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2011 Nissan Frontier Problems & Owner Complaints

64 NHTSA owner complaints
4 crash 1 fire 4 injury

Age-normalised, this year draws ~4.0 complaints per year on the road — ranking 3 of 11 Nissan Frontier years we track (1 = most complaints per year).

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What owners report

Air Bags is the most-reported problem area on the 2011 Nissan Frontier, cited in 16 of 64 filed complaints (25%).

Service Brakes is next (13 complaints, 20%), followed by Power Train (9), Electrical System (6), Structure (6).

Across all complaints, 4 report a crash, 1 report a fire, 4 report injuries.

The most safety-critical cluster is Air Bags: 2 crash, 4 injury report(s).

Complaints by vehicle system

Owner complaints filed with the U.S. NHTSA for the 2011 Nissan Frontier, grouped by the vehicle system each cites. A single complaint can name more than one system, so the group totals can add up to more than 64.

Air Bags 16 2 crash 4 injury

“MYSELF AND THREE KIDS AND DOG HAD BEEN ON A MILD 4 WHEEL DRIVE ROAD HAVING A LITTLE COOK OUT AND HIKE. WE WERE COMING HOME ON A SMOOTH MAINTAINED COUNTY ROAD GOING AND COMING TO STOP BY A STREAM. I THINK MY FOOT WAS ON THE BRAKE, WE WERE MAYBE GOING 20 MILES AN HOUR WHEN MY SIDE AIRBAGS EXPLODED. SEAT AIR BAGS AND FRONT AIRBAGS FORTUNATELY DID NOT EXPLODE. I RECEIVED MILD BURNS AND BRUISES ON MY FACE. MY 6 Y.O. RED, HURT ON HIS CHEST. 11 Y.O. LOST HIS HEARING TEMPORARILY AND RED STINGING EAR. OTHER CHILD, 8, UNINJURED AS SHE WAS BENDING OVER PUTTING ON HER SHOES AS WE WERE COMING TO A S…”
NHTSA complaint #10419941, 2011 · 3 injury(ies)

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE DRIVING APPROXIMATELY 35 MPH AROUND A CURVE, THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE WAS REAR ENDED BY ANOTHER VEHICLE. THE CONTACT'S VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A CORNER POST ON A FARM. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE IMPACT MOVED THE POST A COUPLE OF INCHES INTO THE FARM. ONLY THE SIDE AIR BAGS DEPLOYED. THE AIR BAG INDICATOR ILLUMINATED. THE CONTACT SUSTAINED SOME CUTS, BRUISES, AND SORENESS TO HIS ENTIRE BODY. THE CONTACT WAS UNCONSCIOUS BRIEFLY AND SUSTAINED A CONCUSSION. THE CONTACT WAS TAKEN TO THE EMERGENCY ROOM BY THE FARM OWNER. A POLICE REPORT WAS FILED. THE VE…”
NHTSA complaint #11256867, 2019 · crash · 1 injury(ies)

“On January 25, 2024 my son was driving this truck and hit a dog on the highway. His driver side airbag deployed, the driver side seatbelt would not retract, and there was some minor body damage. The engine of the vehicle is fine and completely operational. Since then, we have been waiting for repairs to be made. Per USAA, repairs will be approx $5000 or less. The vehicle is worth over $12,000 so they decided to repair it. The problem is that part number 98820-ZP78A (air bag control module) is no longer being manufactured by Nissan. All other parts, including the *actual* air bag can still be…”
NHTSA complaint #11585943, 2024 · crash

Service Brakes 13 2 crash

“THE BRAKE PEDAL LOST ALL PRESSURE AND BRAKES DID NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY IMMEDIATELY AFTER HITTING SOME SMALL BUMP IN THE ROAD. THIS CAUSED A COLLISION WITH THE CAR IN FRONT OF MY VEHICLE. EVEN AFTER VEHICLE WAS REPAIRED FOLLOWING THIS COLLISION, MASTER CYLINDER REPLACEMENT, AND FULL BRAKE SERVICE, THIS ISSUE STILL PERSISTS. SMALL ROAD BUMPS MAKE THE BRAKES MOMENTARILY NON-FUNCTIONAL.”
NHTSA complaint #11123947, 2017 · crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT IT WAS HARD AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE VIA EMAIL. NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11013734, 2017 · crash

