2011 Nissan Frontier: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 64 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (22% of complaints); the 2009 model year looks more trouble-free.
Data updated weekly · latest recall Feb 2023
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 64 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“The contact owns a 2011 Nissan Frontier. The contact received notification of NHTSA Campaign Number: 23E012000 (Air Bags) however, the part to do the recall repair was not yet available. The local dealer was contacted and confirmed that parts were not yet available. The contact stated that the manufacturer had exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. The manufacturer was not made aware of the issue. The contact had not experienced a failure. VIN tool confirms parts not available.”Owner report · Air Bags · Oct 2023
“The Actuator Assembly - Anti Skid has failed on my 2011 Frontier. My vehicle has cluster lights illuminated for ABS, brake, VDC, and SLIP. My independent mechanic pulled the codes and stated that they indicate the ABS module is going bad. This part has been discontinued by Nissan so I am not able to replace the part with a new part. The ABS system will not properly function which I would assume would be a safety issue and might impact more than the braking performance of the vehicle.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Jun 2022
“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 failure but did not provide any assistance. The failure mileage was approximately 160,000.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · May 2022
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Engine And Engine Cooling · Dec 2021
“ABS module failed. The repair shop called the local Nissan dealership for parts. The Nissan dealership said the failure was a known issue. I called Nissan Customer Service for more info and they said no complaints had been filed.”Owner report · Service Brakes · Dec 2021
“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”Owner report · Seat Belts · May 2021
“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”Owner report · Visibility/Wiper · May 2020
“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?”Owner report · Engine · Nov 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 ongoing issue. The air bag failure light keeps coming on randomly, not related to a driving incident.”Owner report · Air Bags · Sep 2019
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jun 2019
When filing, owners marked a crash in 4 of these complaints and injuries in 4 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2008-2011 Titan, Frontier, Xterra, Pathfinder, Armada, and 2008-2009 Quest vehicles. The resin emblem on the driver's air bag cover may develop cracks and detach during air bag deployment.
Remedy: Dealers will replace the driver's airbag cover. Owner letters were mailed December 8, 2023. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall are PC944, PC945, and PC946.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2011 model year, decoded from the NHTSA vPIC database. Individual vehicles have one of each.
How other years compare
Check your exact Frontier by VIN
Recalls and equipment differ between individual vehicles. Decode your VIN to see what applies to yours.
Open VIN decoderFrequently asked questions
Is the 2011 Nissan Frontier reliable?
NHTSA has 64 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2011 Nissan Frontier. The most complained-about area is air bags (22% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2011 Nissan Frontier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 50,100 miles or less.
Does the 2011 Nissan Frontier have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning air bags:frontal. Check your specific vehicle by VIN - recall repairs are free at franchised dealers.
Source: NHTSA recall campaigns and owner complaints (public domain). Counts reflect reports on file and are not a defect rate.