2018 Nissan FRONTIER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
25 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
9,745 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2018 model year. Data snapshot: . 11 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Electrical System is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 25 complaints (16.0%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Braking behavior | 5 | 20.0% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 12.0% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 3 | 12.0% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 4.0% |
Topic matches use published keyword rules. They describe mentions, including negations or comparisons, and do not confirm a diagnosis. Read the matching rules.
Component breakdown
Number of unique complaints naming each component. Top eight shown.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Electrical System | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Suspension | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 2 |
| Power Train | 2 |
| Structure:Body | 2 |
Electrical System: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Service Brakes: 3; Suspension: 3; Air Bags: 2; Fuel/Propulsion System: 2; Power Train: 2; Structure:Body: 2
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 8 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 2 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 0 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 8; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 2; 75,000 to 99,999: 0; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (8). 14 complaints have missing, zero or invalid mileage.
Complaints over time
Year the complaint was filed, not the vehicle model year or incident year. The snapshot year is partial.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| 2018 | 3 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 3 |
| 2021 | 2 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 3 |
| 2024 | 2 |
| 2025 | 5 |
2018: 3; 2019: 6; 2020: 3; 2021: 2; 2022: 1; 2023: 3; 2024: 2; 2025: 5
Pattern summary
Electrical System leads the component reports. Braking behavior appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Electrical and battery issues appears in 3 complaint narratives. Use these patterns to inspect individual reports and prepare questions for a mechanic.
Calculated from recorded counts. An AI narrative has not been published for this selection.
Complaint evidence
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 11162672 · 2018-12-20 (December 20, 2018)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2018 NISSAN FRONTIER. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE BRAKE AND ACCELERATOR PEDALS WERE TOO CLOSE TOGETHER. WHILE BRAKING, THE ACCELERATOR PEDAL WOULD ALSO DEPRESS AND THE VEHICLE WOULD LUNGE FORWARD. THE CONTACT ALSO STATED THAT THE BRAKE PEDAL WAS LOOSE AND WOULD TRAVEL ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE FLOORBOARD WHEN DEPRESSED HARD. THE CONTACT SPOKE WITH JEFF WYLER FAIRFIELD CADILLAC KIA NISSAN (5815 DIXIE HWY, FAIRFIELD, OH 45014, [phone removed]). THE DEALER COULD NOT DUPLICATE THE FAILURE AND REFERRED THE CONTACT TO THE MANUFAC…
Owner-reported narrative. 500 miles reported. Look up ODI 11162672 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11172445 · 2019-01-28 (January 28, 2019)
VEHICLE WAS STOPPED, FOOT ON BRAKE, EXITING A PUBLIC PARKING LOT, WHEN SUDDENLY ENGINE ACCELERATED RAPIDLY AND WHEELS WERE SCREECHING. THE PASSENGER OF VEHICLE HAD TO PLACE TRANSMISSION IN NEUTRAL, THEN PARK TO STOP VEHICLE FROM MOVING FORWARD. THIS ACTION DID NOT STOP ENGINE FROM REVVING AT EXTREME HIGH SPEED--RATHER, THE ENGINE WOULD SLOW DOWN AFTER ABOUT 3-5 SECONDS. THIS HAPPENED 5 TIMES, WITHIN A 10 MINUTE 4 MILE DRIVE, BUT NOT CONSISTENTLY. DRIVING APPROX. 15-25 MPH BETWEEN STOP SIGNS: BRAKE WOULD BE APPLIED AND THEN ENGINE AND TRUCK WO…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,800 miles reported. Look up ODI 11172445 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11140130 · 2018-10-13 (October 13, 2018)
THE THROTTLE CONTROL, FOOT PEDAL, HAS DEAD SPOTS THAT HAPPEN WHEN LEAVING A STOP SIGN, GREEN LIGHTS, PULLING OUT INTO TRAFFIC. ALSO CLIMBING A HILL WHEN YOU STEP ON THE GAS NOTHING HAPPENS UNTIL THE TRANSMISSION KICKS DOWN THEN YOU GO TO FAST. THIS HAPPENS OCCASIONALLY. IT IS BETTER IF YOU TURN OF THE OVERDRIVE DID IT STILL HAPPENS. I HAVE HAD IT BACK TO THE DEALER 3 TIMES.DEALER REPROGRAMMED THE TRANSMISSION, REPROGRAMMED THE THROTTLE BODY AND THEN REPLACED THE THROTTLE BODY. WHEN I PULL OUT INTO TRAFFIC I DO NOT KNOW IF THE TRUCK IS GOING …
Owner-reported narrative. 120 miles reported. Look up ODI 11140130 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11507645 · 2023-02-16 (February 16, 2023)
The contact owns a 2018 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that upon inserting the key in the ignition switch to start the vehicle, the ignition switch was significantly loose, preventing the vehicle from starting. An independent mechanic diagnosed that the ignition switch plastic body needed to be replaced. The contact related the failure to NHTSA Campaign Number: 18V551000 (Electrical System). An unknown dealer and the manufacturer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was provided. The failure mileage was approximately 50,260. Th…
Owner-reported narrative. 50,260 miles reported. Look up ODI 11507645 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11639440 · 2025-01-29 (January 29, 2025)
Jan 29 2025 vehicle failed to start . Turned switch to start several times .no response at all no dash lights no starter reaction no clicking from battery, which would indicate battery problem. Waited several mins approx 30 minutes. Vehicle started and been ok for several more starts today. Suspect ignition switch ,seems many models this vehicle has problems. Mine did not show a recall?
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11639440 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11673177 · 2025-07-13 (July 13, 2025)
I bought this truck from my boss man and had it put in the shop to replace the head gasket but they ended up changing the valve cover the intake manifold gasket and putting plugs in it due to a smoking issue and skipping but after all the repairs were done it turns out that the valves are bad in the engine and they more than likely they were bad when they installed originally. It's causing stalling issues in traffic and I'm sure I'm not the only one with this problem.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11673177 at NHTSA ↗