2016 Nissan FRONTIER: complaints, problems and recalls
Explore the records behind recurring owner reports.
Key facts
43 owner complaints analyzed
1 distinct recall campaigns
32,500 mi median reported failure mileage
Scope: 2016 model year. Data snapshot: . 24 complaints include usable failure mileage.
Most common problems
Air Bags is the most frequently named component, appearing in 10 of 43 complaints (23.3%). A complaint can name multiple components.
| Topic | Matching reports | Share of complaints |
|---|---|---|
| Engine operation | 5 | 11.6% |
| Transmission and shifting | 3 | 7.0% |
| Braking behavior | 3 | 7.0% |
| Steering behavior | 2 | 4.7% |
| Electrical and battery issues | 1 | 2.3% |
| Fuel system concerns | 1 | 2.3% |
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 |
|---|---|
| Air Bags | 10 |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 |
| Engine | 8 |
| Fuel/Propulsion System | 8 |
| Structure:Body | 4 |
| Power Train | 3 |
| Service Brakes | 3 |
| Electrical System | 2 |
Air Bags: 10; Unknown Or Other: 9; Engine: 8; Fuel/Propulsion System: 8; Structure:Body: 4; Power Train: 3; Service Brakes: 3; Electrical System: 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 | 11 |
| 25,000 to 49,999 | 6 |
| 50,000 to 74,999 | 5 |
| 75,000 to 99,999 | 2 |
| 100,000 to 149,999 | 0 |
| 150,000 and above | 0 |
Under 25,000: 11; 25,000 to 49,999: 6; 50,000 to 74,999: 5; 75,000 to 99,999: 2; 100,000 to 149,999: 0; 150,000 and above: 0
Under 25,000 miles has the most reports with usable mileage (11). 19 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 |
|---|---|
| 2015 | 1 |
| 2016 | 5 |
| 2017 | 5 |
| 2018 | 6 |
| 2019 | 6 |
| 2020 | 7 |
| 2021 | 1 |
| 2022 | 1 |
| 2023 | 4 |
| 2024 | 5 |
| 2025 | 1 |
| 2026 | 1 |
2015: 1; 2016: 5; 2017: 5; 2018: 6; 2019: 6; 2020: 7; 2021: 1; 2022: 1; 2023: 4; 2024: 5; 2025: 1; 2026: 1
Pattern summary
Air Bags leads the component reports. Engine operation appears in 5 complaint narratives. Transmission and shifting appears in 3 complaint narratives. Braking behavior 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.
Examples from the source records
Examples provide context, not a representative sample or a verified diagnosis.
Owner report 10789715 · 2015-11-10 (November 10, 2015)
THE TRANSMISSION DON'T CHANGE TO REVERSE, NEUTRAL, AND PARKING.
Owner-reported narrative. Look up ODI 10789715 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10873982 · 2016-06-13 (June 13, 2016)
THE THROTTLE ON THE TRUCK WILL FAIL TO ACCELERATE THEN WILL SURGE FORWARD. OTHER TIMES IT IS AS IF THE TRUCK ENGINE IS TRYING TO QUIT RUNNING . TODAY I STOPPED BY THE DEALERSHIP AND THEY FOUND NO DCTS ON THE COMPUTER, AFTER TEST DRIVING THE TRUCK 10 MI. NO PROBLEMS FOUND. BUT THIS IS AN INTERMITTENT PROBLEM. AFTER THIS TEST THE TRUCK DID IT AGAIN GOING HOME STALL THEN SURGE FORWARD ( COULD DO IT IN FWD OR REV) WILL CONTINUE TO GET DEALER TO TEST BY LEAVING TRUCK THERE A FEW DAYS. JUST WONDERING IF ANY OTHERS OUT THERE. SOME SAY THESE TRUCKS HAV…
Owner-reported narrative. 2,900 miles reported. Look up ODI 10873982 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10882870 · 2016-07-06 (July 6, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER. AFTER THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR AN OIL CHANGE, THE AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT ILLUMINATED. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED NOR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 14,007. THE VIN WAS UNAVAILABLE. UPDATED 08/30/16*LJ *AS
