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KLUNK
KLUNK

2016 Nissan Frontier

The Verdict

90 Smooth Ride

The 2016 Nissan Frontier has 42 owner complaints filed with NHTSA. The most reported issues are engine (15 complaints) and body (13 complaints). With a Klunk Score of 90/100, it earns a "Smooth Ride" rating. If you're shopping for a Nissan Frontier, consider the 2025 model year which has 83% fewer complaints.

Safe Bet

The 2025 has 83% fewer complaints

View the 2025 Nissan Frontier dashboard →

90

Klunk Score: Smooth Ride

This vehicle year has significantly fewer complaints than average. A reliable choice.

How is this calculated?

The Klunk Score ranks this vehicle year against all others in our database based on total owner complaints filed with NHTSA. 100 = fewest complaints (top tier), 0 = most complained-about. Scores above 60 are better than average; below 40 means more problems than most.

Recalls 1

Active safety recalls from NHTSA for this vehicle year.

16V181000 ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

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 in...

Risk

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 s...

Reported Apr 11, 2026

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Under the Hood

Each number is a complaint. Darker = bigger problem.

YearBodyBrakesElectricalEngineTransmission
20008319374226
2001421521587
2002461925427
200331710217
200423591712
201116112179
2012210251313
20131332156
20141311756
20151211235
201613210152
2017838145
2018103732
201983827
202141444
2022431522921
202542001

By Category

Engine
15
Body
13
Electrical
10
Brakes
2
Transmission
2

By Severity

1
15
2
23
4
4

Worst Problems

Compare Against

See how the 2016 Nissan Frontier stacks up against rivals.

Complaints

Engine 2

I am experiencing a fuel pump issue that stalls the engine while driving. The issue will sometimes go away if I first loosen the fuel cap on the gas tank to relieve built up pressure but after driving for 10 to 15 minutes or so the vehicle will begin to jerk while accelerating then it will stall and cut off. I have to wait a few minutes once it cuts off and then I can start the engine up again and drive for another 10 to 15 minutes before the issue occurs again. The vehicle has over 120,000 miles on it and all parts are original to the vehicle.

9mo ago
Body 2

A loud squeaking has developed during every day driving. After inspecting - the front right truck bed mounting location has cracked and failed.

20mo ago
Engine 1

WHILE FUELING AT DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS THE TANK SPILLS/BELCHES GAS ALL OVER. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS RECALLED. THERE ARE ENDLESS COMPLAINTS ON [XXX] OF SIMILAR ISSUES OCCURRING TO OTHER FRONTIER OWNERS. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS QUOTED OVER $800 TO REPLACE ALL 5 COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM AS NISSAN HAS SUGGESTED IN A BULLETIN FOR MECHANICS. IF NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ENOUGH TO ISSUE A TECHNICAL BULLETIN THEN THE ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED FOR FREE BECAUSE GAS SPILLING/SPRAYING ALL OVER ME EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY VEHICLE IS OUT RIGHT DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

22mo ago
Electrical 2

The airbag warning light is blinking and has been for approximately 9 months. I live in Salida, CO which does not have a Nissan Dealership to take my vehicle into for servicing. I recently saw an article on Fox 31 News pertaining to the same airbag malfunction and would like to know what to do about my problem.

23mo ago
Engine 1

Head gasket blew and it warped the heads at 98,000 miles Replace motor with a 51,000 mile motor and less than 2 months later, motor is knocking inside with broken peices of the motor. I have to replace it again.

25mo ago
Body 2

The issues iw with the lug nuts expanding locking on the tire so it cannot be takeoff for rotation or replacement or if you have a flat tire tout on the spare. Went to BJ's tire in Pasadena, MD (1-410-647-6600) to have a rotation and they said they could not do it the lug nuts expanded to larger size and it could cross thread if they got them off and tried tout them back on. AS WELL THEY MIGHT NOT BE SECURED TIGHT ENOUGH THAT THEY WOULD NOT FALLOFF WHILE DRIVING. A SAFTY ISSUES WITH BJ'S. BOTH MECHANICS VERIFIED IT AND THE TWO MANAGERS OF THE STORE AS WE.. I did not believe them so I took it to Sheehy Nissan in glen Burnie where the two top managers verified that the lug nut expanded so large they had to be replaces OR IT WOULD BE A SAFTY ISSUE with me driving with he old one on as they cannot be safely tightened down and may come off during driving. So I need all 24 lug nuts replaced. I think he said they expanded from 21 mm (or cm) to 22.5 mm (or cm).the manager has been doing this for over 30 years and his assistant said the same who has been doing it for over 25 years. Mr Brian Jordan at 1-410-760-3500 ext #81052) So I need all 24 replaced as the rest could expand. The real cost is over $800 but willing to do it for like $550 plus tire rotation. As both BJ's managers and tire people and Nissan managers are saying thesis a serious safety issue I believe them. They say unless proper tools used other issues can occur. And ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO REMOVE BY THE OWNER OF THE VECHILE. Especially if the person icon the road replacing the tier with the spare. They showed me on the internet the issues with ford and other manufactures from before 2000 having this issue. As I am [XXX] it would be really hard to deal with if an emergency came up o the road. You need look into this issue. IT IS A REAL SAFETY ISSUE esp. for older folks. INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6)

25mo ago
Transmission 2

My 2016 Nissan Frontier is leaking axle grease from the driver side rear tire. The grease/oil got all over the brake pads, rotor, and emergency brake. This seems to be a very common issue that was supposed to have been resolved several models prior.

