CarBrief

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for the 2022 Nissan Frontier, more than any other Frontier model year in its data[1]. Owners describe trouble with automatic braking, warning lights and the transmission's park function[2][3][4].

112owner complaints[5]
6recalls[1]
19–20MPG combined (EPA)[6]
4★NHTSA overall rating[7]

Most reported problems

NHTSA has 112 owner complaints on file for the 2022 Frontier[5]. Of those, 11 mention a crash, 3 mention a fire and 3 mention injuries[5]. No deaths are reported[5]. These are unverified owner reports, and one complaint can name several parts of the truck, so the group counts below overlap[5].

Add: Some texts appear in more than one group.[2][3][4][9]. Here is what owners describe in those samples.

Forward collision avoidance. In 7 of the 12 texts[2], owners say the automatic braking or collision warning acted when nothing was in the way, often at highway speed. In 4 of the 12, owners describe a fault message, a sensor that stopped working, or a truck that did not brake when they expected it to[2].

Electrical system. In 6 of the 12 texts[3], warning lights or "system failure" messages come and go, sometimes together with the ABS and traction control lights. In 7 of the 12, the owner says the dealer could not find the cause or did not yet have the parts[3].

Brakes. In 4 of the 12 texts[9], owners say the brakes did not respond as expected. In 5 of the 12[9], an ABS warning light is part of the story. In 2 of the 12, the owner describes the truck rolling in park, which ties to the transmission recalls below[9].

Power train. In 6 of the 12 texts[4], the truck rolled or moved while in park. In 3 of the 12[4], owners say they were told about the park recall but repair parts were not yet available at that time. In 4 of the 12, the transmission shifted oddly or showed a fault message[4].

This is a small sample, so it shows what kinds of problems owners report. It does not tell you how common any of them are.

Recalls

NHTSA lists 6 recalls for this model year[1]. Newest first:

If you are shopping for a used 2022 Frontier, ask a Nissan dealer whether these repairs have been done on that specific truck.

Fuel economy

The EPA rates both versions with the 3.8L 6-cylinder engine and an Automatic (S9) transmission[6][19]. Both use regular fuel[6][19].

The EPA's yearly cost uses its current fuel price assumptions, not the price when the truck was new[6].

Safety ratings

NHTSA gives the PU/CC body style an overall rating of 4 stars[7][20], with 4 stars for frontal crashes, 5 for side crashes and 3 for rollover[7][20]. That applies to both 4WD and rear-wheel drive[7][20]. NHTSA lists the rollover risk at 20.4%[7].

The PU/EC body style has a rollover rating of 3 stars for 4WD and rear-wheel drive[21][22]. NHTSA lists no other ratings for it[21][22].

Engine and size

The 3.8L 6-cylinder is rated at 310 hp in EPA test data[23].

Dimensions below are Canadian-market specifications and can differ slightly from US trucks. They are converted to inches and pounds.

Variant Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight Source
Crew Cab[24] 224 in 73 in 72 in 140 in 4,806 lb
Crew Cab S/Box[25] 210 in 73 in 72 in 126 in 4,720 lb
King Cab[26] 210 in 73 in 72 in 126 in 4,550 lb

How 2022 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 recalls20162017: 38 complaints, 1 recalls2018: 25 complaints, 2 recalls2019: 28 complaints, 1 recalls20192020: 23 complaints, 2 recalls2021: 20 complaints, 2 recalls2022: 112 complaints, 6 recalls11220222023: 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 2022 is highlighted[1].
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

NHTSA lists 112 complaints and 6 recalls for the 2022 Frontier[1]. No other Frontier year has more recalls. The closest is 2008 with 5[1].

On complaints, 2022 sits above every year from 2009 on. The next highest in that stretch is 2012 with 80, then 2023 with 66[1]. Several older years have more, from 1998 to 2008: for example 2005 has 532, 2006 has 617 and 2007 has 520, and 2008 has 136[1].

These counts are not adjusted for how many trucks were sold, so they are best used to compare Frontier years with each other.

Should you buy a used 2022 Frontier?

