Reliable Auto DB

2018 Nissan Frontier reliability

Is it reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2018 Nissan Frontier holds 25 complaints after 9 years, a rate of 4 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Frontier years here — under the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Camera and Ignition.

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

25

Per year

4

Recalls

2

Years on the road

9

What owners report

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (5 of 25), then Service brakes (3) and Speed control (3).

Next to 2017 and 2019

The 2017 Frontier has 38 complaints, 6 per year, and the 2019 has 28 complaints, 2 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

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 2018 Nissan Frontier. How we count. Data as of .

Recalls (2)

Recall back-over prevention, sensing system, camera 2019-09-12 · NHTSA campaign 19V654000
Summary Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Remedy Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Recall electrical system, ignition 2018-08-22 · NHTSA campaign 18V551000
Summary Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Remedy Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.

Complaints by component (25 total)

Electrical system
5
Service brakes
3
Speed control
3
Suspension
3
Air bags
2
Fuel and propulsion system
2
Powertrain
2
Structure
2
Back-over prevention
1
Engine
1
Hydraulic brakes
1
Show 3 more Show less
Crash-flagged

0

Fire-flagged

0

Injury reports

0

Death reports

0

Complaints filed per year

3201862019320202202112022320232202452025
Excerpts from recent NHTSA complaint filings
  • "2018 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner... Battery inconsistently drains fast when off and while driving. Indicator lights for battery, brakes, ABS and traction control come on. Gauges malfunction. Tried another battery and…"
    Electrical system · filed 2025-09-02
  • "The passenger dashboard airbag keeps generating error codes and the airbag light continually flashes. There have been 2 costly repair attempts by a Nissan dealership, but the problem persists. The dealership stated the…"
    Air bags · filed 2025-08-26
  • "15 mph door lock system does not work. Have been in garage with truck, and heard doors lock with no one near vehicle. I understand there is a class action suit about the door lock system. Seems to me this system could…"
    Electrical system, Unknown or other · filed 2025-08-17
  • "I bought this truck from my boss man and had it put in the shop to replace the head gasket but they ended up changing the valve cover the intake manifold gasket and putting plugs in it due to a smoking issue and…"
    Engine · filed 2025-07-13
  • "Jan 29 2025 vehicle failed to start . Turned switch to start several times .no response at all no dash lights no starter reaction no clicking from battery, which would indicate battery problem. Waited several mins…"
    Electrical system · filed 2025-01-29

NHTSA crash ratings

Version Overall Front Side Rollover
2018 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC AWD Not rated 3 stars Not rated 4 stars
2018 Nissan Frontier Crew Cab PU/CC RWD Not rated 3 stars Not rated 3 stars
2018 Nissan Frontier King Cab PU/EC AWD Not rated Not rated Not rated 4 stars
2018 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 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 23 19 MPG $3400
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 16 22 19 MPG $3400
Frontier two-wheel drive flex-fuel 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
Frontier four-wheel drive flex-fuel 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 2017 Nissan Frontier Next year 2019 Nissan Frontier See every Nissan Frontier model year →

Frequently asked questions

Is the 2018 Nissan Frontier reliable?

NHTSA's file on the 2018 Nissan Frontier holds 25 complaints after 9 years, a rate of 4 per year. That is fewer complaints per year than most Frontier years here — under the median of the other years, which is 5. NHTSA has 2 recalls on file, including Camera and Ignition.

What are common problems with a 2018 Nissan Frontier?

The complaints owners file most often name Electrical system (5 of 25), then Service brakes (3) and Speed control (3).

Is the 2018 Nissan Frontier more reliable than the years next to it?

The 2017 Frontier has 38 complaints, 6 per year, and the 2019 has 28 complaints, 2 per year. The 2018 has fewer complaints per year than the 2017. The 2018 has more complaints per year than the 2019.

Has the 2018 Nissan Frontier been recalled?

The 2018 Nissan Frontier has 2 recalls on file with NHTSA. See the recalls table on this page for dates, components, and remedies.

How many complaints have owners filed about the 2018 Nissan Frontier?

Owners have filed 25 complaints about the 2018 Nissan Frontier with NHTSA.

What mpg does a 2018 Nissan Frontier get?

EPA-rated combined fuel economy for the 2018 Nissan Frontier is 18.5 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.