TireKick

Published generation acquisition guide

Frontier years to avoid—and the years we refuse to over-rank

This answer is generated only from the published Second generation (D40) guide. It names applicable issues, configuration caveats, remedies, exposure eligibility, and the claim receipts behind every year conclusion.

Year-by-year answer

2018
Buy with conditions

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

clm_nissan-frontier-2018-recall-recall-18v551000-obs-8019

Applicable issues

  • Electrical System:Ignition safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 6 reviewed 2018 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2018; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2018 authority →
2019
Buy with conditions

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

clm_nissan-frontier-2019-recall-recall-19v654000-obs-8057

Applicable issues

  • Back Over Prevention: Sensing System: Camera safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 6 reviewed 2019 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2019; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2019 authority →
2020
Buy with conditions

Proceed only after the named candidate-verification and record checks pass.

clm_nissan-frontier-2020-recall-recall-22v457000-obs-8095

Applicable issues

  • Power Train:Automatic Transmission safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 2 reviewed 2020 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2020; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2020 authority →
2017
Insufficient evidence

Insufficient evidence for a responsible candidate verdict.

clm_nissan-frontier-2017-recall-recall-18v551000-obs-7982

Applicable issues

  • Electrical System:Ignition safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 6 reviewed 2017 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2017; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2017 authority →
2021
Insufficient evidence

Insufficient evidence for a responsible candidate verdict.

clm_nissan-frontier-2021-recall-recall-22v457000-obs-8116

Applicable issues

  • Power Train:Automatic Transmission safety campaign (high; verified remedy) · Inspect: Check the VIN for open NHTSA actions, then ask the inspector to test the named system and document the result.

Configuration: 2 reviewed 2021 configurations exist; the model-year authority does not guess which one a buyer has.

Exposure: No verified positive production denominator is present for 2021; normalized year comparison is refused. No configuration-specific denominator is available.

Open 2021 authority →

What you trade between adjacent years

Dossier receipts

clm_nissan-frontier-2017-recall-recall-18v551000-obs-79822017 Nissan FrontierEvidence: Limited confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“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. If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash. 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.”
NHTSArecallOpen source record
clm_nissan-frontier-2018-recall-recall-18v551000-obs-80192018 Nissan FrontierEvidence: Medium confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“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. If the vehicle stalls, it can increase the risk of a crash. 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.”
NHTSArecallOpen source record
clm_nissan-frontier-2019-recall-recall-19v654000-obs-80572019 Nissan FrontierEvidence: Medium confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“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." The lack of an image in the back-up camera display increases the risk of a crash. 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.”
NHTSArecallDec 2019Open source record
clm_nissan-frontier-2020-recall-recall-22v457000-obs-80952020 Nissan FrontierEvidence: Medium confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“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. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash. 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.”
NHTSArecallOpen source record
clm_nissan-frontier-2021-recall-recall-22v457000-obs-81162021 Nissan FrontierEvidence: Limited confidence

The official record describes a potential crash, fire, injury, or loss-of-control consequence.

“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. A vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash. 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.”
NHTSArecallOpen source record

Publication contract

Evidence: Limited confidence

Release rel_v4_cohort_20260726 · methodology m1-v4-authority-cohort. Raw complaint totals never choose an avoid year.