Best & Worst Nissan Frontier Years (Years To Avoid)

With new tech, tweaked styling, and improved capabilities, Nissan announced earlier this month that it would update its midsize Frontier pickup for the 2025 model year. The 2025 Frontier is getting a makeover that helps it stay competitive in an increasingly challenging segment, but it’s too early to predict whether it will rank among the best Frontier models. In the end, however, if a truck isn’t reliable, its new features don’t matter much.

The Best Years For Nissan Frontier (Few To Avoid)

Generally, the Frontier is considered a reliable truck, with RepairPal rating it four out of five and J.D. Power ranking Nissan as the best truck manufacturer in the dealership service satisfaction category within the next five years.

According to iSeeCars‘ analysis of used truck listings, the Nissan Frontier also received a respectable 8.4 out of ten for reliability, although it fell behind its competitors from Toyota, Honda, and Ford. Several problematic Frontier model years likely contributed to that, which dragged down the overall average.

Frontier model years that don’t suffer from the same issues are recommended for any truck buyer who wants a hassle-free ownership experience. Here’s a roundup of the best and worst model years according to data gathered from the NHTSA, reliability surveys, and owner reviews.


Best 2023 Nissan Frontier

Nissan Frontier 2022 features a much-needed tech upgrade as well as fresh styling, among other improvements. NHTSA data, however, indicates that the 2022 model year has slightly more complaints than average – not a lot, but enough for us to recommend the 2023 model year.

Best 2023 Nissan Frontier

As of this writing, the 2023 Frontier has only one recall listed on the NHTSA, while the 2022 Frontier had six recalls. As long as the required repairs have been completed, a vehicle with a high recall rate is not less safe. Buyers of used examples will, however, have to verify that the work has been done, and if not, must take the truck for the necessary repairs themselves. The 2023 Frontier, for instance, has fewer recalls, so you won’t have to worry about it.

Reviews from owners also paint a consistently positive picture of the 2023 Frontier. On Edmunds, owner reviews average 4.2 out of five, while on Cars.com, they average 4.5. On J.D. Power’s reliability scale, the truck scored 84 out of 100.


Best 2021 Nissan Frontier

Drivers who don’t need the upgrades that the 2022-2024 Frontier brings may want to consider the 2021 Frontier. In 2005, the D40 generation ended its production after being in production since 2004. With only 11 complaints recorded as of this writing, it also boasts a low level of owner complaints to the NHTSA. 

Best 2021 Nissan Frontier

The reliability issues that plagued earlier D40 models were evidently addressed long ago. In the 2021 model, there are some key compromises, mainly centered around its lack of modern luxuries and infotainment. Although the truck was only available with a basic, plastic-filled interior and no Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, it might not be a bad thing for some people.

If you’re looking for a simple, no-frills work truck or off-roader, you’ll find exactly what you’re looking for here, and that sentiment is backed up by positive customer reviews. On Edmunds, owner reviews average 4.2 out of five, while on Cars.com, they average 4.6. KBB scores the Frontier particularly high when it comes to reliability, with 4.6 out of 5 stars.


Best 2015 Nissan Frontier

A benefit of the D40 Frontier’s long production run is that buyers can choose from a wide range of model years within the generation. Both owners and experts are enthusiastic about the 2015 model year, with an average rating of 4.5 out of five on Cars.com and 4.4 out of five on VehicleHistory. The 2015 Frontier has also been rated highly by J.D. Power, which gave it an 85 out of 100 rating for reliability.

Best 2015 Nissan Frontier

Its handling was lacking compared to other pickup trucks in its class, and its interior materials were dated by the time the 2015 model year rolled around. The complaints can also be applied to any other D40 Frontier model year, but they won’t matter too much to anyone looking for a budget-friendly workhorse.

Those who are concerned about reliability and capability should consider the Frontier’s optional V6 engine, which is the best choice.


Best 2019 Nissan Frontier

Nissan Frontier is another top performer when it comes to reliability, with only 16 complaints filed to date with the NHTSA. This view is supported by J.D. Power, which rates the truck 87 out of 100 for reliability. Considering that the truck doesn’t really stand out in most other ways, at least on paper, that’s doubly important.

There were few changes from previous years’ models, and some reviewers criticized the old-school driving dynamics and interior of the 2019 model. An infotainment touchscreen with a seven-inch display was a small nod to modern connectivity.

