NHTSA has received 25 owner complaints about the 2018 Nissan Frontier, or 2.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.07, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #2 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Nissan models its rate is 90% lower; against other Midsize pickups it is 86% lower.
Counts are normalized by time on the road, not by sales volume: a popular model generates more reports than a rare one, and complaints are not verified individually. How we count
Limited data: fewer than 30 complaints, so shares and indexes are unstable.
Complaints filed between 2018-10-13 and 2025-09-02. Median delay from incident to filing: 13 days.
25Complaints
2.9Complaints per year on the road
0.07Complaint index vs. all tracked vehicles
2Recalls
0.0%Share involving a crash or fire
0Last 12 months
Analysis
The following model year (2019) drew 3.6 per year, more than this one. In its first two years on the road the 2018 model collected 9 complaints, 90% lower than the average vehicle of the same model year.
The most common problem area is Electrical (24.0% of complaints), followed by Brakes (12.0%) and Wheels, tires & suspension (12.0%). Electrical complaints are 1.5 times as common here as across all tracked vehicles. No report describes a crash, fire, injury or death.
Half of the reported incidents happened within 28 months of the model year's start; the busiest period was after five years (36% of incidents). 0 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
NHTSA lists 2 safety recalls for this model year. 24% of the complaints fall in component areas that a recall addresses.
Complaint index
vs. all tracked vehicles0.07
vs. other Nissan models0.1
vs. other 2018 models0.06
vs. other Midsize pickups0.14
Complaints in first 2 years on the road · vs. same-year average (9)0.1
2018 Nissan Frontier Desert Runner... Battery inconsistently drains fast when off and while driving. Indicator lights for battery, brakes, ABS and traction control come on. Gauges malfunction. Tried another battery and still having same symptoms.
Electrical · 2025-09-02 · ODI 11684525
The passenger dashboard airbag keeps generating error codes and the airbag light continually flashes. There have been 2 costly repair attempts by a Nissan dealership, but the problem persists.
Airbags & seat belts · 2025-08-26 · ODI 11683111
15 mph door lock system does not work. Have been in garage with truck, and heard doors lock with no one near vehicle. I understand there is a class action suit about the door lock system.
Electrical · 2025-08-17 · ODI 11681142
I bought this truck from my boss man and had it put in the shop to replace the head gasket but they ended up changing the valve cover the intake manifold gasket and putting plugs in it due to a smoking issue and skipping but after all the repairs were done it…
Engine · 2025-07-13 · ODI 11673177
Upon inspection found passenger side truck bed mount with a crack and portion missing from where the bed connects to the frame.
Body & structure · 2024-11-10 · ODI 11624460
Excerpts from complaints filed with NHTSA, trimmed for length. The ODI number is NHTSA's record identifier.
BACK OVER PREVENTION: SENSING SYSTEM: CAMERA Campaign 19V654000 · 2019-09-12
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Nissan Altima, Armada, Frontier, Kicks, Leaf, Maxima, Murano, NV, NV200, Pathfinder, Rogue, Rogue Sport, Sentra, Titan, Titan Diesel, Versa Note and Versa Sedan vehicles, as well as Infiniti Q50, Q60, QX30 and QX80 vehicles. Additionally included are 2019 Nissan GT-R and Taxi and Infiniti QX50, QX60, Q70, Q70L vehicles. The back-up camera and display settings can be adjusted such that the rear view image is no longer visible and the system will retain that setting the next time the vehicle is placed in reverse. As such, these vehicles fail to comply with the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard (FMVSS) number 111, "Rear Visibility."
Risk: The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners in phases, having dealers update the back-up camera settings software, free of charge. The recall began November 11, 2019 and all affected VINs should be activated. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669 or INFINITI customer service at 1-800-662-6200.
Summary: Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2017 Nissan NV200, Sentra, NV3500 Van, NV3500 Bus, NV200 Taxi, NV1500, NV2500 Van, Chevrolet City Express, 2017-2018 Frontier, Versa Note, and Versa Sedan vehicles that have a mechanical (physical) key ignition system. In these models, over time, the weight on the key ring and road conditions or some other jarring event may cause the ignition switch to move out of the run position to the accessory position, turning off the engine.
Risk: If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Nissan will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the production information on the ignition switch, and replace it as necessary, free of charge. The recall began October 1, 2018. Owners may contact Nissan customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
No NHTSA investigation covers the tracked model years.
Frequently asked questions
How many complaints were filed for the 2018 Nissan Frontier?
25 complaints were filed with NHTSA for the 2018 Nissan Frontier, or about 2.9 per year on the road.
What is the most common problem reported for the 2018 Nissan Frontier?
The most common category is Electrical, accounting for 24.0% of complaints.
Does the 2018 Nissan Frontier have any recalls?
NHTSA lists 2 safety recall(s) for this model year.
Is the 2018 Nissan Frontier still generating complaints?
0 complaints were filed in the last 12 months.
How does the 2018 Nissan Frontier compare with similar vehicles?
NHTSA has received 25 owner complaints about the 2018 Nissan Frontier, or 2.9 per year on the road — far fewer complaints than typical for a vehicle of its age (complaint index 0.07, where 1.00 is the average of all tracked vehicles). Among the 73 model-year 2018 vehicles we track, it ranks #2 for fewest complaints per year. Against other Nissan models its rate is 90% lower; against other Midsize pickups it is 86% lower.