“The brakes have failed several times, seems to be a known issues and affecting others. While our Nissan Truck is older, we had our Nissan checked at Midas, and then at the local Continental Nissan location, that didn’t really help, found a part that helped but only for a short period of time, as this part crapped out again yesterday 3/19/2025, and even though the brake pushed to the floor trying to stop as the brakes stopped working again! The part was only approx 2-5 months old. Nissan Frontier dealership or other places to find the actual parts needed have no real parts that would act…”
NHTSA complaint #11649505, 2025

Power Train 9

“Transmission fluid mixing with coolant in radiator!”
NHTSA complaint #11697002, 2025

“TRUCK STARTED NOT ENGAGING IN REVERSE AT AROUND 50,100 MILES. TOOK MY TRUCK TO LARRY H MILLER NISSAN WHERE I PAID 157.00 TO HAVE THEM TELL ME THAT MY TRANSMISSION WAS OVER FULL. THEY PULLED ABOUT 3 LITERS OF EXTRA FLUID FROM TRANNY. THE FLUID APPEARS DARKER BUT THINNER THAN NORMAL. THEY SAID THE PUMP IS PROBABLY BLOWN DUE TO EXCESSIVE PRESSURE FROM THE ADDED FLUID. THIS TRANSMISSION HAS NEVER HAD SERVICE OF FLUID ADDED. NO SURE AT THIS POINT IF THIS IS A PROBLEM WITH RADIATOR CROSS CONTAMINATION BUT ABOUT 3 YEAS AGO MY HEATER STOPPED WORKING. I CHECKED MY RADIATOR TO FIND IT SEVERAL QUARTS…”
NHTSA complaint #11233784, 2019

“AT 27,000 MILES THE CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING. THE VEHICLE WAS IN MOTION ON I-5 FREEWAY. THE PROBLEM CAUSED ME TO PULL OVER AND GET OFF THE ROAD AS THE VEHICLE COULD NOT GO AT THE SPEED OF THE TRAFFIC CREATING DANGER. THE NEXT DAY I TOOK IT TO A REPAIR SHOP WHERE THE CLUTCH AND THE FLYWHEEL WERE REPLACED.”
NHTSA complaint #11184598, 2018

Electrical System 6 1 fire

“I WAS DRIVING ALONG THE 805 FREEWAY WHEN MY AIRCONDITIONER LIGHTS STARTED FLASHING. SHORTLY THEREAFTER ALL THE LIGHTS STARTED COMING ON THE DASH BOARD. THEN I LOST POWER TO THE ENGINE AND BRAKES. ALL POWER WAS LOST. I HAD TO MERGE ON TO THE 8 WEST FREEWAY AND I WAS LUCKY TO BE ABLE TO USE MY HANDBRAKE TO SLOW DOWN AND COME TO REST ON THE SHOULDER. AFTER EXITING THE VEHICLE, WE COULD SMELL BURNING AND THEN NOTICED THERE WAS FLAMES COMING FROM UNDER THE FRONT RIGHT TIRE AREA COMING FROM UNDER THE ENGINE. THE CAR THEN WAS QUICKLY ENGULFED BY FLAMES AND DESTROYED. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10398455, 2011 · fire

“VEHICLE BLOWER TURNS OFF AFTER GOING THROUGH CAR WASH, OR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. CAN CAUSE ISSUES WITH FOGGING UP WINDOWS AND VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING WHEN HAPPENING ON FREEWAY. UNSURE AS TO NATURE OF WHY. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11325509, 2020

“IPDM RELAY OR IPDM BOARD ISSUE AT 78K, TOTAL NO CRANK NO START AND VEHICLE DRIVING ISSUES”
NHTSA complaint #10969184, 2017

Structure 6

“Paint flaking off of front fender in crease above tire on both the passenger and driver side.”
NHTSA complaint #11523897, 2023

