CarBrief

The 2016 Nissan Frontier has 43 owner complaints on file with NHTSA[1] and one recall, for a starter wire that could cause a fire[2]. Air bag warning lights, hesitation on acceleration and fuel system issues come up in the complaints we read[3][4].

43owner complaints[1]
1recalls[5]
17–21MPG combined (EPA)[6]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 43 owner complaints for this truck[1]. Three mention a crash, one a fire, and three an injury. None report a death[1]. These are unverified reports, and one complaint can name more than one component, so the groups below add up to more than the total[1].

Component group Complaints
Air bags[3] 10
Unknown or other[7] 9
Fuel/propulsion system[4] 8
Engine[8] 8
Structure[9] 4
Power train[10] 3
Brakes[11] 3
Steering[12] 2

Air bags. Air bags is the largest group. Two of its complaints involve a crash and three an injury, and the median mileage at failure is 52,000[3]. In the sample of air bag complaints we read, owners describe a warning light that stays on or comes on at random, sometimes after a dealer visit that did not cure it. Two of the sampled texts describe air bags that did not deploy in a crash[3].

Fuel and propulsion. This group has 8 complaints with no crashes or injuries, and a median failure mileage of 26,500[4]. In the sample we read, owners describe the truck hesitating, stalling or surging when they accelerate, and in some cases the dealer found no fault. One sampled complaint, which appears twice in our sample, describes fuel splashing back out at the pump during fill-ups[4].

Engine. Eight complaints[8]. In the sample, owners describe hesitation or a loss of power while driving, along with one engine fire, a belt noise, an overheating problem and a head gasket failure[8].

Structure. Four complaints[9]. In the sample, three of the four texts involve the truck bed, such as failed spot welds or a cracked mounting point[9].

The unknown or other group has 9 complaints with a median failure mileage of 5,136[7]. Power train, brakes and steering are small groups[10][11][12].

Recalls

NHTSA lists one recall for the 2016 Frontier[2].

Fuel economy

EPA lists six versions of the 2016 Frontier. The best combined rating is 21 mpg[6] and the lowest is 17 mpg[13].

Version City / Highway / Combined Annual fuel cost
2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, manual 5-spd[6] 19 / 23 / 21 $3,200
2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, automatic 5-spd[14] 17 / 22 / 19 $3,550
2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, manual 6-spd[15] 17 / 22 / 19 $3,550
2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, automatic 5-spd[16] 16 / 22 / 18 $3,700
4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, manual 6-spd[17] 16 / 21 / 18 $3,700
4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, automatic 5-spd[13] 15 / 21 / 17 $3,950

All versions use regular fuel[16][15][13][17][14][6]. The annual cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the truck was new.

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the 4WD versions listed as PU/CC and PU/EC a rollover rating of 4 stars, with a 19.8% rollover risk[18][19]. The rear-wheel-drive versions with the same labels get 3 stars, with a 21.2% risk[20][21].

Engine and size

The EPA test list rates the 4.0L 6-cylinder at 261 hp[22]. The sizes below are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, converted to inches and pounds. They can differ slightly from US trucks.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
Crew Cab 4x4 Pro-4X[23] 206 in 73 in 70 in 126 in 4,597 lb
Crew Cab 4x4 SL[24] 219 in 73 in 70 in 140 in 4,749 lb
Crew Cab 4x4 SV[25] 219 in 73 in 70 in 140 in 4,570 lb
King Cab 4x4 SV/Pro-4X[26] 206 in 73 in 70 in 126 in 4,312 lb
King Cab S/Box 4x2 S[27] 206 in 73 in 69 in 126 in 3,774 lb
King Cab short box 4x2 SV[28] 206 in 73 in 70 in 126 in 4,145 lb

How 2016 compares with other years

1998: 129 complaints, 2 recalls19981999: 78 complaints, 2 recalls2000: 189 complaints, 3 recalls2001: 134 complaints, 3 recalls20012002: 124 complaints, 4 recalls2003: 77 complaints, 4 recalls2004: 66 complaints, 1 recalls20042005: 532 complaints, 3 recalls2006: 617 complaints, 4 recalls2007: 520 complaints, 1 recalls20072008: 136 complaints, 5 recalls2009: 37 complaints, 3 recalls2010: 59 complaints, 4 recalls20102011: 64 complaints, 1 recalls2012: 80 complaints, 3 recalls2013: 48 complaints, 1 recalls20132014: 42 complaints, 2 recalls2015: 33 complaints, 0 recalls2016: 43 complaints, 1 recalls4320162017: 38 complaints, 1 recalls2018: 25 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 28 complaints, 1 recalls20192020: 23 complaints, 2 recalls2021: 20 complaints, 2 recalls2022: 112 complaints, 6 recalls20222023: 66 complaints, 1 recalls2024: 22 complaints, 3 recalls2025: 9 complaints, 3 recalls20252026: 11 complaints, 1 recalls
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Frontier model year. The 2016 is highlighted[5].
Show the numbers
Model yearComplaintsRecalls
19981292
1999782
20001893
20011343
20021244
2003774
2004661
20055323
20066174
20075201
20081365
2009373
2010594
2011641
2012803
2013481
2014422
2015330
2016431
2017381
2018252
2019281
2020232
2021202
20221126
2023661
2024223
202593
2026111

