The 2016 Nissan Frontier is associated with 43 official NHTSA owner defect complaints and 1 safety recall campaign in the federal safety database. The most frequently reported component area is Air Bags, accounting for 8 reports (19% of total complaints). EPA testing covers 6 certified vehicle configurations spanning 2.5l 4-cyl and 4l 6-cyl configurations. Gasoline and hybrid variants deliver 17 to 21 MPG combined. Detailed NHTSA crash-test ratings are not available in the current AutoUtility dataset for this model year.

Key Data Findings
  • • NHTSA Owner Complaints: 43 reports
  • • Safety Recall Campaigns: 1 campaign
  • • Top Reported Defect Area: Air Bags (8 / 19%)
  • • Safety Incident Signals: 3 crash / 1 fire / 1 injury reports
  • • NHTSA Overall Safety Rating: Not rated by NHTSA
  • • EPA Efficiency: 17–21 MPG (6 variants)
Data Note: Compiled directly from official NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI), NHTSA 5-Star Safety Ratings, and EPA FuelEconomy.gov databases.
Fuel Economy
17–21MPG
6 EPA certified variants (2.5l 4-cyl and 4l 6-cyl configurations)
Reported Complaints
43
43 submitted owner reports
Safety Recalls
1
1 official NHTSA recall
NCAP Safety Rating
Not rated by NHTSA

What is the fuel economy and range of the 2016 Nissan Frontier?

Official EPA laboratory test ratings, electric driving range, and annual energy cost estimates by certified vehicle variant

Variant Engine Drivetrain Transmission City Highway Combined EV Range Est. Annual Fuel Cost
Frontier 2WD 2.5L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 5-spd 19 MPG 23 MPG 21 MPG — $2,950 / yr
Frontier 2WD 4L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 17 MPG 22 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Frontier 2WD 2.5L 4-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd 17 MPG 22 MPG 19 MPG — $3,250 / yr
Frontier 2WD 4L 6-Cyl Rear-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd 16 MPG 22 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Frontier 4WD 4L 6-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Manual 6-spd 16 MPG 21 MPG 18 MPG — $3,400 / yr
Frontier 4WD 4L 6-Cyl Part-time 4-Wheel Drive Automatic 5-spd 15 MPG 21 MPG 17 MPG — $3,600 / yr
Data Boundary Note: EPA specifications are shown by certified vehicle configuration. NHTSA complaints and recall totals are recorded at the model-year level across all configurations.

What are the crash test safety ratings for the 2016 Nissan Frontier?

Official 5-Star Safety Ratings evaluated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Tested Drivetrain / Cab Variant Overall Rating Frontal Crash Side Crash Rollover Rating Rollover Risk
Crew Cab PU/CC 4WD 19.8%
King Cab PU/EC 4WD 19.8%
King Cab PU/EC RWD 21.2%
Crew Cab PU/CC RWD 21.2%
Active Driver Assistance Systems (NHTSA Recorded): Forward Collision Warning (FCW) is documented as No and Lane Departure Warning (LDW) is documented as No in official NHTSA records for tested 2016 Nissan Frontier models.
View complete 2016 Nissan Frontier crash test & safety breakdown →

What defect complaints are reported for the 2016 Nissan Frontier?

Summary of 43 verified consumer defect submissions filed with the NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI)

Total Complaints
43
Crash Reports
3
Fire Reports
1
Complaints w/ Injury
1
Total Injuries
3

Top Reported Problem Categories

Ranked by total consumer complaint submissions recorded by NHTSA

Air Bags 8 complaints (1 crash)
Engine 5 complaints
Fuel & Propulsion System 5 complaints
Structure & Body 3 complaints
AIR BAGS,FORWARD COLLISION AVOIDANCE 1 complaint (1 crash)

Data Attribution & Context: Complaints are self-reported by vehicle owners to NHTSA and represent unverified consumer submissions. Complaint volume does not equal a statistically controlled failure rate and is not adjusted for total vehicles sold or cumulative mileage driven.

View all 2016 Nissan Frontier problems & component breakdown (21 categories) →

Are there open safety recalls on the 2016 Nissan Frontier?

Manufacturer safety recall campaigns monitored and recorded by NHTSA

NHTSA Campaign #16V181000 Active Recall
Affected Component: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:WIRING:FRONT UNDERHOOD

Defect Summary: 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.

Free Manufacturer 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 service at 1-800-647-7261.
View all 2016 Nissan Frontier recalls & campaign history (1 campaigns) →
Official US Government Data Provenance

The specifications, safety ratings, defect reports, and recall campaigns published on this page are retrieved directly from official United States Government agency databases:

  • NHTSA Office of Defects Investigation (ODI): Consumer complaints and defect reports.
  • NHTSA New Car Assessment Program (NCAP): Frontal, side, and rollover 5-Star crash safety test ratings.
  • U.S. EPA / FuelEconomy.gov: Standardized multi-cycle dynamometer fuel economy, MPGe, and electric driving range ratings.

Local Production Store Compiled: August 2026 • Deterministic Audited Dataset • Zero Dynamic External API Runtime Latency.