“THE HOOD OF MY TRUCK POPPED OPENED AT 67 MPH WHILE DRIVING ON 595 EAST BOUND ON FLORIDA HIGHWAY BETWEEN FLAMINGO AND UNIVERSITY EXITS. DUE TO THE IMPACT IT CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD AND OBVIOUS LOSS OF VISIBILITY TO HIGHWAY. AFTER PULLING OVER AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT SEEMS LIKE THE LATCH OF THE HOOD CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN EXPLANATION HOW THIS MALFUNCTION COULD HAVE HAPPENED. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO HARM TO MYSELF ONLY THE DAMAGE TO HOOD, WINDSHIELD, TOP OF VEHICLE ROOF AND MISSING LATCH AND THE EMERGENCY CABLE THAT IS HOOKED UP TO HOOD. MY ANTENNA ALSO BROKE FROM THE IM…”
NHTSA complaint #11035652, 2017

“TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPARE TIRE HOLDER FAILED CAUSING THE TIRE TO RUB AGAINST THE TRUCK BED. AS A RESULT, THE TIRE LOST TREAD AND EXHIBITED SCRAPES ON THE SIDE WALLS. IN ADDITION, THE VALVE WAS MADE OF RUBBER CAUSING THE TIRE MONITOR TO BE UNABLE TO READ THE TIRE PRESSURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS MADE AWARE OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 60,000. UPDATED 5/11/15*CN”
NHTSA complaint #10701163, 2015

Unknown Or Other 5

“THE HORN ON THESE TRUCK HAVE STOP WORKING THIS IS MY SECOND 2011 NISSAN FRONTIER TRUCK THAT SAME THING HAPPENS THE HORN JUST STOPS WORKING AND WITH HOUSTON, TEXAS TRAFFIC WE NEED A WORKING HORN IN OUR VEHICLES.”
NHTSA complaint #11176483, 2019

“THE HOOD OF MY TRUCK POPPED OPENED AT 67 MPH WHILE DRIVING ON 595 EAST BOUND ON FLORIDA HIGHWAY BETWEEN FLAMINGO AND UNIVERSITY EXITS. DUE TO THE IMPACT IT CRACKED MY WINDSHIELD AND OBVIOUS LOSS OF VISIBILITY TO HIGHWAY. AFTER PULLING OVER AND INSPECTING THE VEHICLE, IT SEEMS LIKE THE LATCH OF THE HOOD CAME OFF WHILE DRIVING. I HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN EXPLANATION HOW THIS MALFUNCTION COULD HAVE HAPPENED. LUCKILY THERE WAS NO HARM TO MYSELF ONLY THE DAMAGE TO HOOD, WINDSHIELD, TOP OF VEHICLE ROOF AND MISSING LATCH AND THE EMERGENCY CABLE THAT IS HOOKED UP TO HOOD. MY ANTENNA ALSO BROKE FROM THE IM…”
NHTSA complaint #11035652, 2017

“AIRBAG LIGHT STARTED FLASHING AND PASSENGER SEAT AIR BAG SHOWS "OFF" WHEN OCCUPIED.”
NHTSA complaint #11019997, 2017

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Engine 4

“2011 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARD TO ILLUMINATED CHECK ENGNE LIGHT.”
NHTSA complaint #11497974, 2022

“I BOUGHT THIS VEHICLE USED AND BEFORE DELIVERY THE DEALERSHIP FOUND OIL LEAKS THAT THEY DEEMED A SAFETY ISSUE AND THEY FIXED AT NO CHARGE. ABOUT A FEW DAYS AFTER DELIVERY, I DISCOVERED THAT THERE WAS STILL A LEAK AND SCHEDULED AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DEALERSHIP. THEY DEEMED THIS TO NOT BE A SAFETY ISSUE AND REFUSED TO FIX IT AT NO CHARGE. IS IT THEIR RESPONSIBILITY OR MINE?”
NHTSA complaint #11279661, 2019

