2016 Nissan Frontier Problems & Owner Complaints

Air Bags 10 2 crash 3 injury

“Airbags didn’t deployed when the incident of the the truck crashed at the time. (April 05,2023)”
NHTSA complaint #11519626, 2023 · crash · 3 injury(ies)

“WE PURCHASED OUR 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER IN OCTOBER 2016. UNFORTUNATELY WE HAVE BEEN INVOLVED IN THREE MAJOR CAR ACCIDENTS AND TWO OUT OF THE THREE TIMES THE AIR BAGS DID NOT DEPLOY. EVERY ACCIDENT WE WERE INVOLVED IN COST OVER $10,000 TO REPAIR OUR VEHICLE SO WE KNOW THAT THE FRONT END DAMAGE WAS VERY SEVERE. WE WOULD LIKE OUR VEHICLE INSPECTED FOR ANY AIR BAG MAIL FUNCTION THE LAST ACCIDENT WE WERE INVOLVED IN WE HIT VERY HARD AND THE AIR BAGS DIDN'T DEPLOY I HIT THE STEERING WHEEL PRETTY HARD.”
NHTSA complaint #11080268, 2018 · crash

“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 pertaining to the same airbag malfunction and would like to know what to do about my problem.”
NHTSA complaint #11608384, 2023

Unknown Or Other 9

“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 THAT HOLDS THE TPS ON THE WHEEL. GALVONIC REACTION HAD WELDED ALL IN PLACE . DEALER CUT THE VALVE OFF AND REPLACED WITH A NEW TPS (NON METAL) AS IS THERE PRATICE AS THEY HAVE HAD PROBLEMS WITH METAL ONES IN THE PAST . I THINK THIS COULD BE A PROBLEM WITH OTHER TPSs AND COULD HAVE LOSS OF AIR PRESSURE OR AT LEAST THE OWNER WOULD BE UNABLE TO ADD AIR TO TIRE THE TPS IS A STOCK NISS…”
NHTSA complaint #11753328, 2026

“KEY LOCKED IN IGNITION THEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. CAR WAS PARKED AT A PUBLIC BEACH PARKING LOT BEFORE THE ISSUE OCCURRED.”
NHTSA complaint #11352922, 2020

“MY VEHICLE WAS BURGLARIZED. THE THIEVES GOT IN THROUGH THE REAR SLIDING GLASS. THE LATCH DOES NOT LOCK AND IS FAULTY. IF THE LATCH WAS FULLY FUNCTIONAL, NOBODY WOULD HAVE GONE IN AND STOLEN EVERYTHING I OWNED.”
NHTSA complaint #11229697, 2019

Engine 8 1 fire

“IN MOTION, PULLING INTO PARKING STALL, WHEN SOMETHING STARTED TO SMELL LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE, STARTED TO SEE FLAMES COMING FROM MOTOR. CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. POLICE CASE #19-0773 *DT *DT*JB”
NHTSA complaint #11170646, 2019 · fire

“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 #11597546, 2024

“The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.”
NHTSA complaint #11466030, 2021

Fuel/Propulsion System 8

“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 minutes or so the vehicle will begin to jerk while accelerating then it will stall and cut off. I have to wait a few minutes once it cuts off and then I can start the engine up again and drive for another 10 to 15 minutes before the issue occurs again. The vehicle has over 120,000 miles on it and all parts are original to the vehicle.”
NHTSA complaint #11694089, 2025

“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. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS QUOTED OVER $800 TO REPLACE ALL 5 COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM AS NISSAN HAS SUGGESTED IN A BULLETIN FOR MECHANICS. IF NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ENOUGH TO ISSUE A TECHNICAL BULLETIN THEN THE ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED FOR FREE BECAUSE GAS SPILLING/SPRAYING ALL OVER ME EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY VEHICLE IS OUT RIGHT DANGEROUS AND…”
NHTSA complaint #11614337, 2024

“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 WWW.CLUBFRONTIER.ORG OF SIMILAR ISSUES OCCURRING TO OTHER FRONTIER OWNERS. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS QUOTED OVER $800 TO REPLACE ALL 5 COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM AS NISSAN HAS SUGGESTED IN A BULLETIN FOR MECHANICS. IF NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ENOUGH TO ISSUE A TECHNICAL BULLETIN THEN THE ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED FOR FREE BECAUSE GAS SPILLING/SPRAYING ALL OVER ME EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY VEHICLE IS OUT RIGHT…”
NHTSA complaint #11385655, 2020

Structure 4 1 fire

“IN MOTION, PULLING INTO PARKING STALL, WHEN SOMETHING STARTED TO SMELL LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE, STARTED TO SEE FLAMES COMING FROM MOTOR. CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. POLICE CASE #19-0773 *DT *DT*JB”
NHTSA complaint #11170646, 2019 · fire

“A loud squeaking has developed during every day driving. After inspecting - the front right truck bed mounting location has cracked and failed.”
NHTSA complaint #11624547, 2024

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE SPOT WELDS BETWEEN THE OUTER BODY PANEL AND THE INNER BED ON THE PASSSENGER SIDE OF THE VEHICLE FAILED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO LIA NISSAN OF COLONIE (2233 CENTRAL AVE, SCHENECTADY, NY 12304, 518-631-2393) WHERE IT WAS DIAGNOSED THAT THERE WAS AN OVERLOAD FAILURE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE AND STATED THAT IT WAS NOT COVERED UNDER WARRANTY. HE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS APPROXIMATELY 35,035. *DT *JB”
NHTSA complaint #11140326, 2018

Power Train 3

“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 resolved several models prior.”
NHTSA complaint #11562865, 2023