31mo ago
Electrical 4

Airbags didn’t deployed when the incident of the the truck crashed at the time. (April 05,2023)

39mo ago
Electrical 2

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while operating the vehicle air bags warning light remained illuminated. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer who determined that the air bag system was disconnected under the passenger’s side dashboard. The system was reconnected, and the failure was remedied. The contact stated that the failure had recently reoccurred. The cause of the failure was not yet determined. The manufacturer and local dealer were notified of the failure, but no assistance was offered. The failure mileage was 90,632.

39mo ago
Body 1

All glass in vehicle showing spotted areas with factory tinting

39mo ago
Engine 2

The contact owns a 2016 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated that while driving approximately 60 MPH, the vehicle lost motive power and stalled. There were no warning lights illuminated. The contact was able to restart the vehicle. The vehicle was taken to the local dealer but was not diagnosed or repaired. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 90,000.

50mo ago
Electrical 2

I HAVE A 2016 NISSAN FRONTIER WITH ONLY 68,000 MILES ON IT. THE AIRBAG LIGHT ON THE DASH STARTED FLASHING. I TOOK IT TO ANY MOHR NISSAN AND THEY DIAGNOSED THAT THE SENSOR INSIDE THE PASSENGER SEAT THAT TELLS THE SYSTEM IF SOMEONE IS SITTING THERE HAS FAILED AND THAT IT IS AN $1800 REPAIR, BECAUSE THE ONLY WAY TO FIX IT IS TO REPLACE THE WHOLE SEAT. THEY SAID THEY COULDN'T SAY WHETHER THE AIRBAG WOULD DEPLOY OR NOT IN AN ACCIDENT IF I DIDN'T FIX THE SENSOR.

66mo ago
Engine 2

WHILE FUELING AT DIFFERENT GAS STATIONS THE TANK SPILLS/BELCHES GAS ALL OVER. THIS IS A MAJOR SAFETY ISSUE AND NEEDS RECALLED. THERE ARE ENDLESS COMPLAINTS ON WWW.CLUBFRONTIER.ORG OF SIMILAR ISSUES OCCURRING TO OTHER FRONTIER OWNERS. I TOOK IT TO MY LOCAL MECHANIC AND WAS QUOTED OVER $800 TO REPLACE ALL 5 COMPONENTS OF THE SYSTEM AS NISSAN HAS SUGGESTED IN A BULLETIN FOR MECHANICS. IF NISSAN IS AWARE OF THIS ISSUE ENOUGH TO ISSUE A TECHNICAL BULLETIN THEN THE ISSUE NEEDS TO BE RECALLED AND REPAIRED FOR FREE BECAUSE GAS SPILLING/SPRAYING ALL OVER ME EVERY TIME I FILL UP MY VEHICLE IS OUT RIGHT DANGEROUS AND UNSAFE. BULLETIN NUMBER NTB16-122

67mo ago
Engine 1

ENGINE VIBRATION AT LOW RPM THAT CAN'T BE EXPLAINED BY SEVERAL MECHANICS.

68mo ago
Engine 2

ENGINE HESITATES OR STALLS ON ACCELERATION. WHEN PULLING OUT FROM A STOP ENGINE HESITATES TO NEAR STALL NO MATTER HOW HARD OR FAR YOU PRESS GAS PEDAL. EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. INTERMITTENT ISSUE, NO FAILURE CODES WHEN TESTED. IF ENGINE DOESN'T STALL, VEHICLE IS AT A STAND STILL EVEN WITH GAS PEDAL TO FLOOR OR PUMPING GAS PEDAL. IS HAPPENING ALL THE TIME, EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. NEARLY HIT BY ONCOMING TRAFFIC SEVERAL TIMES. DEALERSHIP HAS HAD MANY REPORTS OF SAME ISSUE, BUT NO SOLUTION. I AM AFRAID TO DRIVE VEHICLE.

69mo ago
Body 2

KEY LOCKED IN IGNITION THEN STEERING WHEEL LOCKED. CAR WAS PARKED AT A PUBLIC BEACH PARKING LOT BEFORE THE ISSUE OCCURRED.

71mo ago
Engine 1

TRANSMISSION AND BRAIN REPAIR BY DEALERSHIP UNDER WARRANTY 20017, AND OVERHEATING PROBLEM DUE TO RADIATOR IN 2020 AFTER EXPIRE OF WARRANTY, $1000 OUT OF POCKET REPAIRS.

72mo ago
Brakes 2

THE YAWRATE SENSOR AND ABS DIAGNOSTIC MODULE HAD TO BE REPLACED TO KEEP MY VEHICLE FROM GRABBING THE BRAKES AS I STARTED DRIVING

74mo ago
Engine 1

HESITATION FROM IDLE TO TAKE OFF-NEVER KNOW WHEN IT IS GOING TO ACT UP,FOR EXAMPLE TURNING IN FRONT OF ANOTHER VEHICLE-- WILL I MAKE IT THIS TIME WITHOUT AN ACCIDENT? *TR

74mo ago
Body 1

MY VEHICLE WAS BURGLARIZED. THE THIEVES GOT IN THROUGH THE REAR SLIDING GLASS. THE LATCH DOES NOT LOCK AND IS FAULTY. IF THE LATCH WAS FULLY FUNCTIONAL, NOBODY WOULD HAVE GONE IN AND STOLEN EVERYTHING I OWNED.

85mo ago

42 total

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