The Lemon IndexNissan Frontier.
The best Nissan Frontier years are 2019, 2018, 2014. Years to avoid: 2007, 2006. Across 2010-2022, it has a Lemon Index of 37, where 100 is the average car and lower is better.
Reliability by year, 2005 to 2025.
Every year. Lower is better. Tap a year for its full report.
Scores before 2010 are rough: fewer owners filed complaints back then.
Best years to buy
2019.
Quick answers.
Is the Nissan Frontier a good car?
Yes, it is one of the most reliable models we track, by owner complaints to the government per car sold (2010-2022: Lemon Index 37; 100 is average). Some years are much better than others: the best is 2019 and the worst is 2007.
What are the best Nissan Frontier years to buy?
By owner complaints per car sold: 2019, 2018, 2014.
What Nissan Frontier years should you stay away from?
The years with the most complaints per car sold: 2007, 2006.
How many recalls does the Nissan Frontier have?
61 safety recalls across the 21 model years we track. Most: 2006 (7), 2005 (6), 2008 (6). Each year's page lists them.
What are the most common Nissan Frontier problems?
Across every year, owners' complaints to the government name fuel system, gasoline, transmission & drivetrain and electrical most. Some years are much worse than others: see the chart above.
Every year in one table
| Year | Index | Compared with average | Complaints | Top complaint | Recalls | Crash test | MPG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 91 | about average | 46 | fuel system, gasoline (48%) | 6 | — | 16–21 |
| 2006 | 150 | 1.5× the average car's complaints | 81 | fuel system, gasoline (51%) | 7 | — | 16–21 |
| 2007 | 181 | 1.8× the average car's complaints | 109 | fuel system, gasoline (69%) | 2 | — | 16–21 |
| 2008 | 46 | 2.2× fewer complaints than average | 22 | service brakes, hydraulic (41%) | 6 | — | 16–21 |
| 2009 | – | too few complaints to score | 14 | fuel system, gasoline (29%) | 5 | — | 16–21 |
| 2010 | 43 | 2.3× fewer complaints than average | 19 | transmission & drivetrain (26%) | 6 | — | 16–21 |
| 2011 | 30 | 3.3× fewer complaints than average | 18 | electrical (22%) | 1 | — | 16–21 |
| 2012 | 58 | 1.7× fewer complaints than average | 35 | transmission & drivetrain (51%) | 3 | — | 16–21 |
| 2013 | 31 | 3.2× fewer complaints than average | 24 | speed control (21%) | 1 | — | 17–21 |
| 2014 | 23 | 4.3× fewer complaints than average | 19 | transmission & drivetrain (26%) | 2 | — | 17–21 |
| 2015 | 27 | 3.7× fewer complaints than average | 18 | body structure (28%) | 0 | — | 17–21 |
| 2016 | 26 | 3.8× fewer complaints than average | 23 | airbags (26%) | 1 | — | 17–21 |
| 2017 | 25 | 4× fewer complaints than average | 21 | fuel or EV drive system (33%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 17–21 |
| 2018 | 17 | 5.9× fewer complaints than average | 14 | speed control (21%) | 2 | — | 17–21 |
| 2019 | 13 | 7.7× fewer complaints than average | 10 | transmission & drivetrain (60%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 17–21 |
| 2020 | 25 | 4× fewer complaints than average | 11 | transmission & drivetrain (55%) | 2 | ★★★★☆ | 19–20 |
| 2021 | 24 | 4.2× fewer complaints than average | 14 | electrical (21%) | 2 | ★★★★☆ | 19–20 |
| 2022 | 109 | about average | 102 | automatic emergency braking (35%) | 6 | ★★★★☆ | 19–20 |
| 2023 | 84 | 1.2× fewer complaints than average | 66 | electrical (45%) | 1 | ★★★★☆ | 18–21 |
| 2024 | 37 | 2.7× fewer complaints than average | 22 | transmission & drivetrain (27%) | 3 | ★★★★☆ | 19–21 |
| 2025 | – | too few complaints to score | 9 | steering (22%) | 3 | ★★★★☆ | 18–21 |
Lemon Index = safety complaints filed with the government within 3 years, per car sold, against the average car of the same model year. 100 is average, lower is better. How it works
Updated
Free to use with credit: Source: The Lemon Index (lemonindex.com)
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