Owner-reported narrative. 14,007 miles reported. Look up ODI 10882870 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10924315 · 2016-11-04 (November 4, 2016)
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER. WHILE ATTEMPTING TO PURCHASE A CAB FOR THE VEHICLE, THE CAB WOULD NOT FIT DUE TO THE INCORRECT SIZE OF THE TRUCK BED. THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE DEALER WHERE IT WAS DETERMINED THAT THE VEHICLE MODIFICATION WOULD HAVE TO BE DONE AT AN INDEPENDENT SHOP. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO THE INDEPENDENT MECHANIC, THE FRAME WAS REPAIRED. THE CONTACT REFUSED TO TAKE BACK POSSESSION OF THE VEHICLE BECAUSE OF THE FRAME MODIFICATION TO THE VEHICLE. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOTIFIED. THE VIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE APPROX…
Owner-reported narrative. 1,200 miles reported. Look up ODI 10924315 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10928160 · 2016-11-27 (November 27, 2016)
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 TO A DEALER, WHERE I WAS CHARGED FOR THEM TO LOOK INTO THIS AND I WAS TOLD THERE WAS NOT ANYTHING THEY COULD DO BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT REPLICATE THE ISSUE. I TRIED TO EXPLAIN IT RANDOMLY HAPPENS AND THAT IS DOES NOT HAPPEN EVERY TIME, HOWEVER I WAS TOLD THEY COULD NOT D…
Owner-reported narrative. 35,500 miles reported. Look up ODI 10928160 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10929618 · 2016-12-02 (December 2, 2016)
WHEN I STOP AND PUT THE GAS AGAIN THE TRANSMISSION DO NOT ENGAGE, AFTER AFTER SKIPPING THE ENGAGE IT ENGAGE SUDDENLY.
Owner-reported narrative. 1 miles reported. Look up ODI 10929618 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10947100 · 2017-01-23 (January 23, 2017)
LIBERTY MUTUAL INSURANCE APPROVED A BODY SHOP TO REPAIR MY TRUCK FROM AN ACCIDENT (I WAS NOT AT FAULT) BY REMOVING ALL PARTS OF MY TRUCK FROM IT'S ORIGINAL FRAME AND PUTTING IT BACK TOGETHER ON ANOTHER FRAME. I WAS SITTING STILL, WHEN I WAS HIT FROM BEHIND AND PUSHED INTO VEHICLE IN FRONT OF ME. ALL PARTIES GOT STOPPED, EXCEPT THE LADY THAT HIT ME IN THE REAR.
Owner-reported narrative. 9,631 miles reported. Look up ODI 10947100 at NHTSA ↗
Owner report 10958447 · 2017-03-03 (March 3, 2017)
VERY SERIOUS SAFETY HAZARD WHEN USING "NISSAN CONNECT" HANDS-FREE SYSTEM WITH ALL CELL PHONES. "NISSAN CONNECT" DOES NOT DIFFERENTIATE THE DIFFERENCE WHEN CALLING A PERSON WITH MULTIPLE PHONE NUMBERS. INSTEAD OF ASKING "WOULD YOU LIKE TO CALL ____ ON CELL OR AT HOME"?, IT ASKS YOU WHICH PHONE NUMBER IS CORRECT? THIS NOW FORCES YOU TO GRAB YOUR PHONE, SEARCH FOR THE CONTACT, AND VERIFY WHICH PHONE NUMBER IS CORRECT. THE ENTIRE TIME, YOU ARE NOW DISTRACTED FROM DRIVING AND DEFEATS THE PURPOSE OF BEING HANDS FREE. THIS IS A SERIOUS SAFETY…
Owner-reported narrative. 272 miles reported. Look up ODI 10958447 at NHTSA ↗
Recall history
1 distinct campaigns affect this selection. Announcement dates below are different from vehicle model years. A campaign may cover multiple years.
16V181000 · Electrical System:Wiring:Front Underhood | Electrical System:Starter Assembly
Reported: 2016-03-31 (March 31, 2016)
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.
Consequence: An electrical short increases the risk of a fire.
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.
NHTSA campaign record ↗