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2016 Nissan Frontier

Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations

Similar to other model years

Owner complaints for the 2016 Nissan Frontier do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 64.

About this comparison →

How this year compares

Owner complaints by model year

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Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.

What owners reported most

All reported categories

Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.

When problems were reported

Mileage at the reported incident

24 reports with mileage · 19 unknown

NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.

What to inspect

Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.

  • Air Bags. Review the 10 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Engine. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
  • Fuel/propulsion System. Review the 8 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →

NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.

3 crash reports1 fire reports1 injury reports

What owners actually said

43 reports
14,000 miles · Apr 5, 2018
Service Brakes

THE BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY SPONGY PEDAL WILL TOUCH THE FLOOR. EVEN WHEN THE TRUCK IS EMPTY YOU WONDER IF YOU ARE GOING TO STOP. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL.

NHTSA ODI #11083520

30,000 miles · Mar 19, 2018
Air BagsCrash

WE PURCHASED OUR 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER IN OCTOBER 2016. UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THREE MAJOR CAR ACCIDENTS AND TWO OUT OF THE THREE TIMES THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. EVERY ACCIDENT WE WERE INVOLVED IN COST OVER $10,000 TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLE SO WE KNOW THAT THE FRONT END DAMAGE WAS VERY SEVERE. WE WOULD LIKE OUR VEH…

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WE PURCHASED OUR 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER IN OCTOBER 2016. UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THREE MAJOR CAR ACCIDENTS AND TWO OUT OF THE THREE TIMES THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. EVERY ACCIDENT WE WERE INVOLVED IN COST OVER $10,000 TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLE SO WE KNOW THAT THE FRONT END DAMAGE WAS VERY SEVERE. WE WOULD LIKE OUR VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR ANY AIR BAG MAIL FUNCTION THE LAST ACCIDENT WE WERE INVOLVED IN WE HIT VERY HARD AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL PRETTY HARD.

NHTSA ODI #11080268

Mileage unknown · Aug 11, 2017
Air Bags

I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK TWICE TO THE NISSAN DEALER FOR REPAIR AIR BAG DASH LIGHT WARNING. THE SRS LIGHT KEEPS GOING OFF EVEN WHEN I TOOK TO THE NISSAN DEALER SHOP WHERE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I CAN ONLY SPECULATE THAT IT HAS TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE AIR BAG ITSELF OR POSSIBLY THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT. BOTH TIMES AFTER THE…

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I HAVE TAKEN MY TRUCK TWICE TO THE NISSAN DEALER FOR REPAIR AIR BAG DASH LIGHT WARNING. THE SRS LIGHT KEEPS GOING OFF EVEN WHEN I TOOK TO THE NISSAN DEALER SHOP WHERE PURCHASED THE VEHICLE. I CAN ONLY SPECULATE THAT IT HAS TO DO SOMETHING WITH THE AIR BAG ITSELF OR POSSIBLY THE SENSOR FOR THE PASSENGER SEAT. BOTH TIMES AFTER THEY SO CALLED "FIXED" THE PROBLEM, THE LIGHT WOULD COME BACK ON A DAY OR TWO AFTER. MOSTLY WHENEVER I HAVE A PASSENGER SIT IN THE PASSENGER CHAIR. THE "SRS" AIR BAG LIGHT WOULD TURN OFF FOR A WHILE AT FIRST AFTER FIRST PASSENGER WOULD SIT. HOWEVER, ONCE THE DASHBOARD AIRBAG LIGHT COMES BAG ON, IT WILL NEVER TURN OFF. THIS IS A DEFECT IN MY VEHICLE AND I KNOW OTHER MODELS UNDER NISSAN HAVE BEEN RECALLED, BUT MY TRUCK SEEMS TO BE AFFECTED AS WELL. I WOULD THINK MY VEHICLE FALLS UNDER THE SAME RECALL, HOWEVER NISSAN DOES NOT RECOGNIZE THIS DEFECT.

NHTSA ODI #11014610

55,120 miles · Jul 1, 2017
Air BagsFuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

AIR BAG LIGHT COMES ON WHEN DRIVING ON A DIRT ROAD. FUEL RELATED, BUT NOT SURE, ENGINE LIGHT IS ON IT MIGHT BE EVAPORATIVE EMISSION SYSTEM VENT CIRCUIT SHORTED. LEFT WHEEL PASSENGER SIDE ROTOR COVER KEEPS TWISTING AND RUBS AGAINST THE WHEEL AND MAKES NOISE.

NHTSA ODI #11002604

9 miles · Mar 20, 2017
Fuel/propulsion SystemUnknown Or Other

I HAVE DOCUMENTED EVERYTHING. PICTURES, RECEIPTS, WHO I TALKED TO, DATES. EVERYTHING IN A LONG OUTLINE THAT I WILL ATTACH. PLEASE READ IT. THE ISSUE IS THAT I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK 12-28-2016 AND HAVE YET TO GET THE ADVERTISED FUEL CAPACITY OF 21.1 GALLONS. MY TRUCK GETS ABOUT CONSISTENTLY 15 GALLONS TO FILL UP AND NO RESERVE…

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I HAVE DOCUMENTED EVERYTHING. PICTURES, RECEIPTS, WHO I TALKED TO, DATES. EVERYTHING IN A LONG OUTLINE THAT I WILL ATTACH. PLEASE READ IT. THE ISSUE IS THAT I PURCHASED THIS TRUCK 12-28-2016 AND HAVE YET TO GET THE ADVERTISED FUEL CAPACITY OF 21.1 GALLONS. MY TRUCK GETS ABOUT CONSISTENTLY 15 GALLONS TO FILL UP AND NO RESERVE TANK. NISSAN IS NOT DISPUTING THAT THERE IS A DEFECT AND MY VEHICLE IS NOT THE ONLY ONE. THERE IS ANOTHER TRUCK AT MY DEALERSHIP RIGHT NOW WITH THE SAME EXACT PROBLEM. AND THE DEALERSHIP HAS ADMITTED THAT THERE ARE OTHERS. PLUS I'VE FOUND MORE ONLINE IN FORUMS. THEY DON'T KNOW HOW TO FIX IT YET.