“CRANKSHAFT SENSOR WENT BAD AT 70,000 MILES. RESULTED IN ENGINE SHUTTING OFF WHILE DRIVING WHICH RESULTED IN LOSS OF POWER STEERING AND BRAKE BOOSTING. LUCKILY HAD JUST TURNED ONTO A RESIDENTIAL ROAD SO HAD SPACE TO STOP TRUCK.”
NHTSA complaint #10965821, 2017

Vehicle Speed Control 4 1 crash

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE STARTING THE VEHICLE, IT ACCELERATED WITHOUT WARNING. THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS APPLIED, BUT IT WAS HARD AND FAILED TO RESPOND. AS A RESULT, THE VEHICLE CRASHED INTO A FENCE. THERE WERE NO INJURIES AND A POLICE REPORT WAS NOT FILED. THE LOCAL DEALER WAS NOT CONTACTED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE VIA EMAIL. NO ASSISTANCE WAS PROVIDED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 150,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11013734, 2017 · crash

“I WAS DRIVING MY TRUCK AS NORMAL WHEN I HEARD A CHATTER FROM THE GEAR SHIFT.. I LOST ALL POWER IN THE LOW GEARS AND IT WOULD TAKE 45 SECONDS TO GET TO 60 MPH. I DROVE IT A SHORT WAY LIKE THAT AND THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I PARKED MY TRUCK FOR A FEW HOURS AN WHEN I WENT TO DRIVE IT BACK HOME THE PROBLEM SEEMED TO BE FIXED AND WAS DRIVING NORMAL. I STARTED MY DRIVE HOME AND AFTER 50 MILES I COULD SMELL SOMETHING BURNING SO I STARTED TO GET OVER TO THE SIDE OF THE ROAD. AT THAT POINT I LOST ALL POWER AND THE TRUCK WAS DEAD. IT WOULD NOT START AND I HAD TO CALL FOR A TOW TRUCK TO GET…”
NHTSA complaint #10908724, 2016

“10/2010 ORDERED A 2011 NISSAN FRONTIER PRO-4X ; DELIVERED 11/26/10, 9 MILES. PERSONAL COMMUTING AND RECREATION; NOT COMMERCIAL DUTY! ONLY PULLED POP-UP CAMPER & UTILITY TRAILERS A FEW TIMES, OFTEN SMELL CLUTCH "BURN" AFTER BACKING UP (ESPECIALLY SLIGHTLY INCLINED DRIVEWAY: BOTH MAX 2K LBS): TRUCK IS RATED FOR TOWING 6K LBS: SO LIMITS NEVER EXCEEDED. ABOUT 18 MONTHS & 14K MILES THE CLUTCH STARTED SLIPPING WHEN GOING 65 MPH ON HIGHWAY IN CRUISE CONTROL, SLIPPAGE CAUSING CRUISE CONTROL TO FALL OFF SUDDENLY. NISSAN DEALER SERVICE MANAGER ACCUSED ME OF DRAG RACING, CAUSING EXCESSIVE WEAR AN…”
NHTSA complaint #10629354, 2012

Seat Belts 3

“My air bag light kept flashing on my 2011 Nissan Frontier Pro 4x4, I had it looked at when I got my oil changed and was told that it is a malfunction where you click the seat belt into, the light is off now but once some one sets in the passenger side seat and puts the seat belt on the light will come back on, due to malfunction in the seat belt, and if I would get into a accident and some one is sitting in the passenger side the seat belt will not properly secure them”
NHTSA complaint #11421180, 2021

“I HAVE REPEATEDLY GOTTEN INDICATORS (VIA VEHICLE'S COMPUTER) OF AIR BAG FAILURE, ON A VEHICLE OF LOW MILEAGE, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND HAS GOTTEN FAILURES REGARDING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH IS RARELY USED. THE FIRST TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEATBACK AND AIRBAG UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEATBELT ASSEMBLY. HOW, THE 3RD TIME, THEY TELL ME THAT THE SAME SEAT - CUSHION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE AIRBAG, AND THAT I HAVE TO PAY OVER $2,000 FOR THIS. EACH TIME I GET THIS FAILURE NOTIFICATION, MY AIRBAG IS DISABLED. SO, IT IS AN ON…”
NHTSA complaint #11265482, 2019

