The most-reported Frontier run is 1N6ED1EK8NN (2022 builds) with 10 complaints, 5.6× the typical run. Power train problems make up 17% of reports; 2000 is the worst model year at 2.4 complaints per run; NHTSA lists 47 recall campaigns for Frontier model years 1998–2026.
Which build runs owners report most
A production run is the first 11 characters of the VIN: plant, model year, body and engine. The Nissan Frontier has 609 of them on record. The five runs at the top of this table hold 4% of every Frontier complaint on file.
| Production run (VIN 1–11) | Year | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1N6ED1EK8NN•••••• | 2022 | — | — | |
| 1N6DD26SXWC•••••• | 1998 | 1 | — | |
| 1N6DD26S7WC•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1N6DD26S6YC•••••• | 2000 | 3 | 1 | |
| 1N6DD26S0YC•••••• | 2000 | — | — | |
| 1N6ED1EK3NN•••••• | 2022 | — | — | |
| 1N6ED27Y0YC•••••• | 2000 | — | — | |
| 1N6ED1EK2NN•••••• | 2022 | 1 | — | |
| 1N6ED27Y9YC•••••• | 2000 | — | — | |
| 1N6DD26S11C•••••• | 2001 | 2 | — | |
| 1N6DD26S5WC•••••• | 1998 | — | — | |
| 1N6DD26S1YC•••••• | 2000 | — | — |
Each of the other 597 Frontier runs has 6 complaints or fewer. ForCar has checked 313 Frontier VINs so far, most often 2026, 2025, 2019 builds; 3 of them belong to one of the 12 runs above.
Which model years to check twice
Complaints per production run, so a year that simply sold more does not top the list. On the Nissan Frontier the gap between build years is 2×: a 2000 car draws 2.4 complaints per run, a 2017 one 1.2.
| Year | Per run | Complaints | Runs | Crashes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 6 | 5 | — | |
| 2022 | 110 | 32 | 11 | |
| 2021 | 17 | 13 | 1 | |
| 2019 | 27 | 15 | 1 | |
| 2018 | 23 | 17 | — | |
| 2017 | 36 | 29 | 4 | |
| 2016 | 39 | 25 | 3 | |
| 2015 | 27 | 18 | 2 | |
| 2014 | 34 | 25 | 2 | |
| 2013 | 45 | 27 | 5 | |
| 2012 | 59 | 36 | 3 | |
| 2011 | 54 | 33 | 2 | |
| 2004 | 54 | 35 | 7 | |
| 2003 | 66 | 50 | 9 | |
| 2002 | 94 | 62 | 10 | |
| 2001 | 102 | 53 | 10 | |
| 2000 | 168 | 69 | 13 | |
| 1999 | 53 | 28 | 6 | |
| 1998 | 108 | 46 | 10 |
Heaviest year here is 2022 at 3.4 complaints per run; lightest is 2017 at 1.2. The 2025 line is still collecting reports, so it reads low.
What to inspect on this car
One system accounts for 17% of everything Nissan Frontier owners report: Power Train, 148 of 1,122 complaints. Start the pre-purchase inspection there.
| System | Complaints | Involved a crash | Fire |
|---|---|---|---|
| Power Train | 9 | 1 | |
| Air Bags | 46 | 2 | |
| Electrical System | 5 | 14 | |
| Service Brakes | 24 | — | |
| Unknown Or Other | 9 | 3 | |
| Fuel System | — | 1 | |
| Tires | 4 | — | |
| Gasoline | — | 1 |
Recalls to check against your VIN
NHTSA has 47 recall campaigns on the Nissan Frontier; the 6 below cover build years 1998 to 2010. These are for the model and year; whether one is still open on a given car, only that VIN can tell.
| Campaign | Component | Model years |
|---|---|---|
| 10E019000 | Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm | 2005–2010 |
| 06E064000 | Exterior Lighting | 2001–2006 |
| 09E012000 | Exterior Lighting | 1998–2003 |
| 08V690000 | Air Bags:frontal | 2005–2009 |
| 04V230000 | Fuel System, Gasoline:delivery:fuel Pump | 1999–2003 |
| 09E025000 | Exterior Lighting:headlights | 1998–2002 |
The Frontier against its rivals
The Frontier draws 1.8 complaints per production run; the Ford Ranger 2.3 and the Honda Ridgeline 3. That is the lowest rate of the 3.
| Model | Complaints | Runs | Per run | Involved a crash |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nissan Frontier | 1,122 | 609 | 8.8% | |
| Ford Ranger | 6,523 | 2,828 | 8.8% | |
| Honda Ridgeline | 2,095 | 697 | 2.8% |
How serious were they
Of the 1,122 reports on the Nissan Frontier, 8.8% involved a crash against 5.8% across all vehicles, above the norm.
| Outcome | Nissan Frontier | All vehicles |
|---|---|---|
| Complaints filed | 1,122 | 1,115,966 |
| Involved a crash | 99 (8.8%) | 64,194 (5.8%) |
| Involved a fire | 23 (2%) | 26,974 (2.4%) |
| Injuries reported | 82 | 58,013 |
| Deaths reported | 3 | 2,728 |
Crash-related reports run 52% above the all-vehicle rate.
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How this check works
The file behind this page holds 1,115,966 complaints filed with NHTSA between 1981 and 2026, across 298,921 production runs. The Nissan Frontier share of that is 1,122 complaints over 609 runs, 0.1% of everything on record.
Frequently asked questions
How do I check a Nissan Frontier VIN for free?
Enter the 17 characters above. ForCar matches the first eleven, the production run, against 1,122 NHTSA complaints from 609 Frontier runs and 47 recall campaigns. No account, no card.
Which Frontier production run has the most complaints?
1N6ED1EK8NN, a 2022 build, with 10 complaints. The typical Frontier run has 1.8.
Which Frontier years have the most complaints?
Per production run, 2022 is heaviest at 3.4 complaints per run and 2017 lightest at 1.2.
Does the Frontier get more complaints than the Ford Ranger?
No: 1.8 complaints per production run for the Frontier against 2.3 for the Ford Ranger.
How many Frontier complaints involve a crash?
8.8% of 1,122 reports, against 5.8% across all vehicles; 23 involved a fire.
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