NISSAN FRONTIER · model year

2016 NISSAN FRONTIER

55 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash reports, and 1 active recall for this specific cohort.

NHTSA overall rating

Not crash-tested

New Car Assessment Program

The 2016NISSANFRONTIER carries 55 consumer safety complaints in NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation database for this specific model-year cohort. Within that volume, owners reported 6 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. For crash performance, NHTSA's New Car Assessment Program gave this cohort an overall Not Rated/5 rating, with Not Rated/5 front crash, Not Rated/5 side crash, and 4/5 rollover scores derived from standardized barrier and dynamic tests.

Component-level analysis is where model-year complaints become actionable: the top complaint category for the 2016 FRONTIER is air bags with 10 filings, followed by fuel/propulsion system (8) and unknown or other (8). Concentration in one or two component groups is the classic signature of a systemic defect; a flat distribution usually reflects normal aging, warranty complaints, or isolated build-plant variability. This model year has 1 active recall campaign, which means the manufacturer is obligated to remedy the covered defect at no charge for the life of the vehicle, the full NHTSA campaign numbers are listed below.

NHTSA currently has 1 investigation file overlapping the 2016 FRONTIER. Owners comparing this cohort against neighboring years should pair the counters above with the complaint-by-year trend on the parent model page, a spike in a single year often tracks to a platform refresh, a new transmission supplier, or an updated ECU calibration. Use the related-complaint feed below to read raw owner narratives before deciding whether any pattern here affects your specific use case.

55
Complaints
6
Crashes
3
Fires
6
Injuries
0
Deaths

Total Complaints

55 filings

Crashes Reported

6 reports

Source

NHTSA ODI

Federal complaints database

Complaints vs. fleet median (215)

At or below the fleet median complaint volume.

NHTSA NCAP overall: Not Rated/5 - Not rated · Front: Not Rated/5 · Side: Not Rated/5 · Rollover: 4/5

Complaints by Component

ComponentCount
AIR BAGS10
FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM8
UNKNOWN OR OTHER8
ENGINE8
STRUCTURE:BODY4
POWER TRAIN3
SERVICE BRAKES3
STEERING2
WHEELS2
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM2
SUSPENSION1
SEAT BELTS1
ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC)1
VISIBILITY/WIPER1
FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL1

Recalls (1)

16V18100031/03/2016

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

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

Recent Complaints

20251017FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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.

20241111STRUCTURE:BODY

A loud squeaking has developed during every day driving. After inspecting - the front right truck bed mounting location has cracked and failed.

20240912FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 UNSAFE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

20240814AIR BAGS

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.

20240628ENGINE

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.

20240605WHEELS

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 to Sheehy Nissan in glen Burnie where the two top managers verified that the lug nut expanded so large they had to be replaces OR IT WOULD BE A SAFTY ISSUE with me driving with he old one on as they cannot be safely tightened down and may come off during driving. So I need all 24 lug nuts replaced. I think he said they expanded from 21 mm (or cm) to 22.5 mm (or cm).the manager has been doing this

20231231SERVICE BRAKES

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.

20231231POWER TRAIN

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.

20230429CrashAIR BAGS

Airbags didn’t deployed when the incident of the the truck crashed at the time. (April 05,2023)

20230429CrashFORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE: ADAPTIVE CRUISE CONTROL

Airbags didn’t deployed when the incident of the the truck crashed at the time. (April 05,2023)

20230427AIR BAGS

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle air bags warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the air bag system was disconnected under the passenger’s side dashboard. The system was reconnected, and the failure was remedied. The contact stated that the failure had recently reoccurred. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 90,632.

Mileage: 90,632

20230417VISIBILITY/WIPER

All glass in vehicle showing spotted areas with factory tinting

20220525ENGINE

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.

Mileage: 90,000

20210122AIR BAGS

I HAVE A 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH ONLY 68,000 MILES ON IT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING. I TOOK IT TO ANY MOHR NISSAN AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR INSIDE THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT TELLS THE SYSTEM IF SOMEONE IS SITTING THERE HAS FAILED AND THAT IT IS AN $1800 REPAIR, BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SEAT. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T SAY WHETHER THE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY OR NOT IN AN ACCIDENT IF I DIDN'T FIX THE SENSOR.

Mileage: 68,400

20201230FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

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 DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. BULLETIN NUMBER NTB16-122

Mileage: 36,000

20201121ENGINE

ENGINE VIBRATION AT LOW RPM THAT CAN'T BE EXPLAINED BY SEVERAL MECHANICS.

20201107ENGINE

ENGINE HESITATES OR STALLS ON ACCELERATION. WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP ENGINE HESITATES TO NEAR STALL NO MATTER HOW HARD OR FAR YOU PRESS GAS PEDAL. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. INTERMITTENT ISSUE, NO FAILURE CODES WHEN TESTED. IF ENGINE DOESN'T STALL, VEHICLE IS AT A STAND STILL EVEN WITH GAS PEDAL TO FLOOR OR PUMPING GAS PEDAL. IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. NEARLY HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MANY REPORTS OF SAME ISSUE, BUT NO SOLUTION. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 63,000

20201107FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM

ENGINE HESITATES OR STALLS ON ACCELERATION. WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP ENGINE HESITATES TO NEAR STALL NO MATTER HOW HARD OR FAR YOU PRESS GAS PEDAL. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. INTERMITTENT ISSUE, NO FAILURE CODES WHEN TESTED. IF ENGINE DOESN'T STALL, VEHICLE IS AT A STAND STILL EVEN WITH GAS PEDAL TO FLOOR OR PUMPING GAS PEDAL. IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. NEARLY HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MANY REPORTS OF SAME ISSUE, BUT NO SOLUTION. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE.

Mileage: 63,000

20200903STEERING

KEY LOCKED IN IGNITION THEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. CAR WAS PARKED AT A PUBLIC BEACH PARKING LOT BEFORE THE ISSUE OCCURRED.

20200903UNKNOWN OR OTHER

KEY LOCKED IN IGNITION THEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. CAR WAS PARKED AT A PUBLIC BEACH PARKING LOT BEFORE THE ISSUE OCCURRED.

Compare 2016NISSANFRONTIER to Similar Vehicles

NHTSA Investigations

Frequently Asked Questions

How many complaints does the 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER have?
The 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER has 55 NHTSA complaints, 6 crashes, 3 fires, 6 injuries, and 0 deaths reported.
What is the safety rating for the 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER?
The 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER received an overall NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5, front crash rating of Not Rated/5, side crash rating of Not Rated/5, and rollover rating of 4/5.
Are there any recalls for the 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER?
Yes, the 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER has 1 recall(s). The most common affected component is ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD. Recalls are issued by NHTSA and manufacturers must provide a free remedy.
What are the most common problems with the 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER?
The most-complained component for the 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER is AIR BAGS with 10 complaints. Other frequently reported areas include FUEL/PROPULSION SYSTEM and UNKNOWN OR OTHER.
Is the 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER safe to buy?
Review the complaint history, crash and fire reports, safety ratings, and recall status on this page to make an informed decision. The 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER has an NHTSA safety rating of Not Rated/5. Compare with other model years using the links above.
Where does this data come from?
All complaint, recall, and safety rating data is sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Complaints are filed by vehicle owners through NHTSA's Office of Defects Investigation.

Vehicle Safety Guides

Data as of 2025. Sources: NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) complaints database, NHTSA recall campaign API, NHTSA NCAP crash-test ratings, and NHTSA FARS for fatality cross-reference.