Reliable Auto DB

2016 Nissan Frontier reliability

Is it reliable?

The 2016 Nissan Frontier has 43 complaints with NHTSA after 11 years, or 6 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Frontier years here — over the median of the other years, which is 4. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Front underhood wiring.

2012 Nissan Frontier
Photo by Ethan Llamas, resized from the original. Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 4.0
Complaints

43

Per year

6

Recalls

1

Years on the road

11

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (10 of 43), then Engine (8) and Fuel and propulsion system (8). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Next to 2015 and 2017

The 2015 Frontier has 33 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2017 has 38 complaints, 6 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2017.

The complaint rate is complaints filed in this year’s first 3 years on the road, divided by however many of those years have passed. Recalls are a separate count. The numbers are for the US-market 2016 Nissan Frontier. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (1)

Recall electrical system, wiring, front underhood wiring 2016-03-31 · NHTSA campaign 16V181000
Summary 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.
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.

Complaints by component (43 total)

Air bags
10
Engine
8
Fuel and propulsion system
8
Structure
4
Powertrain
3
Service brakes
3
Electrical system
2
Steering
2
Wheels
2
Electronic stability control (ESC)
1
Forward collision avoidance
1
Seat belts
1
Suspension
1
Visibility and wipers
1
Show 6 more Show less
Crash-flagged

3

Fire-flagged

1

Injury reports

1

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

120155201652017620186201972020120211202242023520241202512026
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "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…"
    Unknown or other · filed 2026-07-28
  • "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…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2025-10-17
  • "A loud squeaking has developed during every day driving. After inspecting - the front right truck bed mounting location has cracked and failed."
    Structure · filed 2024-11-11
  • "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.…"
    Fuel and propulsion system · filed 2024-09-12
  • "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…"
    Air bags · filed 2024-08-14

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2016 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated 4 stars
2016 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 3 stars
2016 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC 4WD Not rated Not rated Not rated 4 stars
2016 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC RWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 3 stars

Stars are how this vehicle did in NHTSA crash tests. They are a safety result, separate from the complaint record. Not rated means that test was not run for this version.

Fuel economy

Trim Engine Transmission Drive City Hwy Combined Annual fuel cost
Frontier two-wheel drive 2.5L, 4-cyl Manual 5-speed Rear-wheel drive 19 23 21 MPG $3100
Frontier two-wheel drive 4L, 6-cyl Manual 6-speed Rear-wheel drive 17 22 19 MPG $3400
Frontier two-wheel drive 2.5L, 4-cyl Automatic 5-speed Rear-wheel drive 17 22 19 MPG $3400
Frontier two-wheel drive 4L, 6-cyl Automatic 5-speed Rear-wheel drive 16 22 18 MPG $3600
Frontier four-wheel drive 4L, 6-cyl Manual 6-speed Part-time four-wheel drive 16 21 18 MPG $3600
Frontier four-wheel drive 4L, 6-cyl Automatic 5-speed Part-time four-wheel drive 15 21 17 MPG $3800

Specs and fitment

D40 generation, 2012–2021
Body styles Pickup
Oil 5W-30 (4.0L V6); 0W-20 or 5W-30 (2.5L 4-cyl per manual) , 5.4 qt capacity
Tire size 265/70R16 to 265/60R18 (trim dependent)
Towing capacity 6,700 lbs

Known issues for this generation

NHTSA campaign 16V181000. 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. An electrical short increases the risk of a fire. 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.

Compare

Previous year 2015 Nissan Frontier Next year 2017 Nissan Frontier See every Nissan Frontier model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2016 Nissan Frontier reliable?

The 2016 Nissan Frontier has 43 complaints with NHTSA after 11 years, or 6 per year. That is more complaints per year than most Frontier years here — over the median of the other years, which is 4. NHTSA has 1 recall on file, including Front underhood wiring.

What are common problems with a 2016 Nissan Frontier?

The complaints owners file most often name Air bags (10 of 43), then Engine (8) and Fuel and propulsion system (8). Those filings include 3 that report a crash, 1 that reports a fire, and 1 that reports an injury.

Is the 2016 Nissan Frontier more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2015 Frontier has 33 complaints, 5 per year, and the 2017 has 38 complaints, 6 per year. The 2016 has more complaints per year than the 2015. The 2016 has about the same number of complaints per year as the 2017.

Has the 2016 Nissan Frontier been recalled?

The 2016 Nissan Frontier has 1 recall on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2016 Nissan Frontier?

Owners have filed 43 complaints about the 2016 Nissan Frontier with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2016 Nissan Frontier get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2016 Nissan Frontier is 18.7 MPG. See the fuel economy table on this page for city and highway figures by engine and transmission.

What oil does a Nissan Frontier take?

D40 (through 2021): 5W-30 for the 4.0L V6. D41 (2022+): 0W-20 for the 3.8L V6 (about 5.3 qt with filter).

Does NHTSA campaign 23V273000 cover the Nissan Frontier?

It covers certain 2023 Frontier and Titan vehicles: tires may have a tear in the inner bead that can cause rapid pressure loss; dealers replace affected tires.

What generation is the 2020 Nissan Frontier?

D40 generation (2012-2021 in the years this site tracks). The D41 redesign starts in 2022.