“TRANSMISSION AND BRAIN REPAIR BY DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY 20017, AND OVERHEATING PROBLEM DUE TO RADIATOR IN 2020 AFTER EXPIRE OF WARRANTY, $1000 OUT OF POCKET REPAIRS.”
NHTSA complaint #11349599, 2020

“THE TRANSMISSION DON'T CHANGE TO REVERSE, NEUTRAL, AND PARKING.”
NHTSA complaint #10789715, 2015

Service Brakes 3

“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 resolved several models prior.”
NHTSA complaint #11562865, 2023

“THE YAWRATE SENSOR AND ABS DIAGNOSTIC MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED TO KEEP MY VEHICLE FROM GRABBING THE BRAKES AS I STARTED DRIVING”
NHTSA complaint #11328733, 2020

“THE BRAKE PEDAL IS VERY SPONGY PEDAL WILL TOUCH THE FLOOR. EVEN WHEN THE TRUCK IS EMPTY YOU WONDER IF YOU ARE GOING TO STOP. DEALER SAYS THIS IS NORMAL.”
NHTSA complaint #11083520, 2018

Electrical System 2 1 fire

“IN MOTION, PULLING INTO PARKING STALL, WHEN SOMETHING STARTED TO SMELL LIKE IT WAS ON FIRE, STARTED TO SEE FLAMES COMING FROM MOTOR. CAR CAUGHT ON FIRE. POLICE CASE #19-0773 *DT *DT*JB”
NHTSA complaint #11170646, 2019 · fire

“WAS DRIVELING DOWN A STRAIGHT CITY STREET ON A CLEAR SPRING DAY AT ABOUT 30 MPH AND THE CAR TURNED OFF INCLUDING ALL ELECTRICAL DEVICES WITHOUT WARNING. THEN ABOUT 1.5 SECONDS LATER THE CAR TURNED BACK ON.”
NHTSA complaint #11206271, 2019

Steering 2 1 crash

“LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE APPROVED A BODY SHOP TO REPAIR MY TRUCK FROM AN ACCIDENT (I WAS NOT AT FAULT) BY REMOVING ALL PARTS OF MY TRUCK FROM IT'S ORIGINAL FRAME AND PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER ON ANOTHER FRAME. I WAS SITTING STILL, WHEN I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. ALL PARTIES GOT STOPPED, EXCEPT THE LADY THAT HIT ME IN THE REAR.”
NHTSA complaint #10947100, 2016 · crash

“KEY LOCKED IN IGNITION THEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. CAR WAS PARKED AT A PUBLIC BEACH PARKING LOT BEFORE THE ISSUE OCCURRED.”
NHTSA complaint #11352922, 2020

Wheels 2 1 crash

“LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE APPROVED A BODY SHOP TO REPAIR MY TRUCK FROM AN ACCIDENT (I WAS NOT AT FAULT) BY REMOVING ALL PARTS OF MY TRUCK FROM IT'S ORIGINAL FRAME AND PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER ON ANOTHER FRAME. I WAS SITTING STILL, WHEN I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. ALL PARTIES GOT STOPPED, EXCEPT THE LADY THAT HIT ME IN THE REAR.”
NHTSA complaint #10947100, 2016 · crash

“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 rotation and they said they could not do it the lug nuts expanded to larger size and it could cross thread if they got them off and tried tout them back on. AS WELL THEY MIGHT NOT BE SECURED TIGHT ENOUGH THAT THEY WOULD NOT FALLOFF WHILE DRIVING. A SAFTY ISSUES WITH BJ'S. BOTH MECHANICS VERIFIED IT AND THE TWO MANAGERS OF THE STORE AS WE.. I did not believe them so I took it t…”
NHTSA complaint #11592565, 2024

Electronic Stability Control (Esc) 1

“THE YAWRATE SENSOR AND ABS DIAGNOSTIC MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED TO KEEP MY VEHICLE FROM GRABBING THE BRAKES AS I STARTED DRIVING”
NHTSA complaint #11328733, 2020

Forward Collision Avoidance 1 1 crash 3 injury

“Airbags didn’t deployed when the incident of the the truck crashed at the time. (April 05,2023)”
NHTSA complaint #11519626, 2023 · crash · 3 injury(ies)

Seat Belts 1

“ONGOING DISPUTE WITH MANUFACTURER AND DEALER. THE VEHICLE HAS NO LOWER LATCH BRACKETS TO ATTACH A CHILD SEAT . THE DEALER SERVICE MANAGER STATED THAT THE VEHICLE WAS EXEMPT FROM THE REGULATION. THE ONLY EXEMPTIONS I SEE IN THE STATUTE ARE FOR SCHOOLBUSES. CONVERTIBLES, AND VEHICLES WITH A GVR OF 8500 LBS OR OVER. MY FRONTIER HAS A GVR OF ABOUT 6500 LBS. PLEASE ADVISE ME IF THIS IS CORRECT.”
NHTSA complaint #11179952, 2016

Suspension 1 1 crash

“LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE APPROVED A BODY SHOP TO REPAIR MY TRUCK FROM AN ACCIDENT (I WAS NOT AT FAULT) BY REMOVING ALL PARTS OF MY TRUCK FROM IT'S ORIGINAL FRAME AND PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER ON ANOTHER FRAME. I WAS SITTING STILL, WHEN I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. ALL PARTIES GOT STOPPED, EXCEPT THE LADY THAT HIT ME IN THE REAR.”
NHTSA complaint #10947100, 2016 · crash

Visibility/Wiper 1

“All glass in vehicle showing spotted areas with factory tinting”
NHTSA complaint #11517510, 2023