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2021 Nissan Frontier

Gas
Standard Pickup Trucks 2WD
2 EPA-rated configurations
Data refreshed 2026-09-11
B
Safety Signal
84 / 100 from the NHTSA recall record
RecallsNHTSA campaigns2
Complaintsowner reports to NHTSA17
Crash ratingNHTSA overall4★
Fuel economybest combined, EPA20 mpg
20262025202420232022202120202019201820172016

The 2021 Nissan Frontier is sold in the U.S. as a gas pickup truck with 2 EPA-rated configurations. The most efficient version, the Frontier 2WD, is EPA-rated at 20 mpg combined. NHTSA lists 2 recall campaigns for this model year, which gives it a Safety Signal grade of B. Owners have filed 17 complaints, most often about the electrical system. NHTSA crash-tested it at 4 stars overall.

Specs & fuel economy

Source: EPA fueleconomy.gov
ConfigurationPowertrainDriveEngine / motorCityHwyCombAnnual fuel*
Frontier 2WDGasRWD3.8L 6-cyl182420$3,100
Frontier 4WDGas4WD (part-time)3.8L 6-cyl172319$3,300

*EPA estimate at 15,000 miles/year at EPA reference fuel and electricity prices. fueleconomy.gov record ids: 43688, 43689.

Factory warranty running out?

The 2021 Nissan Frontier is in the years where transmission, electronics and drivetrain repairs land on the owner. Compare extended-coverage quotes in about two minutes.

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Recalls (2)

Source: NHTSA recall database
▲high

Power Train

R22A9 R22B1/2/3
197,230 vehicles
ProblemNissan 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.RiskA vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.FixOwners 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 Niss
NHTSA campaign 22V671000reported Sep 7, 2022Nissan North America, Inc.
▲high

Power Train

R22A1
180,176 vehicles
ProblemNissan 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.RiskA vehicle rollaway increases the risk of a crash.FixOwners 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.
NHTSA campaign 22V457000reported Jun 24, 2022Nissan North America, Inc.

Owner complaints

Source: NHTSA complaint database
17complaints filed

1 involved a crash · 0 a fire · 0 injuries · 0 deaths reported

Filed per year: 2021: 3 · 2022: 3 · 2023: 5 · 2024: 3 · 2025: 3

Most-cited components

Electrical System4
Unspecified4
Power Train4
Fuel/Propulsion System3
Air Bags3
Service Brakes1

What owners describe

“When someone is sitting in passenger seat the light for their airbag blinks, is on or off. So we are unsure if the airbag would in fact deploy if we were to be in a collision.”Jul 28, 2025 · Air Bags · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while driving 35 MPH, several unknown warning lights illuminated. The contact stated that an independent mechanic was contacted. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic where it was diagnosed with transmission control module error. The contact was inf…”Feb 11, 2025 · Power Train · NHTSA owner report
“The contact owns a 2021 Nissan Frontier. The contact stated while attempting to start the vehicle with the brake pedal depressed all the way to the floorboard, the contact heard an abnormal sound coming from the engine compartment, after which, upon pressing the Push to Start button the vehicle failed to start. After s…”Aug 21, 2024 · Electrical System · NHTSA owner report

Complaint counts are raw owner reports to NHTSA, not verified defects, and scale with how many were sold. Use them to spot patterns, not to rank.

Crash ratings

Source: NHTSA NCAP
ConfigurationOverallFrontalSideRolloverRollover risk
PU/CC 4WD★★★★☆★★★☆☆★★★★★★★★★☆20%
PU/CC RWD★★★★☆★★★☆☆★★★★★★★★☆☆21%
PU/EC 4WDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★★☆20%
PU/EC RWDnot ratednot ratednot rated★★★☆☆21%

NHTSA New Car Assessment Program.

Other Frontier model years

A

2026 Nissan Frontier

1 recalls · 7 complaints

B

2025 Nissan Frontier

3 recalls · 7 complaints

C

2024 Nissan Frontier

3 recalls · 21 complaints

A

2023 Nissan Frontier

1 recalls · 64 complaints

F

2022 Nissan Frontier

6 recalls · 110 complaints

B

2020 Nissan Frontier

2 recalls · 23 complaints

A

2019 Nissan Frontier

1 recalls · 28 complaints

B

2018 Nissan Frontier

2 recalls · 25 complaints

A

2017 Nissan Frontier

1 recalls · 38 complaints

B

2016 Nissan Frontier

1 recalls · 43 complaints

Sources & method

Safety Signal starts every model-year at 100 and subtracts points per open NHTSA recall campaign by severity: critical 15 (fire risk, park-outside or do-not-drive advisories), high 8 (brakes, steering, airbags, loss of drive power, structure, battery), moderate 6, minor 3 (software, labels, lighting fixed by an update). Floor 35. A ≥ 90, B ≥ 80, C ≥ 70, D ≥ 60, otherwise F. Complaint counts and NHTSA crash ratings are shown separately and are not blended into the grade.

EPA figures come from fueleconomy.gov vehicle records. Recalls, complaints, investigations and crash ratings come from NHTSA's public flat files, refreshed weekly.

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