The 2022 model year has a heavier recall history than other Frontier years, and owners report problems with automatic braking, warning lights and the park function[1][2][3][4]. Each recall lists a free repair[13][14][15][16][17][18], so the key step is confirming the work was done on the truck you are looking at. The two parking pawl recalls matter most, since the recall says a truck that can roll away in park raises the risk of a crash[14][16]. Fuel economy is 19 to 20 combined MPG depending on drive type[6][19]. Our data does not cover reliability ratings, towing or repair costs, so check those elsewhere before you decide.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common problems with the 2022 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA's largest complaint groups are forward collision avoidance (33), electrical (31) and power train (24) out of 112 complaints[5][2][3][4]. In the samples we read, owners describe unexpected automatic braking, warning lights and the truck rolling in park.
Does the 2022 Nissan Frontier have recalls?
Yes. NHTSA lists 6 recalls: 22V772, 22V671, 22V527, 22V457, 21V958 and 21V917[13][14][15][16][17][18]. They cover the rearview display, the transmission parking pawl, a seat belt bracket and a tow hitch tied to fuel tank protection.
What gas mileage does the 2022 Nissan Frontier get?
The EPA rates the 2WD at 18 city, 24 highway and 20 combined MPG[6]. The 4WD is rated at 17 city, 21 highway and 19 combined MPG[19].
What is the safety rating of the 2022 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA rates the PU/CC body style at 4 stars overall, with 3 stars for rollover[7][20]. The PU/EC body style has a 3-star rollover rating only[21][22].
Is the 2022 Frontier worse than other model years?
It has more recalls (6) than any other Frontier year, and more complaints (112) than every year from 2009 on, and more complaints (112) than every year from 2009 on, but fewer than several years from 1998 to 2008, such as 2005 (532), 2006 (617) and 2007 (520)[1].

Facts and sources

  1. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Frontier model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  2. 33 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  3. 31 complaints name the electrical system component group (1 crashes, 1 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  4. 24 complaints name the power train component group (4 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries, median mileage at failure 597). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. NHTSA has 112 owner complaints on file for the 2022 Nissan Frontier (11 mention a crash, 3 a fire, 3 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. EPA rating for Frontier 2WD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 18 city / 24 highway / 20 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,350. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  7. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/CC 4WD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 20 complaints name the unknown or other component group (3 crashes, 2 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 19 complaints name the brakes component group (5 crashes, 0 fires, 2 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 13 complaints name the speed control component group (2 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 9 complaints name the seats component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. 6 complaints name the engine component group (1 crashes, 0 fires, 1 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  13. Recall 22V772, filed October 13, 2022: Back Over Prevention › Display Function. NHTSA recall database
  14. Recall 22V671, filed September 7, 2022: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
  15. Recall 22V527, filed July 21, 2022: Equipment › Electrical › Infotainment › Software. NHTSA recall database
  16. Recall 22V457, filed June 24, 2022: Power Train › Automatic Transmission. NHTSA recall database
  17. Recall 21V958, filed December 9, 2021: Seat Belts › Critical Fasteners. NHTSA recall database
  18. Recall 21V917, filed November 22, 2021: Fuel System, Gasoline › Storage. NHTSA recall database
  19. EPA rating for Frontier 4WD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 17 city / 21 highway / 19 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,550. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  20. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/CC RWD: overall 4 stars, frontal 4 stars, side 5 stars, rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  21. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/EC 4WD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  22. NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, PU/EC RWD: rollover 3 stars; rollover risk 20.4%. NHTSA vehicle records
  23. EPA Test Car List, 2022 Nissan Frontier with 3.8L 6-cylinder: rated 310 hp. www.epa.gov
  24. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FRONTIER CREW CAB: length 224 in, width 73 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 140 in, curb weight 4,806 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  25. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FRONTIER CREW CAB S/BOX: length 210 in, width 73 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 126 in, curb weight 4,720 lb (converted from centimeters and kilograms). vpic.nhtsa.dot.gov
  26. Transport Canada specifications via NHTSA vPIC, FRONTIER KING CAB: length 210 in, width 73 in, height 72 in, wheelbase 126 in, curb weight 4,550 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.