“SIDE AIRBAGS DEPLOYED WHILE MY WIFE WAS DRIVING ON A SMOOTH COUNTY ROAD WITHOUT A COLLISION AT APPROXIMATELY 20 MPH. DRIVER ONLY IN THE VEHICLE, EARS ARE RINGING. HAD TO CUT THE AIR BAGS TO BE ABLE TO DRIVE THE VEHICLE HOME. IN DRIVE WAY, UNUSABLE AT THIS POINT. SEAT BELT RETRACTORS ACTIVATED SO CANNOT USE SEATBELT AT THIS POINT.”
NHTSA complaint #10786739, 2015

Seats 3

“MY AIRBAG LIGHT BEGAN TO FLASH A YEAR AGO I TOOK IT TO NISSAN THEY TOLD ME IT WAS A SEAT CUSHION SENSOR IT WOULD COST ME $500.00 TO HAVE IT FIXED. I AM WRITTING THIS IN COMPLAINT THAT THIS HAS NOT BEEN IN RECALL I HAVE WAITED FOR THIS PERIOD IN EXPECTATION OF RECEIVING A RECALL NOTICE. ALSO A FAILURE CODE FOR BELT TENSIONER. TO HAVE THESE ITEMS REPAIRED WOULD COST A TOTAL OF $2175.14. I DON'T AGREE I SHOULD BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT AIRBAG SENSOR. NO ONE SITS IN THE SEAT, NOTHING SHOULD GO WRONG WITH THE SENSOR. IT CAME ON ALL OF A SUDDEN. WHEN STARTING THE VEHICLE.”
NHTSA complaint #11366501, 2019

“I HAVE REPEATEDLY GOTTEN INDICATORS (VIA VEHICLE'S COMPUTER) OF AIR BAG FAILURE, ON A VEHICLE OF LOW MILEAGE, WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN IN AN ACCIDENT, AND HAS GOTTEN FAILURES REGARDING THE FRONT PASSENGER SEAT, WHICH IS RARELY USED. THE FIRST TIME, THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEATBACK AND AIRBAG UNDER WARRANTY. THE SECOND TIME THE DEALER REPLACED THE SEATBELT ASSEMBLY. HOW, THE 3RD TIME, THEY TELL ME THAT THE SAME SEAT - CUSHION NEEDS TO BE REPLACED, ALONG WITH THE AIRBAG, AND THAT I HAVE TO PAY OVER $2,000 FOR THIS. EACH TIME I GET THIS FAILURE NOTIFICATION, MY AIRBAG IS DISABLED. SO, IT IS AN ON…”
NHTSA complaint #11265482, 2019

“SEAT MATERIALS ARE PREMATURELY WEARING OUT, AT 6139 MILES DRIVER SEAT WAS REPLACED BY NISSAN GARAGE, AT 16726 MILES, BOTH SEATS WERE REPLACED BY NISSAN AS A GOOD WILL GESTURE, ACCORDING TO NISSAN, NOW AT 19000 MILES BOTH SEATS ARE BECOMING THREAD BARE AGAIN. EACH REPLACEMENT WAS WITH THE SAME MATERIALS AS THE ORIGINAL. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10491932, 2011

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 2

“WHILE DRIVING AND ATTEMPTING TO STOP AT A STOP SIGN THE BRAKES BECAME SPONGY (NOT FIRM) AND PEDAL TRAVELED TO THE FLOOR RESULTING IN LONGER BRAKING DISTANCES UNLESS I PUMP THE PEDAL. THIS OCCURRED AFTER APPLYING THE BRAKES AHEAD OF A STOP SIGN AS THE VEHICLE ROLLED OVER A BUMP/IRREGULARITY IN THE ROAD. THE ABS AND VDC (ANTI-SLIP) ACTIVATED BRIEFLY THEN THE PEDAL GOT SOFT. IT REMAINED IN THIS CONDITION (SPONGY AND EXCESSIVE PEDAL TRAVEL) UNTIL REACHED MY DESTINATION. THE FIRST INSTANCE OF THIS OCCURRING THE BRAKE SYSTEM SEEMED TO CORRECT ITSELF WITH THE VEHICLE PARKED AND IGNITION OFF OVERNIGHT…”
NHTSA complaint #11306559, 2020