Best 2019 Nissan Frontier

However, both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were not available on the infotainment system, making it look dated compared to the rest of the competition. According to Cars.com, current Frontier owners give it an average score of 4.7 out of five, indicating that most buyers didn’t seem to care. Similarly, owners post positive reviews on KBB, giving the truck a 4.4 out of five overall rating and a 4.6 out of five reliability rating.


Best 2004 Nissan Frontier

If you aren’t sold on either the most recent Frontier generation or the previous D40 generation, you’ll need to go back to the 2004 model year or earlier. Aside from the 2004 model, there’s little reason to look beyond it, since it boasts the lowest number of NHTSA complaints. Since 2010, the truck has been recalled four times and received 66 complaints, with the most recent recall involving the steering column shaft.

Best 2004 Nissan Frontier

Based on reviews from owners on KBB, the 2004 Frontier has an average reliability rating of 4.8 out of five stars. Similarly positive results are found on Edmunds and Cars.com, with an average rating of 4.5 out of five.

Any given truck of this age will be as reliable as its model in the future depending on its condition. In good condition, the 2004 Frontier should be a workhorse, but a less-than-perfect example won’t be as reliable.


Avoid 2005 Nissan Frontier

The reliability of any used Frontier cannot be guaranteed, but there are some model years that are more likely than others to have problems. On our list of the most problematic used Nissan models, the 2005 Frontier made the cut. First of all, it would be a huge understatement to say the 2005 Frontier had teething troubles.

The NHTSA has received 531 complaints about this model of Frontier, making it one of the most frequently complained about. As a primary cause of those complaints, hundreds refer to a malfunctioning transmission.

Avoid 2005 Nissan Frontier

Automatic transmission fluid tanks can fail over time, resulting in engine coolant mixing with transmission fluid. It eventually causes partial or total transmission failure due to permanent transmission damage. The issue was the subject of a class action lawsuit filed in 2010. 

There has been another lawsuit involving a defective timing chain involving every Frontier equipped with a VQ40 engine from the 2005 to 2007 model years. This lawsuit was later settled by Nissan, offering owners reimbursement for the replacement cost of the chain or a voucher for a new vehicle worth up to $1,500.


Avoid 2006 Nissan Frontier

Aside from the same problems as the previous model year, the 2006 Frontier takes the unfortunate title of most complained-about Frontier according to NHTSA data. There have been more than 600 complaints filed so far, covering a wide variety of topics. It is common to report issues with the transmission fluid and timing chain, as well as electrical and fuel system problems.

Avoid 2006 Nissan Frontier

There have also been reports of problems with the airbags of the 2006 Frontier, with owners reporting that replacement parts for a necessary airbag recall were not available. The steering of the truck has also been reported to have a few issues. It’s best to avoid the 2006 Frontier altogether, as well as the 2007 Frontier, which suffered from a similar range of problems, according to data compiled by the NHTSA.


Avoid 2000 Nissan Frontier

Although the 2000 model year Frontier is not as notorious as the 2005 to 2007 Frontiers, it is also subject to more NHTSA complaints than other years. There is a wide variety of complaints, from powertrain issues to electrical problems.

Avoid 2000 Nissan Frontier

 Many owners have reported instrument panel failures, while others have reported excessive corrosion in various components causing premature failures. It appears that none of these issues is prevalent enough for the NHTSA to investigate.

Due to its age, most used examples on the market will be in far from perfect condition anyway given that the truck is now over a quarter of a century old. It’s especially important to know how to avoid the common used vehicle buying pitfalls, and verify that the vehicle has been well looked after. Frontiers are generally reliable, even though they’re not the most reliable trucks on the market. They haven’t quite managed to live up to the expectations set by later models.


Our selection methodology

Various sources, including both experts and owners, were used to determine the best model years of the Nissan Frontier. Data from the NHTSA, which collects complaints, recalls, and manufacturer communications about a given model year, was used to determine both recommended model years and those to avoid. The model years we recommend are among the best performers in NHTSA data, and the model years we avoid are all among the most problematic.

Our initial findings were complemented by reliability scores from J.D. power as well as consumer reviews from Edmunds, KBB, and Cars.com. Using the experiences of current and former Nissan Frontier owners, we compiled a list of the best and worst model years. However, these findings are only intended as guidance and don’t take into account individual model year examples’ differences in history and condition.

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