Which year to buy
Best bet2018Fewest serious problems: 0.4× usual
Newest we'd buy2025The latest year rated a good buy
AvoidNoneNo year stands out as bad
Be careful2022–2023More problems; check the recalls were done
Too new to judge: 2026. Give a new year a year or two of owner reports.
Bar height: serious owner complaints to NHTSA for that year per car on the road, against this model's usual year.
2025GOOD BUYSerious complaints 0.6× usual
5 serious complaints of 8, the most about power train (2) and brakes (2); per car on the road, 0.6× this model's usual year. 3 recalls.
8 owner complaints · 3 recalls (check a car's VIN for open recalls) · EPA combined: 18–21 mpg · NHTSA: 4 of 5 stars · 2025 trims and features
Every Frontier year's verdict →
Verdicts computed from NHTSA owner complaints, defect investigations and recalls. Cars on the road from New York State registrations. (How we judge.) Data checked 2026-10-06.
Trims and features
Engines: 3.8L 6-cyl · Drive: 4WD, RWD
2025 Frontier trims
| S | SV | SL | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple CarPlay | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Wireless Apple CarPlay | No | Standard | Standard |
| Android Auto | Standard | Standard | Standard |
| Wireless phone charging | No | Optional | Standard |
| Heated front seats | No | Optional | Standard |
| Heated steering wheel | No | Optional | Standard |
| Leather seats | No | Optional | Standard |
| Remote start | No | Optional | Standard |
| Sunroof or moonroof | No | Optional | Standard |
Features from Nissan's 2025 equipment guide ("Optional": a package or option adds it); base price, seating and driver-assistance equipment from NHTSA's vehicle database (vPIC), as Nissan reports it. "—": not verified in our sources. "Varies": standard on some versions of the trim.
Year by year
| Year | Engines | Drive | Fuel economy | Crash rating | Recalls | Owner complaints | Most-reported problem | CarPlay |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 18–21 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| 2026 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 18–21 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 10 | Power train (3) | — |
| 2025 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 18–21 mpg | 4 of 5 | 3 | 8 | Power train (2) | Yes |
| 2024 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 19–21 mpg | 4 of 5 | 3 | 22 | Power train (6) | Yes |
| 2023 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 18–21 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 66 | Electrical system (30) | Yes |
| 2022 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 19–20 mpg | 4 of 5 | 6 | 112 | Forward collision avoidance (33) | Yes |
| 2021 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 19–20 mpg | 4 of 5 | 2 | 19 | Power train (5) | No |
| 2020 | 3.8L 6-cyl | 4WD, RWD | 19–20 mpg | 4 of 5 | 2 | 23 | Power train (12) | No |
| 2019 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4.0L 6-cyl manual available | 4WD, RWD | 17–21 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 28 | Power train (7) | No |
| 2018 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4.0L 6-cyl manual available | 4WD, RWD | 17–21 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 25 | Electrical system (5) | No |
| 2017 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4.0L 6-cyl manual available | 4WD, RWD | 17–21 mpg | 4 of 5 | 1 | 38 | Fuel/propulsion system (10) | No |
| 2016 | 2.5L 4-cyl, 152 hp 4.0L 6-cyl, 261 hp manual available | 4WD, RWD | 17–21 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 43 | Air bags (10) | No |
| 2015 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4.0L 6-cyl manual available | 4WD, RWD | 17–21 mpg | Not rated | 0 | 33 | Air bags (10) | No |
| 2014 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4.0L 6-cyl manual available | 4WD, RWD | 17–21 mpg | Not rated | 2 | 42 | Air bags (11) | No |
| 2013 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4.0L 6-cyl manual available | 4WD, RWD | 17–21 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 48 | Air bags (15) | No |
| 2012 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4.0L 6-cyl manual available | 4WD, RWD | 16–21 mpg | Not rated | 3 | 78 | Air bags (23) | No |
| 2011 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4.0L 6-cyl manual available | 4WD, RWD | 16–21 mpg | Not rated | 1 | 64 | Air bags (16) | No |
| 2010 | 2.5L 4-cyl 4.0L 6-cyl manual available | 4WD, RWD | 16–21 mpg | Not rated | 6 | 59 | Air bags (19) | No |
Owner complaints are unverified reports to NHTSA, counted as filed: older years have had longer to collect them and sales aren't adjusted for, so see Which year to buy for a fair comparison. Most-reported problem: the component named in the most complaints that year. Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Apple.
Which years have…
Wireless Apple CarPlayApple CarPlay (wired or wireless)Wireless phone chargingHeated front seatsHeated steering wheelLeather seatsRemote startSunroof or moonroof
Apple lists CarPlay for: Frontier 2022–2025 (Apple).