“LEAD SPRING SNAP FOR NO REASON AFTER TAKING A NICE SUNDAY DRIVE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS JUST HERD A RATTLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE IT WAS A CLEAN SNAP STRAIGHT ACROSS ON THE MIDDLE LEAF SPRING? DRIVING ON 106 HWY NEW HAMPSHIRE”
NHTSA complaint #10968539, 2017

Engine And Engine Cooling 2

“The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving 70 MPH, the vehicle was running rough. Additionally, the vehicle was shuddering violently and started to stall. The check engine warning light was illuminated. The contact depressed the accelerator pedal and drove to a local Pep Boys. The vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. The vehicle was then towed to the dealer where it was diagnosed that the Engine Control Module (ECM) had failed and needed to be replaced; however, the part had been discontinued. The vehicle was not repaired. The manufacturer was notified of the f…”
NHTSA complaint #11496149, 2022

“2011 NISSAN FRONTIER. CONSUMER WRITES IN REGARDS TO EVAPORATION EMMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM. THE CONSUMER STATED IN ORDER TO FILL THE TANK WITH GAS, THE GAS SPOUT MUST BE HELD ABOUT 3 QUARTERS OF THE WAY OUT OF THE FILLER NECK. THE CONSUMER WAS CONCERNED THIS WOULD CAUSE SPILLING OR SPLASHING. THE CONSUMER STATED AT A PARTICULAR GAS STATION THE GAS NASAL HAD A WIDE RUBBER GASKET ON THE GAS NOZZLE DISPENSER THAT COVERED THE ENTRANCE TO THE GAS TANK.”
NHTSA complaint #11444114, 2021

Steering 2

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS 2011 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEERING BRACKET DETACHED WHILE DRIVING. THE CONTACT LOSS POWER STEERING FUNCTIONALITY. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE POWER STEER BELT SHIFTED FORWARD AND DETACHED THE SERPENTINE BELT CAUSING THE VEHICLE TO LOSE POWER STEERING. SEVERAL UNKNOWN WARNING LIGHTS ILLUMINATED WHEN THE BELT DETACHED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC BUT WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE CONTACT CALLED CROWN NISSAN OF GREENVILLE (2712 LAURENS RD, GREENVILLE, SC 29607) AND INFORMED THE DEALER OF THE FAILURE. THE CONTACT WAS INF…”
NHTSA complaint #11361150, 2020

“THE HORN ON THESE TRUCK HAVE STOP WORKING THIS IS MY SECOND 2011 NISSAN FRONTIER TRUCK THAT SAME THING HAPPENS THE HORN JUST STOPS WORKING AND WITH HOUSTON, TEXAS TRAFFIC WE NEED A WORKING HORN IN OUR VEHICLES.”
NHTSA complaint #11176483, 2019

Suspension 2

“LEAD SPRING SNAP FOR NO REASON AFTER TAKING A NICE SUNDAY DRIVE I DIDN'T KNOW WHAT IT WAS JUST HERD A RATTLE ON THE DRIVER SIDE IT WAS A CLEAN SNAP STRAIGHT ACROSS ON THE MIDDLE LEAF SPRING? DRIVING ON 106 HWY NEW HAMPSHIRE”
NHTSA complaint #10968539, 2017

“TRUCK STARTED TO RATTLE AND GOT PROGRESSIVELY WORSE. BROKE THE MAIN LEAF SPRING IN HALF. DIDN'T LOAD THE TRUCK OR HIT ANYTHING.”
NHTSA complaint #10747867, 2015

