| 2012 | 78 | 3 | 0 | 47.6 |
| 2011Viewing | 64 | 1 | 0 | 41.8 |
| 2010 | 59 | 6 | 1 | 51.8 |
| 2009 | 37 | 5 | 1 | 50.8 |
| 2008 | 136 | 6 | 1 | 51.1 |
| 2007 | 520 | 2 | 1 | 47.2 |
| 2006 | 616 | 7 | 2 | 55.0 |
| 2005 | 532 | 6 | 1 | 52.5 |
| 2004 | 66 | 4 | 0 | 52.4 |
| 2003 | 77 | 7 | 0 | 53.9 |
| 2002 | 124 | 8 | 0 | 54.3 |
| 2001 | 134 | 7 | 1 | 59.8 |
| 2000 | 189 | 6 | 0 | 56.4 |
| 1999 | 78 | 5 | 0 | 52.3 |
| 1998 | 129 | 5 | 0 | 53.1 |
Higher-selling and older vehicles accumulate more reports. Counts are not failure rates and are not directly comparable between vehicles that sold in very different numbers. Older model years have had longer for reports to accumulate.