RoadVitals

2016 Nissan Frontier

Recalls, owner-reported complaints, investigations and safety data

Data refreshed

Owner complaintsComplaints are reports submitted to NHTSA by owners and drivers. NHTSA does not verify most reports before publishing them, and a complaint does not establish that a defect exists. Volume is influenced by how many of a vehicle were sold, how long it has been on the road, and how much attention an issue has received.
43
+1 complaint in 30 days
Safety recallsA safety recall is issued when a manufacturer or NHTSA determines that a vehicle has a safety-related defect or does not comply with a federal motor vehicle safety standard. Recall repairs are free. Whether a specific vehicle is covered depends on its VIN — a recall listed for a model year does not necessarily apply to every vehicle of that year.
1
Latest Mar 31, 2016
InvestigationsNHTSA opens an investigation to examine whether a safety defect may exist. An open investigation is not a determination that a defect exists, and many investigations close without a recall. Investigations can, however, lead to one.
0
Crash or fire reportedComplaints whose submitter recorded that a crash or a fire occurred. These are the reporter's own answers on the NHTSA form, not verified findings.
4
3 injuries, 0 deaths reported

Overview

Our database contains 43 NHTSA owner-reported complaints for the 2016 Nissan Frontier, most frequently naming the airbags, fuel system and engine categories. 1 safety recall has been issued covering this model year; and 119 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.

What owners report

Complaints grouped by the component NHTSA recorded

  • Airbags1021.3%
  • Fuel system817.0%
  • Engine817.0%
  • Body & structure48.5%
  • Brakes36.4%
  • Powertrain (other)36.4%
  • Steering24.3%
  • Other / unspecified24.3%

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.gov
16V181000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

Mar 31, 2016
1,554 units potentially affected
The defect: 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.
The risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
The remedy: 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.
Nissan North America, Inc.View on NHTSA.gov

Recent owner complaints

Reports submitted to NHTSA, shown in the owner's own words

View all 43
Filed Jul 28, 2026

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

NHTSA ID
11753328
Incident
Jul 28, 2026
Fuel system
Filed Oct 17, 2025

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.

NHTSA ID
11694089
Incident
Oct 17, 2025
Body & structure
Filed Nov 11, 2024

A loud squeaking has developed during every day driving. After inspecting - the front right truck bed mounting location has cracked and failed.

NHTSA ID
11624547
Incident
Aug 1, 2024
Fuel system
Filed Sep 12, 2024

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)

NHTSA ID
11614337
Incident
Sep 12, 2024
Airbags
Filed Aug 14, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11608384
Incident
Dec 1, 2023
Engine
Filed Jun 28, 2024

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.

NHTSA ID
11597546
Incident
Jun 26, 2024
Other / unspecified
Filed Jun 5, 2024

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 large they had to be replaces OR IT WOULD BE A SAFTY ISSUE with me driving with he old one on as they cannot be safely tightened down and may come off during driving. So I need all 24 lug nuts replaced. I think he said they expanded from 21 mm (or cm) to 22.5 mm (or cm).the manager has been doing this for over 30 years and his assistant said the same who has been doing it for over 25 years. Mr Brian Jordan at 1-410-760-3500 ext #81052) So I need all 24 replaced as the rest could expand. The real cost is over $800 but willing to do it for like $550 plus tire rotation. As both BJ's managers and tire people and Nissan managers are saying thesis a serious safety issue I believe them. They say unless proper tools used other issues can occur. And ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE BY THE OWNER OF THE VECHILE. Especially if the person icon the road replacing the tier with the spare. They showed me on the internet the issues with ford and other manufactures from before 2000 having this issue. As I am [XXX] it would be really hard to deal with if an emergency came up o the road. You need look into this issue. IT IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE esp. for older folks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

NHTSA ID
11592565
Incident
Jun 4, 2024
BrakesPowertrain (other)
Filed Dec 31, 2023

My 2016 Nissan Frontier is leaking axle grease from the driver side rear tire. The grease/oil got all over the brake pads, rotor, and emergency brake. This seems to be a very common issue that was supposed to have been resolved several models prior.

NHTSA ID
11562865
Incident
Dec 31, 2023

Manufacturer communications

A bulletin sent by a manufacturer to its dealers. Not a recall, and repairs are not necessarily free.

NTB09-131C

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).

NTB09-131C

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).

NTB10-066C

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.

NTB13-107G

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.

NTB13-027D

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.

NTB13-028I

VISIBILITY/WIPER

REMOVING FOREIGN MATERIAL FROM THE WINDOW GLASS 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

Nissan Frontier by model year
YearComplaintsRecallsInvestigationsIssue Index
2026610—
2025730—
2024193053.3
2023641052.1
20221106057.8
2021172045.2
2020232057.3
2019291046.3
2018252045.2
2017381049.1
2016Viewing431044.7
2015330038.4
2014422051.0
2013481047.2
2012783047.6
2011641041.8
2010596151.8
2009375150.8
20081366151.1
20075202147.2
20066167255.0
20055326152.5
2004664052.4
2003777053.9
20021248054.3
20011347159.8
20001896056.4
1999785052.3
19981295053.1

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.