Wheels 2

“A DESIGN DEFECT IN THE STEEL WHEELS ALLOWS WATER TO PUDDLE IN A CHANNEL IN THE WHEEL -- BECAUSE THERE IS INADEQUATE DRAINAGE BEHIND A SHOULDER ON THE RIM. FURTHERMORE THE COATING OF THE STEEL RIM IS INADEQUATE TO PREVENT RUSTING OF THE RIM. THUS, AFTER AS LITTLE AS 57,500 MILES, THE PUDDLING IN THIS UNDRAINED CHANNEL LEADS TO SEVERE CORROSION, WITH FOLLOWING ADVERSE RESULTS. (1) THE CORROSION INVADES THE HOLE FOR THE TPMS WHICH IS LOCATED RIGHT IN THE CHANNEL -- CAUSING LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE AROUND THE BASE OF THE TPMS, THAT CANNOT BE EASILY REMEDIED. (2) THE EXTENT AND SEVERITY OF THE CORROSIO…”
NHTSA complaint #11155991, 2018

“I WAS CHANGING A FLAT TIRE ON MY FRONTIER AND WHEN I RELEASED THE SPARE TIRE, THE SIDE WALL WAS WORN DOWN SO THE TIRE COULD NOT BE USED. THE WAY THE TIRE IS MOUNTED UNDER THE TRUCK CAUSED 4 GASHES INTO THE SIDEWALL. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10565880, 2014

Forward Collision Avoidance 1

“The brakes have failed several times, seems to be a known issues and affecting others. While our Nissan Truck is older, we had our Nissan checked at Midas, and then at the local Continental Nissan location, that didn’t really help, found a part that helped but only for a short period of time, as this part crapped out again yesterday 3/19/2025, and even though the brake pushed to the floor trying to stop as the brakes stopped working again! The part was only approx 2-5 months old. Nissan Frontier dealership or other places to find the actual parts needed have no real parts that would act…”
NHTSA complaint #11649505, 2025

Fuel System 1

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING ON THE HIGHWAY, THE VEHICLE STARTED JERKING VIOLENTLY AND STALLED. THE VEHICLE WAS TOWED TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER, WHO STATED THAT THE FUEL TANK WAS TAMPERED WITH DUE TO THE PRESENCE OF SUGAR BEING INSIDE OF IT. AS A RESULT, THE FUEL LINE NEEDED TO BE CLEANED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT MADE AWARE OF FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE FAILURE AND CURRENT MILEAGES WERE 25,000.”
NHTSA complaint #10415498, 2011

Latches/Locks/Linkages 1

“DRIVER DOOR LOCKING ITSELF INTERMITTENTLY. HAS HAPPENED 4 TIMES SINCE I PURCHASED THE VEHICLE IN OCT OF 2012. THE KEY WAS NOT LEFT IN THE IGNITION AND THERE IS NOT A BUTTON THAT CAN BE PUSHED THAT LOCKS ONLY THE DRIVERS DOOR. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10667709, 2013

Tires 1

“I WAS CHANGING A FLAT TIRE ON MY FRONTIER AND WHEN I RELEASED THE SPARE TIRE, THE SIDE WALL WAS WORN DOWN SO THE TIRE COULD NOT BE USED. THE WAY THE TIRE IS MOUNTED UNDER THE TRUCK CAUSED 4 GASHES INTO THE SIDEWALL. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #10565880, 2014

Visibility/Wiper 1

“VEHICLE BLOWER TURNS OFF AFTER GOING THROUGH CAR WASH, OR INTERMITTENTLY WHILE DRIVING. CAN CAUSE ISSUES WITH FOGGING UP WINDOWS AND VISIBILITY WHEN DRIVING WHEN HAPPENING ON FREEWAY. UNSURE AS TO NATURE OF WHY. *TR”
NHTSA complaint #11325509, 2020

How we read this (methodology)

How to read this: raw complaint totals are not a clean reliability score — a model year with more cars sold, or simply more years on the road, accumulates more complaints regardless of how good it is. So this page leans on two signals that are not distorted by sales volume: the share of complaints falling on each vehicle system (the breakdown above) and NHTSA's own crash / fire / injury / death flags. When we compare model years of the same model, we normalise by years on the road (complaints ÷ vehicle age) rather than comparing raw totals. Age-normalised, the 2011 Nissan Frontier draws about 4.0 complaints per year on the road, ranking 3 of 11 among the Nissan Frontier model years we have ingested (1 = most complaints per year on road).

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