Every NHTSA-rated version: crash ratings, safety tech, recalls, complaints
| Year | Version | Stars | Forward collision warning | Lane departure warning | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB PU/CC ICE RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2027 | NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB PU/CC ICE 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 0 |
| 2026 | NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB PU/CC N/A 4WD | 4 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 10 |
| 2026 | NISSAN FRONTIER CREW CAB PU/CC N/A RWD | 4 | Standard | Standard | 1 | 10 |
| 2026 | NISSAN FRONTIER KING CAB PU/EC N/A 4WD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 10 |
| 2026 | NISSAN FRONTIER KING CAB PU/EC N/A RWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 1 | 10 |
| 2025 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | 4 | Standard | Standard | 3 | 8 |
| 2025 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | 4 | Standard | Standard | 3 | 8 |
| 2025 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 3 | 8 |
| 2025 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | Standard | Standard | 3 | 8 |
| 2024 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | 4 | Standard | Optional | 3 | 22 |
| 2024 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | 4 | Standard | Optional | 3 | 22 |
| 2024 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 3 | 22 |
| 2024 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 3 | 22 |
| 2023 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | 4 | Standard | Optional | 1 | 66 |
| 2023 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | 4 | Standard | Optional | 1 | 66 |
| 2023 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 1 | 66 |
| 2023 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 1 | 66 |
| 2022 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | 4 | Standard | Optional | 6 | 112 |
| 2022 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 6 | 112 |
| 2022 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | 4 | Standard | Optional | 6 | 112 |
| 2022 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | Standard | Optional | 6 | 112 |
| 2021 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 19 |
| 2021 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 19 |
| 2021 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 19 |
| 2021 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 19 |
| 2020 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 23 |
| 2020 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | 4 | No | No | 2 | 23 |
| 2020 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 23 |
| 2020 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 23 |
| 2019 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD Later Release | 4 | No | No | 0 | 7 |
| 2019 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC AWD Later Release | 4 | No | No | 0 | 7 |
| 2019 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD Early Release | 4 | No | No | 1 | 28 |
| 2019 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC AWD Early Release | 4 | No | No | 1 | 28 |
| 2019 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 28 |
| 2019 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 28 |
| 2018 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 25 |
| 2018 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 25 |
| 2018 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 25 |
| 2018 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 25 |
| 2017 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 38 |
| 2017 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | 4 | No | No | 1 | 38 |
| 2017 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 38 |
| 2017 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC AWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 38 |
| 2016 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 43 |
| 2016 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 43 |
| 2016 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 43 |
| 2016 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 43 |
| 2015 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 33 |
| 2015 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 33 |
| 2015 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 33 |
| 2015 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 0 | 33 |
| 2014 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 42 |
| 2014 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 42 |
| 2014 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 42 |
| 2014 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 2 | 42 |
| 2013 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 48 |
| 2013 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 48 |
| 2013 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 48 |
| 2013 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 48 |
| 2012 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 78 |
| 2012 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 78 |
| 2012 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 78 |
| 2012 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 3 | 78 |
| 2011 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 64 |
| 2011 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 64 |
| 2011 | Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 64 |
| 2011 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD | Not Rated | No | No | 1 | 64 |
| 2010 | Nissan Frontier Crew Cab w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 6 | 59 |
| 2010 | Nissan Frontier King Cab w/SAB | Not Rated | No | No | 6 | 59 |
Source: NHTSA.
Every EPA-rated version: engines and combined mpg
| Year | EPA model | Engines | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027 | Frontier 2WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 21 |
| 2027 | Frontier 4WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 19 |
| 2027 | Frontier 4WD PRO4X | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 18 |
| 2026 | Frontier 2WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 21 |
| 2026 | Frontier 4WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 19 |
| 2026 | Frontier 4WD PRO4X | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 18 |
| 2025 | Frontier 2WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 21 |
| 2025 | Frontier 4WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 19 |
| 2025 | Frontier 4WD PRO4X | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 18 |
| 2024 | Frontier 2WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 21 |
| 2024 | Frontier 4WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 20 |
| 2024 | Frontier 4WD PRO4X | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 19 |
| 2023 | Frontier 2WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L, SIDI; ISS and AGS Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L, SIDI |
20–21 |
| 2023 | Frontier 4WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L, SIDI; ISS and AGS Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L, SIDI |
19–20 |
| 2023 | Frontier 4WD PRO4X | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L, SIDI; ISS and AGS Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L, SIDI |
18–19 |
| 2022 | Frontier 2WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 20 |
| 2022 | Frontier 4WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 19 |
| 2021 | Frontier 2WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 20 |
| 2021 | Frontier 4WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 19 |
| 2020 | Frontier 2WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 20 |
| 2020 | Frontier 4WD | Auto (S9), 6 cyl, 3.8 L | 19 |
| 2019 | Frontier 2WD | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
19–21 |
| 2019 | Frontier 2WD FFV | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L | 18 |
| 2019 | Frontier 4WD | Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
17–18 |
| 2019 | Frontier 4WD FFV | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L | 17 |
| 2018 | Frontier 2WD | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
19–21 |
| 2018 | Frontier 2WD FFV | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L | 18 |
| 2018 | Frontier 4WD | Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
17–18 |
| 2018 | Frontier 4WD FFV | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L | 17 |
| 2017 | Frontier 2WD | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
19–21 |
| 2017 | Frontier 2WD FFV | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L | 18 |
| 2017 | Frontier 4WD | Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
17–18 |
| 2017 | Frontier 4WD FFV | Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L | 17 |
| 2016 | Frontier 2WD | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
18–21 |
| 2016 | Frontier 4WD | Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
17–18 |
| 2015 | Frontier 2WD | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
18–21 |
| 2015 | Frontier 4WD | Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
17–18 |
| 2014 | Frontier 2WD | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
18–21 |
| 2014 | Frontier 4WD | Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
17–18 |
| 2013 | Frontier 2WD | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
18–21 |
| 2013 | Frontier 4WD | Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
17–18 |
| 2012 | Frontier 2WD | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
17–21 |
| 2012 | Frontier 4WD | Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
16–17 |
| 2011 | Frontier 2WD | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
17–21 |
| 2011 | Frontier 4WD | Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
16–17 |
| 2010 | Frontier 2WD | Man 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 4 cyl, 2.5 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
17–21 |
| 2010 | Frontier 4WD | Man 6-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L Auto 5-spd, 6 cyl, 4.0 L |
16–17 |
Source: fueleconomy.gov.