NHTSA ODI #10967385

272 miles · Mar 3, 2017
Unknown Or Other

VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD WHEN USING "NISSAN CONNECT" HANDS-FREE SYSTEM WITH ALL CELL PHONES. "NISSAN CONNECT" DOES NOT DIFFERENTIATE THE DIFFERENCE WHEN CALLING A PERSON WITH MULTIPLE PHONE NUMBERS. INSTEAD OF ASKING "WOULD YOU LIKE TO CALL ____ ON CELL OR AT HOME"?, IT ASKS YOU WHICH PHONE NUMBER IS CORRECT? THIS NOW FO…

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VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD WHEN USING "NISSAN CONNECT" HANDS-FREE SYSTEM WITH ALL CELL PHONES. "NISSAN CONNECT" DOES NOT DIFFERENTIATE THE DIFFERENCE WHEN CALLING A PERSON WITH MULTIPLE PHONE NUMBERS. INSTEAD OF ASKING "WOULD YOU LIKE TO CALL ____ ON CELL OR AT HOME"?, IT ASKS YOU WHICH PHONE NUMBER IS CORRECT? THIS NOW FORCES YOU TO GRAB YOUR PHONE, SEARCH FOR THE CONTACT, AND VERIFY WHICH PHONE NUMBER IS CORRECT. THE ENTIRE TIME, YOU ARE NOW DISTRACTED FROM DRIVING AND DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF BEING HANDS FREE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD WITH ALL NISSAN VEHICLES THAT HAVE NISSAN CONNECT.

NHTSA ODI #10958447

9,631 miles · Jan 23, 2017
SteeringSuspensionWheelsCrash

LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE APPROVED A BODY SHOP TO REPAIR MY TRUCK FROM AN ACCIDENT (I WAS NOT AT FAULT) BY REMOVING ALL PARTS OF MY TRUCK FROM IT'S ORIGINAL FRAME AND PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER ON ANOTHER FRAME. I WAS SITTING STILL, WHEN I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. ALL PARTIES GOT STOPPED, EXCEPT T…

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LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE APPROVED A BODY SHOP TO REPAIR MY TRUCK FROM AN ACCIDENT (I WAS NOT AT FAULT) BY REMOVING ALL PARTS OF MY TRUCK FROM IT'S ORIGINAL FRAME AND PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER ON ANOTHER FRAME. I WAS SITTING STILL, WHEN I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. ALL PARTIES GOT STOPPED, EXCEPT THE LADY THAT HIT ME IN THE REAR.

NHTSA ODI #10947100

1 miles · Dec 2, 2016
Unknown Or Other

WHEN I STOP AND PUT THE GAS AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION DO NOT ENGAGE, AFTER AFTER SKIPPING THE ENGAGE IT ENGAGE SUDDENLY.

NHTSA ODI #10929618

35,500 miles · Nov 27, 2016
Air Bags

THE ISSUE WITH MY NISSAN FRONTIER IS THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING (INDICATING THAT THERE IS NOT SOMEONE SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT GO OFF) WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN FULL-GROWN ADULTS SITTING PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. . I WAS SENT TO A DEALER, WHERE I WAS CHARGED FOR THEM TO LOOK I…

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THE ISSUE WITH MY NISSAN FRONTIER IS THAT THE PASSENGER AIRBAG LIGHT ILLUMINATES RANDOMLY WHILE DRIVING (INDICATING THAT THERE IS NOT SOMEONE SITTING IN THE SEAT AND THE AIRBAG WOULD NOT GO OFF) WHILE THERE HAVE BEEN FULL-GROWN ADULTS SITTING PROPERLY IN THE SEAT. . I WAS SENT TO A DEALER, WHERE I WAS CHARGED FOR THEM TO LOOK INTO THIS AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN IT RANDOMLY HAPPENS AND THAT IS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME, HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT DO ANYTHING ELSE FOR ME. I HAVE TRIED TO REACH YOUR COMPANY MULTIPLE TIMES AND HAVE BEEN IGNORED. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY CONCERN. I HAVE VIDEOS OF THIS ISSUE AND NO ONE WILL HELP ME. *TR

NHTSA ODI #10928160

1,200 miles · Nov 4, 2016
Structure

TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PURCHASE A CAB FOR THE VEHICLE, THE CAB WOULD NOT FIT DUE TO THE INCORRECT SIZE OF THE TRUCK BED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE MODIFICATION WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE AT AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO T…

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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PURCHASE A CAB FOR THE VEHICLE, THE CAB WOULD NOT FIT DUE TO THE INCORRECT SIZE OF THE TRUCK BED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE MODIFICATION WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE AT AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE FRAME WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO TAKE BACK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE FRAME MODIFICATION TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 1,200.

NHTSA ODI #10924315

Official recalls

1

16V181000 · Electrical System:starter Assembly; Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

Mar 31, 2016

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.

Consequence & remedy

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

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.

Additional source detail variants (2)

Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood

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.

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

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.

Electrical System:starter Assembly

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.

Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

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.

Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗

NHTSA investigations

0

No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.