2016 Nissan Frontier
The Verdict
Worst problem area
Airbags & Restraints
Airbags & Restraints leads by volume: 11 of 43 complaints (26%) mention it.
Complaints filed rose from 33 in 2015 to 43 in 2016.
Data last changed . Sources: NHTSA complaints and recalls, EPA fuel economy data. Methodology
Cost, Fuel Economy & Complaint History
| Category | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | vs. 2016 gas-powered vehicles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Annual fuel cost ($) | 2,950–3,650 | 2,950–3,650 | 2,950–3,650 | 2,950–3,650 | 2,950–3,650 | |
| Combined MPG | 17–21 | 17–21 | 17–21 | 17–21 | 17–21 | |
| City / Highway MPG | 15–19 / 21–23 | 15–19 / 21–23 | 15–19 / 21–23 | 15–19 / 21–23 | 15–19 / 21–23 | |
| CO₂ tailpipe (g/mi) | 425–515 | 425–515 | 426–514 | 431–521 | 431–520 | |
| Complaints filed | 42 | 33 | 43 | 38 | 25 | |
| Recalls issued | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Crash-involved complaints | 3 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 0 | |
| Fire-involved complaints | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | |
| Injuries reported | 3 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | |
| Deaths reported | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | |
| Configurations compared | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 5 |
Not compared: this database has no vehicle sales or registration figures, so a raw count mostly reflects how many were sold, not how safe the vehicle is.
Common questions
How many recalls does the 2016 Nissan Frontier have?
1 NHTSA recall campaign as of Sep 16, 2026. Check your VIN with NHTSA to see whether one applies to your car.
What is the most common complaint about the 2016 Nissan Frontier?
Airbags & Restraints: 11 of 43 NHTSA complaints (26%) mention it.
What gas mileage does the 2016 Nissan Frontier get?
EPA rates it 17–21 MPG combined across 6 configurations.
How much does it cost to fuel a 2016 Nissan Frontier?
EPA estimates $2,950–$3,650 a year in fuel costs, using EPA's assumptions.
Similar Vehicles
EPA-Rated Configurations (6)
| Configuration | Transmission | Cylinders | Displacement | Drivetrain | Fuel Type | Vehicle Class | City | Highway | Combined | Annual Fuel Cost | CO₂ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Configuration 1 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 16 mpg | 22 mpg | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 483 g/mi |
| Configuration 2 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 17 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 478 g/mi |
| Configuration 3 | Automatic 5-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 15 mpg (low) | 21 mpg (low) | 17 mpg (low) | $3,650 (high) | 514 g/mi (high) |
| Configuration 4 | Manual 6-spd | 6 | 4.0L | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 4WD | 16 mpg | 21 mpg (low) | 18 mpg | $3,450 | 494 g/mi |
| Configuration 5 | Automatic 5-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 17 mpg | 22 mpg | 19 mpg | $3,300 | 462 g/mi |
| Configuration 6 | Manual 5-spd | 4 | 2.5L | Rear-Wheel Drive | Regular | Small Pickup Trucks 2WD | 19 mpg (high) | 23 mpg (high) | 21 mpg (high) | $2,950 (low) | 426 g/mi (low) |
Complaints by Category
| Category | Complaints | Crash-Involved | Fire-Involved | Injuries | Deaths |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Engine | 8 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Transmission & Drivetrain | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fuel System | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Electrical | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Brakes | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steering | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Suspension, Wheels & Tires | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Airbags & Restraints | 11 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Driver Assistance & Speed Control | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Body, Seats & Latches | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Visibility & Lighting | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Other | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
A complaint that names more than one category is counted in each, so the rows can add up to more than the total number of complaints.
Recalls (1)
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD; ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:STARTER ASSEMBLY · Campaign 16V181000 · Mar 31, 2016
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.
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.