CarBrief

NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Nissan Frontier[1]. None of them mention a crash, a fire, or an injury[1].

11owner complaints[1]
1recalls[2]
18–21MPG combined (EPA)[3]

Most reported problems

Here are the complaint groups, biggest first, based on what owners describe in the stories we read.

Recalls

Newest first. Each recall covers only certain vehicles, so not every 2026 Frontier is necessarily included.

Fuel economy

EPA ratings depend on the engine and drive. Annual fuel cost uses EPA's current fuel price assumptions, not prices when the car was new.

Version City / highway / combined MPG Annual fuel cost
Frontier 2WD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive[3] 19 / 24 / 21 $3,200
Frontier 4WD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive[13] 17 / 21 / 19 $3,550
Frontier 4WD PRO4X, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive[14] 16 / 20 / 18 $3,700

Engine and size

Horsepower is the rating listed for EPA test vehicles.

Engine Horsepower
2026 Nissan Frontier with 3.8L 6-cylinder[15] 310 hp

These are Canadian-market specifications from Transport Canada, so US models can differ slightly.

Version Length Width Height Wheelbase Curb weight
FRONTIER CREW CAB[16] 224 in 73 in 72 in 140 in 4,806 lb
FRONTIER CREW CAB S/BOX[17] 210 in 73 in 72 in 126 in 4,720 lb
FRONTIER KING CAB[18] 210 in 73 in 72 in 126 in 4,550 lb

How 2026 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 recalls20222023: 66 complaints, 1 recalls2024: 22 complaints, 3 recalls2025: 9 complaints, 3 recalls20252026: 11 complaints, 1 recalls112026
Owner complaints filed with NHTSA for each Frontier model year. The 2026 is highlighted[2].
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's counts for the Frontier show 11 complaints and 1 recalls for 2026[2]. Among the 30 model years listed, 2 have fewer complaints than 2026 and 27 have more[2]. The fewest complaints are for 2027 (0) and the most are for 2006 (617)[2]. These counts are not adjusted for sales, so treat them as a rough guide. The chart above shows every year.

Should you buy a used 2026 Frontier?

The complaint count is small so far, at 11[1]. No crash, fire, or injury is reported in them[1]. The power train group is the biggest at 3 complaints[4]. These are unverified owner reports. This model year also has 1 recall on file[2], so check the Recalls section on this page before you buy.

Frequently asked questions

What problems does the 2026 Nissan Frontier have?
Owners filed 11 complaints with NHTSA[1]. The power train group is the largest with 3 complaints[4].
Does the 2026 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
Yes, the by-year data shows 1 recall[2]. See the Recalls section on this page for the details.
What is the gas mileage of the 2026 Nissan Frontier?
See the Fuel Economy section on this page for the EPA figures.
Is the 2026 Nissan Frontier reliable?
The complaint count is low at 11 and none mention crashes, fires, or injuries[1]. See the Safety section for crash test results.

Keep exploring

Other model years of the Nissan Frontier

Compare all model years of the Nissan Frontier

Other Nissan models from 2026

All Nissan models

Similar cars from 2026: pickup trucks

All pickup trucks we cover

Facts and sources

  1. NHTSA has 11 owner complaints on file for the 2026 Nissan Frontier (0 mention a crash, 0 a fire, 0 injuries, 0 deaths reported). NHTSA vehicle records
  2. Owner complaints and recalls for every Nissan Frontier model year (chart above). NHTSA recall database
  3. EPA rating for Frontier 2WD, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, Rear-Wheel Drive: 19 city / 24 highway / 21 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,200. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  4. 3 complaints name the power train component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  5. 2 complaints name the structure component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  6. 2 complaints name the unknown or other component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  7. 1 complaints name the fuel system, gasoline component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  8. 1 complaints name the interior lighting component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  9. 1 complaints name the tires component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  10. 1 complaints name the forward collision avoidance component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  11. 1 complaints name the electrical system component group (0 crashes, 0 fires, 0 injuries). NHTSA vehicle records
  12. Recall 26V023, filed January 20, 2026: Latches / Locks / Linkages › Doors › Latch. NHTSA recall database
  13. 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
  14. EPA rating for Frontier 4WD PRO4X, 3.8L 6-cyl, Automatic (S9), Regular, Part-time 4-Wheel Drive: 16 city / 20 highway / 18 combined MPG; EPA estimated annual fuel cost $3,700. EPA / DOE fueleconomy.gov
  15. EPA Test Car List, 2026 Nissan Frontier with 3.8L 6-cylinder: rated 310 hp. www.epa.gov
  16. 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
  17. 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
  18. 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.