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ProblemsByVin File / 2016-NISSAN-FRONTIER NHTSA data synced 4 days ago
2016 · Nissan

Nissan Frontier problems

Light NHTSA footprint — 42 owner complaints and 1 active recall campaign. Either a clean record or thin data; we'll show what's there.

0 5 10
Reliability score
8.0 / 10

Solid reliability overall. Common issues are concentrated in a few systems.

0
Critical
1
Severe
0
Moderate
Should you avoid this 2016 Frontier?
Generally reliable

Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally.

Our read of the federal NHTSA complaint and recall record for this exact year and model — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection. How we score.

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Top trouble spots 4 categories with 3+ complaints

airbags
10 reports · fails ~49,380 mi · avg $1,100
severe
engine
6 reports · fails ~55,667 mi · avg $3,100
moderate
body
3 reports · fails ~18,118 mi · avg $1,500
moderate
powertrain
3 reports · fails ~35,000 mi · avg $2,500
moderate
Buyer's checklist
Going to look at one? Use the pre-purchase inspection list.
Generated from this 2016 Frontier's actual NHTSA complaint history — every item points at a documented failure pattern on this exact vehicle, not generic walkaround filler.
See the checklist ->
Honest Calculator
Should you buy an extended warranty on this 2016 Frontier?
We pulled the math: risk-weighted exposure, typical contract cost, and our verdict on whether coverage pencils out for this specific vehicle.
See the calculator ->

What owners are saying recent NHTSA-filed complaints · verbatim

2016 Frontier · powertrain
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.
2016 Frontier · airbags
The issue with my Nissan frontier is that the passenger airbag light illuminates randomly while driving (indicating that there is not someone sitting in the seat and the airbag would not go off) while there have been full-grown adults sitting properly in the seat. . I was sent…
11/27/2016 · at 35,500 mi · NHTSA ODI #10928160.0 · see airbags pattern →
2016 Frontier · body
A loud squeaking has developed during every day driving. After inspecting - the front right truck bed mounting location has cracked and failed.
2016 Frontier · engine
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…
11/07/2020 · at 63,000 mi · NHTSA ODI #11373557.0 · see engine pattern →
View all 42 owner complaints →
Had a problem with your 2016 Nissan Frontier? File a complaint with NHTSA → It's free and official — owner filings are what build the federal safety record behind this page.

Estimate your repair exposure

Drag to your current mileage. Numbers are derived from this vehicle's complaint history.

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At 80,000 miles
Likely repair cost in next 24 months
$0

Active recalls showing 1 of 1

severe NHTSA 16V181000 March 31, 2016

Nissan North America, Inc

An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.

Fix: 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.

Common questions

Is the 2016 Nissan Frontier reliable?

Mostly yes. With a reliability score of 8.0 out of 10 based on 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA, the 2016 Nissan Frontier is generally a sound vehicle. The areas to watch are listed in the top problem section above — most are budget items, not deal-breakers.

Should you avoid the 2016 Nissan Frontier?

On the NHTSA data, the 2016 Nissan Frontier does not need avoiding. Buyable on the data — keep up the usual maintenance and inspect normally. The record behind that call: No systemic severe-failure pattern in the complaint record; Reliability score 8.0/10 — above the segment average; 1 recall campaign on file. This is our read of the federal complaint and recall data — not a substitute for a pre-purchase inspection.

What's the most common problem on the 2016 Nissan Frontier?

Based on NHTSA records, the most-reported issue is airbags, with 10 complaints filed. Typical failure occurs around 49,380 miles. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop.

What's the most expensive thing that goes wrong?

The airbags is one of the costlier repair items. Average repair cost runs about $1,100 at an independent shop. Typical failure occurs around 49,380 miles. Catching early warning signs can sometimes extend life by 20–30,000 miles.

How do I check if my Nissan Frontier has open recalls?

Paste your VIN into the decoder at the top of this page. We pull live from NHTSA, so you'll see exactly which campaigns apply to your vehicle and whether the dealer has logged the fix. Recall repairs are always free regardless of mileage or warranty status.

Is an extended warranty worth it on a 2016 Nissan Frontier?

Math is straightforward: a quality service contract runs $1,800–3,500 over 3 years. With 42 complaints on file and the costliest repair averaging $1,100, one major failure more than pays for it. The catch is reading the contract — many providers exclude wear items and require pre-authorization, so cheaper plans are not always better value.

Related

Recall and complaint data sourced from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) public records database, last synced 4 days ago. Verify the raw federal record at nhtsa.gov/vehicle/2016/Nissan/Frontier. Editorial commentary written by ProblemsByVin contributors and reviewed by ASE-certified mechanics. We are not affiliated with Nissan. Some links on this page are affiliate links and we may earn a commission if you complete a quote or purchase.
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