2016 Nissan Frontier: problems, recalls and reliability
1 recall and 43 owner complaints on record; the weakest area is air bags (24% of complaints).
Data updated weekly · 1 new complaint in the last 90 days · latest recall Mar 2016
All counts are reports filed with NHTSA in the United States - US market only, not worldwide totals.
Common problems
Computed from 43 owner complaints filed with NHTSA for this exact model year.
“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 NISSAN SCHRADER ELECTRONICS RTPMS 40700 1AA0B BLUE IN COLOR”Owner report · Unknown Or Other · Jul 2026
“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.”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Oct 2025
“A loud squeaking has developed during every day driving. After inspecting - the front right truck bed mounting location has cracked and failed.”Owner report · Structure · Aug 2024
Show 7 more owner reports
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Jun 2024
“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.”Owner report · Power Train · Dec 2023
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2023
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Dec 2022
“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.”Owner report · Engine · Nov 2021
“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.”Owner report · Air Bags · Jan 2021
“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”Owner report · Fuel/Propulsion System · Nov 2020
When filing, owners marked a crash in 3 of these complaints and injuries in 3 - self-reported to NHTSA, not verified accident statistics.
Recalls - 1 campaign
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 electrical short.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect and reposition the starter wire harness, as necessary, free of charge. The recall began on April 13, 2016. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-647-7261.
Specifications
Factory options offered for the 2016 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 2016 Nissan Frontier reliable?
NHTSA has 43 owner complaints and 1 recall campaign on record for the 2016 Nissan Frontier. The most complained-about area is air bags (24% of complaints).
At what mileage do 2016 Nissan Frontier problems usually appear?
Half of the complaints that mention mileage were filed at 35,035 miles or less.
Does the 2016 Nissan Frontier have open recalls?
1 recall campaign has been issued, the latest concerning electrical system:starter assembly. 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.