The 2016 model year has 43 complaints and 1 recall on file[5]. The neighboring years look like this[5]:

Model year Complaints Recalls
2014 42 2
2015 33 0
2016 43 1
2017 38 1

So 2016 has slightly more complaints than the years on each side of it. It is far below the 2005 to 2007 model years, which have 532, 617 and 520 complaints[5]. Complaint counts are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold, so treat them as a rough guide.

Should you buy a used 2016 Frontier?

The complaint count is 43[1], and the one recall has a free dealer fix[2]. If you are shopping, ask the seller or a Nissan dealer whether the starter harness work was done, since the recall covers trucks built in a narrow window[2]. Check that the air bag warning light works normally and goes off, because it comes up often in the air bag complaints we read[3]. Also take a test drive that includes pulling away from a stop, since hesitation shows up in the fuel and engine samples[4][8]. Complaints are unverified, so use them as a checklist and not as a verdict.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2016 Nissan Frontier?
By count, air bags lead with 10 of the 43 NHTSA complaints, followed by 9 in the unknown or other group and 8 each for fuel/propulsion and engine[1][3][7][4][8]. In the samples we read, owners describe air bag warning lights and hesitation on acceleration[3][4].
Has the 2016 Nissan Frontier been recalled?
Yes, once. Recall 16V181 covers a starter wire harness that may be in the wrong position and could short out and cause a fire. Dealers inspect and reposition it free of charge[2].
What is the gas mileage of the 2016 Nissan Frontier?
EPA combined ratings run from 17 mpg for the 4WD 4.0L automatic to 21 mpg for the 2WD 2.5L manual[13][6].
What is the rollover rating of the 2016 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA rates the 4WD versions 4 stars and the rear-wheel-drive versions 3 stars for rollover[18][20].

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 43 owner complaints on file for the 2016 Nissan Frontier (3 mention a crash, 1 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Recall 16V181, filed March 31, 2016: Electrical System › Wiring › Front Underhood. NHTSA recall database
  3. 10 complaints name the air bags component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 3 injuries, median mileage at failure 52,000). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 8 complaints name the fuel/propulsion system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 26,500). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Frontier model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  6. EPA rating for Frontier 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Manual 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 23 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. 9 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 5,136). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 8 complaints name the engine component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 4 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 1 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 3 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 3 complaints name the brakes component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 2 complaints name the steering component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. EPA rating for Frontier 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 15 city / 21 highway / 17 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,950. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  14. EPA rating for Frontier 2WD, 2.5L 4-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA rating for Frontier 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 22 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  16. EPA rating for Frontier 2WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Automatic 5-spd, Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 22 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  17. EPA rating for Frontier 4WD, 4.0L 6-cyl, Manual 6-spd, Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 21 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  18. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/CC 4WD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  19. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/EC 4WD: rollover 4 stars; rollover risk 19.8%. NHTSA vehicle records
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/CC RWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/EC RWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 21.2%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. EPA Test Car List, 2016 Nissan Frontier with 4.0L 6-cylinder: rated 261 hp. www.epa.gov
  23. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FRONTIER CREW CAB 4X4 PRO-4X: length 206 in, width 73 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 126 in, curb weight 4,597 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FRONTIER CREW CAB 4X4 SL: length 219 in, width 73 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 140 in, curb weight 4,749 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FRONTIER CREW CAB 4X4 SV: length 219 in, width 73 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 140 in, curb weight 4,570 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FRONTIER KING CAB 4X4 SV/PRO-4X: length 206 in, width 73 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 126 in, curb weight 4,312 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  27. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FRONTIER KING CAB S/BOX 4X2 S: length 206 in, width 73 in, height 69 in, wheelbase 126 in, curb weight 3,774 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  28. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FRONTIER KING CAB S/BOX 4X2 SV: length 206 in, width 73 in, height 70 in, wheelbase 126 in, curb weight 4,145 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov

Complaints submitted to NHTSA by owners; unverified reports, one complaint can name several components. Complaint counts are not normalized by sales; compare years of the same model, not different models. EPA annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the car was new. Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles. Dimensions are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US models.