Reliability, what owners report, and what it costs to keep.
AVOIR's read: a solid ownership case with specific caveats below.
Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA about the 2016 Nissan Frontier, and it carries 1 recall. These are owner allegations rather than confirmed defects, but the pattern of what people complain about is the most useful signal a used buyer has.
| Area | Complaints | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Air bags | 8 | 19% |
| Unknown or other | 6 | 14% |
| Fuel/propulsion system | 5 | 12% |
| Engine | 5 | 12% |
| Structure | 3 | 7% |
| Wheels | 1 | 2% |
| Power train | 1 | 2% |
| Air bags | 1 | 2% |
| Visibility/wiper | 1 | 2% |
| Engine | 1 | 2% |
Verbatim from NHTSA complaint records, trimmed for length.
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 THA
NHTSA complaint: Unknown or other
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 minute
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
A loud squeaking has developed during every day driving. After inspecting - the front right truck bed mounting location has cracked and failed.
NHTSA complaint: Structure
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.
NHTSA complaint: Fuel/propulsion system
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 p
NHTSA complaint: Air bags
Head gasket blew and it warped the heads at 98,000 miles Replace motor with a 51,000 mile motor and less than 2 months later, motor is knocking inside with broken peices of the motor. I have to replace it again.
NHTSA complaint: Engine
The issues iw with the lug nuts expanding locking on the tire so it cannot be takeoff for rotation or replacement or if you have a flat tire tout on the spare. Went to BJ's tire in Pasadena, MD (1-410-647-6600) to have a
NHTSA complaint: Wheels
My 2016 Nissan Frontier is leaking axle grease from the driver side rear tire. The grease/oil got all over the brake pads, rotor, and emergency brake. This seems to be a very common issue that was supposed to have been
NHTSA complaint: Power train
NHTSA lists 1 recall campaign for the 2016 Nissan Frontier. Recalls are free to have fixed at a franchised dealer regardless of who owns the car now, but only if they were never done, so check the VIN of the specific car rather than trusting the model.
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 ele
Risk: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
Fix: 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 serv
| Reliability raw | 73 | good |
|---|---|---|
| Longevity est. | 74 | good |
| Maintenance | 83 | excellent |
| Depreciation | 80 | excellent |
| Performance | 65 | good |
| Efficiency | 35 | below average |
Percentile ranks against other pickup trucks in the catalog.
What stands behind each score for this car:
Owners have filed 43 complaints with NHTSA for this model-year, and air bags is the most reported area with 8 of them (19%). There is 1 recall on record. Check any specific car against its VIN before buying.
AVOIR scores its reliability 73/100 (good) from NHTSA recall campaigns and complaint density. That figure is a raw complaint count, not yet adjusted for sales volume, so a high-volume model scores worse than it deserves.
AVOIR scores its longevity 74/100, but that figure is an estimate built from the powertrain and the brand's record, not a measurement. A 2016 car has no 200,000-mile population to observe yet, so treat it as a prior rather than evidence.
AVOIR's read: worth a look, because a solid ownership case with specific caveats below. Its overall ownership score is 72/100. Condition, mileage and service history still matter more than any score, so get a pre-purchase inspection on the specific car.
Sources: NHTSA recalls and complaints, EPA fuel economy, IIHS awards, and live market listings. A score describes a model-year, not the individual car in front of you. Get a pre-purchase inspection.