Verdict
2021 Nissan Frontier: Complaints, Recalls & Known Issues
What the public record actually says about the 2021 Nissan Frontier — every figure below is a NHTSA or EPA number, not an opinion.
The read
Fewer reported complaints than most truck.
Owners filed 17 NHTSA complaints — fewer complaints than 93% of 2021 trucks. Electrical System leads the reports (24%). 2 safety recall campaigns on record — check the VIN and remedy terms with a dealer.
Based on NHTSA complaint volume against 2021 trucks, not adjusted for how many were sold. It describes the model year, not the individual car you are looking at.
Complaints filed
17
Reports to NHTSA, 2021
Safety recalls
2
NHTSA campaigns on record
NHTSA crash test
Not rated
Overall NCAP rating
Combined MPG
19.5
EPA estimate
Complaint volume vs. segment peers
Fewer complaints than 93% of 2021 trucks
The bar is this car's percentile among 2021 trucks by complaint volume — a full bar means the fewest complaints in its class. Not adjusted for sales.
Known issues
Electrical System issues lead owner complaints (24% of 17 reports), followed by power train (24%).
Share of all 17 NHTSA complaints for this model year, grouped by the component owners named. Bars are scaled to the largest category. Examples: ODI 11435971, ODI 11693475, ODI 11609947, ODI 11609478.
Recalls(2)
Open a recall to read what NHTSA says is wrong, what can happen, and how it gets fixed. Check the VIN and remedy eligibility with a dealer; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though a manufacturer may offer more coverage.
Power TrainJul 2022 · 22V671000Details +Close −
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2023 Titan, 2020-2022 Frontier, and 2023 Z vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will perform the applicable repairs below, free of charge: Model Year 2020-2022 Frontier vehicles: reprogram Transmission Control Module (TCM) Model Year 2020-2022 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM and Engine Control Module (ECM) Model Year 2023 Titan vehicles: reprogram TCM Model Year 2023 Z vehicles: reprogram TCM. Owner notification letters were mailed October 28, 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669.
Power Train · 22V457000Details +Close −
Nissan North America, Inc. (Nissan) is recalling certain 2020-2022 Frontier and Titan vehicles. The transmission parking pawl may not engage when the vehicle is shifted into park, which can result in a vehicle rollaway.
Risk: A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.
Remedy: Owners are advised to apply the parking brake every time they park their vehicle. Dealers will replace the transmission parking pawl pin, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed November 2022. Owners may contact Nissan's customer service at 1-800-867-7669. Nissan's number for this recall is R22A2 R22A3.
A campaign can apply to this model year without being incomplete on a specific vehicle. Check the VIN with NHTSA or a dealer to confirm whether a particular car needs repair.
Investigations
0 NHTSA investigations on record
No investigations are on record as of Jul 2026. An empty record is not a clean bill of health.
Crash-test ratings
No NHTSA crash test is on record for this year. Some vehicles and model years were not tested or do not have a published NCAP result.
Fuel economy by trim
| Trim | Engine | Drivetrain | Transmission | City | Hwy | Combined |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frontier 2WD | 3.8L 6-cyl | Rear-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S9) | 18 | 24 | 20 |
| Frontier 4WD | 3.8L 6-cyl | Part-time 4-Wheel Drive | Automatic (S9) | 17 | 23 | 19 |
EPA laboratory estimates by trim and engine. Actual mileage varies with driving, weather, load, and maintenance. EPA source.
Before you buy
Useful next checks
Federal records tell you about patterns. These checks can tell you more about the specific car in front of you.
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Compare model years
"Fewest reports" and "most complained" describe raw NHTSA complaint totals, not vehicle reliability. The last few model years are left unlabelled because they have had less road time.
2021 Nissan Frontier: frequently asked
What does the complaint record show for the 2021 Nissan Frontier?
Owners filed 17 NHTSA complaints about the 2021 Nissan Frontier — fewer complaints than 93% of comparable 2021 trucks, so it sits toward the stronger end of its class. That's a signal, not a guarantee about any single car.
What are the most common problems on the 2021 Nissan Frontier?
The most-reported problem areas are Electrical System (24% of complaints) and power train (24%).
How many recalls does the 2021 Nissan Frontier have?
2 recalls have been issued that affect the 2021 Nissan Frontier, covering components such as power train. Check the VIN with NHTSA and ask a dealer to confirm remedy eligibility; federal no-charge requirements have an age limit, though manufacturers may offer more coverage.
What gas mileage does the 2021 Nissan Frontier get?
The EPA rates the 2021 Nissan Frontier between 19 and 20 mpg combined, depending on trim and drivetrain.