2021 Nissan FRONTIER problems and owner complaints
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
17 owner complaints analyzed
2 distinct recall campaigns
26,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2021 model year. Data snapshot: . 4 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Power Train is the most frequently named component, appearing in 4 of 17 complaints (23.5%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Transmission and shifting | 5 | 29.4% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 17.6% |
| Engine operation | 1 | 5.9% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 5.9% |
| Steering behavior | 1 | 5.9% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 5.9% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Power Train | 4 |
| Unknown Or Other | 4 |
| Electrical System | 3 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 3 |
| Air Bags | 2 |
| Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification | 1 |
| Electrical System:Ignition | 1 |
| Engine | 1 |
Power Train: 4; Unknown Or Other: 4; Electrical System: 3; Fuel/Propulsion System: 3; Air Bags: 2; Air Bags:Sensor:Occupant Classification: 1; Electrical System:Ignition: 1; Engine: 1
Reported problems by failure mileage
Complaint counts in mileage bands. These are not failure rates per vehicle or mile.
| Category | Count |
|---|---|
| Under 25,000 | 2 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 1 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 0 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 1 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 2; 25,000 to 49,999: 1; 50,000 to 74,999: 0; 75,000 to 99,999: 1; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (2). 13 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 |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 3 |
| 2022 | 3 |
| 2023 | 5 |
| 2024 | 3 |
| 2025 | 3 |
2021: 3; 2022: 3; 2023: 5; 2024: 3; 2025: 3
Pattern summary
Power Train leads the component reports. Transmission and shifting appears in 5 complaint narratives. Braking behavior appears in 3 complaint narratives. Engine operation appears in 1 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 11430044 · 2021-08-22 (August 22, 2021)
Descending my driveway which is an approximately 15 degree slope with the transmission selected to remain in 1st gear, and approximately one third of a tank of fuel or less remaining in the fuel tank the engine seems to momentarily cut out as the vehicle feels like the transmission is in neutral, but the tachometer indicates the engine is running. When this occurs the MIL comes on along with the check AT light. Stopping the vehicle and restarting the vehicle clears the Check AT light, but it takes several drive cycles to clear the MIL light. Th…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11430044 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11486649 · 2022-09-27 (September 27, 2022)
Transmission in Park Nissan sent notice truck could roll away. Radio turns self on and off 2-3 times after starting vehicle no lights or messages show up Cell phone bluetooth won't work
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11486649 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11435971 · 2021-10-07 (October 7, 2021)
My husband and I bought a new truck. My husband pulled the truck into our garage, once in the garage the back tires started to spin out of control, he looked down and saw he had his foot on the brake only, but truck surged forward causing no injuries but have minor truck and property damage. Have a picture of where there is stationary tire marks on our epoxy garage floor showing the black tire marks of the tires spinning out of control just before the truck surged forward. After this incident we found articles about sudden unintended accelerati…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11435971 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11609478 · 2024-08-19 (August 19, 2024)
The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle, the vehicle failed to start as intended. After several attempts, the contact was able to start the vehicle, after which the vehicle returned to normal functionality, but the failure became a regular occurrence. The contact also stated that when the failure occurred, the exterior lights would not function properly. No warning lights were illuminated. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic, who diagnosed a failure with the brake light swit…
Owner-reported narrative. 36,000 miles reported. Look up ODI 11609478 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11693475 · 2025-10-14 (October 14, 2025)
I [XXX] PURCHASED THE VEHICLE FROM DAYTONA, NISSAN ON [XXX] ON THE MORNING OF [XXX], THE AIRBAG LIGHT CAME ON. AND WAS FLASHING. I TOOK VIDEOS OF ALL THE DIFFERENT OCCURRENCES.I WENT BACK TO THE DEALERSHIP AND TALKED TO THE SALESMAN THAT SOLD IT TO US.HIS NAME WAS SIMON.AND HE BROUGHT US IN, AND WE WERE TALKING TO A MANAGER THEY DISCONNECTED THE BATTERY AND TRY TO RESET IT AS WE WERE LEAVING, THE SALESMAN WALKED US OUT.WHEN WE FIRED UP THE VEHICLE, THE WHOLE DASH FLASHED AND WENT BLACK IN FRONT OF THE SALESMAN.A DAY LATER, WE BROKE DOWN IN THE…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11693475 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 11531163 · 2023-07-09 (July 9, 2023)
I purchased a 2021 certified preowned Nissan frontier with 21k miles and was promised it had passed a 167 point inspection and came with limited 7 year 100k power train warranty. This is addition to the factory warranty 3 year 36k and 5 year 60k mile that is still in effect. the truck has had to have several repairs upon purchasing. This includes AC line flushed because it was sloshing in the dash. A leaf in the right blower motor. And now my truck has been ins hop two weeks. Initially diagnosed as a bolt missing was causing a rattling in…
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 11531163 at NHTSA ↗