2016 Nissan Frontier Problems

Below Average Complaints

Real NHTSA owner complaints for the 2016 Nissan Frontier. Part of Generation 2 (D40) — 2005–2021.

20152017
Complaints
55
per 10K Sold
6.3
US Sales
86,926
Crashes
6
Fires
3
Injuries
6
Fatalities
Recalls
1

Worst 2016 Nissan Frontier Problems

Top 3 most-reported issues with average mileage at failure.

#110 complaints

Airbags

Avg mileage:49,380 mi
Crash-related:2
#28 complaints

Engine Problems

Avg mileage:50,500 mi
Fires:1
#38 complaints

Fuel System

Avg mileage:29,005 mi
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All Problems by Category

Every NHTSA complaint category for the 2016 Nissan Frontier.

Airbags
10
complaints
Crashes
2
Fires
Avg Miles
49,380
Engine Problems
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
50,500
Fuel System
8
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
29,005
Body Structure
4
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Transmission / Drivetrain
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Brakes
3
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Electrical Faults
2
complaints
Crashes
Fires
1
Avg Miles
Steering Defects
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wheel Issues
2
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Electronic Stability Control
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Forward Collision Avoidance: Adaptive Cruise Control
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Seat Belt Issues
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles
Suspension Failures
1
complaints
Crashes
1
Fires
Avg Miles
Wipers & Visibility
1
complaints
Crashes
Fires
Avg Miles

Search Owner Complaints

Read what owners actually reported to NHTSA for the 2016 Nissan Frontier. Type a keyword (e.g. “transmission”, “stalling”, “brakes”) to filter.

Recalls for 2016 Nissan Frontier

1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting ~1,554 vehicles.

16V181000Electrical System:wiring:front Underhood · Electrical System:starter Assembly
~1,554 affected

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.

Other Nissan Frontier Years

2016 Nissan Frontier — FAQ

Answers based on real NHTSA complaint and recall data for this specific model year.

Is the 2016 Nissan Frontier reliable?
Verdict: Below Average Complaints. The 2016 Nissan Frontier has 55 NHTSA complaints, 6 crash-related, and 1 recall campaign. The most common issue is Airbags with 10 complaints. Source: NHTSA via VinItel.
What are common problems with the 2016 Nissan Frontier?
Top reported problems: Airbags (10 complaints, avg 49,380 mi); Engine Problems (8 complaints, avg 50,500 mi); Fuel System (8 complaints, avg 29,005 mi). Every complaint is filed by an owner with NHTSA — this is raw reported data, not editorial opinion.
At what mileage do problems start on the 2016 Nissan Frontier?
The weighted average mileage at time of complaint is about 43,455 miles. Some components fail earlier, some later — check the "All Problems by Category" table above for per-issue averages.
How safe is the 2016 Nissan Frontier?
NHTSA complaints for the 2016 Nissan Frontier include 6 crash-related reports, 3 fire reports, 6 injuries, and 0 fatalities. These are owner-reported incidents, not official crash-test ratings — a complaint being filed doesn't confirm a defect, but clusters around specific components are worth investigating.
Does the 2016 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
Yes — 1 NHTSA recall campaign affecting an estimated 1,554 vehicles. Recalls are free to fix at the dealer. Always verify by VIN whether the specific car you're looking at has had its recalls addressed.
Should I buy a 2016 Nissan Frontier?
Fewer complaints than typical for this model. That's a good sign, but every individual car is different — the VIN still tells you what happened to this specific one.

Source: NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) complaint and recall databases, aggregated by VinItel.

Wider context: See the full Nissan Frontier reliability report with year-by-year comparison and generation analysis.

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